Thanks for stopping by!Check out my biggest dispersed camping trip of 2023 here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eL-qgKVhyLiXeYU.html

If everyone followed your respectful guidelines less people would be asked to leave. As a resident of a small coastal tourist destination we are inundated with “stealth” campers. Many leave behind mounds of trash including human and animal waste. Campers must be prepared to deal with all types of waste. LEAVE NO TRACE!👍🏻

My stealth camper van looks like a plumbers van from the outside. Also, no windows and nothing attached outside. And yes to all the rules of stealth camping. As a woman I'm careful to not get in and out of the van at my resting spot. Drive up, wait, act like I'm checking some paperwork, then go to the back and hunker down. I travel on business as an IT contractor and this saves a lot of money on hotels and eating out.

I practiced the "after dark park, first light move" when I was homeless and lived out of my van. I found a neighborhood close to work and used it as my base. However, I had a rule to never camp in the same place two nights in a row. I used a dozen places or more and kept rotating. On weekends I camped out of town. I also paid attention to my sites. One of my favorites was near a school. Once school started again, I avoided that location. Also, don't park by yourself. Park around several other vehicles and not on an isolated street. Near (not in or very close) apartments are nice because of the turnover of parked vehicles. If you park in front of a house, park between two houses. They don't know if it is someone visiting the other neighbor.

I travel in a cargo trailer and have parked in just about in every situation. I had parked at a Walmart with a number of other travelers. I parked away from them because they were loud and 4 of them made a semi-circle. Kinda loud music. Folding chairs, dogs, people, and coolers populated most of their area. The cops came later in the evening and kicked everyone out- except me. The cops knew I was there, but my highly polished truck and trailer and lack of stuff piled around my rig seemed to be the reason they left me alone. If you don't act like a jerk around other people and instead be modest and polite, you will go a lot further in life not just stealth camping.

I drove x-country in my Dodge Grand Caravan in 2018. My routine was to make my final "rest stop" and set up for sleep, then drive to my pre-scouted overnight spot. I felt safer because no one got to see that I was a woman before I drove away in the early AM. I avoided rest areas along the highways. They seemed creepy. I felt safest at all night truck stops.

When you wake up in the morning and move through into the drivers seat, in preparation for starting your vehicle Open and then Close you Driver’s Door. This action creates in the mind of any casual observer the idea that someone returned to the vehicle before it drove off. And if someone did indeed return to the vehicle then they couldn’t have been sleeping inside of the vehicle overnight as may first have been a thought. In this way you have given yourself an extra layer of Stealth Protection in the mind of Neighbours who might otherwise think, “he’s sleeping in that vehicle again”.

Excellent tip about being 100% sober when stealthing. That's so important! I always follow this, but you are the first creator I've ever heard mention this. And keeping the outside of your van looking completely blah truly is such a huge help! I have zero modifications, stickers, etc., and no one would ever think someone's sleeping in my soccer-mom-y minivan. 😊 Thanks for the great vid full of excellent tips!

I'm an over the road truck driver. And cheers for you all living this life of a nomad. It's pretty cool. Van life is very similar to Big Rig life.

"If you don't feel comfortable lending them a hundred dollars, don't tell them about where you're setting up camp." That's actually super solid advice, thank you so much.

I stealth camped for a couple of winters in Florida while working. Made enough to pay down my mortgage and refinance. I signed the papers in a cafe, as so far from home. Now I am semi retired due to the lower payment 😄

Yes, to everything that was mentioned in your video. Also, once parked, be aware of your light and noise emmissions. Check your window coverings to be sure they prevent light leak from the vehicle. While moving around inside don't be clanking dishes around or singing loudly to the radio etc. Lastly, don't ever, ever, ever litter. Retain all trash, food scraps and waste liquids until you get to somewhere you can properly dispose of them.

Thoroughly enjoyed your video and advice. I Worked construction for 8 years in the SF Bay Area, traveling home on the weekends. No way I was going to pay 1/4 of my gross pay simply for a place to sleep four nights a week. I needed that money at home. Backpacking and sleeping on the ground was one of my most favorite hobbies which made sleeping in my minivan luxurious by comparison. So I started stealth urban camping. I would join a health club near the jobsite for easy access showers, and follow every rule you discussed in your video. I used Costco plastic mixed nut containers for piss jugs. I learned to favor light industrial areas to sleep, because overnight parking was allowed for commercial vehicles and there was a minimum of pedestrian traffic. Residential areas were avoided because there are too many eyes to notice you. It was a lifestyle I came to appreciate. Very nomadic and self reliant.

"Welcome to stealth camping. The first rule of stealth camping is: You do not talk about stealth camping. The second rule of stealth camping is: You DO NOT talk about stealth camping!"

Another great video! Your tip on being confronted(made) by someone who may not even have authority, is spot on! I recently had that issue, and just moved on. If you get confrontational, it's only going to work against you. Because even if you win that argument at the time, you'll be up half the night worried that person calls the police or complains to the store owner etc.

" Be able to get into the back of your rig WITHOUT exiting the vehicle" < A number 1 here !! yep

The two best places I stay safe over night and move early in the morning. One place was an auto repair shop with those overnight drop key option. Park, sleep, move before the business opens. New car in area won't raise red flags. The other place is between two business's that share the same parking lot. Best if one is 24/7 or the two business's are like one closes late and the other opens early. Park between the two business's and you shouldn't be bother.

The first rule of stealth camping should be to stay only for one night. Homeowners on the bluffs above Nye Beach have had it with countless overnight campers. This is resulting in more police presence and debate about enforcing the no street parking at night ordnance that is currently on the books. Don't turn an overnight stay into a multi day camping spot; it's just plain rude!

A good spot is on the street near apartments. Nobody pays attention to a vehicle they've never seen before.

I've got a 2016 Ford Transit Connect passenger wagon. The no-build build suits my needs perfectly. The fact that it's a minivan means that I can access drive-throughs and parking spots that larger vehicles cannot. Love your content.

I do van life and work full time (on a fixed location). I do graveyard shift and sleep during the day. This is beneficial because being parked during daytime nobody would expect somebody is sleeping in it. If someone knocks they can't be sure somebody is actually in it (it's a panel van, closed off). During night time in weekends I'm not working and also not sleeping during the night so if someone would knock, I'm fully awake and essentially just parked at location. Usually I'm parked in front of my workplace which is an industrial area and relatively secluded. Nobody bother about a van if there are also several trucks parked there as well. I can dumb my trash in the companies large trash containers (remember I'm night shift, there's almost nobody at the company). I can take showers at my workplace as long as I want and every day. So I'm barely moving my van for most of the time so It hardly costs me gas money. I'm able to save a ton of money this way

Man… this kind of living is just going to get bigger and bigger as more and more people get priced out of their homes and rents continue to rise beyond most people’s reach. This country will have an entire underclass of citizens living out of their vehicles, whether stealth or no stealth. For most of those folks, they will be forced to live a nomadic life, which not everyone is suited for. I just hope that government wakes up to the fact that there are already a sizable number of people out there trying to avoid being out in the streets and pass laws that are friendly to tiny home dwellers, stealth campers, RVers, people living in their cars, etc. especially seniors who lost their jobs and/or their homes due to unfortunate circumstances.

This comment section is a treasure trove for stealthers. Thank you, everyone, and GOD bless you and keep you safe 🙏 ❤

Excellent tips. I do the same -- set everything up before arriving at my overnight spot (put window coverings up, brush my teeth, take my dog out for her last potty, everything!). So then when I park, I just slip back between the seats and disappear. I'm in a minivan, no outside accessories, just looks like a soccer mom van. I'm always toying with the idea of upsizing, especially since I have a 50# dog, but I love how stealth I can be in my minivan.

Don’t attempt stealth camping if you snore loudly. It really freaks people out.

Here in NZ if you get caught sleeping in your car you can get the same fine as if you were camping illegally, which is a $250 fine. Absolutely crazy. Which is also why I love stealth camping. My whole setup is designed around being discreet and getting away with it XD

One important thing not mentioned, is have good ventilation in your vehicle. If your windows are all steamed up, it’s a dead giveaway to the cops that there is someone inside!

The best way to stealth 'camp' is to not call it CAMPING. It's not, it's stealth PARKING. You are legally parking to sleep for the night and then you leave during the day to do whatever you are going to do for the day or hang out at a spot that doesn't mind you being there for day use. I have gone from a minivan to a box truck and my level of knock possibilities haven't changed much beyond size restrictions. Even with panels, stickers, a cargo topper I've had no problems. I am not saying GO crazy on the exterior, but a solar panel is unlikely to blow your spot if you are parking smart and park for the NIGHT where you are legally allowed to park and LEAVE in the morning. Just because you OWN a camper, doesn't mean you live in it. There are plenty of campers out there parked in front of houses right now that only get use on the family camping trip. Having a nice looking vehicle that's not an eyesore, like a clean little minivan, is a help to people assuming you're not a vagrant tho. And yes, I agree, keep it in.. don't pop your camp table outside your van and start cooking in the city parking lot. If you look like an empty parked car/van/truck people will mostly assume you are an empty parked car/van/truck. Even with a solar panel or cargo carrier on top. Besides, have you been to a Trader Joe's? Almost all of the cars in that lot have Cargo carriers and for the most part none of those are anyone's vehicle home. You think they are taking everything off the roof of the 4runner after their camping trip 😅. Not likely.

I had a big, blue camper van so I was never stealth but I was also never bothered. One key thing is to always keep your rig and especially your windows clean and do not have a bunch of junk in the front that is visible. The police always left me alone. There's more to this but that's enough 💜 I will add though that I was 99% of the time an urban camper.

It's pretty sad that we live in a world where we have to hide in order to have an affordable adventure. That aside, I've done the stealth thing before but now have a 5th wheel with slides. I got kicked out of just as many parking lots while in the van. The biggest problem I saw was too many people camped in one spot and 1 of them caused a problem. I've stopped trying to hide what I'm doing and instead just try to be respectful, clean, and not disruptive.

I been setup at a hospital parking lot for almost a yr now as I have a regular job now in the city. I’ve learned the parking lot attendants schedule and well as groundskeeping peoples schedule during the summer months. You have to keep your area clean as not to have other people around your vehicle.

I usually stealth camp in my own bedroom to avoid suspicion, however, lately I have noticed this one angry wife waking me up at night telling me to roll over because I snore. So I cleverly escaped to a nearby area living room, but was followed by a fat meowing cat and two local kids asking ”Dad, why you sleeping on the sofa?” I am thinking about stealthing in the toilet next night. Wish me luck!

I think a minivan is the best stealth vehicle and blends beautifully. My Sienna is almost completely stock looking from the outside, except for window rain guards and two 100w solar panels bolted to the roof rack. I put a cover over the panels when parking in a stealth spot.

Always be setup for the night before you get to your final spot. Blackout shades. Good to go

Nailed it. I: Have talked to Outdoor Store Managers to get suggestions on a safe parking lot (usually while holding my purchases). Use Google Earth to pre-select multiple potential parking lots Have room darkening window coverings/little drapes. Forward covering fits right behind front seats so no reflective windshield covering Never get out of the SUV Never arrive before I am fully ready for the night Am out of the area at first light Have a little fan over my cot so there are no open windows, lights or noise Have car keys nearby to hit Alarm or to drive away quickly Have a more difficult time when bassboat is on back. Then it is Truck Stops or Hotel parking lots usually.

I was stealth camping years ago before advent of batter led lights and smart phones, always parked up after dark and left 1st light, loved it. Now got the urge again and invested in estate car, window tints going in next week and sorting out kit and have a jackery and power bank now too - so defo more refined than when I did it before. cannot wait to get out and about again even for a night especially with the sound of the rain on the roof.

Nice tips! I’m a full time vanlifer in NYC. I park in a semi-industrial area in a class b with no problems but have parked in residential areas for long periods as well. If you’re in any form of RV and think you’re being stealth, get over that immediately. People know. They’re probably just of the live and let live mindset, which predominates NYC. There are many class As lining NYC streets. My best advice is to just be as respectful to your neighbors as possible. Be low key, don’t accumulate anything outside your home and don’t hang out around it. Strictly ingress and egress.

Being sober is very important. Open your window, and you smell like a brewery, open container, you're Done! I haven't seen any advice like that on any other 'van-life video '. Good job.

I’ve been urban stealth camping in coastal Southern California for the last 7 months (June 2021). My 06 Toyota Sienna doesn’t look stealthy at all because it has black out covers on all windows, a surfboard, 200 watts solar, Thule cargo box on top with a bike that has a giant blue basket on a Yakima rack on the back. Not one knock in 7 months. People say to leave early in the morning but I’m not a morning person so I rarely leave early unless I’m going surfing. I have camped in some of the same places but the key is to never stay more than 1 consecutive night in the same place. I LOVE living like this and have saved at least $11,000 in rent and utilities since June of 2021. As soon as I sell my boat I will start traveling or I will buy and build out a tall Promaster or Transit and then travel.

I stealthed in my car for a year... these tips are solid.

Check out how I setup my minivan for privacy here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oMt1eJqLz7q3omQ.html

One thing that bothered me while staying in a Walmart Parking Lot was people bunching up together and way too many of them at one time. Common sense tells me Walmart will close this off to everyone eventually. One night there were about 12 large RV's, 8 cars and about 4 vans, and a bus. I just left the lot and found another place

All great tips. I travelled and lived in my car for 6 months and used all of these just by using my common sense. Good to see another person with the same ideas.

I used to travel in a Toyota sienna with my 5 teen kids( omg that car stank like feet, fart, sweat and any thing a teen could stink of). A couple of times we parked at hotels bit slept in the car 🤣, the kids knew to go to sleep and if they were gonna watch movies use your earbuds and under blankets... We had so much fun on our road trips... They are now grown now so we don't really road trip together anymore...

I will never complain about finding stealth spots for bike camping again. Being inconspicuous is easier when you can step into the woods or over a hill and disappear. I have great respect for people who can do it with an entire motor vehicle that can't be hidden. Most of the awesome ideas in the video apply to bike camping, about sobriety, leaving if your spot is found, and not leaving your things unpacked at night. With a bike, I find it best not to stay in cities or towns at all, and just plan each day's travel around that. A USB-chargable shaver can go a long way in looking respectable, for people whose faces grow unruly lawns.

Excellent video! I like how you ended with not worrying. I spent about a month doing stealth camping in my minivan. I wore all black and had black blankets so even if someone looked inside there wasn't much to see. Twice I had people carry on conversations in the parking lot right next to my car. One guy even leaning up against it.

Love your video. We did this back in the 70's with Handy Vans and Chevy window vans. What I would like now would be a van set up for day camping, that is, for sitting inside at various sites. It would be nice to have a camper with opposing seats so that eating and conversation would be enjoyable.

I stealth camped at one place in New England. It was seemingly a big hotel. The parking lot was full to its limited. By the morning, I found myself the only one car there!!!!! It wasn't not a big hotel at all. I didn't care what it was, I started the engine and got a hell out there!!!

Being an urban RV camper, I totally agree with everything you've said here.

I drove cross-country from WV to OR a few years ago. Without sharing too many details, Indianapolis and Cheyenne were both good places to stay overnight. It helped that my newer Dodge Ram was the perfect “gray man” vehicle.

Thank you for that video. If you want to know about my stealth camping, rewatch your video. I always make myself safe and secure and because of your videos. It's always good for ppl to also practice stealth camping before even doing it. I did. Thanks to you. 👋

For blacking-out windows, tape white posterboard to the insides. The white color makes the windows look like normal, tinted windows from almost any distance while giving privacy. If you have to park on a street, park under a light post. It will look like you are working at a close-by business because you park in the best-lit area on the street. Leave early, giving the impression that you are working a night shift and then going home. Don't park there on the weekends.

I have to live in my car due to financial issues… too much rent and not enough money! So I came across your vid… I’m glad you gave it a great thumbs up… I can’t wait 😛

Park-n-rides, school and church parking lots ( bug out early for services ) were always good options for me. Parking out of the way and behind buildings, trucks etc often added cover.. I have car camped for 3 decades now nationally and internationally, way before there was even an internet, let alone social media. Sadly, security cameras now make urban options a lot harder.. Keep tidy and friendly. Never leave anything behind.

Hospital emergency room parking areas are the best places for me. The emergency room bathrooms are open 24/7 and people are in and out all the time.

My daughter and I traveled to several northern states from AZ in a campervan two years ago. No one ever bothered us and we parked at Walmarts or empty parking lots but it was during the pandemic so places closed earlier than usual and it was getting cold so it was probably easier to do than normal. We always bought food or misc items at the stores that we parked at. Some people even had conversations with us about our van at the parks or stores. But before that I slept in my car for a few months bc I was homeless and that was harder to do bc the Walmart didn’t allow overnight parking. I usually went to a park at night where there were other vans and rvs.

I agree totally worth what you say... especially DON'T TELL OTHER PEOPLE of good sites

My setup looks exactly like a fleet truck for construction or electrical work, because it used to be. A couple generic slap on construction-ish looking magnets and 2 orange cones makes it blend in anywhere.

Nice trick at the end trying to get me to tell you about my stealth camping. You know the rules!

Agree! Nice succinct vid with good advice. I've been successfully living as a digital nomad and stealth camping full-time for four years. For safety, only my adult son knows where I am at any given time. I never post where I am in real-time. And, I show respect for wherever l stay by leaving no trace, not geo tagging photos of my overnight spots, and departing urban/suburban areas early. My vehicle interior is organized so that I don't have to exit the vehicle in order to set-up for overnight or pack up for travel.

Been doing this for many years without any problems except for now! With social media many places are now “known” and are becoming like campgrounds. Yeah… secret place.. lol!

Thanks for the video. Been thinking about going on solo road trips in my van and wondering where I would sleep. Looking into truck stops and stealth camping if/when I'd need to. Currently learning all I can.

Free park and ride locations are a handy place to stealth camp. Parked next to other cars that are used by commuters that are working overnight.

Brilliant!!! You are good at this!

I have a 04 Escalade, I recently just picked up my vehicle from the police impound after it got stolen... left me literaly with just the drivers seat... I painted all windows except windshield and front for my sideview mirrors (I had left over spray paint for quite some time)(scratched that itch kinda thing), tint was dark enough already (gave her that real stealth feel), my pup loves it, now we totally nerd out in stretch mode and in total privacy, "..nice!"

Excellent advice throughout.

Thanks for this video! I appreciate your knowledge and the advice. Danny and Lynn

Thanks for the video great tips!!

I drove a 1983 Mercury Capri RS back in the 80's and 90's that I stealth camped in before it was a popular thing. The bubble hatch had a retractable cover that made it easy to keep prying eyes from seeing my gear and myself. I slept in it at the beach and backwoods many times without anyone knowing I was in there. Opening the sun roof and cracking the windows gave me enough ventilation on the warmer nights.

Good Channel, good communication skills. I do a lot of tourist cycling, and State Park jumping.

Very informative, you brought up a few things that I didn't even think of. Thanks

Excellent advice. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your very very nice videos I really love it it’s very useful for future GOD bless you where ever you are

Great points! I'm building out a stealth camper of my own and found this helpful. Thanks!

Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.

I was in the habit of staying at apartment complexes. I came in and parked. In the morning I could hear people talking and some motors running. I figured they were mowing the grass. All at once someone is knocking on my window. I have my covers up and jump to the front seat. Through a small opening I could see a tow truck backing up to my car. I had no choice but to jump out. The guy stops and tells me to move my car past a roped off area. They were getting ready to resurface the parking lot lol. I try to stay in more public areas now

Thank you for this great information

It is sad that the world confines everyone to living in a permanent unmoveable box by making it weird to sleep in your car.

Solid beginner guide to stealth camping. Good video!

Thank you for the great advice.

Hi, Enjoy your videos, I am a strong believer of not letting people know about where you urban camp this is the fastest way to ruin your faveret spot to park. The reason I started watching your videos is the fact that my minivan looks just like yours, if I parked next to you, you would be confused. I also like the bed video you have.

A Sienna, RAV4, or Prius can get away with parking overnight in places that a cargo van with roof fan will get the knock. Regardless of vehicle choice, keep the front seat area looking completely normal/clean and quite empty. Curtain behind that, go with black, black, and black. Oh, and don't forget, black, with no gaps in the black from any angle. No reflectix, no double-wire-circle window covers unless sleeping in driver's seat..then they're a necessary evil. No bumper stickers, no travel stickers, no solar, no roof fan/vent, no window air deflectors for cracking the windows open. OK, use window deflectors if your climate demands it, but your stealth is gone to anyone paying attention. Hint: If you put your KZfaq or Instagram username or sticker on your vehicle, you're not stealth. But you probably aren't stealth anyway, to anyone paying attention. All you can hope for is to be stealthy enough that nobody has reason to pay attention. Park somewhere that your particular type of vehicle is common or at least plausible among the people living/working there. Park in a matching demographic, or park in a slightly lower demographic. A 20 year old van will be noticed in a Lexus neighborhood. A 6 year old Lexus will blend in OK in a Mercedes neighborhood or a Camry neighborhood, and it will also seem to belong in any industrial/mixed-use area. Just another business owner pulling an all-nighter nearby in search of the almighty dollar. The downside of them thinking that you're a rich guy who isn't there, is that you might wake up to a Sawzall cutting off your catalytic converter. Congrats on making it appear unoccupied. Keep your vehicle clean, close to stock, with nice matched tires on the stock wheels. If crazy-aggressive offroad tires or super-capacity commercial tires, and lift kits tempt you, go with a very modest lift kit of only 1-2 inches, and substitute normal looking extra-load snow tires for anything crazier looking. Michelin X-Ice3 just 10mm wider than stock (hence 6.5mm more ground clearance if your vehicle uses 65 series), is my own preference, you'll thank me later regardless of your climate.

All great advice. Most importantly, know the local ordinances in advance and don’t drink ANY alcohol when stealthy.

Enjoy your videos thanks for sharing mike from Oklahoma

great video!!! we dont tell anyone when we go stealth until they come by and say "hey, you weren't home when I came by"... Rule #1 keep your stealth camping to yourself, too bad alot of youtubers don't abide by that

I modified my tacoma with drawer storage in a 5ft camper shell. I'd need to sleep at an angle in the back, since I'm 6 feet tall. I didn't have anything on my truck purposefully, so that I still looked stock. No one ever bothered me. I made some custom blackout covers for my camper shell. I drove around the country for 7 months, 22,000 miles from 9/2020 to 4/2021 and visited 18 national parks. It was great. I would do it again. If anyone has questions, let me know.

I haven't started van life yet but I'm planning to, so I welcome content like this. Thanks for sharing.

I have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan that I am in the process of setting up to do this now. I have picked up some good points from your videos. Thanks!

Great tips.. ive been at it more than 5 years & never been discovered! Bed down after dark, dont cook at your sleeping place, no lights/movement after dark, leave before sunrise and ALWAYS be prepared to move for any reason! i also roll in a Toyota minivan (looks like a soccor mom car) have all the seats removed except front 2, bed below windowline, mirror tinted & dark tinted windows so no one outside can see in day or night (or when streetlights illuminate). this is not for everyone and you gotta have your wits about you. legit way to save money

3:30 If you are tired, by law you must pull over and catch some kip.

Very well done. I’m saving this for future reviewing it is so concise.

I watched a video of a young couple "stealth camping" just yesterday. They were in a truck and camper, with bikes hanging on the roof ladder and solar panels. Pretty sure they had no idea what "stealth camping" means...

As a veteran stealth/free camper I find cemetery’s are great spots to camp. No one ever bothers me 🌞

Stealth camping while traveling is much harder to adapt to and outlasts the adrenaline one gets. Doing test runs on weekends is a good first step. But the longer the travel, the more minimalistic the setup and the more out of the comfort level (are you adaptable?) the more mundane the experience gets.

Best place to sleep is in a big company lot that has a third shift. Shipyard, Auto Plant, Manufacturing Plant.

Great advice!

I am a stealth camper /free camper, always have been here in Australia . My biggest issue is I keep my tailgate open for Bingo (dog) . This is a dead giveaway that I’m camping however no one comes near for fear of being shredded. Best car alarm ever !

I've found the interstate rest stops are great for this, stealth isn't even really needed, just be safe! Park near light, size up the stop before you decide to spend the night, and if you can, be close to truckers, they are used to the road, and know more about spending a safe night on the road than you do.

I will try it out soon.

I like parking on the street near large apartment complexes. No one knows if you are visiting a resident or not. If you need to spend a long time in one city, find 7 places and rotate them each night.