This is a related subject to boondocking and dry camping. I'm not sure I've broached the subject here. We have stealth camped for decades and find it works well in cities large and small even with our only medium stealthy rig. Here is a link to probably the best thread on the subject: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/92447-Tips-for-Stealth-Overnight-Parking-and-Building-a-Stealth-Vehicle?highlight=jefe4x4The first 16 pages or so stay on point, but there is some digression after that.In order to make our truck camper more stealthy I'm going to white-out the windows, loose the decals, and use a hook for the steps to lift them up to the large hanger on the rear ladder of the camper. Beyond all that, it's where and when you park that makes the most difference.The author sets out his ideas on being truly stealthy and how it's not trying to deceive anyone but stay within the laws.Actually, I see more and more Millennials giving up on buying a stick house and just buying a large white M.B. Van and living in it to conduct their oh-so-portable I.T. gig. Better than their parents' basement.jefe

Something just YELLS sleazy when the term 'stealth camping' is used.If within the LAWS then WHY the need to be so 'stealthy' :HMight it be the fact that it is really bordering on being a vagrant vs boondocking/dry camping cause boondocking/dry camping is NOT a term associated with parking on a city street, residential street, vacant lots etc ?

Actually, I see more and more Millennials giving up on buying a stick house and just buying a large white M.B. Van and living in it to conduct their oh-so-portable I.T. gig. Better than their parents' basement.I see more places closed down because of trash and illegal dumping because of "stealth camping or layover"

Stealth Camping ClickyI realized years ago that if you have a white van, it blends in well.If you put a couple magnetic signs on the side, 'Jim's Electric Service', etc., you can park just about anywhere and no one will notice or bother you.Staying under the radar and keeping a low profile is the key.

I'm all for stealth camping and have done it myself, however you will find people here are very intolerant and biased when the subject comes up.The word stealth has a negative connotation which I think is a large part of the problem. You and I know it doesn't mean anything illegal, it simply means incognito, we need a better word.Tioga George did it for years but used the terms 'day camp' and 'night camp'. He would never spend the day at the same place he stealth camped at night.

Stealth Camping or Layovering | Good Sam Community

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 26, 2017
Something just YELLS sleazy when the term 'stealth camping' is used.

If within the LAWS then WHY the need to be so 'stealthy' :H

Might it be the fact that it is really bordering on being a vagrant vs boondocking/dry camping cause boondocking/dry camping is NOT a term associated with parking on a city street, residential street, vacant lots etc ?
path1
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
Actually, I see more and more Millennials giving up on buying a stick house and just buying a large white M.B. Van and living in it to conduct their oh-so-portable I.T. gig. Better than their parents' basement.

I see more places closed down because of trash and illegal dumping because of "stealth camping or layover"
GordonThree
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
gbopp
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
Stealth Camping Clicky

I realized years ago that if you have a white van, it blends in well.

If you put a couple magnetic signs on the side, 'Jim's Electric Service', etc., you can park just about anywhere and no one will notice or bother you.

Staying under the radar and keeping a low profile is the key.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
I'm all for stealth camping and have done it myself, however you will find people here are very intolerant and biased when the subject comes up.

The word stealth has a negative connotation which I think is a large part of the problem. You and I know it doesn't mean anything illegal, it simply means incognito, we need a better word.

Tioga George did it for years but used the terms 'day camp' and 'night camp'. He would never spend the day at the same place he stealth camped at night.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
I think if you can eliminate or hide anything on your camper, van, TC, CLASS B, C, or whatever that removes attention that the vehicle is actually something you can sleep, eat, and use a bathroom in, and can successfully park it somewhere that is not an encroachment upon home-owners, apartment complexes, and businesses .... why not?

But I do agree there is a difference between "stealth" parking and "boomdocking". Both are different styles of use for an RV.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jan 26, 2017
I'm not one bit intolerant to, "Stealth Camping." But am not in favor of activities that shed a negative light on a pastime that I enjoy...that being RV'ing and camping.

The more problems that municipalities have with "RV'ers," the more laws and restrictions that get passed.
dewey02
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2017
I can understand the concept of stealth in terms of safety - that those wanting to do harm may not know that someone is overnighting in the vehicle.

On the other hand, how many here would want someone living in a white van parked in front of their house? Where we live, we know and trust our neighbors. We watch out for each other. Having a transient living literally in your front yard (even for a couple of days) is not a reassuring thing. Who are they? What is their purpose? The same holds true for local police who are trying to keep neighborhoods and local businesses safe and free from wrong-doing. What are they to expect from someone "secretly" camping out where they should not be?

In the right situations, such as at an RV park, state park, local campground, or even a Walmart, this is an accceptable situation. But in a neighborhood or in a business parking lot it is not.

I agree with most of the posters here, and am not a supporter of this alleged method of camping. Gives RVing a bad name.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jan 26, 2017
If you back your stealth camper up under the trees along side the road or park along with three or four other campers in a WALMART parking lot which one do you think the local law enforcement folks is going to investigate...

Probably both but for sure the one hidden up under the tress they will have their hands on their guns and show up in groups...

I nosed up in a RV sales lot one time and the local RV folks called the police on me when they came into work the next morning haha...

Have never been bothered sitting in a WALMART parking lot. I always go inside if they are open and tell them I am laying-over all night in their parking lot.

Go park on the side of the main 231 road going through Rockford ALA and see how longs it takes to have a knock on the door... It starts out with "Are you Mr Braddy...." They already know who are haha...

Got to use some common sense stuff here...

Roy Ken
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 26, 2017
To each his own, as long as it is legal. But I agree, "stealth camping" has a very negative connotation alluding to doing something on the edge of legal. And as long as you are legal, why stealth? There are simply too many places available to do it unstealthy (is that a word) to worry about it.

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