White cargo van stigma?

[ganchan]

I keep seeing statements or implications to the effect that "white cargo van dweller = creepy psycho dude."

This perception is kind of a shame, since the ubiquitous white cargo van is such a good choice in many ways for an affordable RV option. How pervasive is this feeling, and how might it affect my ability to enjoy the nomadic life? Would I be turned away from RV parks or campgrounds, for instance?

It's bizarre that a guy living in a cargo van is automatically some kind of homeless creep, while a retiree in a Class B is to be admired for his pluck and independence....

 

[GrantRobertson]

I've been thinking about this too. Is it better to go with a completely plain, white cargo van and try to look like a nondescript commercial vehicle. Or perhaps put fake logos on my van so it looks even more like a commercial vehicle, but then might not be accepted in a residential area or in an RV park. Or skip looking like a commercial vehicle and just get a passenger or conversion van. Or a solid-color, but not white, van with removable magnetic signs so I could pretend it is either.

There is currently a van for sale in Austin that was used by a bouncy castle company and has full vinyl artwork covering the whole thing. That thing would stand out like a sore thumb, but would also get a pass almost anywhere for a night or two.

 

[ganchan]

Well, since I have my own freelance business, I could actually put my legit logo on a cargo van -- and as you mention, it could be removable so I could take it off before entering a park. Who knows, it really might help me advertise my services as I travel from city to city....

I like the fact that white reflects sunlight, which is the reason so many thermal "cool roofs" on commercial buildings are white. But I'd take an irresistibly great deal on a reliable used vehicle of any color.

I just want to be able to use campsites or RV parks with shore power, and the occasional Wal-Mart overnight. So I don't care much about stealth.

 

[akrvbob]

I think it's a non-issue, just peoples vivid imagination.
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

Put a private eye sign on your van. They will think you are stupid and leave you alone.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

The perception is there, I have heard it from many people first and second hand. Some dude i never even met took a picture of my van and posted it to facebook as "Rape Van!". However, I would say the stigma is cargo vans in general, not necessarily white ones. White one probably can at least pass for commercial/worker sometimes. No one thinks a windowless cargo van of any other color is a legit company van.

My current van has windows, and looks like a more normal conversion van (like Mark IIIs etc). Over and over again the first thing people told me about the change from my blue cargo van, was "Less creepy", "Less suspicious" and "Don't even notice that one."

I sometimes get kinda depressed that people have that attitude about someone in a van being a bad person, especially when it conflicts directly with their perception of people in a commercial RV (my boss for instance, who owns an RV park, but takes a pretty messed up view on my lifestyle).

 

[Matt71]

From all of the research I have done the only places that place a stigma on the white van also place a stigma on older RVs and conversion vans, so I don't think it's an issue. Besides, if someone doesn't want my business, someone else will gladly take my money with open arms.

 

[VanTrekker]

The kids at work (McDonalds) used to joke about my white van and called it "Chester" (as in Chester the Molester) I hated that nickname. I do think white vans get a bad rap. Mine's got fishing stickers on the back windows, fish poles on the roof rack, and I often carry a bike on the hitch mounted bike carrier. Why? I don't want to be stealthy - some equate that with being sneaky.

So far, I've only be rousted once by a law enforcement officer - that was next to a river way out in the boonies! I think it's not so much about the color of the van as using good judgment about where you park it, for how long, how well you keep it maintained, a person's appearance, etc.

 

[vanman2300]

I have to agree with Bob that it's imagined that people find white vans creepy. There are just so many of them everywhere they would be more the norm and not creepy. Take a poll of van dwellers who have white vans maybe to prove that out?

 

[akrvbob]

I wondered why my experience is so different from many of you since I live in a white cargo van.

Then it dawned on me, I don't know anybody who lives in a house. I've lived on public land for 6 years and all my old stick and brick friends are gone from my life. There is no one to look down on me or think I am creepy.

I like it!!!

I highly recommend it!!!
Bob

 

[MK7]

"RapeVans", they look out of place in vacationing spots, campgrounds, tourist attractions, monuments, etc. Vans in general have this stigma. A little less with conversion vans.

 

[Matt71]

I think I'm going to come up with a line of bumper stickers
"Not a rape van"
"No puppies or candy inside"
"Not photographing your kids"

I think slapping a religious logo on the side would probably deter some suspicion. A lot of churches use cargo vans and generally don't draw attention.

 

[mconlonx]

Unfortunately...

Profiling A Rapist
What do the profiles say?
[size=x-small]VEHICLE: Older American cargo-type van with sliding side door, white or light-colored. No side windows.
[/size]


Who supposedly got their info from here, but I can't find vans referenced at a quick glance:

http://www.corpus-delicti.com/rape.html

 

[Matt71]

It's important to note that all of that information is for identifying serial rapists, which account for a very small number of actual rapes.
The source material does mention a van in an example, but does not list it as a sign of a rapist. Most rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. I think the van part is that particular person's own prejudice showing it's colors.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

yea..that...whatever it is, is bull. you more likely to be raped after a night on the town by someone you met than kidnapped by a wierdo flinging open the slider in a van like in an action movie.

 

[LeeRevell]

I believe a lot of the public's perceptions as to certain types of vehicles and their drivers comes from bad TV and Movie programs. As with many other aspects of life. They see a rape take place by a supposed 'white van owner' on telly, that becomes fixed in their minds, however silly in real life.

 

[mconlonx]

I'm not sure if it matters if it's true or not, once the stigma is out there and established in a culture. Remember when they were looking for the DC sniper? White vans is what they were looking for, not a Crown Vic...

 

[adi]

I had the police roll up on me after 15-20 minutes parking at a nearby park. Someone called 911 saying there was a guy sitting backwards in a van. Cop asked for ID, we chatted for a bit, he left. I verified that I wasn't doing anything illegal, but if they get a call, they have to verify.

My passenger seat requires me to get out of the van to turn it around, so it was seriously about a 20 second window of me near my van that raised some soccer moms suspicion.

I'll agree with TV and movies perpetuating it, almost all the fake crime shows have the van as the standard criminal vehicle.

 

[AimlessWanderLust]

I'm not sure if it matters if it's true or not, once the stigma is out there and established in a culture. Remember when they were looking for the DC sniper? White vans is what they were looking for, not a Crown Vic...

It certainly is an established stigma. Sure, it's crap, but it is explicitly taught in our "culture of fear" (thanks Bob). I remember my mother telling me never to go near cargo vans, especially white ones, with no windows... ahem. Also to be afraid of any man alone, particularly homeless ones, though this certainly extended to construction workers and pretty much any man. I think my mother truly thought that she was keeping her four daughters including me safe by teaching us to fear everything. Needless to say, I haven't told her what I'm living out of now.

So, basically, I'm saying it's a thing. It's real. You'll probably want to take that into account in your expectations of how others will react to your living arrangements.

 

[MK7]

yea..that...whatever it is, is bull.  you more likely to be raped after a night on the town by someone you met than kidnapped by a wierdo flinging open the slider in a van like in an action movie.

Or maybe those are the really clever serial rapists who never gets caught and the girls on the milk cartons who never gets found.