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Overnighting-while-Urban, or OU

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Explorer
BKA has raised some salient points about 'stealth camping' (or overnighting, or camo camping, or overnighting under the radar..). In thinking about this, I want to ask the question of you seasoned (or unseasoned) TC travelers that delve into any form of the stealth endeavor.
We are all products of our environment and have gotten used to traveling with the 'big white box' on the back of our trucks. Stealth is close to nonexistent with a 20 foot, low profile WHITE truck and WHITE camper. (Raise hand here) Nothing screams unstealthiness like a 40 foot long 12' tall train of white boxes. Some on here ( you know who you are) have a rather stealthy paint job for the whole rig, namely ones that are painted a tope color. Tope is kind of a murky medium grey/brown with a slight green tint that tends to make the surface disappear after dark, especially if it is in less that gloss. It looks good in the daylight and after dark, dimly. A lot of the euro, big bucks campmobiles are painted this color. I'm not talking about Olive Drab, but something a bit less G.I. looking.

To the Question: Do you think a flat or less glossy tope painting of the entire rig would make any difference at night when you are overnighting? Or would it increase the interest in passersby as to your intentions? Would it look too sinister? Really, I need your input here.
I would drop the hammer on both the truck and the camper (as a camo ensemble) if it would add to steathiness. There some new thin plastic over lays that look interesting. They go on like sheets of tape.

This all came about when I bought a book on camouflage in warfare, specifically as applied to milspec vehicles in different theaters of operation.
The fun was to see the Urban camo, which was a blotchy, broken black and white, all in a flat surface. Of course in the desert you get desert sand, the color of my CJ-8. Since one does not need camo in the desert, that color is out.

Only stealthy in the snow:

Olive drab is too military looking, not the image I want to display.
What say you? Even if you know nothing about it, you still have as good an opinion as anyone.
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, CTD, Qcab, SB, NV5600, 241HD, 4.10's, Dana 70/TruTrac; Dana 80/ TruTrac, Spintec hub conversion, H.D. susp, 315/75R16's on 7.5" and 10" wide steel wheels, Vulcan big line, Warn M15K winch '98 Lance Lite 165s, 8' 6" X-cab, 200w Solar
76 REPLIES 76

covered_wagon
Explorer
Explorer
Stealth camping is too stressful. It's the chance of the fine or the chance of being woken up during your long over due sleep that makes it not worth it.

Permission and a good rest is much better. Not to mention the unrelenting thoughts in getting a fine and then having to find another place while still half asleep.

I'll go get permission. Besides if you travel under starlight, not freeway light, your chances of truly free camping are much greater.:)

This is sort of like the old discussion that you are causing an unsafe condition because your doing the speed limit. Everyone has to go around since your not speeding like most everyone else.

Surround yourself with good deeds, your future will be much brighter.

skipbee
Explorer
Explorer
Since 2004, we've had two Lance 1121's , white with some graphics.
We had urban boondocked in many and varied locations. Large and small parking lots, side streets, industrial zones, parks, medical facilities, on and on. We have never been bothered or shooed.

When we stop, I put up the satellite, out the small slide-out,
we have never towed anything, but often had a portabote on the hip and always have rather large front and rear racks and porches attached. We keep the day/nite shades closed and keep to ourselves as much as possible.

We never stay in Rest Stops, here in the East, we believe, these spots have been a potential source of troubles. Out West particularly the North West, some of the Rest Stops had dumps and water along with RV pads, which we have utilized.

We have developed a "ZEN" technique that involves thinking ahead of arrival of a suitable, comfortable, safe location, and it has almost always worked well. No sweat, no strain, no blame.

We remember," It is often better to beg forgiveness, than to seek permission." If you mean no harm, offer no threat, and are aware of the dangerous areas in many urban areas, you will be fine, has been our experience. No one has ever confronted us or demanded we leave.
I do think having something towed behind would change the perspective, unfortunately.
skipbee
2004 F350 Diesel CC SRW 19.5" Rickson W/T 4WD
2005 Lance 1121 well found.
See us on YouTube" Living the Lance Life" 3 of 4. Google skip bosley for TR's: Alaska, Assateague Island, Disney World & Fla Keys and a California Coastal jaunt.

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Reddog1 wrote:
Bedlam, that was my secret stealth place.

With my Western Brown Ram, I try to find UPS distribution facilities. Ten years next to fire stations with my Brilliant Red Ford was enough.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
:B


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

pjay9
Explorer
Explorer
Reddog1 wrote:
Bedlam, that was my secret stealth place.


LIKE I SAID!!! Sports cars is good, too! ๐Ÿ˜„
2005 Lance 1161, 2004 Dodge CTD 3500 Dually 19.5's Stabiloads Roadmaster Sway, 2009 20' Raider 185 Pro Fish 90hp & 9.9 Yamaha vintage Penn elec.downriggers EZLoad roller trailer

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Bedlam, that was my secret stealth place.


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Explorer
Blending in on a December 2004 rest stop layover off Hwy 10 in AZ. Nothing looks out of place here. That's Cal Gordon in the 2nd, lookalike rig. It was important to park next to a truck with no engines running (including refrigeration trucks).
'01.5 Dodge 2500 4x4, CTD, Qcab, SB, NV5600, 241HD, 4.10's, Dana 70/TruTrac; Dana 80/ TruTrac, Spintec hub conversion, H.D. susp, 315/75R16's on 7.5" and 10" wide steel wheels, Vulcan big line, Warn M15K winch '98 Lance Lite 165s, 8' 6" X-cab, 200w Solar

Naio
Explorer II
Explorer II
My experience is in S&B construction, but I can tell you that the aluminum siding people there say that the gaps where siding overlaps are ESSENTIAL for allowing condensation inside the walls to evaporate. I would not seal those up with coating.

The rubber around windows, etc. expands and contracts at a different rate from the aluminum, and more than the glass. A coating on it will likely fail sooner (lots of cracks) and, if you coat the glass too, will crack all along where rubber meets glass.

Chrome should be fine if you sand the heck out of it, as stated above. It does tend to be located on the wear points of the vehicle.

Auto shops are great urban camo. For truck campers, I would think a residential neighborhood where other pickups are parked on the street would be good, too. Me, I like the neighborhoods where you can't go a block without seeing my model of van :).
3/4 timing in a DIY van conversion. Backroads, mountains, boondocking, sometimes big cities for a change of pace.

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Wayne, I thought you were going to tell us you only stealth camp next to fire stations...

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
pjay9 wrote:
Reddog1 wrote:
I am a bit miffed. People want to stealth camp but buy TCs with decals that are brighter than a carnival, and with advertising of the TC manufacture. What am I missing?

I removed all decals from my TC. That reduced the "in your face" decor of my TC.


But your truck is RED...I know it used to be a fire engine and has been reperposed. My rebuilt TC will be void of decals....can't wait!
Yes, but I only stealth camp in the city, and camp near rose bushes or sports cars. :B There just are not really that many carnivals with billboards in the city or country. :R

On a serious note, when I camp with others, the flashy decals stand out more than any color of truck.


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke

nycsteve
Explorer
Explorer
I was driving north on I95 midway between Florida and NY. Totally exhausted pulled of at a random exit, a safe overnight spot not immeadiatly obvious. I was to tired to safely search and settled on parking with a bunch of vehicles in front of a service station .Literally passed out as soon as I entered the TC. Left early but learned the value of blending in. My rig was but one of many vehicles parked and waiting for service. Car repair locations now on my list of potentials for a quick emergency recharge spot ,overnight in urban areas.

joerg68
Nomad III
Nomad III
I alwas wanted digital camouflage on my camper. Like this:



There is a hunting school down the road from where I live. I am sure a camper camoed like this would draw their interest ๐Ÿ˜‰
2014 Ford F350 XLT 6.2 SCLB + 2017 Northstar Arrow

pjay9
Explorer
Explorer
Reddog1 wrote:
I am a bit miffed. People want to stealth camp but buy TCs with decals that are brighter than a carnival, and with advertising of the TC manufacture. What am I missing?

I removed all decals from my TC. That reduced the "in your face" decor of my TC.


But your truck is RED...I know it used to be a fire engine and has been reperposed. My rebuilt TC will be void of decals....can't wait!
2005 Lance 1161, 2004 Dodge CTD 3500 Dually 19.5's Stabiloads Roadmaster Sway, 2009 20' Raider 185 Pro Fish 90hp & 9.9 Yamaha vintage Penn elec.downriggers EZLoad roller trailer

Reddog1
Explorer II
Explorer II
I am a bit miffed. People want to stealth camp but buy TCs with decals that are brighter than a carnival, and with advertising of the TC manufacture. What am I missing?

I removed all decals from my TC. That reduced the "in your face" decor of my TC.


2004.5 Ram SLT LB 3500 DRW Quad Cab 4x4
1988 Bigfoot (C11.5) TC (1900# w/standard equip. per decal), 130 watts solar, 100 AH AGM, Polar Cub A/C, EU2000i Honda

Toad: 91 Zuke