Stealth Van Dwelling

[flailer]

A few more things to consider:
- vans, cars, & RV deprecate in value, so wait to buy until you have a need, as they will be worth thousands less every year...
.... but that is discounting inflation, so buying maybe the correct thing to do... your call.
- If you are living in it, it will get thrashed, worn, and maybe even thread-bare. Solution: Buy Used, save thousands!!
- i want the smallest size rig & smallest engine i can get away with, for Stealth reasons & operating costs too. Also, i dont want to have to pop-out the top, or side, or anything, in order to sleep.... otherwise the Stealth mode is GONE GONE GONE, and someone will be banging on the side of your rig at 2am. (Look for something small on the outside, but huge inside)
- i want the largest interior space possible The need to fold up bed, move stuff around, or to put stuff away: Just so you have room to sit down SUCKS. (forbid the situtation where stuff is stored outside while you take a shower, or eat, or sleep. Over packing like this so very bogus. It isnt being "self-contained"... So, down-sizing your shoe collection, number of jackets, toys, tools, etc, is VERY important, or maybe rent storage. Still i think a yard sale is best.
- Appliances typically run on: 1. AC, 2. batteries, & 3. Liquid Propane, all three!! And LP is THE excellent way to go if you have only one choice, leaving solar panels to recharge batteries. Also, i have successfully used block-ice inside my reefer, carrying them back on my motorbike so that i wouldnt have to move the RV to refill LP tanks. Question; won't an ice chest work just as well??
+ Motorized bicycles are an EXCELLENT option. I have a standard bicycle, and can bolt on a 4stroke motor on in 15 mins. VERY fun, VERY useful, much easier to store on or in Van / RV... And easier to $$ buy, and use, and maintain, and license than a motorcycle. I think they are VERY COOL!! But i also grant that they do not have the "status" of a motorcycle, nor do they have the distance, or speed. Still, I think they are a much better option than Zero's motorcycles, in more ways than i can count. More info: motoredbikes.com , the forum is the best place to learn, and kinds of motor kits for sale, and how to mount them. (btw: battery powered bicycles blow chunks, imo - UNLESS miles traveled are VERY low, & one can recharge at both ends of the commute)

Peace n Joy to all my Brothers in Freedom,
f

 

[Suzu]

I did the van-dwelling thing for a long while. It's nice to be able to just up and move when you wish, but it can be very hard to keep from being hassled to move when you want to stay put. None of the Walmarts in south Florida when I visited there allowed overnight parking, and even where they do, they have loud sweeping machines going over the parking lot all night long.

Why not relocate altogether? In many towns in my area, you can get a liveable house for half the cost of one of those RV-van things, and finance it for 30 years @ 3.5% right now. Maybe your employer would transfer you.

 

[amy31416]

I don't think anyone's mentioned those truck stops that also have showers--they creep me out, personally, but if I was a guy I'd use one in a pinch. Plus, you can park and sleep in the lot.

 

[flailer]

where to park that rig?

i love the discussion, and hope to learn more !!

If we are gunna start talking about where to park your van / camper / rv / rig of choice - there are variables that roll out of that discussion:
* Buying a rig that fits not only your needs, but the needs of the environment you gunna be using it in**

- Lots of time raining outside means your stuck inside you rig; so it better be big (and tall inside), well light, reading or other entertainment, or you're gunna go stir crazy in no time. (other considerations: pop outs, outside canopy, electric generator - cause your solar panels are not recharging batteries while raining, & bringing wet muddy clothing into an enclosed area without getting everything else wet/dirty, drying said clothing, & rain tires)

- Cold &/or Hot weather: Insulation!!! heater, cooler, venting, fans & the storing of bulky cloths. snow tires?

- City use: *Stealth mode*: Neighborhood streets, city streets, dead-end streets, loading dock areas behind non-24 hour stores. NOT city parks, NOT waterfront areas, NOT motel parking lots, NOT wallyworld. Also: Yes to truck-stops, and of course trailer parks or RV parks costing money. (personally, for me, this is a one night, then move on situation for me, as i target BETTER more natural "camping" style parking spots...)

- Country use *camping in plain site mode* These are the same villages / towns that allow overnight parking: at wallyworld, target, stripmalls, gas stations, loading docks, etc. As the population density is lower, People are more laid back in the county, and feel less threatened by others, and therefore there are far far fewer rules (read not fascist state unlike many cities).

- Back-Back-Back Country Use: : Important: Does your rig have ground clearance to do this?? Back Country is my FAVORITE, and i have been VERY successful doing this; finding the nicest best spots EVER, allowing me to live the retired-zero-bucks-per-day life. Just motorcycling into town to pick up supplies. Think: BLM land, green-ways between towns, Ponds, River frontage, Gravel quarries, hunter's cabins, logging roads, forest access roads, pull-out that are 0.5 miles from a resorts, remote mtn lake resorts, some ski areas are empty in the summer time, Near the BMX track, But NOT near city dumps. NOT near sewer treatment plants. NOT near land that has rusting cars, appliances, tires. Bring a hand saw (buck-saw for firewood) & chair, and you are living the good-good life.

Peace n Joy to all my Brothers, & Sister, in Freedom,
f

 

[flailer]

It's the end of Nov, & I'm starting to pack-up gear-up & size-up for a ~3 week easy/slacker/lazy trip, returning before Christmas.
i am wondering if i should start a check-list, and if anyone is interested in what it takes to make this happen??? (i should have a check-list, but dont)

No sunscreen on this trip; No motorcycle; Short distance & fewer bicycle rides; Additional cold weather clothing.... but other than that, packing will be pretty much the usual stuff, i think. Oh, i have a couple new USEFUL items: headlamp with red lens (stealth book reading), and a fake candle battery-powered candle (for mellow low lighting. while not really for "mood lighting" i have a feeling it will be a VERY nice creature comfort item)

Taking the rig out this afternoon for quick check-up, filling the LP, gas tank, water tank, prime black-water tank with dish soap and a gallon of water.

N. Calif, here i come!!!!!

Peace n Joy to all my Brothers, & Sister, in Freedom,
f

 

[Wallrat]

I lived in my 26' RV for years in San Diego. It was set up with 6, 60watt solar panels, 2, 8-D (huge) 12v batteries, plus an inverter. the solar system cost about $3600. It provided about 80% of my electrical needs. The desktop computer was run off an air card. I showered at 24hr. Fitness, so that was about $30 a month. I used a local RV dump station for gray water dumping. I left it in a more industrial area, and drove to work in my truck. NO RENT for years, while holding a job. It was a real breath of freedom, and do the math...how much could you save? I moved the RV about twice a week, and never got ticketed, or ripped off. Come to think of it, I've not paid rent in over ten years. There are many ways to not be a wage slave. None of which require you to live in a dumpster. You can call me Mr. Van Dweller.

 

[cjm]

subscribed. post more, people.

 

[Elwar]

NOT wallyworld

Why not Walmart? The Walmart here in Hudson (FL) has RVs staying overnight all the time. A few times after fighting with the DW I have had to go sleep in my truck there overnight. Very RV friendly.

I heard that there is a website that lists the RV friendly Walmart parking lots.

 

[Elwar]

I lived in my 26' RV for years in San Diego. It was set up with 6, 60watt solar panels, 2, 8-D (huge) 12v batteries, plus an inverter. the solar system cost about $3600. It provided about 80% of my electrical needs. The desktop computer was run off an air card. I showered at 24hr. Fitness, so that was about $30 a month. I used a local RV dump station for gray water dumping. I left it in a more industrial area, and drove to work in my truck. NO RENT for years, while holding a job. It was a real breath of freedom, and do the math...how much could you save? I moved the RV about twice a week, and never got ticketed, or ripped off. Come to think of it, I've not paid rent in over ten years. There are many ways to not be a wage slave. None of which require you to live in a dumpster. You can call me Mr. Van Dweller.

Quite interesting, so you park a detached RV and drive your truck, then when you move you connect it to your truck?

 

[Isaac Bickerstaff]

Did the van person thing during the ski bum portion of my missing decade. Bar bill was the biggest expense.
By far.

 

[Confederate]

At first I thought the title of the post was a person's name.

Same here.

 

[cjm]

http://www.stealthvandweller.com/

So I got bored and tried to figure out what I would do if I just dropped all of the property ownership stuff and just up and lived out of my vehicle.

Fascinating web site. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wallrat]

I never had to tow my rig behind the RV, though that would be a great way to move to a new location. I have to differ with one of the above posters; a bed is priority 1, by a loong shot. Buy new foam and you'll live in bliss. Try to cheap it on a 20 year old foam cushion, and you'll suffer. Second priority is the kitchen, since after all, you're vanning it to save money. You can get one of the tiny portable picnic crappers, and dump it regularly if need be, but a fridge is heaven, and a stove is crucial. I've 'showered' hundreds if not thousands of times (7 times in the last week) with a soup pot full of steamy hot water. Soap up, and dip/pour to rinse. Two gallons is enough, three is a 'Hollywood' shower. A proper shower, while it's homey, is not at all necessary. As to being stealthy, the Cops seem to clue in first on lights inside at night. Bikes hanging on the RV, loud music, anything that makes you visible works against you. For the most part I found that the Cops were looking out for methhead people. Not surprisingly, since an RV is the first rung above living in a car, and second above living under a charming bridge. Whenever I had to deal with them, I was clean, shaved, sober, wore nice clothes, and looked like a regular person. If I explained my situation to them, they were always obliging, and at most told me to move to another place. Nine time out of ten, you'll get hassled because some homeowner called and complained, so stay away from home dense areas. The other time would be because you stayed in one place too long. In SD, it was a 48 hour limit for an RV to be in one place on city streets. Solar is stealthy, so it's worth the extra money. A generator is so obvious, you're screaming to get busted. If you want to use one, go to a park or remote area, then move to your sleeping area afterwards, and be quiet then. Vanning is a nice life, and I can recommend it as a way to get off the grid and save a ton of money.

 

[opal]

*just fixing the wall of text*

I never had to tow my rig behind the RV, though that would be a great way to move to a new location.

I have to differ with one of the above posters; a bed is priority 1, by a loong shot. Buy new foam and you'll live in bliss. Try to cheap it on a 20 year old foam cushion, and you'll suffer.

Second priority is the kitchen, since after all, you're vanning it to save money. You can get one of the tiny portable picnic crappers, and dump it regularly if need be, but a fridge is heaven, and a stove is crucial. I've 'showered' hundreds if not thousands of times (7 times in the last week) with a soup pot full of steamy hot water. Soap up, and dip/pour to rinse. Two gallons is enough, three is a 'Hollywood' shower.
A proper shower, while it's homey, is not at all necessary.

As to being stealthy, the Cops seem to clue in first on lights inside at night. Bikes hanging on the RV, loud music, anything that makes you visible works against you. For the most part I found that the Cops were looking out for methhead people.
Not surprisingly, since an RV is the first rung above living in a car, and second above living under a charming bridge.

Whenever I had to deal with them, I was clean, shaved, sober, wore nice clothes, and looked like a regular person. If I explained my situation to them, they were always obliging, and at most told me to move to another place. Nine time out of ten, you'll get hassled because some homeowner called and complained, so stay away from home dense areas. The other time would be because you stayed in one place too long. In SD, it was a 48 hour limit for an RV to be in one place on city streets.

Solar is stealthy, so it's worth the extra money. A generator is so obvious, you're screaming to get busted. If you want to use one, go to a park or remote area, then move to your sleeping area afterwards, and be quiet then.

Vanning is a nice life, and I can recommend it as a way to get off the grid and save a ton of money.

 

[brushfire]

may be of interest:
http://www.amazon.com/Unisolar-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Laminate/dp/B006EP6MCU/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_3

 

[flailer]

Why not Walmart? The Walmart here in Hudson (FL) has RVs staying overnight all the time. A few times after fighting with the DW I have had to go sleep in my truck there overnight. Very RV friendly.

I heard that there is a website that lists the RV friendly Walmart parking lots.

Yeah, why not - Hey, sounds like it works for you!!

i guess i was just trying to list out different types of van / RV living, and that Wallyworld parking lots dont seem like "stealth mode", to me. i think i did list wallyworld as an option under "camp in plain sight"

 

[flailer]

*just fixing the wall of text*

I never had to tow my rig behind the RV, though that would be a great way to move to a new location.

I have to differ with one of the above posters; a bed is priority 1, by a loong shot. Buy new foam and you'll live in bliss. Try to cheap it on a 20 year old foam cushion, and you'll suffer.

Second priority is the kitchen, since after all, you're vanning it to save money. You can get one of the tiny portable picnic crappers, and dump it regularly if need be, but a fridge is heaven, and a stove is crucial. I've 'showered' hundreds if not thousands of times (7 times in the last week) with a soup pot full of steamy hot water. Soap up, and dip/pour to rinse. Two gallons is enough, three is a 'Hollywood' shower.
A proper shower, while it's homey, is not at all necessary.

As to being stealthy, the Cops seem to clue in first on lights inside at night. Bikes hanging on the RV, loud music, anything that makes you visible works against you. For the most part I found that the Cops were looking out for methhead people.
Not surprisingly, since an RV is the first rung above living in a car, and second above living under a charming bridge.

Whenever I had to deal with them, I was clean, shaved, sober, wore nice clothes, and looked like a regular person. If I explained my situation to them, they were always obliging, and at most told me to move to another place. Nine time out of ten, you'll get hassled because some homeowner called and complained, so stay away from home dense areas. The other time would be because you stayed in one place too long. In SD, it was a 48 hour limit for an RV to be in one place on city streets.

Solar is stealthy, so it's worth the extra money. A generator is so obvious, you're screaming to get busted. If you want to use one, go to a park or remote area, then move to your sleeping area afterwards, and be quiet then.

Vanning is a nice life, and I can recommend it as a way to get off the grid and save a ton of money.

Excellent points!! i have been considering "down-sizing" my fully-contained to an over-sized van. And if i did then would need one of your "tiny portable picnic crappers". Hopefully 100% spill-proof & stink-proof!!! Any model names or models come to mind??

p.s. i can't see how to +Rep Opal or Wallrat for their input. maybe i just dont have enough juice yet, being a newbie and all??

 

[cjm]

p.s. i can't see how to +Rep Opal or Wallrat for their input. maybe i just dont have enough juice yet, being a newbie and all??

At the bottom of each post, you should see "Promote this to Article," "Blog this post," a six-sided star, and a triangle with an exclamation point. The six sided star is where you can +rep or -rep and add a comment for the poster. All members should be able to rep, but at 10 posts, your rep in particular will not count any points towards the poster. You have to post some minimum number of posts before your rep counts (50? 100? I don't know exactly). It's still a nice gesture though, and many don't care about the points, just the comments.

 

[Czolgosz]

I am interest.

 

[Wallrat]

Thanks...I did run on a bit there, didn't I? All I can say is I was trying to be more helpful than correct. Another thought; the po-pos can't bother you if you're on private property...unless the owner objects to you being there. Point is, while it's technically illegal to sleep in your rig in the city of San Diego, and most metro areas, that's only on city streets. Wallmart, the local shopping center, a church lot, anywhere where there is some sort of overnight usage works.

I would drive around and find where the big-rigs and delivery trucks were parking, and then park there, usually under a street light. That ups your security, and hides you in plain sight. One of the best RV's IMHO is the Toyota Dolphin, mostly because it's so compact. You hardly notice them on the street. Livability is less in them, of course. My rig was 26', with the van cab in the front. It had a shower, toilet, small kitchen with stove/oven and fridge. I lived in it for about four years, always on the city streets. At $500-700 per month (the rent I didn't pay), figure how much financial servitude I sidestepped. To me that's more life I bought, and less slavery to the system.

Another fine way to live is on a sailboat. I did that for years too; free anchorages are still to be found, and many of the same tricks apply.

You might Google 'homeless on wheels'.

Last thought...if the cops come knocking, many guys would simply hide inside and pretend to not be there. I always opened a window and told them I'd be right out. They're not stupid, but may be contrary. A maglight leaves a Hell of a dent in an aluminum sided RV. If they suspect you, they'll 'knock' until their arm gets tired or until they decide you're not there. Plus, I never had a bad incident with them, so I saw no reason to chance the damage.