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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

trackhead
Explorer
Explorer
This is about blending into an urban environment? Ooops........

Yeti_plus
Explorer
Explorer
Easy and cheap way to blend in to some urban areas would be to allow a "graffiti artist" to use it as their canvas. But it would definitely stand out in your off the beaten path adventures.
Brian
2014 Chevrolet 3500 CC 4X4 Duramax, Tork Lift Tiedowns, TorkLift Fastguns, Superhitch and supertruss
2009 Jayco 213 SOLD
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4

whazoo
Explorer
Explorer
Yes white does "blend" with everything. Why do you think us painters wear white? It goes with every single color we use when we get it on our clothes. I still think that terra cotta colored camper would look great in front of that Santa Barbara territorial mansion on the beach.

bka0721
Explorer II
Explorer II
Well, now we have a Horse of a wholly different color, with the title change for this thread.

For Urban Stealth/Parking/Layover/Drycamping it has been my experience that color makes no difference. I have never been concerned with my TC being white and parking in a city. To me and the two times Cops (ST. George, UT & Idaho Falls, ID) have used my TC & Trailer as an aid for their Traffic Enforcement Operations while neighborhood Stealth Camping, it makes absolutely no difference.

b
08 F550-4X4-CC-6.4L Dsl-206"WB GVWR17,950#
09 Lance 1191
1,560wSolar~10-6vGC2-1,160AmpH~Tri-Star-Two(2)60/MPPT~Xantrex 2000W
300wSolar~2-6vAGM-300AmpH~Tri-Star45/MPPT~Xantrex 1500W
16 BMW R1200GSW Adventure
16 KTM 500 EXC
06 Honda CRF450X
09 Haulmark Trlr

silversand
Explorer
Explorer
Jefe wrote:
So, if you stay with white everything, you DO blend right in with your surroundings.


Gotta agree with this thought completely.

If your "RV" looks out of the ordinary in any x US urban environment (ie. a Euro ActionMobile; a rig with unusual attachments to exterior; an odd paint job; a new and expensive looking rig; commercial logos; etc...), you will attract attention as surely as a 30 year old camper inside the 2015 West Palm Beach Spring RV Show (unless its the Rocinante :B).

So, in my mind, I would pick a boondocking 'hood / locale to best blend with your RV-- in this topic's case: truck camper (only exceptions: Walmart and other boondocking-friendly commercial establishments).

Whaz:

Gotta love that instant "toad" morph :B
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Your study aligns with this this one: https://heatisland.lbl.gov/sites/heatisland.lbl.gov/files/Cool_cars_final_LBNL_project_report_v015_2...

I cannot find the article, but I read that these darker colored MH's could easily downsize their air conditioning units if they were a lighter color. Considering that the large Class A's are typically owned by retires full timing in the warm sunny climates of the southern belt, I would have to agree.

I know we camp year round and could probably benefit from a black roof due to our ocean moderated climate but would pay for it when making trips to areas that actually have sunshine. I have owned one black vehicle without air conditioning and can attest the sun can make things uncomfortable when I lived over 10+ degrees farther south.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

trackhead
Explorer
Explorer
Also, the jeep forums have tons of examples.....

trackhead
Explorer
Explorer
I left my roof white for concerns about the darker color and heat. I think it's mostly a non-issue so far in Arizona. No scientific studies, just anecdote.

Jefe, the Monstaliner needs to be rolled on to get uniform texture. They supply 3" or so plastic rollers. Buy a few of them, because the non-solids in the liner slightly dissolve the roller if you use them too long. Also, be sure to lightly sand your camper for good adhesion (obviously). I taped off my window molding and put it right over rubber moulding. Stuff sticks awesome. I imagine it would go over chrome if you sanded it enough. Sticks to plastic well too, just scuff it up.

I like the stuff for the brushy terrain because it's got great abrasion resistance. Next year I might do the entire front of the truck since the paint is hammered anyway. Holding off for a bit because I want a flatbed first.

Looking forward to your project!

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Explorer
The object of subtly blending into the surroundings while Overnighting-while-Urban ( or OU) has some other aspects which need some addressing. The reason for the white paint on RV's is it reflects the summer sun keeping the RV cooler inside. This has been proven with autos, but most of do not live in a car down by the river, so it's not a worry. I searched and found a few who experimented with light and dark pigment on their RV's. One researcher found a 15 deg. F hotter interior after 3 hrs. in the sun with a medium brown color compared to a cooler white painted exterior on the very same rig. That is research. It would not apply to Jeanie and I as we do very little summer sunshine camping in the TC.
Another thought is, if you are trying to blend in, in an urban setting the colors are mostly black (road surface, and shadows caused by street lights etc.) and white or off-white buildings AND, the myriad other RV's, pickups, cars, delivery trucks and vans that are omnipresent and in a white appearance. So, if you stay with white everything, you DO blend right in with your surroundings.
The other color in an urban setting is tan or beige with a concrete gray tint i call terra tone. The neutral nature can be used in bricks, rock work, sidewalks, fences, walls, and more. This would indicate sand as a color might work too as it does slowly fade into the night, if non-reflective.
One thread I read mentioned the color of your RV gets darker as you pay more money for it. There is some merit to that argument. Look at how many $500K MoHo's you see that are pure white. Few. Mostly earth tones and a fabulous applique of artwork with wild waves and arching accents: mostly in earth tones.
So it follows that your rig will look more expensive it it is painted other than white.

Many of you have finally comprehended the object of this thread once all the bad connotations of the verbiage I used was deciphered.
I do appreciate all your kind indulgence and wonderful replies. I learn something every time.
I'm not done with this yet.
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

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
Having the truck a slightly darker shade than the TC will make it look better instead of one monochrome color. Keep the TC as light as possible to keep heat radiation down. I know the coating will adhere to aluminum and rubber but but unsure about glass (it needs some texture).

BTW: Those are duallies on that FWD sedan. I think it's to satisfy all those weight police that think you have run six tires or you are over...

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

jefe_4x4
Explorer
Explorer
Taking trackhead's lead I shot this email off to Monstaliner:

"An acquaintance coated his fiberglass truck camper using your desert sand bed liner coating to good effect.
I would like to use your bedliner to coat both my 2001 Dodge 2 series pickup and Lance truck camper all the same color, probably sand, and as flat finish as can be had.
Does this coating stick to aluminum siding (used on the Lance, below)? Or, do the tiny cracks need to be retained for ventilation?How much product would I need for this: Not the roof. Do I remove the decals before coating? Does this product stick to glass surfaces? I would like to coat right over the front window of the camper. Does it stick to the rubber window molding gaskets? And, how about coating chrome parts? Or, would these be better with a wrap? and steel winch bumper?
I'm sure you have the answers to these questions.
regards, jeff reynolds"

We have a window tinting guy in our town who is pretty adept at matching the tinting sheets to the surrounding pigment color. I guess I'll find out if all this is going to 'ugly up' the TC enough so Jeanie will not set foot in it, and there will be no overnighting. I do like the sand color as it is not menacing, and non-reflective; like the hide of a deer crossing in your headlights; almost invisible. The darker gray color Monstaliner has is more menacing.
I've had a similar problem before when my CJ-8, over 30 years, slowly and inexorably got higher off the ground; so high Jeanie could not swing into it with out a step stool. The stirrup on the pass side of the Dodge is, at least, a 'fix' for the truck.
Looks like this will be another odyssey into terra incognita.
jefe
P.S. to Jim: I'm thinking a wrap would be prone to abrasion from passing tree branches and other obstructions. I had entertained that application and was willing to go that way until the Monsta came onto the scene. Highly abrasion resistant.
P.S. to Bedlam: looks like rear super singles have finally caught on...somewhere.
'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

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
This one?


Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

PatrickA51
Explorer
Explorer
whazoo wrote:
Hi Ya Silver! Hey I was thinking of putting a tow bar on the front of my truck. To stealth camp I could pull up behind the car in front of me , parked on the street, let the tow bar down to their rear bumper and voila, I'm a toad! No camo needed.


I can see that now. Your big GMC/Chevy behind a Honda Accord with a trailer hitch on it. LOL ROFLMAO :h

whazoo
Explorer
Explorer
Hi Ya Silver! Hey I was thinking of putting a tow bar on the front of my truck. To stealth camp I could pull up behind the car in front of me , parked on the street, let the tow bar down to their rear bumper and voila, I'm a toad! No camo needed.

Dave_Pete
Explorer II
Explorer II
silversand you got it! And the red object to the right, outhouses and if I remember correctly, a dumpster.

And agreed, no comment yet on whazoo's til yours, but that was a great picture!

Trackhead really cool camper, and not just the color, it looks like a neat unit all the way around.