Tinting Windows on TC

....just thinking out loud: ....what about high altitude mountaineering sunglass material? Something like Spectron-4 (Category 4) polycarbonate material WITH flash coating ? It might be a bit expensive however as an RV window format. And, seeing out the window late on a cloudy afternoon/evening pre-sunset would be almost impossible.

I don't know what you mean by "RV spots". I did not see any in the Sears parking lot or in the parts of Boise I drove through

Boise..Yuck..(laughing)..I grew up in Boise and it was rated the 8th safest city in the world to live in..By RV spot,I mean an RV park..When I have to go to Boise I always stay in my favorite RV park on the outskirts of town.I spent 1 week in a TC there the last time I "had" to go to Boise for family.I could have stayed in the street in front of my dads place but I like my privacy and not worrying about "who or what is that".

My point is,there is a huge difference in staying/stealthiness in Boise Idaho compared to say Spokane Washington, which I am pretty familiar with unfortunately, because of doctors and hospitals.And Spokane crime is mild compared to other cities but high compared to Boise.I lived in Coeurd'Alene Idaho for a long time working in a saw mill up the CDA river and logging, just 39 miles from Spokane.

Am I afraid,heck no, as I am an avid reloader for both pistols and rifles and use them often as a sport for hunting and recreation.I just do not want to put myself in a position to have to use one for something that does not have four legs.It happens all the time in big cities...

As I said,some like to travel in there TC as you do and others like myself, use them strictly for camping/fishing and hunting in the mountains.I see the majority here on this forum use there TC's for traveling/and developed camping spots which is cool,just not my cup of tea, as I am not a traveler and would never stay in a developed camping spot that you have to pay for, for the most part, "camping"...

We all have one thing in common,the choice we made, for whatever reason, in getting a TC versus the other RV's that have more room for lounging and the ability to take it off and have a pickup to do what pickups are used for,in my case,hauling firewood.

.....probably athermal IR protective welding glass, "Shade 10" may be the ticket (albeit a bit extreme for 2-way vision).

I'm not aware of any DOT window glass that will block out-going light from escaping the window(s) generated from inside the camper (say, when you turn the lights on in the camper at night).

We have mirror-like (called: flash-coating) windows on our Outfitter. It is very, very difficult to see anything inside the camper during daylight. However, like sunglasses, these windows are meant to allow someone INSIDE the camper to see outside (just like wearing shades) with minimal (not none) reflection off objects outside.

So, a pair of shades (or, vehicle windows) coated on both sides would be extremely unusual.

Good luck with it!

Cheers

Come to think of it, I even stayed one or two night of stealth camping in Boise. I tore up a tire in the Alvord and went to the Boise Sears for a replacement. They ordered a D instead of and E load tire. It was already late in the afternoon when I found out. I stayed overnight and I believe even the next night in the Sears parking lot. It was plenty safe with no reason to sleep with one eye open. I did not see any signs but I have no idea if staying was within local ordinances. I stealth camped and looked like another vehicle waiting overnight for Sears service.

I don't know what you mean by "RV spots". I did not see any in the Sears parking lot or in the parts of Boise I drove through.

Nor would it have mattered if I was in a Class C or Class A or towing a trailer. I needed a place to stay.

Have you ever traveled outside of Idaho?

Why would I?(laughing)..As I did mention in my previous post,we all use truck campers differently..If I was traveling as some do,I would still have my small Class C and use RV spots or for overnight in unknown area's.There's some nut jobs out there!I have done quite abit of logging truck converted with a sleeper overnighting and I did not enjoy it much at all, even in good truck stops, sleeping with one eye open all the time...

I don't use my truck camper for traveling and if I did,I would use it as I described above for the Class C.Others don't do much back country camping like I do 100% of the time,I get that..I sold my 21ft Class C because motorhomes are not suited for how I use a camper on rough rocky roads.Leaks just ready to happen.And the big heavy and tall truck campers also would not work for how I use a TC even though I have enough truck for most.

So hence, I really have know idea about stealth truck camping or hiding in neighborhoods other than some good common sense..

I do get tinted windows though as the op asked..I have them in my currant TC and in the daylight you are stealth inside but at night with lights on,your not.My wife can't see me having a beer inside,that's a good thing..:B

jaycocreek wrote:


.......

In Idaho we buy truck campers to camp/hunt and fish in the mountains not live in Walmart parking lots or neighbor hoods........

I don't live in Walmart parking lots either. Nor is that stealth camping since Walmart has a policy of welcoming RV customers. I do stop overnight at Walmart of Flying J or other places when driving across country.

In addition to visiting mountains and national forests and parks, I might stop elsewhere. Have you ever traveled outside of Idaho? I think I am up to 45 of the lower 48 States. While traveling I might stop to see cities. I have also stopped and visited relatives in Winston Salem, Portland, and San Francisco. I park on the street near their houses. As I explained I try to be stealthy and keep a low profile. I also typically check with the neighbors so they know what is happening. I have also visited national parks and stayed outside of campgrounds. In Rainier, I asked the rangers about staying at a location overnight so I could photograph at sunrise. The rangers told me where I could park and also advised that I come in late and "not draw attention to myself". I call that a recommendation for stealth camping.

Many of us do a lot of traveling and use our RVs for staying at a variety of places outside just the woods.

Many people just don't seem to understand "stealth" camping. It amazes me that some of those with no understanding also own truck campers.

Ad me to that list.I never would have thought people would buy truck campers to park and live in neighbor hoods undetected like in a van...I guess it is the area we come from.

In Idaho we buy truck campers to camp/hunt and fish in the mountains not live in Walmart parking lots or neighbor hoods..That was not a bash to those that do,just a misunderstanding how we all use truck campers differently in the different area's of the USA.

As to the op and window tinting,they make a film you can put on your existing windows that works pretty well..It was on my last small Class C but at night you can see in with the lights on inside.

Many people just don't seem to understand "stealth" camping. It amazes me that some of those with no understanding also own truck campers.

The concept is really simple. Stealth camping does not make your camper invisible. The idea is to have it look like it is merely parked. Residents often get concerned when a camper stops for the night. They do not want a pack of gypsies moving into the neighborhood. I consider it a courtesy to the neighbors to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible.

There is often a concern about local ordinances and how they are interpreted. Resort and destination areas are often highly restricted and staying on the streets is not allowed. For the vast majority of the rest of the country, overnight parking is allowed, but "camping" may not be allowed. Often no one, including the police, knows how to interpret the ordinances. Making a nuisance of yourself is likely to result in a negative interpretation.

In the past I have checked with churches or business owners or even the police about staying overnight. If I ask about parking overnight, I typically get a positive and helpful response. If I ask about camping, the response is likely to be negative. I think the reason is because some people are just boobs. They pull into an area, open up slides, run a generator, play music and might even set up lawn chairs. I try to be stealthy even in areas like a Walmart parking lot where there are no concerns. I pull to the back of the lot out of the way of customers and I keep a low profile.

The parking issue also pertains to city or residential streets. I am careful not to take parking spots that would be in use by the local residents. Parking on the street next to a church or closed business works. Church or business lots might work, but I would first get approval.

work2much wrote:
Stealth camping in a truck camper? What are people supposed to confuse it for?

An unoccupied truck camper?

Stealth camping in a truck camper? What are people supposed to confuse it for? If you are worried about light getting out at night you will need black out curtains/shades/reflectix.