Stealth Camping

Great article and from someone who lives it daily! I wish we could download Bryan's mind on the topic of camping all together!

Why not find an RV dealer lot and park on the street in front of it? Stealth by blending in with a crowd of other campers/RV's.

Awesome article Bryan. Stealth camping I think not its more like Urban Boondocking, or a Suburban Sleepover, maybe even a night out on the town. Thanks for putting the time together to write this!! just when we had given up on the idea of "urban boondocking" thinking we were doing something wrong overnighting in a Walmart parking lot and getting zero nights sleep because of All the unfamiliar noises you give us new hope we can simply find a quieter place out of the norm, or more so to stick with the norm of a simple vehicle parked in a quiet neighborhood for the night. I do have one question though....what about our bikes strapped to the back of our camper?

Well heck, is there anything bka can't do well? It is well thought out, well written, and well, I liked it a lot. Well, take it or leave it but I personally spent a night stealth camping with bka in Kanab Utah. The main thing I noticed from that one night is that Bryan did not act like he was hiding or doing anything wrong. So I think it is as much in attitude as anything. As for Hefe, yes I know, wishing for a different name for it, I personally like the term "stealth" camping. I always wanted to be stealthy, but in a pop-up camper it's hard to do. However I try to eat my double stuffed Oreos stealthy, lest Mrs Whazoo catch me and cut my allowance. So I'm wondering if "urban boondocking" would fit. No hook-ups, no campground, even though there are people, places and things around. Maybe Sleepy has a term for it after all his experience. But for now, well, I'll stick with stealth camping, even if I can't do it. Great article Bryan, now what's that about water in your next article? California is listening...

The article was fine, didn't really learn anything that isn't common sense. IMO it's not camping though, maybe for an emergency overnight but to me I need a campfire and non-urban surroundings for it to be called camping.

bka0721 wrote:
Deltabravo ~ ..... Also, using power hookups without prior permission is something I highly discourage. Possibly you were referring that these power hookups were available and had permission, but not stated. For me, I haven’t plugged in 5 years now and this is not a requirement, or need.

Totally agree on the part about plugging in with permission, or where it's OK without permission, etc. I should have been a bit more clear on that aspect.
A few hotels I've happened across in the my travels have multiple power poles in their big parking areas, for trucks to plug in to.

The part about parking nose first at a truck stop (pull in rather than back in) is something I hadn't though about. I have a terrible time falling asleep unless it's relatively quiet outside, hence the "ear plugs" when there's outside noise.

Something else to consider when "picking a spot", is railroad tracks. A train horn can easily be heard 1/4 mile away.

Bedlam wrote:
Deck top boxes will not be set up until we have saved up for our larger TC. There is too much inconsistency between brands for proper fitment between the different campers. I will not have the truck storage you have, but that's one of the reasons for my larger trailer. I doubt we will ever full time in this configuration but it is interesting how our setups parallel each other for other purposes.

I'm sure I would take more risks if I didn't have someone else's safety to consider when make trips. The fact that I got a suburbanite to get out of her comfort zone shows I must be doing something right.

Hey! Heck I am on your page. I do things in phases, so as I can afford things and stay in my budget. Thus it took 4 years to do my solar. Plus it allows time to evaluate the plan as it evolves. When I am contacted about a service body, I try to divert them to a flat bed with the cabinets. Less money, weight and truck needed. There really needs to be a specific reason to go the service body route, where often a flat bed works as well.

I certainly understand your position with the people around you. You might read the first paragraph in my Personal Safety in an RV Clicky article and you will see how well I understand your position.

b

I think I prefer the term "overnighting" as "stealth camping" sounds sort of star warsy to me and, like b pointed out, you're not "camping". And to me there's nothing sinister about it. If one were "stealth camping" to plot some evil, then sure, it's sinister. But just finding a place where one can legally park overnight isn't sinister. That's just my opinion though and others are free to see it differently. It's a thoughtful and thought provoking article, b. I was surprised to see overnighting close to single residences works. I'd of thought homeowners would be "territorial" even along the sides of their property.

Deck top boxes will not be set up until we have saved up for our larger TC. There is too much inconsistency between brands for proper fitment between the different campers. I will not have the truck storage you have, but that's one of the reasons for my larger trailer. I doubt we will ever full time in this configuration but it is interesting how our setups parallel each other for other purposes.

I'm sure I would take more risks if I didn't have someone else's safety to consider when make trips. The fact that I got a suburbanite to get out of her comfort zone shows I must be doing something right.

Stealth Camping

GpnAZ ~ Thank you for posting this, on RV.net, about the recent article from Truck Camper Magazine on Stealth Camping in a Truck Camper. While this style of TC camping is not something all of us do, it was my hope it would be helpful to have Stealth Camping in your inventory, to pull upon, if needed.

Deltabravo ~ Thanks, Delta! You have some great ideas and suggestions. My style is to be off by myself and avoid vehicles of any type around me. Where I suggest in these areas is to tour around these locations, you mentioned. Often you will find something less occupied and just as capable in hosting you and your TC. Also, using power hookups without prior permission is something I highly discourage. Possibly you were referring that these power hookups were available and had permission, but not stated. For me, I haven’t plugged in 5 years now and this is not a requirement, or need.

Bumpyroad ~ I agree! GpnAZ has one sweet set up with that minimal, lightweight Lance Truck Camper on a new Dodge 3500 4X4.

Jefe4X4 ~ You are always too kind Jefe’. As always, I have appreciated your support and encouragement, over these years. For it has brought me to a higher level of experience. Of course this was not done without a few skinned knees and at least 1 broken wrist. As I wrote this article I certainly thought about your upcoming “Long Term Adventure” as soon as the Planets Align and you two shove off. My upcoming Water article should be of interest to you, equally. I am and always will be in awe, of your expertise and XTC capabilities. While I would have stopped and began hiking hours before you reach your preferred trailhead, it still does not diminish the appeal I have for this travel. Travel well, often and safe, my friend.

Class A DP 1 ~ Thank you for your comments, and your different take on the article I scribed. While I am a little taken aback by your perspective, but certainly take note of your perception. What I might suggest is that I wrote that one should greet the people around where you are parked, waving and sharing greetings. As well as inquiring with police (this is how I have gotten to know a lot of police officers around the country), store keepers and Postmasters. It can’t be a secret in parking a rig that looks like mine.

~DJ~ ~ Say Buddy!, one of my heroes here in the TC forum. Good hearing from you and your words of encouragement. Yep, Costco that time and the boarded up restaurant, just west of there, the last time. My favorite is the grain elevator, in a nearby small town, to the west of Boise. Just a short few block walk to the Post Office. As you know, the majority of the reasons I Stealth camp, in a community, is to get some shopping done, before heading back to my passion; Boondocking. Hope to see you stop in, this summer. Fresh beer is in the fridge and bottle opener on the leveling jack by the door.

Bedlam ~ My brother, without all the cabinet doors done the side of his truck! As you shared, we all have our different styles and means to do it. One does not visit me too long before they discover that call I have to be off on my own. But as shared in other articles, like you, I exercise precautions as well. With that, I do make choices for myself in what risks that are acceptable. Just as in what I look for in Stealth Camping. Being over 12’7” high, I too pay attention to tree limbs and ability to erect a Sat Dish. The locations I choose to avoid have overhanging limbs and or branches. As well as views to the southern horizon. One of these days we should have our paths cross. That would be a good time.

Egarant ~ Hi egarant! Thanks for writing, but I guess you didn’t enjoy the article. Sorry about that. By the virtue of the profile and length of my rig, it is not even close to being stealthy. My first pic of the ultimate Stealth RV will always be a windowless van. Also, I don’t believe I have ever not put up my Sat Dish. I have exercised the option of putting it up and own, only when it was needed to record something. As for the ramps, I do like my truck level and have talked in great detail in how I accomplish this, over the years. But only 4 pictures actually show my truck leveled with ramps. Some sites just are just about perfect! As for the slide, the one with the mountains, I was actually parked beside the home of a park ranger in that National Park, with the slide over their ring of folding chairs. The other slide picture was where a 20+ foot lay back block wall was next to it, supporting the Senior Citizen Condos. Standing on top of the wall to capture the image was easiest way to see the slide being used. Did you notice the one with the fire truck was with the slide extended too? Often the locations allow very discrete extension of a TC Slide. One should always make good decisions. In all fairness, Stealth Camping in any RV is Tongue n’ Cheek. My sharing was done to share what I have experienced and my successes.

Thanks again, everyone. Your feedback is important to me, as I craft more articles, specifically geared to our aligned interest in Truck Campers.

b