Stealthy shuttle bus tips?

[FreeWheelinTravel]

I am in the process of purchasing a 25 foot shuttle bus to convert to a camper. It was previously used for paratransit and is painted white with green and blue trim. There's no logo on it. I am pondering the best option to make it stealthy for city parking -- but keep in mind I also want to stay at campgrounds sometimes. Here are the ideas I have so far; I would love feedback and any other recommendations:

Option 1: Leave the paint job as is. Tint all the windows and people will just think it's a shuttle bus. I could even try to park in lots where there are other shuttle buses, next to hotel shuttles etc. 

Option 2: Leave the paint as is but add the name of a fake transportation company. Free Wheelin' Travel would work, and then it just relies on their assumptions that it's a company and not just my blog.

Option 3: Make up a fake church and add a logo for it. First Church of Dog would be my choice, though probably too memorable. Seriously, though, who's going to mess with a church bus?

Option 4: Paint the exterior black, make it look fancy like a limo bus. But I don't know if people would mistake it for a party bus and not want it around.

Thoughts?

 

[Rlmarsh1108]

I'd go with option #2 don't like the idea of using fake church name at least with option 2 your using a name affleated with your self

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[Wabbit]

My opinion would be not to try and "fake" a business name. Who knows what local ordinances are regarding business vehicle parking. Even though some\most people don't offer an honest slant when you first might meet, pretty much everyone I have bumped into appreciate honesty(at some level) in dealing with strangers. 'Specially LEO's. Although saying that, don't write yourself an "honest" jail sentence lol. I think a toned down regular paint job might be the way to go.

EDIT: I agree with Rlmarsh, Free Wheelin' Travel with no phone number is basically the "name" of your vehicle. No deception involved.

 

[John61CT]

No "stealth" whatsoever in that vehicle, may as well be a mini schoolbus.

Not saying don't try, but be realistic people will notice you, except maybe at the airport or hotel parking lots

Don't use a provably fake name

 

[FreeWheelinTravel]

It occurred to me that I could also get magnetic signs made with different options, and switch them out.

I'm not trying to live in one spot, just stay 1-2 days and not be obvious someone is sleeping inside.

 

[Gypsy Clipper]

Just be polite and don't over stay your welcome. Stealth is not necessary unless you intend to thwart authority. Not really my goal in the nomad lifestyle. Peaceful coexistence.

 

[rvwandering]

I think Option 1 is the best.

Using fake signs might make you look suspicious and you might have to register it as a commercial vehicle and have a commercial plate.

Whatever you do, do not paint it black. The amount of heat generated from a black exterior is noticeable.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Plain white no name will fly under the radar more so than the other options. You put yourself in a box if a name is indicated. Sometimes the public gets snoopy and puts their nose where it's not needed. my. O2

 

[Kia girl]

I think Option 1 is the best.

Using fake signs might make you look suspicious and you might have to register it as a commercial vehicle and have a commercial plate.

Whatever you do, do not paint it black. The amount of heat generated from a black exterior is noticeable.

Exactly what I was thinking with commercial plates. In Massachusetts any business name required them.


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[Minivanmotoman]

Imho, not to discourage you, but stealth shuttles and skoolies are an oxymoron. Tint the windows, out of state plates, out of town colors, any modifications, are all dead giveaways no matter where you park it. 
Just the size makes it stand out. Parked out of context, stealth due to color?
Like a fish out of water. 
Only saving grace is where overnight parking is allowed or tolerated, doesn't matter what you drive. And larger vehicles can't often just park where regular cars can. But go hang out with the skoolie forums and see what they say. Let us know if and how they do it. Always good to learn new tricks and tips.

 

[CityWoman]

I think you may want to post your questions at a forum for bus converters and dwellers, such as skoolie.net or busconversions.com.

 

[Boyntonstu]

I found this at busconversions.com


Naval Air Station Key West, FL
« on: March 03, 2015, 09:27:28 AM »
We spent New Years at NAS Key West.  Their RV campgrounds are available for active and retired military, and federal employees.  There are actually two camping areas: Sigsbee Annex is located miles from downtown Key West (or much of anything other than base housing).  It containes 92 full hook up sites at $23 a night, plus a large number of dry camping "overflow" sites for $13 a night.  When the hook up sites are full the hosts initiate a rotation system so no one is left dry camping for more than a couple of weeks.  The other campground is at Trumbo Point, located just a few blocks from downtown Key West and Mallory Square.  All of the limited number of spots at Trumbo are dry camping, $13/night.  

Since hook up spots were all full when we arrived, we elected to stay at Trumbo since it is much closer to downtown and the tourist areas.  The campground is a well marked grass field with reasonable spacious and level sites, very few trees, clean bathrooms and showers, even a pool ($1 entry fee).  The main advantage of Trumbo Point is that the back gate in the Coast Guard section of the base is just blocks from downtown Key West. Just make sure that when you exit you ask the guard when they will lock it up for the night so you don't get caught outside and have to make the much longer hike around to the front gate.  

We have a more detailed write up about our experience at Trumbo Point at our travel blog, feel free to read and comment there.  http://shellonwheels.net/2015/01/07/and-we-begin/

 

[highdesertranger]

IMO stealth is over rated no matter what you drive. anybody who wants to know, knows. however don't get discouraged just don't be a problem, for the most part you will be left alone.

as far as a fake business name. I wouldn't do it. it brings a whole other level of scrutiny. around here shuttle buses in use(for hire) must have a Livery license. the Livery license number must be displayed on the outside of the vehicle. most of the time it's painted on the rear bumper. so if you are pretending to be a shuttle bus and don't have the number displayed it's a dead give away and if you think your going to display a fake number that moves the crime you are committing up to the next level. the LEO's would not to kindly to you tying to bluff them.

leave the signs off and keep a low profile. highdesertranger

 

[rvpopeye]

Plain white , parking near another bus might help but the spot might be reserved for their fleet only.
Business names would make you commercial ...$$ fines for not being properly licensed and those pesky weigh stations.
Anything resembling lettering will make you less stealthy ,people will remember you instead of just another white bus......

Don't over think it , just park in outer ares of lots and be cool about how long or noise level from inside .
OR paint it camo and park in the woods !

 

[accrete]

yes on the "Plain white" idea, and as one who does hope to have some semblance of stealth in his van, i know those who know, know ; )

all that said i did run across this totally cute couple and their equally cute shuttle bus conversion. If you jump ahead to ~1:40 min in the video you will see it come into frame. I would so do it, and keep it as is just to be silly. Of course i would be single, as my wife would have nothing to do with the idea!



Thom

 

[akrvbob]

It occurred to me that I could also get magnetic signs made with different options, and switch them out.

I'm not trying to live in one spot, just stay 1-2 days and not be obvious someone is sleeping inside.

If I understand you correctly, you'll only be in a given town for a few days and then move on to the next town/location, is that right? 

If so, that is a very different thing than planning to live in a town for months at a time and you can use two very different strategies.

If you are going to be there for months at a time, then go full-out stealth--as much as possible with that rig.

If just a week or less, I'd go with the "Just-passing-through" look. Don't even try to hide, you aren't a crazy homeless person living in a bus, you are a tourist stopping by this wonderful town wanting to spend as much money as you can!!!

Cops take a very different attitude toward the two groups! 

I think that's why so many of our folks in RVs hide in plain site and never get bothered--they are respectable! You still may get the knock, but when the cop sees a nice white lady in a nice RV, you will get a very different attitude!

 

[FreeWheelinTravel]

I'm a road tripper, not trying to live in one place for months. If I did want to stay longer, I'd find someone renting a spot in their yard, stay at a campground or RV park, etc.

 

[FreeWheelinTravel]

This is what it looks like right now.

 

[ZoNiE]

Get a magnet:
"Jared's Transportation"

 

[user 15722]

It's a nice looking bus !
Around here they are used by many different biz type things. RE agents, winery tours, zipline tourists.
Parking on an adjoining street to those kinda places could work.
You could also park on the church lot, and ask in the morning if you could stay another day or so.
A bogus sign could generate legal questions because of commercial licensing and liabilities. Then your state license plate would come into play.
It becomes a lot of work chasing a fabrication... they want to see paperwork. I wouldn't do that. Unless you wanted to post Travelling artist or Gospel Singer ? Certainly you sing well, right ? wheels