What is the attraction of stealth camping?

[jeanontheroad]

It sounds like it might be OK for a night or 2 on the way somewhere. Maybe like a game of hide and seek. But it would not take long b4 constantly having to move every day, find someplace to shower and use the bathroom, being woke up by the cops in the middle of the nite and told to move and everything else would get old.

 

[WanderlustVagabond]

Some people don't choose this lifestyle but are forced into, therefore if roots are set in an area (job,friends,etc) it is comfortable to them. Others enjoy city life, not spending $600+ on a place to live every month. Just what I've gathered. kicked the idea around myself for the front range of the rockies. I like denver and have friends and family there but at the end of the day its a city and I'm just not a city person so the idea of being able to spend some time in the bigger cities and towns (denver, fort collins, boulder) and still be an hour or so from the mountains def. has some romance to it for me anyways

Keep your head up
Nick

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think most who do it prolonged do it because they have to more than they want to...maybe for a job, or family commitments.

Job for me.

 

[AltTransBikes]

Some simply might not have the luxury of multiple choice.

 

[owl]

jean, please don't take offense, that is not my intention. This is not an RV site. Think of it more like a survival site. I have wondered at your posts since you arrived, your OP explains a lot. I honestly think you have no idea what most folks here are going through. This is a place where people try to care about other people, with some exceptions, who are struggling for whatever reason. This is an alternative lifestyle for some, a last ditch effort for others. Some will never live on the road. Every person who comes here, comes here for a reason known only to them. Trying to get by living in a van in a city for whatever reason is easily one of the hardest things a person can do in this day in this country. Every thing these folks do is suspect, the things you take for granted would be treasures for some here. Walk a mile

 

[StarEcho]

I guess since stealth camping isn't really possible in an RV, talking about "vandwellers" makes sense. I'm just worried about the whole "vandwellers" vs "RV'ers" vibe I'm reading in these forums.

I was under the impression this website and forums were about learning how to live within your means and get out of debt and the mainstay of that process could be to get out of the sticks and bricks and mortgage rat-race. I didn't realize that those with RV's weren't welcome!

Are we not welcome at RTR then? Bob says in the gatherings page that those in RV's are welcome as well as those in vans, cargo trailers and even those who *gasp* live in sticks and bricks house. That it's all about learning and attitude.

I think if someone asks a question trying to understand why someone else thinks a way that is foreign to them, that's GREAT! They are trying to learn and understand. Those who gave the OP an honest answer are helping the OP to see why something that might make no sense to her is actually quite sensible to someone else. HOW IS THAT BAD????

I think a little tolerance for those of us who might be fully into the mindset of "cheapRVliving" but not actually in a position to sell our houses and move into vans would go a long way. I really hesitate to ask any questions in these forums. Really. Simply because I don't want to be condescended to and scorned for NOT living in a van.

 

[Patrick46]

I guess since stealth camping isn't really possible in an RV, talking about "vandwellers" makes sense. I'm just worried about the whole "vandwellers" vs "RV'ers" vibe I'm reading in these forums.

I was under the impression this website and forums were about learning how to live within your means and get out of debt and the mainstay of that process could be to get out of the sticks and bricks and mortgage rat-race. I didn't realize that those with RV's weren't welcome!

Are we not welcome at RTR then? Bob says in the gatherings page that those in RV's are welcome as well as those in vans, cargo trailers and even those who *gasp* live in sticks and bricks house. That it's all about learning and attitude.

I think if someone asks a question trying to understand why someone else thinks a way that is foreign to them, that's GREAT! They are trying to learn and understand. Those who gave the OP an honest answer are helping the OP to see why something that might make no sense to her is actually quite sensible to someone else. HOW IS THAT BAD????

I think a little tolerance for those of us who might be fully into the mindset of "cheapRVliving" but not actually in a position to sell our houses and move into vans would go a long way. I really hesitate to ask any questions in these forums. Really. Simply because I don't want to be condescended to and scorned for NOT living in a van.

I like to quote little bits of posts from time to time...but this one is so right on that I decided to repost the entire quote!!

WELL SAID, Star!!

Yeah, I too never got that this was an "Us and Them" forum!

I too was under the impression that this forum was for anybody and EVERYBODY who are interested in living on the cheap in a vehicle...whether that was in a van, an RV, a bus, an SUV...makes no difference. And whether you're out on the road, 'stealthing it' in city streets, squatting in Walmart parking lots, or boondocking it out in the sticks... ALL ARE WELCOME HERE.

....at least to most of us!


...or am I wrong.............AGAIN!!??
(if so, maybe I need to move along.)

btw, to Jean's OP...who can say why some folks do something one way, but the 'rest' do it completely differently??? Beats me!!...but I think that this is why this forum is so cool...we can all share our different stories, and learn from each other, even if what you're doing is entirely different from 'my' approach to it.

I can't stand being in the big city!! I'll avoid it like the plague...but there may come a time when I need to 'stealth it' in a city...but it'll only be temporary, that's for certain!!

 

[Canine]

I met a guy who lives in his pickup. He went to the hospital very ill and spent a few days in recovery. During his stay, it became known he was living in his truck. That is what he wants, though. He isn't being forced to be in his truck; he could live somewhere else. The medical staff either said or thought, "You can't live in your truck because that isn't appropriate. There are services out there that will help you find a place." They didn't want him living differently than them. After much cajoling, they relented and allowed him to live in his dwelling of choice.

I bet he keeps his living arrangements to himself; otherwise, someone will eventually make it their goal to force him to live in what they consider appropriate housing. Stealth is highly attractive to him as he needs to live near medical care in the city and doesn't want to get in trouble for his illegal activity despite him not harming a soul. (Staying overnight within these city limits in anything other than a large dwelling with electricity and running water is illegal.) He is a very quiet guy. Seems to me he would be out in the county if he had better health.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

It sounds like it might be OK for a night or 2 on the way somewhere. Maybe like a game of hide and seek. But it would not take long b4 constantly having to move every day, find someplace to shower and use the bathroom, being woke up by the cops in the middle of the nite and told to move and everything else would get old.

the way you describe it sounds a little stressful but there are ways that you can do it without having to move around so much, or be woken up by cops. It appeals to me because it costs nothing, the money saved from campgrounds or rv parks goes a long way the next day on fuel costs, food, entertainment. Somehow I like the cat and mouse aspect a little as well. I have lived in a van 3 to 5 months every year for the past 5 years and have boondocked, 99% of the time. most of that time is spent on private land that I make work trades to stay on in the middle of a town by a stream hidden by trees. When I go out for weekends I like to free camp by roadsides or next to rivers on quiet roads or sometimes in the corner of playing fields, event car parks etc right in cities. I like apartment parking lots, I usually don't hang around like a old pervert in these places but I do spend a night. I arrive late and leave early, but I don't find this a hassle it usually just means I am having breakfast down the road from where I slept at a park or a nice spot I have seen the night before. I have an outside shower and usually manage that in the afternoon somewhere a few times a week or while visiting someone if it is appropriate. I like the lifestyle and would likely do it full time if I wasn't married. I think it is fun, I just enjoy it, the other day I was out for a couple of days boondocking found a spot right along an ocean estuary, it was little picnic pull off. I sat around watching the sun set while doing this another camper showed up and parked then I went to bed and another van showed up a little later, I woke early the next morning went into town walked around found a toilet went to the marina toilet block washed up in the sun, had breakfast watched the town wake up walked along the docks looking at the boats then went for a long walk up some stream. it was a magic morning.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

The name of the site has RV in it lol Of course they are welcome. I don't really think of my van much differently, though sometimes i think i would get less scrutiny in a nice RV.

 

[Unchained]

Allow me to clear up any confusion:
ANYONE with an interest in cheap RV, van, car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle, tent or backpack living, who can express themselves in a civil manner and follow the forum rules, is welcome here.

The goal of this site is to help interested folks learn and provide a place to share ideas and experiences, as well as discuss all aspects of living cheap on the road. As many here can attest, many of these discussions are also helpful to those living in RV parks, on acreage, or in sticks n bricks homes who are looking to cut costs, go green and/or just simplify their lives.

That said, we are a diverse group and disagreements and/or differences in perspective will happen. Offense is sometimes given or taken through misunderstanding, as can happen in any RL conversation. The staff currently prefers to trust the members to resolve such misunderstandings in a civil manner, stepping in only when necessary to prevent flame wars or clarify things like what is and isn't allowed and/or who is and isn't welcome here.

Please continue, as this has the potential to be a very educational thread.

 

[jeanontheroad]

I think there is some confusion about my question. It is not the happy freedom of the van I am wondering about. We van camped for years and loved it. We spent nights at rest stops and truck stops, no problem.It is the stealth camping I don't get. We spend an emergency night in front of a mechanic, waiting for them to open and hated it. It felt very exposed. The cops knew why we there and left us alone after we told them, but a couple of street drunks took a persistant interest in us. The traffic noise and lights were a pain. It would not have occurred to us to to park in residential area in front of a stranger's house. It would feel too much like trespassing. We certainly would have reported a strange vehicle in front of our own house. We have CG's with monthly rates of about $300 not far out of town, where facilities are on hand and no winos are going to pound on your van and ask for money.

 

[ccbreder]

I travel in my van for half or more of the year. I have a house in town. Sort of a base and address. Welcome Jean. I want to ditto other posters except one. You know who you are!

 

[rvwandering]

StarEcho, Patrick, and anyone else who is concerned or just wondering - we have a small RV and have been fulltiming for many years, overnighting in big box stores, boondocking or camping in public campgrounds. We've been welcomed with opened arms by everyone whom we've met at the gathering in Quartzsite and by members on the road. The choice of dwelling, which ranges from tents to 35' class As with everything in between, makes no difference. This is a group of just truly nice people!

 

[Canine]

jeanontheroad, I think I understand a bit more what you are saying. I live in the city and have a dog. We have a leash law. I walk without a leash 100% of the time. I won't get into specifically why, but it is for training reasons. Everyone once in a while someone will confront me about it and a couple times have had them call law enforcement on me. Like many ordinances, they are complaint-driven. Law enforcement will do nothing unless someone complains AND the alleged criminal has to be causing harm. I never got in trouble because I have far more control over my dog than most dogs who are on-leash.

I won't get into a conversation about how dogs need to be on leashes. I bring this example up to show how I dealt with an ordinance and what the consequences were. None. Because I was considerate and brought my "A" game. It can be nerve-wracking dealing with angry, semi-educated folks who feel a misguided duty to help enforce ordinances.

If you want to stealth, you have little choice but to be the most courteous and appropriate person possible to minimize or avoid conflict. We get caught up in the social cues and standards. When we do something outside of those "norms", it creates an uncomfortable feeling. How would I deal with the stress of stealthing? I would educated myself as much as possible. Being knowledgeable creates self confidence and greatly reduces stress. I also would do the best job I could at being courteous and non-obtrusive. I would develop as much empathy for others as possible to know how to minimize my impact. For example:

I want to park on a street. I see a homeowner that likes to make an illegal u-turn to get in his preferred parked spot. I would park further down or somewhere else instead of disrupting his life. Yes, that is a minor thing, but likely irksome to him which would draw attention.

Being stealth usually means being in a different environment. Like sleeping over at a relative's house. You never quite get a good sleep, but if you stayed over long enough, you would adapt at least somewhat.

The first few times are usually the worst. Living outside the norm, bending, or even breaking very minor laws is stressful for most. But it usually isn't as bad as one thinks after actually doing it. That being said, stealth is not for everyone. It might seem hard to understand why folks would choose to stealth, but we all have our reasons and circumstances. I would so stealth as a last resort. Kurbmaster, however, is a bit more adventurous than me.

 

[vanguy]

hi, i have lived in NYC for most of my life and the bottom line for me is, 'it's just more comfortable for me'. it seems strange for people to get that sometimes. for me, it's normal. i can sleep no problem with cars passing by and people walking by, talking.
when i've visited relatives and have stayed in the country for any reason, it makes me nervous. i have much more trouble sleeping that way, when it's dead quiet outside.
being the only van parked in the middle of the woods would make me feel exposed, the same way others might feel in a city.
hopefully, i'll get over this as i plan to do a lot of boondocking and camping in the future.
this is a generalization, i'm not out in my van yet. can't WAIT to get out there.

---

sorry, can't edit but wanted to add: i haven't lived in the van yet but i've lived in my car before so this isn't completely coming from a sticks-and-bricks point of view.

 

[akrvbob]

vanguy' wrote:
i have lived in NYC for most of my life and the bottom line for me is, 'it's just more comfortable for me'... i can sleep no problem with cars passing by and people walking by, talking.
when i've visited relatives and have stayed in the country for any reason, it makes me nervous. i have much more trouble sleeping that way, when it's dead quiet outside.
=============

I think vanguy is exactly right, I've met a lot of people who never spent time in the country and were very uncomfortable when they finally went boondocking for the first time. They are just naturally "city folk."

Nothing wrong with that!! We are all different and the purpose of living the mobile life is to be happy, and if being in the city makes you happy, go for it!
Bob

 

[AvitorJake]

Stealth parking is one of the things I am looking forward to when I begin my week long trial run living out of my car. Where I live in Alabama there is many a area to boondock. Luckily for me, I live in a small city so I can take care of washing up and laundry and the like.

My biggest concern is being stopped by the cops.

 

[VanDwellerMod]

This thread is now closed. The conversation was going downhill fast.

In review:

ANYONE with an interest in cheap RV, van, car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle, tent or backpack living, who can express themselves in a civil manner and follow the forum rules, is welcome here.

Name calling is not tolerated.

The number one rule here at our forum: Be Nice.