Most People DON’T Know This About Stealth Camping

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thanks for stopping by!Check out my biggest dispersed camping trip of 2023 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIrdfnVmmLdmf7M

[@hazratmuhazmat8831]

I practiced the "after dark park, first light move" when I was homeless and lived out of my van. I found a neighborhood close to work and used it as my base. However, I had a rule to never camp in the same place two nights in a row. I used a dozen places or more and kept rotating. On weekends I camped out of town. I also paid attention to my sites. One of my favorites was near a school. Once school started again, I avoided that location. Also, don't park by yourself. Park around several other vehicles and not on an isolated street. Near (not in or very close) apartments are nice because of the turnover of parked vehicles. If you park in front of a house, park between two houses. They don't know if it is someone visiting the other neighbor.

[@AdventureGearTV]

All great tips! Things I think about often when looking for spaces.

[@shannoninalaska]

Honestly, I know it is not great being homeless, but it sounds kinda freeing if only for awhile.

[@alipainting]

When travelling I would scope out Victorian grid iron street plans on the maps and then park on the streets to the side of the houses close to the back alley. Once, when in New Orleans I got got spooked in the French Quarter, so drove out to the suburbs. But it was a newly built suburb and there NO cars parked on the streets. I was too tired to go elsewhere and got woken the next morning by someone pearing in my van and exclaiming "it's a woman!" 😄 . Next time I was in New Orleans I stayed in the delightful Garden District for several days without incident. Near a Starbucks too. Thanks for the tips.

[@capcompass9298]

I did the same in London for 7 months - no address = no job; no job, couldn't get accomodation.

[@hazratmuhazmat8831]

@@shannoninalaska I had lost my job and gone through a divorce. I had found a new job, but did not have an apartment yet. I spent my evenings at the beach or library. It was restorative being close to nature.

[@darrisnelson5223]

If everyone followed your respectful guidelines less people would be asked to leave. As a resident of a small coastal tourist destination we are inundated with “stealth” campers. Many leave behind mounds of trash including human and animal waste. Campers must be prepared to deal with all types of waste. LEAVE NO TRACE!👍🏻

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you so much! I also try to avoid areas like your home and would likely pay up for a hotel in those types of places.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

That would never occur to me.

[@dronereviewman9580]

obx.?

[@jaredbryant8297]

I'm sure you do go out of our way to dislike people. Out of alllll the tourists, the few who stealth camp are the ones who trash it up, huh? Makes NO sense WHATSOEVER

[@antonioveritas]

When we camped and hiked we were taught to "take nothing but photos, and leave nothing but footprints!" 👍

[@GeckoHiker]

My stealth camper van looks like a plumbers van from the outside. Also, no windows and nothing attached outside. And yes to all the rules of stealth camping. As a woman I'm careful to not get in and out of the van at my resting spot. Drive up, wait, act like I'm checking some paperwork, then go to the back and hunker down. I travel on business as an IT contractor and this saves a lot of money on hotels and eating out.

[@AdventureGearTV]

It’s good to be careful. Thank you so much for sharing. Glad you can make this work with your job and saving!

[@shannoninalaska]

I did the same. I never needed to rent a hotel every night when I was traveling. I would sleep in my SUV. But I also had the darkest window tint you could get so no one could see in unless I turned on a light at night. In Florida, if you have certain conditions like I had (skin cancer), you can get a medical exemption that allows you to legally have the darkest window tint available. Now that I am in Alaska, it is illegal but my son was pulled over driving my car and showed it to a cop and he still let him go even though it is not legal in Alaska. I hope one day they don't require me to take it off because I had serious skin cancer on my face.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

They should really go bother the nasty crackheads who bother people for money...

[@dronereviewman9580]

@@shannoninalaska wow Alaska!!! I want to see that place before I die!!! I hope your doing good!

[@shannoninalaska]

@@dronereviewman9580 it is definitely a place to see. Alaska is just different. Beautiful, raw, quirky, breathtaking, and really close to nature wherever you are.

[@virginiagerardi2056]

I drove x-country in my Dodge Grand Caravan in 2018. My routine was to make my final "rest stop" and set up for sleep, then drive to my pre-scouted overnight spot. I felt safer because no one got to see that I was a woman before I drove away in the early AM. I avoided rest areas along the highways. They seemed creepy. I felt safest at all night truck stops.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Great plan to setup, then go to your final spot. I'm glad to hear that you felt safe.

[@shannoninalaska]

I have driven cross country twice, Florida to Canada and then the next year I moved to Alaska. I loved staying at rest stops and truck stops. But I also stayed at KOA campgrounds because it was cheap and they had showers and lots of other people camping out so I felt 'legal.'

[@gambaridup]

@@shannoninalaska what is KOA camp ground ? You are a smart and adventurous traveller-driver 👍👍👍

[@chuckcunningham9979]

@@gambaridup - KOA are a chain of campgrounds. I’ve only stayed at two of them. My opinion is that they are overpriced. My dog and I travel a lot. She has seen The Little Big Horn, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. She has driven the length of the west coast 17 times. She has seen Gettysburg down through the east to Louisiana. She has seen more of our home state than natives - and could tell you the history if she could talk. We tend to be adventurous in our travels. We only use state campgrounds in high tourist areas that we plan to be at a while - west coast.

[@yeetandrepeat4251]

@@chuckcunningham9979 what type of pup?

[@RB-gx4qg]

I'm an over the road truck driver. And cheers for you all living this life of a nomad. It's pretty cool. Van life is very similar to Big Rig life.

[@ohjeezmom3347]

Excellent tip about being 100% sober when stealthing. That's so important! I always follow this, but you are the first creator I've ever heard mention this. And keeping the outside of your van looking completely blah truly is such a huge help! I have zero modifications, stickers, etc., and no one would ever think someone's sleeping in my soccer-mom-y minivan. 😊 Thanks for the great vid full of excellent tips!

[@funkygamer2251]

Nah you can get wasted fam.

[@andrewprofilet2541]

I’m drinking a coors rn, 100% fine

[@K9River]

I travel in a cargo trailer and have parked in just about in every situation. I had parked at a Walmart with a number of other travelers. I parked away from them because they were loud and 4 of them made a semi-circle. Kinda loud music. Folding chairs, dogs, people, and coolers populated most of their area. The cops came later in the evening and kicked everyone out- except me. The cops knew I was there, but my highly polished truck and trailer and lack of stuff piled around my rig seemed to be the reason they left me alone. If you don't act like a jerk around other people and instead be modest and polite, you will go a lot further in life not just stealth camping.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Exactly, clean and simple leads to no trouble.

[@stanleyhape8427]

The walmarts here are strictly no overnight parking. The cops patrol the lots .

[@K9River]

@Stanley Hape I traveled through Benton, Illinois and the Walmart there specifically disallows any kind of RV parking whatsoever. I went inside and asked about that and was told I could park at the RV park past the far side of the lot. The RV park allowed RVs to park there for a few minutes for free so people could walk over to Walmart then pack their groceries all the way back. This is no exaggeration. I took my business elsewhere and parked at a Rural King for the night instead. I agree that not every place is traveler friendly. Look at the entire city of Reno, NV! Rabidly anti-overnight-parking-lot camping.

[@roberts1058]

* It's Always a Few 'IDIOTS' Who RUIN Things for EVERYONE , Isn't It ?? ** A Little "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" Goes a LONG Way !!

[@K9River]

@@roberts1058 It's not a few idiots who ruin it for everyone. Rather, it's a few people in authority who want to take the easy way out by making blanket rules for everyone. It's an abuse of power. Yes, it takes more time and energy to hold individuals accountable, but that's the price of freedom.

[@robertpepper5256]

In 1982/3 I lived out of a van in my middle year of college, in Leeds UK. I learned: only park to sleep, residential streets where people have overnight guests are good, only park after dark, don’t stay in one place more than once every few weeks, wake up move on. Find daytime parking and become a regular daytime person. At 6:00am I’d drop a board out of the back of my van and back over the security spikes at the back of the university lot to park free all day. My finest stealth move was to occasionally park on a zoned dead end street at a weird “builder” angle, and drop 3 cones around my vehicle, like I was there to fix the plumbing or something. It was easier back then for sure, but I believe if I had to I could still find work arounds to beat the system. In a city 99% of camouflage is outstanding normalcy.

[@Dshizzle78]

Another great video! Your tip on being confronted(made) by someone who may not even have authority, is spot on! I recently had that issue, and just moved on. If you get confrontational, it's only going to work against you. Because even if you win that argument at the time, you'll be up half the night worried that person calls the police or complains to the store owner etc.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Spot on. There are too many places to go, and a better time to be had elsewhere. Not worth the fuss to haggle over parking.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

@@AdventureGearTV So agree!!

[@Network126]

I always get upset and give attitude to anyone who bothers me while sleeping and tells me to leave. Sometimes I even burn rubber as I'm leaving. Fuck people.

[@leegoddard2618]

Agreed, confronting while camping is stupid, easier to just move along, maybe an apology, but definitely moving on.

[@leegoddard2618]

@@Network126 Gee, you sound like a lot of fun. 🤦

[@michaelodonoghue7464]

When you wake up in the morning and move through into the drivers seat, in preparation for starting your vehicle Open and then Close you Driver’s Door. This action creates in the mind of any casual observer the idea that someone returned to the vehicle before it drove off. And if someone did indeed return to the vehicle then they couldn’t have been sleeping inside of the vehicle overnight as may first have been a thought. In this way you have given yourself an extra layer of Stealth Protection in the mind of Neighbours who might otherwise think, “he’s sleeping in that vehicle again”.

[@paulaleigh9438]

I hadn't thought of that Michael. Great tip, Thanks!!

[@noturningback2023]

Unless someone's looking at your car at that moment. Lol

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Where I live, they should go bug the nasty crackheads bothering people for their money at every 7-11. Or in disgusting tents I wouldn't have my dog sleep in

[@kobe51]

@@noturningback2023 Murphy's Law: Someone will always be staring at your face as you crawl into the front seat at 6:15am.

[@EzraM5]

"If you don't feel comfortable lending them a hundred dollars, don't tell them about where you're setting up camp." That's actually super solid advice, thank you so much.

[@intiaboats]

A sentiment I fully agree with, still, seem to forget on a regular basis!

[@plutoplatters]

" Be able to get into the back of your rig WITHOUT exiting the vehicle" < A number 1 here !! yep

[@rebelwithacause5217]

I am 74 and my car is loaded with stuff. There is no way I could do this.

[@ohjeezmom3347]

Excellent tips. I do the same -- set everything up before arriving at my overnight spot (put window coverings up, brush my teeth, take my dog out for her last potty, everything!). So then when I park, I just slip back between the seats and disappear. I'm in a minivan, no outside accessories, just looks like a soccer mom van. I'm always toying with the idea of upsizing, especially since I have a 50# dog, but I love how stealth I can be in my minivan.

[@AdventureGearTV]

I’m always in the same thought pattern. I don’t have any pets, so I can manage well with this space.

[@susankievman642]

So, do you go to sleep shortly after it gets dark, or what are you doing in your vehicle at night?

[@flybeep1661]

I do van life and work full time (on a fixed location). I do graveyard shift and sleep during the day. This is beneficial because being parked during daytime nobody would expect somebody is sleeping in it. If someone knocks they can't be sure somebody is actually in it (it's a panel van, closed off). During night time in weekends I'm not working and also not sleeping during the night so if someone would knock, I'm fully awake and essentially just parked at location. Usually I'm parked in front of my workplace which is an industrial area and relatively secluded. Nobody bother about a van if there are also several trucks parked there as well. I can dumb my trash in the companies large trash containers (remember I'm night shift, there's almost nobody at the company). I can take showers at my workplace as long as I want and every day. So I'm barely moving my van for most of the time so It hardly costs me gas money. I'm able to save a ton of money this way

[@AdventureGearTV]

Nice and efficient. No need to move around.

[@EVStealthCamping]

Can confirm, working graveyard is the peak opportunity. I work, and shower at mobile vendors in LA. I’ve just been saving money to buy a shit ton of cheap land to nomad around on. One day I’ll have enough to dodge uncle shithead Sam for good!

[@alanbailey1696]

I watched a video of a young couple "stealth camping" just yesterday. They were in a truck and camper, with bikes hanging on the roof ladder and solar panels. Pretty sure they had no idea what "stealth camping" means...

[@PeterP_777]

I've got a 2016 Ford Transit Connect passenger wagon. The no-build build suits my needs perfectly. The fact that it's a minivan means that I can access drive-throughs and parking spots that larger vehicles cannot. Love your content.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you for sharing and stopping in. You have the perfect platform with the Connect.

[@penelope-oe2vr]

I want one so bad. They're so cute. Perfect. You get extra room, but regular parking.

[@gimcrack555]

The two best places I stay safe over night and move early in the morning. One place was an auto repair shop with those overnight drop key option. Park, sleep, move before the business opens. New car in area won't raise red flags. The other place is between two business's that share the same parking lot. Best if one is 24/7 or the two business's are like one closes late and the other opens early. Park between the two business's and you shouldn't be bother.

[@garyabc]

These are both very good stealth parking ideas!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Excellent points!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I thought about parking in a truck rental place if you have that truck in particular.

[@Debrajoy]

I had a big, blue camper van so I was never stealth but I was also never bothered. One key thing is to always keep your rig and especially your windows clean and do not have a bunch of junk in the front that is visible. The police always left me alone. There's more to this but that's enough 💜 I will add though that I was 99% of the time an urban camper.

[@Random_ness]

What kind of camper van?

[@johnlucier5654]

@@Random_ness see avatar?

[@TheHopetown]

California?

[@ppumpkin3282]

I lived in NYC for twenty years. I can't imagine a cop telling you to move. If you're crazy enough to do it, they'll say go right ahead. Parking signs and rules are difficult to follow though.

[@ziggypi4813]

As a person who has car-van-rv-camped the whole west coast for a decade I find 'stealth' to be nonsense...keep selling that product !

[@jimbaranski4687]

One important thing not mentioned, is have good ventilation in your vehicle. If your windows are all steamed up, it’s a dead giveaway to the cops that there is someone inside!

[@speakingthetruthinlove9895]

Any suggestions on how to keep your windows from steaming up?! I've not found one.

[@jimbaranski4687]

@@speakingthetruthinlove9895if you have a roof vent or sun roof, leave that cracked open.

[@deb7518]

Excellent point!

[@alpineflier9961]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video and advice. I Worked construction for 8 years in the SF Bay Area, traveling home on the weekends. No way I was going to pay 1/4 of my gross pay simply for a place to sleep four nights a week. I needed that money at home. Backpacking and sleeping on the ground was one of my most favorite hobbies which made sleeping in my minivan luxurious by comparison. So I started stealth urban camping. I would join a health club near the jobsite for easy access showers, and follow every rule you discussed in your video. I used Costco plastic mixed nut containers for piss jugs. I learned to favor light industrial areas to sleep, because overnight parking was allowed for commercial vehicles and there was a minimum of pedestrian traffic. Residential areas were avoided because there are too many eyes to notice you. It was a lifestyle I came to appreciate. Very nomadic and self reliant.

[@AdventureGearTV]

I was pretty close to SF when I started. The rent was insane and I’m glad I did it for my last few months.

[@alipainting]

I stealth camped for a couple of winters in Florida while working. Made enough to pay down my mortgage and refinance. I signed the papers in a cafe, as so far from home. Now I am semi retired due to the lower payment 😄

[@AdventureGearTV]

That’s perfect. Congratulations!

[@ronque23]

Nice tips! I’m a full time vanlifer in NYC. I park in a semi-industrial area in a class b with no problems but have parked in residential areas for long periods as well. If you’re in any form of RV and think you’re being stealth, get over that immediately. People know. They’re probably just of the live and let live mindset, which predominates NYC. There are many class As lining NYC streets. My best advice is to just be as respectful to your neighbors as possible. Be low key, don’t accumulate anything outside your home and don’t hang out around it. Strictly ingress and egress.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Great tips. I occasionally go through NYC and never have problems.

[@rudyleotardo8278]

I’m going to New York City but I’m driving a full-size pickup truck any good spots in the city you can recommend?

[@ronque23]

@@rudyleotardo8278 If you want to stay in Manhattan I would say Harlem uptown, or the East Village or Lower East Side downtown. Manhattan requires you “move” your car for 1.5 hours twice a week for street cleaning and park on the opposite side of the street. In reality you don’t need to move your car, just be sitting in the drivers seat when the meter maid comes by during this time period. Finding a place to park is easier in the putter boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx). You rarely have to move your car at all.

[@renebleu8711]

How long have you been here Ron ? I’m a NYC native and would never camp in the city full time(maybe Long Island). Not even one night. I’m in New Hampshire/Massachusetts and it’s safer, in my opinion but I’m in a SUV. If I had a more commercial looking vehicle, I would try it out for sure.

[@ronque23]

@@renebleu8711 10 years. I’ve seen RVs and obvious camper van situations as well as people living in their cars in every borough except SI (where I don’t go).

[@johnstack5008]

I think a minivan is the best stealth vehicle and blends beautifully. My Sienna is almost completely stock looking from the outside, except for window rain guards and two 100w solar panels bolted to the roof rack. I put a cover over the panels when parking in a stealth spot.

[@AdventureGearTV]

They are. I just upgraded to a 180w panel on the roof. Not much more noticeable.

[@user-ve6uq4yc6c]

Excellent video! I like how you ended with not worrying. I spent about a month doing stealth camping in my minivan. I wore all black and had black blankets so even if someone looked inside there wasn't much to see. Twice I had people carry on conversations in the parking lot right next to my car. One guy even leaning up against it.

[@AdventureGearTV]

It happens to me too. It's funny, and I'm glad this is working for you.

[@s-c..]

That would set my dog off for sure, which I suspect would possibly blow my cover! 😳

[@sarahereach]

Do you black out your windows? I seasonally stealth camp near work to save gas and get more sleep when working doubles. I made Reflectix covers for my windows, but I have discovered that they look more obvious than my non blocked, basic tinted windows, and not being able to see out activated my anxiety about all the little noises around me. I discovered that with my mattress down on the floor of the van and using a neutral colored sleeping bag, I have never yet had anyone trying to peep in and see me, and I doubt they would have any reason to. I only use the reflectix now if the weather is particularly cold, or if there is a bright light keeping me awake.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

@@s-c.. yeppers and possibly get rin tin tins head blew off mate

[@oldtimerlee8820]

@@sarahereach If you're still doing this, you can use black foam core poster board cut to fit. Then gluing Reflextic to the inside for more insulation. You can also try spraying the Reflectix with a black paint suitable for plastics. With the foam core, you can cut a window into it. Cut a piece to fit the applicable vehicle window opening. Then, carefully cut 3" x 3" square in the center of that piece of foam core. Remove and re-insert the square. On the interior side of the window covering, put a piece of duck tape (shipping tape or wide masking tape) along the top edge of the 3x3 and the bigger sheet. It will form a hinge. Glue a push pin (or something similar) near the bottom of the 3x3 to make a knob to open your window. (Hope that makes sense.) You can look out, by opening the 3x3 window, without having the remove the entire window covering. Hope this helps.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

The best way to stealth 'camp' is to not call it CAMPING. It's not, it's stealth PARKING. You are legally parking to sleep for the night and then you leave during the day to do whatever you are going to do for the day or hang out at a spot that doesn't mind you being there for day use. I have gone from a minivan to a box truck and my level of knock possibilities haven't changed much beyond size restrictions. Even with panels, stickers, a cargo topper I've had no problems. I am not saying GO crazy on the exterior, but a solar panel is unlikely to blow your spot if you are parking smart and park for the NIGHT where you are legally allowed to park and LEAVE in the morning. Just because you OWN a camper, doesn't mean you live in it. There are plenty of campers out there parked in front of houses right now that only get use on the family camping trip. Having a nice looking vehicle that's not an eyesore, like a clean little minivan, is a help to people assuming you're not a vagrant tho. And yes, I agree, keep it in.. don't pop your camp table outside your van and start cooking in the city parking lot. If you look like an empty parked car/van/truck people will mostly assume you are an empty parked car/van/truck. Even with a solar panel or cargo carrier on top. Besides, have you been to a Trader Joe's? Almost all of the cars in that lot have Cargo carriers and for the most part none of those are anyone's vehicle home. You think they are taking everything off the roof of the 4runner after their camping trip 😅. Not likely.

[@AdventureGearTV]

A clean vehicle is something I think of often. I appreciate your perspective on parking vs camping. I’d like to check out your box truck if it’s in your channel share the link.

[@madjack8893]

Hi Dawn 🖐💜

[@questioner1596]

Unfortunately, some cities (I'm thinking of you, Winnipeg) don't even allow RVs to be street parked unless you're a resident with a special permit, and even with the permit it's only allowed a couple days per year. I find it strange, especially if I'm staying at a friend's house (I need my friend to park on the road so I can use their driveway).

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

@@questioner1596 True, If you are trying to stay at a specific person’s house there may be some hiccups or restrictions and it may even be not possible, but in the wide world as a whole there’s always somewhere to legally park within a reasonable distance to something you want to be near. Some neighborhood streets are permit only, so no matter what you are driving you ain’t parking there without a permit. But those are very specific situations. I tend to stick close to areas that are a mix of residential and business as opposed to highly residential as I generally find those more challenging. I have to be aware of height restrictions now, which I didn’t in the minivan. But for the most part, if you read the signs, park legally, and don’t overthink it there’s plenty of places to park to catch some sleep for the night. As general rule, outside of trying to target a very specific neighborhood with restrictions specific to them, there are plenty of campers and vehicles used-for-camping that are parked outside someone’s house and the human that owns them is sleeping in the house because they either live there or are visiting a friend. If you are just parking to SLEEP and move on in the morning and you approach it in a very non specific manner, and you are just a parked car/truck/van that looks like every other empty legally parked car/truck/van to most passers by on the street, no one cares. Also, as a general rule if you want to or need to stay in a specific area over a long stretch, having multiple parking spots so you don’t look like you are ‘always’ any specific place helps a lot. And where you spend your days should never be where you sleep at night unless you are legitimately at a place where you are (legally) openly camping or invited to stay. Stealth camping isn’t a thing so much as parking legally for the night and going to bed then moving on in the morning.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

@@AdventureGearTV Absolutely, my box truck is on my Dawn of Vanlife channel

[@Mark_Bayer]

All great tips. I travelled and lived in my car for 6 months and used all of these just by using my common sense. Good to see another person with the same ideas.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy your time in your car.

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

I stealthed in my car for a year... these tips are solid.

[@trident2020]

Man… this kind of living is just going to get bigger and bigger as more and more people get priced out of their homes and rents continue to rise beyond most people’s reach. This country will have an entire underclass of citizens living out of their vehicles, whether stealth or no stealth. For most of those folks, they will be forced to live a nomadic life, which not everyone is suited for. I just hope that government wakes up to the fact that there are already a sizable number of people out there trying to avoid being out in the streets and pass laws that are friendly to tiny home dwellers, stealth campers, RVers, people living in their cars, etc. especially seniors who lost their jobs and/or their homes due to unfortunate circumstances.

[@AdventureGearTV]

The worst part is that a lot of folks leave messes behind making it harder for the rest of us to enjoy.

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

There is a rest stop outside of Vancouver that is just packed with campers that look like they never move. It's quite crazy.

[@bywhacky7395]

I was stealth camping years ago before advent of batter led lights and smart phones, always parked up after dark and left 1st light, loved it. Now got the urge again and invested in estate car, window tints going in next week and sorting out kit and have a jackery and power bank now too - so defo more refined than when I did it before. cannot wait to get out and about again even for a night especially with the sound of the rain on the roof.

[@greer8288]

Yeah but where do you go after you leave in the morning

[@MotivationExMe]

Here in NZ if you get caught sleeping in your car you can get the same fine as if you were camping illegally, which is a $250 fine. Absolutely crazy. Which is also why I love stealth camping. My whole setup is designed around being discreet and getting away with it XD

[@AdventureGearTV]

A $250 fine seems extreme!

[@Thunder081]

Yeah I do the same in NZ it feels like I'm giving tourism minister Stuart 'Dictator' Nash the middle finger and Stuart Nash is currently trying to pass a law that will make that fine go to $1000.

[@flowergarden1426]

@@Thunder081 they are so hungry for Taxes!

[@ZekeMan62]

@@flowergarden1426 They're more hungry for slaves. They don't want any viable alternatives to their system, so they find ways to criminalize them and make them difficult enough for people to just give up and go back to Babylon.

[@flowergarden1426]

@@Thunder081 comunism

[@craignedoff991]

This comment section is a treasure trove for stealthers. Thank you, everyone, and GOD bless you and keep you safe 🙏 ❤

[@samvana8228]

I stealth camped at one place in New England. It was seemingly a big hotel. The parking lot was full to its limited. By the morning, I found myself the only one car there!!!!! It wasn't not a big hotel at all. I didn't care what it was, I started the engine and got a hell out there!!!

[@r12rtpilot]

The first rule of stealth camping should be to stay only for one night. Homeowners on the bluffs above Nye Beach have had it with countless overnight campers. This is resulting in more police presence and debate about enforcing the no street parking at night ordnance that is currently on the books. Don't turn an overnight stay into a multi day camping spot; it's just plain rude!

[@questioner1596]

If you do use the same spot multiple nights, then arrive after dinner, go right to sleep, then go somewhere else before even making breakfast. That way, few people have time to notice you.

[@nomaderic]

Tbh I have some spots in certain cities that I can stay at basically everyday The thing is though I only go there right when it's time to go to sleep like at 10pm or so...then I'm gone before the sun comes up.

[@hobocyclist]

@@questioner1596 yeah this is spot on, i once used the same sleeping spot for 3 years in a million dollar neighbourhood!

[@questioner1596]

@@hobocyclist, was it a fancy neighbourhood or small houses in an expensive city? Was your vehicle newer?

[@hobocyclist]

@@questioner1596 what kind of neighborhood is best? should i get a new car?

[@muskietime]

Nailed it. I: Have talked to Outdoor Store Managers to get suggestions on a safe parking lot (usually while holding my purchases). Use Google Earth to pre-select multiple potential parking lots Have room darkening window coverings/little drapes. Forward covering fits right behind front seats so no reflective windshield covering Never get out of the SUV Never arrive before I am fully ready for the night Am out of the area at first light Have a little fan over my cot so there are no open windows, lights or noise Have car keys nearby to hit Alarm or to drive away quickly Have a more difficult time when bassboat is on back. Then it is Truck Stops or Hotel parking lots usually.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing!

[@joeblow1942]

I’ve been urban stealth camping in coastal Southern California for the last 7 months (June 2021). My 06 Toyota Sienna doesn’t look stealthy at all because it has black out covers on all windows, a surfboard, 200 watts solar, Thule cargo box on top with a bike that has a giant blue basket on a Yakima rack on the back. Not one knock in 7 months. People say to leave early in the morning but I’m not a morning person so I rarely leave early unless I’m going surfing. I have camped in some of the same places but the key is to never stay more than 1 consecutive night in the same place. I LOVE living like this and have saved at least $11,000 in rent and utilities since June of 2021. As soon as I sell my boat I will start traveling or I will buy and build out a tall Promaster or Transit and then travel.

[@invictaland1983]

That's amazing you're able to get away with it down there! Gives me hope!

[@joeblow1942]

@@invictaland1983 It’s not just San Diego because I’ve talked to so many others that tell me it’s easy to stealth camp pretty much anywhere. In fact, it’s supposedly illegal in a couple of the areas that I regularly camp but I have had no knocks. Its 9:34 pm right now and I’m hunkered down for the night and so is everyone else in the houses in this neighborhood. (It’s nice cuz I can hear the waves breaking.) Just have everything ready to settle down before you drive to where you’ll park for the night and be low key when you show up and low key when you leave in the morning. For example, I made and ate my dinner about a mile from here and then I came here to park for the night. Worst case scenario you might get a knock and then nicely tell the cop you were just leaving. Hasn’t happened to me but no big deal if it does.

[@RM-lk1so]

Yeah. Right on. I've been in my cargo van now for a year. I work as a carpenter. I've saved (I'm guessing),12k$ although I've invested alot onto the maintenance and upgrades. But still. Urban camping is a lil frightful. As to expectations of where to not be bothered. My van is a 2012. And pull a black 8ft cargo trailer. As my career requires my tools. I'm super "unmarked" no stickers. No dents. I keep it super clean. That's what I've found. Be invisible. Blend in. DO NOT STAND OUT. and move on in the am. Its exactly as he says. It's just over night. Pull in later. Pull out early

[@joeblow1942]

@@RM-lk1so Have you had a few scary experiences urban stealth camping? I had one a couple weeks ago when some tweaker (probably) attempted to steal my shitty bike off the rack at 4:15 AM while I was sleeping.

[@johnlucier5654]

Dont know if youve noticed but theyre enforcing the mission bay parking lot curfews hard core now. I dont sleep in them but Im a late hours person and often need to use the restroom etc after 2, used to be cool. Use the get it done app, both to check prospective areas for a history of cop calling neighbors, and if recent reports mention your vehicle.

[@WhatTheHeck1290]

Always be setup for the night before you get to your final spot. Blackout shades. Good to go

[@AdventureGearTV]

Absolutely, I have had a few things slide around while moving, and it can be a BIG distraction.

[@mulberry9292]

A good spot is on the street near apartments. Nobody pays attention to a vehicle they've never seen before.

[@stevec3872]

I live across the street from a large apartment complex where there are people who park on the street, usually the same vehicles, but I can usually tell at a glance if it is somebody living in their vehicle based upon how it looks, what's on the roof or tied to it, and if the windows are covered in Reflectix not to mention the people who get out of the vehicles and never walk to the apartments or come from them to get into their vehicles.

[@helened6896]

I agree. I know someone who has had great success with this in an upscale neighborhood.

[@helened6896]

​@@stevec3872Not too smart, huh?

[@BlacqueJacqueShellacque_]

Even if you don't plan to return to a spot, keep it stealthy. You may think once you wake up you're in the clear, but by being obvious you may ruin that spot for others. I try to remove my window coverings, climb into the drivers seat from the back of my van and leave quietly (preferably before people get moving for the day).

[@AdventureGearTV]

Excellent point!

[@urbannomadslife]

Being an urban RV camper, I totally agree with everything you've said here.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you!

[@TheRPGChick]

"Welcome to stealth camping. The first rule of stealth camping is: You do not talk about stealth camping. The second rule of stealth camping is: You DO NOT talk about stealth camping!"

[@AdventureGearTV]

It has been my favorite movie since the 90s.

[@lilliansmith5078]

I agree totally worth what you say... especially DON'T TELL OTHER PEOPLE of good sites

[@timunderwood4314]

Love your video. We did this back in the 70's with Handy Vans and Chevy window vans. What I would like now would be a van set up for day camping, that is, for sitting inside at various sites. It would be nice to have a camper with opposing seats so that eating and conversation would be enjoyable.

[@jonahjolie7466]

I have to live in my car due to financial issues… too much rent and not enough money! So I came across your vid… I’m glad you gave it a great thumbs up… I can’t wait 😛

[@AdventureGearTV]

Check out how I setup my minivan for privacy here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJaodmqQn7mGqJI

[@TheHopetown]

Or just travel in California, people are sleeping in vans everywhere and no one seems to care.

[@chuckcunningham9979]

I enjoyed your video. My dog and I travel (boondock) a lot. She is 15 years old and has been to the Little Big Horn, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone (individual trips). She has driven the length of the west coast 17 times. She has seen Gettysburg down through the east to Louisiana. She has seen more of our home state than most natives - and cold tell you the history if she could talk. Our vehicle of choice is the Honda Fit - we’re on our third one. It’s a small car that averages 43 MPG on the road. It’s very stealthy. There’s room for me to stretch out in back while my small dog sleeps in the driver seat. When I’m on the down low, I get everything ready before I park and don’t use any interior lights. In high tourist areas where we plan on spending some time, we use state campgrounds - with hot showers. What can I say, I love the adventure.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

@@chuckcunningham9979 No room In a Honda fit. Also not safe In crashes. Saving me legs is More IMPORTANT THAN SAVING ON GAS.

[@chuckcunningham9979]

@@captainamericaamerica8090 - I can understand what you’re saying but I’ve always been the one to think outside the box. I’ve used a Honda Fit for about 15 years for my road trips. My longest trip (time wise) was a month on the west coast. For me, my Fit is very comfortable. If I lay diagonally, I can lay flat. When I wake, I can be totally ready to go within three minutes. If it’s raining, I can get everything transferred without getting out of the car within five to eight minutes. I do agree that a smaller car is a higher risk safety wise but that’s a risk that I’m willing to take. Don’t get me wrong, I do take some precautions. I tend to avoid other cars. I’m not one of those drivers that must drive with the pack. This theory coincides with my driving style of “hyper-mileing.” That’s part of the fun of the road trip. I try to get benefit out of every drop of gas’s. There are some roads that I have gotten a little over 50 MPG. On these roads No one is around and I get to drive anyway I want. Aren’t road trips great.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

@@chuckcunningham9979 you may try to avoid other cars, yes, but, it's those cars that don't care about avoiding YOU. A BIG CAR HIT MY PAL, HE' WAS DRIVING A SMALLER CAR. HE'S NOW IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR LIFE😮😯😩

[@SmellyBones]

I will never complain about finding stealth spots for bike camping again. Being inconspicuous is easier when you can step into the woods or over a hill and disappear. I have great respect for people who can do it with an entire motor vehicle that can't be hidden. Most of the awesome ideas in the video apply to bike camping, about sobriety, leaving if your spot is found, and not leaving your things unpacked at night. With a bike, I find it best not to stay in cities or towns at all, and just plan each day's travel around that. A USB-chargable shaver can go a long way in looking respectable, for people whose faces grow unruly lawns.

[@AdventureGearTV]

I do a little bike traveling also. It’s so much easier. And nobody is going to beat into the bush to bother you.

[@kobe51]

I'm so glad I can't grow facial hair

[@paulcarpenter9044]

I have stealth camped on long-distant bicycle trips several dozen times. Cemeteries, especially rural ones, are my first choice. Parks are my second choice. I have been confronted twice: Once when setting up behind a church that had previously had break-ins. I was directed to a nearby park. And once when taking a short nap before work - directly across the street from the office. According to the police (who were not rude and did not insist that I leave), someone called about me. Which was odd since I had been doing that nearly daily for 3 years. My own rules about camping in “creative places”, are: pick a spot where headlights from the road or parking lot will not illuminate me, avoid using the flashlight, leave no trash, get on the road early.

[@tomcheese2045]

Nice trick at the end trying to get me to tell you about my stealth camping. You know the rules!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Ha!

[@curtisdettra5194]

Thank you for that video. If you want to know about my stealth camping, rewatch your video. I always make myself safe and secure and because of your videos. It's always good for ppl to also practice stealth camping before even doing it. I did. Thanks to you. 👋

[@AdventureGearTV]

Interesting perspective, thanks for sharing. It can be a lot of fun. The best part is saving money otherwise wasted on hotels.

[@YourOwnWay]

I drove cross-country from WV to OR a few years ago. Without sharing too many details, Indianapolis and Cheyenne were both good places to stay overnight. It helped that my newer Dodge Ram was the perfect “gray man” vehicle.

[@thecarolvanpod]

Agree! Nice succinct vid with good advice. I've been successfully living as a digital nomad and stealth camping full-time for four years. For safety, only my adult son knows where I am at any given time. I never post where I am in real-time. And, I show respect for wherever l stay by leaving no trace, not geo tagging photos of my overnight spots, and departing urban/suburban areas early. My vehicle interior is organized so that I don't have to exit the vehicle in order to set-up for overnight or pack up for travel.

[@glenmutchler3318]

It's pretty sad that we live in a world where we have to hide in order to have an affordable adventure. That aside, I've done the stealth thing before but now have a 5th wheel with slides. I got kicked out of just as many parking lots while in the van. The biggest problem I saw was too many people camped in one spot and 1 of them caused a problem. I've stopped trying to hide what I'm doing and instead just try to be respectful, clean, and not disruptive.

[@AdventureGearTV]

It is sad. Have you used any networks like harvest hosts to find spots?

[@glenmutchler3318]

@@AdventureGearTV I haven't, but I basically just park anywhere that I'm out of the way and get away with it for a night. Campendium and iOverlander are pretty useful for finding spots to boondock or park without much issue.

[@herranton]

It isn't sad. Communities don't want a bunch of people living in their cars at the local Walmart so they pass laws about it. Have you ever seen some of the Walmarts in the western USA? They look like trash after 8pm. I wouldn't want that in my city. And there are a lot of places where it could become a huge problem very quickly. In some costal town in Oregon you could have 1980s conversation vans _every single night_ as far as the eye could see. If you lived there, and payed taxes, that might piss you off a bit when you have a hard time at the local grocery store because you're inundated with hobos and "adventurers." I'm all for stealth camping. But it's gotta be stealth. That keeps places nice. Hell, when I visit a small costal town in Oregon, _I don't want it full of fifth wheel adventures._ That completely ruins the vibe, and I don't even pay taxes there. No, stealth is best. Stay invisible so the places stay nice. They make places for fifth wheels. They call them KOA.

[@glenmutchler3318]

@@herranton I don't need to be stealth in order to be respectful and clean up after myself. Also, KOAs are stupidly overpriced and booking out 6 months in advanced a lot of times these days.

[@herranton]

@@glenmutchler3318 No, but if 70 people were like you in some small coastal Oregon town, even being respectful and cleaning up after yourself, you still ruin the town. Having a bunch of fifth wheels, or even a fleet of vans just isn't good for the vibe of the town. If it was only you, sure. But it isn't. If everyone is stealth, then you don't see anything. So you do need to be stealth, because you're ruining it for others but putting your fifth wheel there.

[@greenspiritarts]

Park-n-rides, school and church parking lots ( bug out early for services ) were always good options for me. Parking out of the way and behind buildings, trucks etc often added cover.. I have car camped for 3 decades now nationally and internationally, way before there was even an internet, let alone social media. Sadly, security cameras now make urban options a lot harder.. Keep tidy and friendly. Never leave anything behind.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you for sharing! I like all of these ideas. And definitely keep it tidy.

[@renebleu8711]

You should make a video and share tips too

[@mhernandez3078]

I used to travel in a Toyota sienna with my 5 teen kids( omg that car stank like feet, fart, sweat and any thing a teen could stink of). A couple of times we parked at hotels bit slept in the car 🤣, the kids knew to go to sleep and if they were gonna watch movies use your earbuds and under blankets... We had so much fun on our road trips... They are now grown now so we don't really road trip together anymore...

[@AdventureGearTV]

Those sound like the memories your kids will remember forever. So cool!

[@gregorymckoy3179]

I drove a 1983 Mercury Capri RS back in the 80's and 90's that I stealth camped in before it was a popular thing. The bubble hatch had a retractable cover that made it easy to keep prying eyes from seeing my gear and myself. I slept in it at the beach and backwoods many times without anyone knowing I was in there. Opening the sun roof and cracking the windows gave me enough ventilation on the warmer nights.

[@AdventureGearTV]

That’s legit. I haven’t seen one of those in years.

[@tstjohn777]

One thing that bothered me while staying in a Walmart Parking Lot was people bunching up together and way too many of them at one time. Common sense tells me Walmart will close this off to everyone eventually. One night there were about 12 large RV's, 8 cars and about 4 vans, and a bus. I just left the lot and found another place

[@AdventureGearTV]

There’s always another place so you made the right choice.

[@darrellhuff3119]

We would sleep over night at walmark in NY on the way hunting up north.Most of the time i cleaned up human waste left in the parking lot before i left.

[@RosieWilliamOlivia]

They have stopped allowing over night parking in all the Wal-Marts near us. People would trash the place, take drugs/be drunk, commit crimes locally, and stay for extended periods in vehicles that were often unable to drive. I resent those people and totally understand why they stopped allowing anyone there over night. Shame for the rest of us though.

[@greenytaddict]

Where do you recommend other than Walmart?

[@savsmiles3042]

My daughter and I traveled to several northern states from AZ in a campervan two years ago. No one ever bothered us and we parked at Walmarts or empty parking lots but it was during the pandemic so places closed earlier than usual and it was getting cold so it was probably easier to do than normal. We always bought food or misc items at the stores that we parked at. Some people even had conversations with us about our van at the parks or stores. But before that I slept in my car for a few months bc I was homeless and that was harder to do bc the Walmart didn’t allow overnight parking. I usually went to a park at night where there were other vans and rvs.

[@jonnies6655]

Hospital emergency room parking areas are the best places for me. The emergency room bathrooms are open 24/7 and people are in and out all the time.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Yep. Need to delete this. Those spots seem to always be available.

[@otiscampbell3795]

I use an identical red Toyota Sienna to yours for stealth camping. Second row seats removed, third row stored in the floor and 3 G.I. foam sleeping mats on top of each other. Great bedroom on wheels. With me it's mostly Interstate rest areas and the big truck stop travel centers when I'm traveling across country. No incidents in the last 6 years.

[@Rextum]

I usually stealth camp in my own bedroom to avoid suspicion, however, lately I have noticed this one angry wife waking me up at night telling me to roll over because I snore. So I cleverly escaped to a nearby area living room, but was followed by a fat meowing cat and two local kids asking ”Dad, why you sleeping on the sofa?” I am thinking about stealthing in the toilet next night. Wish me luck!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Try to stay dry

[@deirdre108]

Underrated comment!

[@koalatails5711]

🤣

[@Simone.v]

Hahaha ;)

[@jefflilly5819]

Been doing this for many years without any problems except for now! With social media many places are now “known” and are becoming like campgrounds. Yeah… secret place.. lol!

[@AdventureGearTV]

I mostly do suburban streets. With no problems yet. I don’t really like the campground vibe, unless I’m actually in a campground.

[@craignedoff991]

Exactly! Tons of noobies who don't understand good stealth, vanlife, or even simple camping etiquette. They're making it harder to find good spots and blend, and they're making law enforcement and businesses look closer for us. It's hard not to get tickt off.

[@8188jlpc]

great video!!! we dont tell anyone when we go stealth until they come by and say "hey, you weren't home when I came by"... Rule #1 keep your stealth camping to yourself, too bad alot of youtubers don't abide by that

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thanks, Julie!

[@navisoir]

I modified my tacoma with drawer storage in a 5ft camper shell. I'd need to sleep at an angle in the back, since I'm 6 feet tall. I didn't have anything on my truck purposefully, so that I still looked stock. No one ever bothered me. I made some custom blackout covers for my camper shell. I drove around the country for 7 months, 22,000 miles from 9/2020 to 4/2021 and visited 18 national parks. It was great. I would do it again. If anyone has questions, let me know.

[@AdventureGearTV]

That sounds like a fun trip. The Tacoma can go anywhere!

[@tomoneill9301]

How much did it cost you in gas?

[@wayneburbage8900]

Being sober is very important. Open your window, and you smell like a brewery, open container, you're Done! I haven't seen any advice like that on any other 'van-life video '. Good job.

[@8188jlpc]

exactly!!! good point!! if you are sitting in there having an adult beverage and the keys to the vehicle are there where you can get to them, instant DUI

[@bramblehollow]

@@clintcoop5717 save that for the Campground nights.

[@rvboondocker2559]

All great advice. Most importantly, know the local ordinances in advance and don’t drink ANY alcohol when stealthy.

[@himabimdimwim]

My setup looks exactly like a fleet truck for construction or electrical work, because it used to be. A couple generic slap on construction-ish looking magnets and 2 orange cones makes it blend in anywhere.

[@maggie0285]

I was in the habit of staying at apartment complexes. I came in and parked. In the morning I could hear people talking and some motors running. I figured they were mowing the grass. All at once someone is knocking on my window. I have my covers up and jump to the front seat. Through a small opening I could see a tow truck backing up to my car. I had no choice but to jump out. The guy stops and tells me to move my car past a roped off area. They were getting ready to resurface the parking lot lol. I try to stay in more public areas now

[@AdventureGearTV]

That’s a wild situation. Glad they didn’t tow the vehicle with you inside.

[@hobocyclist]

Great tips.. ive been at it more than 5 years & never been discovered! Bed down after dark, dont cook at your sleeping place, no lights/movement after dark, leave before sunrise and ALWAYS be prepared to move for any reason! i also roll in a Toyota minivan (looks like a soccor mom car) have all the seats removed except front 2, bed below windowline, mirror tinted & dark tinted windows so no one outside can see in day or night (or when streetlights illuminate). this is not for everyone and you gotta have your wits about you. legit way to save money

[@AdventureGearTV]

Legit! Glad it’s working for you.

[@PartyUpLive]

Thanks for the video. Been thinking about going on solo road trips in my van and wondering where I would sleep. Looking into truck stops and stealth camping if/when I'd need to. Currently learning all I can.

[@liamfoxy]

I've found the interstate rest stops are great for this, stealth isn't even really needed, just be safe! Park near light, size up the stop before you decide to spend the night, and if you can, be close to truckers, they are used to the road, and know more about spending a safe night on the road than you do.

[@AdventureGearTV]

They are great. A lot of the east coast rest stops don’t allow more than a few hours of rest.

[@pdxmack]

Free park and ride locations are a handy place to stealth camp. Parked next to other cars that are used by commuters that are working overnight.

[@joedropblock4540]

Hi, Enjoy your videos, I am a strong believer of not letting people know about where you urban camp this is the fastest way to ruin your faveret spot to park. The reason I started watching your videos is the fact that my minivan looks just like yours, if I parked next to you, you would be confused. I also like the bed video you have.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Nice, these Siennas blend in anywhere. I your pic, cool minivan! That bed video pretty much started my journey on KZbin.

[@carmenmartinez2882]

Urban or places in nature. I agree with you.

[@flyprincess69]

Good advice! I’ve done some stealth camping myself and I experienced this where am I going to park anxiety. I now plan on staying in State Park or Federal campgrounds or rest area. It just makes it easier and it’s not that expensive. Gaming casinos work too.

[@motivate-today]

We couldn't find a good place to stealth camp in one town, so we camped directly in front of the police station. We weren't noticed!

[@AdventureGearTV]

That’s wild.

[@denverspin]

That's the way.

[@Janika-xj2bv]

I haven't started van life yet but I'm planning to, so I welcome content like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Welcome! And good luck, check out my latest adventure here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIrdfnVmmLdmf7M

[@johneric3886]

Good Channel, good communication skills. I do a lot of tourist cycling, and State Park jumping.

[@AdventureGearTV]

I do a LOT of cycling. Keeps us young!

[@bigdambluesband6295]

If you are camping where there is snow on the ground you need to keep heading south. Come back north in the summer. I would say as much as possible try to get to the roadside rest areas. You can sleep there and then get up and take off to the next rest area maybe. Look for one's with lots of people around and rest rooms. We are getting more and more in Texas. Search for free campgrounds but try not to get too isolated. Lots of crime these days.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Someday I'll have the ability to move around more. I would love to escape the cold weather!

[@Tom-Travels]

I agree. I love Texas for winter. I go down to Corpus for December and January. I start back North about February 14th. When a cold blast is coming in late Feb; a quick 100 mile drive south makes all of the difference. I'm in South Arkansas now (March 1st). 80F next week; every day. - I don't mind criminals. Most of them just want respect and no direct eye contact. My next door, home base, neighbor (Paul) has 54 cases on his life-time rap sheet. He once said to me, "Tom, I just can't stop stealing. Do you need anything?"

[@richehoya]

I've been stealf camping for about 3 years totally love it the best thing I've ever done in my life !!! 2017 Nissan NV200

[@AdventureGearTV]

NV200 is perfect for this!

[@richehoya]

@@AdventureGearTV Yes or is sold my House and all my stuff in 2019 , Cut my overhead, no ore bills , taxes , Ect. I feel free to go and leave when I please. !!!! And I'm saving alot of money 💰. I so Happy. your video Explains Thus life style very well. super Great job on That sir.

[@jebmckenzie1688]

Informative video! I've spent many a night sleeping in my vans, and not once have I heard a knock on my door. That's probably because I only spend nights at rest areas, in large motel and chain gas station/convenience store parking lots. I've always assumed that camping in neighborhoods would increase my chances of being questioned. To date my assumptions have proven true.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Sounds like you have a method that works perfectly!

[@jamesheath7596]

Excellent advice throughout.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thank you!

[@jcb0249]

Speaking from personal experience maybe add "Do Not porch pirate when boondocking." It's a real problem here in Tucson. I was living out of my 95 corolla 4dr for 8mo last year. The job was 140mi from home, burning a tank of gas a day made it less than profitable, so I just started car camping to save some money. Only going home on weekends, and only "camping" in official pull off, picnic, or rest areas.

[@campryman5971]

Great points! I'm building out a stealth camper of my own and found this helpful. Thanks!

[@AdventureGearTV]

Right on! Thanks for stopping in!

[@craignedoff991]

Make it as normal and average looking as possible. Don't go crazy with the window tint, and absolutely no decals. You want to blend in and not draw people's eyes to your vehicle. Plain Jane makes for less pain 🙏

[@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei]

If you set your parking break will help your vehicle not move around when you move inside your vehicle

[@atxcomanche]

I been setup at a hospital parking lot for almost a yr now as I have a regular job now in the city. I’ve learned the parking lot attendants schedule and well as groundskeeping peoples schedule during the summer months. You have to keep your area clean as not to have other people around your vehicle.

[@danpost4755]

I have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan that I am in the process of setting up to do this now. I have picked up some good points from your videos. Thanks!

[@sirclarkmarz]

One of my favorite places to park overnight is casino parking lots . As they operate 24/7 there's always plenty of cars around and you don't stand out . On occasion I've used airport long term parking it might cost a few bucks but it's pretty safe place . Industrial parks or there's a third shift are always good too. and as always park after dark leave at dawn and don't hang out outside your vehicle.

[@sirclarkmarz]

@Paul Smith cant get mugged if you dont get of the van .

[@8188jlpc]

casinos in Calif are starting to get jiggy abut that...got kicked out of one we stayed in our van many times at (stealth AF) in May

[@frankhall7005]

Best place to sleep is in a big company lot that has a third shift. Shipyard, Auto Plant, Manufacturing Plant.

[@AdventureGearTV]

That’s a great tip. Might have a lot of noise in that environment.

[@gregorysgarrison]

I never van lived exactly. But as somebody who spent a lot of time on the road I'll share my secret that worked for me. I prefer to drive at night when there is way less traffic. So I would park and sleep in my car during the day when the rest of the world is hustling and bustling. They mostly ignore somebody just there during the day. Good luck. Have fun.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Thanks and stay busy!

[@paulgermano7837]

I've done my stealth camping when I did a cross country trip from North Carolina to Nevada. My trick was to camp in a large hotel parking lot after dark, get up at first light, and buy a shower from a truck stop. It saved me lots of money instead of paying a lot for a room.

[@ReneaDooserider]

Love sleeping off grid in my Subaru 2015 Outback. But when I travel with Yakama box and a cargo carrier for wood on top I’m still ok. People travel and visit friends all the time this way. 💙💜🦋👍🏼

[@AdventureGearTV]

A roof box and trunk box is a lot more common than it used to be. It’s great to be mobile and visit friends.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

A Yakima or Thule box on a Subaru is so common that nobody thinks twice about seeing it.

[@ReneaDooserider]

@@AdventureGearTV mine is a very old box. It was made for ⛷ ski’s but I use it for more Room inside sleeping. Then when I get up in the woods I take out 3 Rubbermaid bins and just have fun.

[@PopFizzPaperDani]

Subarus blend in great, at least mine does. I’m in a 2015 Forester. 🤗

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Bro, you get it! I’m thinking of doing a video of all the “stealth” campers on my way to and from work. There are at least 10 I am sure of, plus a few more of the working or box truck variety. I would bet that most of those are stealthy as well.

[@jerryzirrakyan2309]

Thank you so much for your very very nice videos I really love it it’s very useful for future GOD bless you where ever you are

[@AdventureGearTV]

Glad to hear it. Thanks for stopping in!

[@maximk.617]

This comment section is pure value! ❤❤❤

[@AdventureGearTV]

It really is!

[@Kilkenny1923]

Don’t attempt stealth camping if you snore loudly. It really freaks people out.

[@garyabc]

Ha, ha. I never thought of that, but it's so true.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Haha! This is the best tip yet. I roll around sometimes and my hands slap the side of the van making a thump.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

😂😂

[@rickv4473]

I talk in my sleep and snore

[@HoneyandMe]

Lol! I was just going to comment on this. No way I could stealth with my hubby!

[@paulne1514]

Wow. Times have changed. Back in the ‘70’s, I traveled around the country. In 2 years, I only stayed in a campground one night. Circus circus. Cost me $6. Had a truck with slide in camper. Made sure I parked on public land or asked the landowner if I could stay. Back then, you could drive right up to the runway on some major airports.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Times have changed for sure.

[@JT-ov2yr]

Same here Paul, I guess we were stealth camping in the 70s', 80s' & 90s' before it was even a thing. My number one stealth spot is not even mentioned, that is good, I still might have it all to myself even today. Sure campgrounds are very nice, but even back then they could be crowded and costly $$$ and back then you could drive and hour or so out of your way for a campground, only for it to be full, and that is when I started stealth camping. One odd thing I always did anywhere was to leave the vehicle keys in the ignition, and hidden from view, so if I had to leave quickly, like at 3:00AM for what ever reason, I could be gone in seconds without fumbling around for keys, luckily never ever had any problems ever, but it was better times than today.

[@paulne1514]

@@JT-ov2yr I remember running Pismo beach. On the weekends it was party time, during the week, I was the only one on it. Assateague on the east coast was almost the same. Had to use a campground for a family reunion last year, was almost $100/ night!

[@spiritualexercise265]

Stealth camping while traveling is much harder to adapt to and outlasts the adrenaline one gets. Doing test runs on weekends is a good first step. But the longer the travel, the more minimalistic the setup and the more out of the comfort level (are you adaptable?) the more mundane the experience gets.

[@overlandjunky5535]

I park at the auto parts store when I get tired and sleepy. If anything, I just say I need a new thermostat because my van over heated. I need that part in the morning

[@Swimdeep]

Very professional and informative video; well done. Although I do have accoutrements on my vehicle (roof cargo box, bumper mounted bike rack), my SUV is still pretty stealthy. I “stealth park” places where my vehicle appears to belong to a visiting adventurer.

[@AdventureGearTV]

I usually keep a solar panel and awning on my roof, but it’s too cold for solar charging here right now. Do you have issues with securing the bike?

[@Swimdeep]

@@AdventureGearTV Not so far🤞🏼I have a Thule bike rack and the bike is LOCKED DOWN 🔒I also have discreetly mounted solar motion lights. You don’t notice them unless you get within 2” of my vehicle. Before someone gets close enough to touch my bike 🚲 , a very bright🌟 light goes off in their eyes.🚨

[@Swimdeep]

@@AdventureGearTV Insofar as solar, I have a small 60w portable panel that I mount atop my cargo box. You cannot see it from the ground and it doesn’t take long to charge up. Then I take it off and stow it away.

[@questioner1596]

@@Swimdeep, doesn't a solar motion light come on as you're driving? (If you kick up a leaf, for example.)

[@Swimdeep]

@@questioner1596 I only turn them on at night.

[@Mojokiss]

My story lately - i choose to travel in a nice clean looking station wagon. I sleep in a wide variety of parking spots. I took off the cargo stuff from the top of the car for better stealth and driving experience. I can't have as much stuff but it's also less stress being so minimalistic. The car is easy to park, and no one suspects anything. Black window panels etc. Get a wagon! mines a 2001 mercedes e320 wagon aka 210 body. I have had the vans and boats. the wagon is the best so far. just no pets or gf. :)

[@AdventureGearTV]

The less baggage the better. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@rideronthewhitehorse]

It is sad that the world confines everyone to living in a permanent unmoveable box by making it weird to sleep in your car.

[@AdventureGearTV]

Yep. It’s all about paying someone for a roof over your head.

[@fightswithspirits915]

I like parking on the street near large apartment complexes. No one knows if you are visiting a resident or not. If you need to spend a long time in one city, find 7 places and rotate them each night.