I MUST SAY!!! That between YOU & BOB WELLS, I'm pretty well schooled now!! From stealth camping to seasonal employment!! And MUCH MUCH MORE!! I'M WELL ARMED ! YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!! THANKYOU!! SOOOO VERY MUCH!! TRIBAL LEADERS :-)
Afew reasons i subscribed . 1) You're a natural teacher , and I want to learn. 2) resource recomendations 3) PERSONALITY, PERSONALITY, PERSONALITY. KEEP AT IT!
You always find the most beautiful places. You are always kind and helpful. I feel you are down to earth and you share your experience. You and Bob are some of the happiest people.
I'm not much of a rambler, so when I had my RV and lived on the streets of San Diego, I found that parking during the day in a big park (which closed at sunset ... don't get stuck like I did with a bad battery), and found a meditation center with street parking, where I parked every night. The thinking behind it being .. it was mixed residential/business area and as long as I kept stealthy at night (i hung out in the back/bedroom where I could close off the view, but left the front end visibly empty), who knew that it wasn't a resident's vehicle. Worked great. A caveat: this is no longer true in the San Diego area, where RVs are only allowed to park if there is a 30 foot distance between your RV and any curb crossing; all Walmarts have closed their friendly doors to overnighting, and nearly every parking lot has private security. Not an RV friendly town, now. I did figure out a way to park by upending my days. You're rarely bothered during the day for sleeping, so I'd find a nicely shaded spot, catch my forty winks, do my errands or whatever else my day held and hunt wifi at night at Starbucks or McDonalds. Neither of them turn off their wifi at night, so i wasn't sleeping, made myself visible and was never bothered. Just some other tips that can work for stealth camping in a city. Hope this helps someone. And thanks for your commitment to share your life.
This been years ago, I slept over night one Sunday in January 1988 I think it was super bowl Sunday, in El Cajon Ca in a Von's grocery store parking lot, I had a 1973 Datsun pickup truck, its not safe anywhere in San Diego CA. pickup trucks are targets for finding tools to steal. but i was not bothered that night by anyone. But times have changed even Walmart's are not good places anymore to sleep overnight in many places besides CA. I would stay clear of any urban areas in CA.
I just really love your channel I feel by the time I'm ready you have given so much info to be safe as an older single woman and that I love you for. Thank you Suzanne
Hi Carolyn, I'm researching the full time RV lifestyle and came across your channel. Really like all the topics you cover. Thanks for making this channel and providing such great info!
Supermarkets are great because they usually have night staff and u can park near them and no one will bug u all night thinking you're an employee. Depending on the size of your RV, van or whatever.
Miss Carolyn, I enjoy your 'youtube' experiences, & knowledge. I like how you do not try to "show off" or try to "sell" yourself or videos. I like that you are natural & w/ a warm true heart; & open minded. Seems you are always happy; & willing to 'go w/ the flow'. Watched video when you got stuck in sand; -used levelers, & rugs to get out. Amazing that you weren't upset & saying 'cuss words', & freaking out. You are very independent & not willing to ask for help. Hey hun, don't ever be too dam proud to ask for help. We ALL need it sometimes. I'd like to visit w/ you; if ever possible. I'm in Central, MT. Be good, careful; & God bless you. Chip~
I think its easier to be in an RV if im honest cuz its easier to say ur camping on a road trip. People are more lenient if they dont think ur living in ur van. Sprinter vans are the best of both worlds i think tho. O just wish i could afford to upgrade to one
Hi there I'm new to your channel and I appreciate the info. Many years ago I was boon-docking all over California in a truck camper. But things have changed a lot since then. After 20 years of living on my mom's property in that camper it's time to move on. My mom died in Oct 17 and I sold the house and I am currently shopping for about a 22 ft class C. I can tell you that after dealing with lawyers and real estate agents I need some time on the road. Actually I can't wait to get out there again. Another great place to dry camp is Indian casinos, if your are in SoCal and have a solar system you'll have all the juice you need plus they have bathrooms and food. Anyway can't wait to watch more of your adventures.
Thank you , Carolyn. As a truck driver off and on for 30 years. I have parked in the industrial and warehouse areas , and have never had any trouble or heard of any. True there are bad areas, but that is not really hard to figure out. Have a super day 8-)
We had a 23 ft Class C for several years. We loved it because of the size. We fit in parking lots very easy. We tried staying the night at the Henry Ford museum. After they close, they also close the parking lot. The security guard was very friendly and sent us to an area behind City Hall and the Police Dept. We have stayed on city streets in neighbor hoods, Walmart, Interstate rest stops, Many truck stops. This was before the widespread use of the internet. We had a book "Free and almost Free Camping" this was very helpful. We just used our imagination. I think you should always be polite and respectful of others and never leave a mess or dump on the street or parking lot.
Great video. This was one of the hardest things for me to figure out when I started out. Florida was where I took my first RV for her maiden voyage and it was especially hard since, as I learned once I got there, they have extra strict laws there against overnight parking in most areas; not even Walmart will let you stay. We ended up getting to our destination 12 hours early for check-in at our reserved site and needed somewhere to sleep until morning, but we couldn't find anyplace. We eventually found a dark abandoned hardware store parking lot and stayed there overnight with my family. Nobody threw us out, but we had questionable folks roaming about the parking lot all night long, drinking and smashing bottles on the ground, hollering, and so forth. Not much sleep was had that night. I don't know if the websites you mentioned existed back then or not, but if they did then I didn't know about them. This information should be very helpful especially for beginners.
Loved the video. Minor request: show your surroundings - give a 360 pan. You did do a bit of that at the end, but it's nice to see that in the beginning too! But great tips!
Iv'e had great success staying overnight in Casino's in Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma. I always park in the the back, as far away from the cars as possible! I also stay in public boat ramp parking on weekdays/night, they have room for pickups with campers. Minnesota has them everywhere, boat trailers fill the parking spaces on the weekends though. Iv'e also stayed overnight at the Cabella's sporting goods store at exit 45 on I 35 in Owatona, MN. They have plenty of Rv parking for overnight, and a free Rv dump. Happy Camping!
This is the best most encouraging it of urban camping advice I've ever seen! Thank you so much for laying this out! I basically work in the SF bay area but continue to have a full time career (untill debt is payed off) ;) I'm tired of paying thousands in rent every month so I've decided to jump into a small class c. What an amazingly liberating decision! You rock! Never change!
Thanks for mentioning the "rather ask forgiveness than ask permission" principle. That is my motto and I have always been that way. Nice to know that it is just the way we are and not some kind of personality disorder.
I'm retired from a B1G 10 university. Having relatives in an RV coming to visit a student was normal. Call the University police before and see where you can stay. We had areas on campus they could dry camp. Other than Football season, we had plenty of space.
lovely video..tons of information...You seem really 'free spirited today' and look joyful. im happy you are having what seems to be a great day, as always please stay safe Carolyn
hi Caroline and Cappone I've missed you both over the last few days, I find this a very interesting video, I was under the impression you could park were ever you want, it's like that here in the UK I have been moved on lots of times by the police, I haven't stealth camped for some time, but whenever I parked in a lay-by I was always told to move on. they said lay-by are only for lorry's and truck. drivers, I remember saying to this one copper, I'm falling asleep at the wheel, he still told me to move, so I asked him for his badge number, he refused I even said to him if I crash my van because of you, he still told me to move so I made a note of his police cars registration number and also the time, it was a big lay-by I was the only one parked there, it's funny I can park in the daytime but not at night, the police have never bothered then, and its also illegal to have a pee in a lay-by as I found out when I had a £80 fine
Great info Carolyn as always. Mostly a part time boondocker here, but I'm jealous and right on your heels. Your videos have been very helpful and inspiring. Thanks-
Good video Carolyn! I have been boondocking for almost a year and I always learn something from you. I showed up late to the RTR and of course they were cold and rainy days. would love to sit down with you and maybe Bob at the next meet and greet.
Excellent video!!! Massively informative! The view behind you is just stunning! I wish I could travel that far. Stay safe. I love Capone "photo-bombing" you:)
Thanks a lot!!! That really helps! Can't wait to try it. We were in CA last year & there isn't very many Walmart's that you can camp at so this info helps.
Hey, Carolyn, Thanks for all the good info and for sharing your life. Wanted to let you know I spent this week with your friends at Team Ramco transmissions. Awesome people when I was in a stressful situation. Wouldn't have known where to go but for one of your videos. Really saved me, Thanks so much.
Ellen - are you kidding>??? Oh wow!! Was Flash an amazing host or what?? Did you tell them you heard of them through my videos?? they deserve it - great shop. sorry you had troubles, but glad you're back on the road!!!
Thanks! Carolyn, the people who are negative or actually attacking you are called cluster B PERSONALITIES. They have A VERY DEEP ROOTED FEELING OF ENVY. In addition, they also HATE HAPPY PEOPLE. I have actually left my home in Colorado on Christmas eve because of Narcissistic abuse from my own family! I am in my RV on the road. First time Camping! I discovered you before I even left home. I appreciate you alot!
Lisa - kudos to you for escaping toxic people!! I can relate to that! Maybe that's why this has been so challenging. I avoid drama and toxic people in my real life and here they're literraly in my face.. learning to tune them out. thanks for your assessment, it helps. good luck to you in your adventure. How brave you are to go out, having never done it before! You rock. take care, be safe and have FUN!
another good place to stealth Park if they don't have dates up is an r v dealership... go in the back where they're parked in the RVs that are being worked on.. I know some friends who have done that then you pull out of there in the morning
Oh ok.. I know a couple people who have done it but I'm sorry if I gave you wrong information... don't let the haters be hateful to you remember I told you a long time ago You're Perfect Just the Way You Are I love your attitude and your sassiness and spunk reminds me a lot of myself.. don't forget that dr. Seuss saying.. people who are negative and nasty and hateful and say those things are people that are so miserable in their own lives they don't know how to be happy so they try to bring people down to their level.. give Capone hug for me and me and my crazy Shih Tzus so look forward to meeting your next year Blessed Be and and May mother earth surround you and protect you
Allstays is my go to app. I believe Campendium uses it as their CG finder. What I like about it is that you can still use it with no signal. The app comes with an usable offline database. It won't load the map but you still get all the other info. Invaluable imho. Finding free sites on the east coast much trickier, any plans to head east? Great vid btw)
I travel a lot in a 30' class A, towing a car. Believe it or not, in small, older towns, I often go to the local Chamber of Commerce and ask. I also check in with the local police station and ask about parking restrictions on public streets and parks and explain my situation (70 y/o single female). So many times, an officer will guide me to a good location and keep an eye on me during the night. (Of course, it helps that I'm retired LEO with an ID card.) I've also gotten permission from warehouse managers, gotten their business card, and had no problems. There are a lot of places to overnight if you are willing to be flexible.
GOOD BOY CAPONE. Since I fell and shattered my arm/shoulder 3 weeks ago, my yorkie freaks when I leave home. Poor boy, he saw 3 strangers load me into a noisy deisel ambulance and take me away. I am getting better now, God bless our furbabies. Rock on, sweetie!
Intense!!.. I dont have an RV yet... But your videos are awesome. The class C, and Free places to go is a huge ...huge help... I have fav`d this video..for your info and links... BTW..your videos are always fun to watch.. Ya have a fun way to make a laugh or smile contagious .. Im in NJ.. And it snowed about 1in.. I am not a fan of cold weather... I joke and say.. when the weather gets below my "IQ" Im cold!!.. so yeah.. dont go east... its chilly.. Take care & God bless
I have been following you, but not commenting. If I may, I would like to suggest some topics for videos: 1) General rules for stealth camping, like don't leave a mess, if you stay in a store parking lot, patronize the store in the morning, do NOT make them sorry you were there. 2) How to react when you are booted from a spot. I have always been apologetic and polite and cooperative, and I have asked if they knew of a spot where I would not be a problem. I even had a cop lead me to a good spot once because he knew I would never find it from his description. NEVER be rude or combative! 3) I like 24-hour supermarkets, but ALWAYS park way to the back of the parking lot, out of the way. Never be obtrusive. Park and go right to bed. 4) Freeway rest area are okay if you park very late. Don't camp there, just rest and move on. My rule is to park after 10:00pm and move on after coffee. What are your experiences on these topics?
Another topic for stealth camping: Many cities have laws against sleeping in a vehicle, but some cities selectively enforce that law. They have areas where they will not enforce it, and RVs tend to congregate there. Often time these are just people trying to stay near their jobs rather than commute 2 hours each way every day. These areas are oka for an overnight stay, I would think
Hey Carolyn, great information! One other suggestion might be a larger auto or truck repair business. They usually close around 5PM and they have plenty of other trucks and vehicles in the lot so you might blend in for the night. Just have to be out early before they open for business. Sometimes even a Pep Boys might work. That Capone is a cutie! Such a handsome guy, lol. See ya!
Some good ideas. I would be careful about outside apartment complexes. Because of the reasons you mentioned surrounding apartment complexes, they are also a magnet for break ins and vandalism. Parking is precious few for residents and they resent people taking their spots outside of the complex and will often call the police on people spending the night. (I can only speak from experience in my area where my court is) Also parking is now tightly regulated in areas around complexes because of the high traffic and the possibility of poor visibility accidents. Check your city parking regulations when you arrive.
So timely! I'm researching the possible over nights on my route west. I don't drive at night unless I have to ... Walmart and flying J / Pilot is at the top of my list until I get way past the Mississippi. Thanks Carolyn
truckstops and rest areas on highways are always out there just try to avoid parking in big truck areas as trucks already have a difficult time and its really upsetting when I am tired and need to rest then see several pickups parked in a truck area.
Excellent info to share:) I'm curious if you have a system/program/notebook travel log etc., for saving info on where you have been, camped, or not been able to and so forth, for future reference? Not sure I trust my aging brain to recall every place and remote road I've been down~meaning, in hopes of not repeating dead ends or impassable roads etc. Good to see you looking and sounding so bright and clearly thrilled to be where you are=) XO Take care out there.....Sam
What about rest stops along the highway? I've seen people stay at night and then leave in the morning. There's a public restroom with running water. Is that safe?
Thanks so much for your experiences and information. I am a single female senior and want to start traveling. I am just about to build my own tear drop and can use all of the help offered out there. Thanks again. I am in Mesa Az by the way.
I can definitely use this info. I'm building a small caravan or gypsy wagon so I can travel to visit my Grandchildren and I may need to pull over sometimes on the way. One never knows.
great video. ty for sharing the information. I am definitely going to use some of this, this summer when I go out. as always be safe and enjoy life and give Capone a scratch for me.
I found this while looking for anything I may have missed before I figured out how to subscribe to your channel. It took me a while to do so. Lol. Lol. I'm still learning new things with this I pad
Yep I've pretty much done all of that kinda stuff too. As long as you don't leave a mess or stay too long or bother any body most places you can get a way with it. And yes we had a big old 24 foot class C RV and we still got a way with it! Going to pretty much the same thing again only just a little smaller. Maybe a 20 foot this time.
Thank you for all the great info. This is the first winter I am planning to be a snowbird. You have given me confidence to be a single senior citizen woman on the road!
Carolyn, I love your vids! I do wish folks that feel they need to do the thumbs down thing would just go find somewhere else to be. It is quite simple. If I had a Tacoma, I'd get the Livin Lite Truck Camper like Will has done and be out there joining Y'all. You guys are great. Just one of your friendlies, Rick. Stay Free!
Also Carolyn,, if your passing thru towns and need a quick nights stay.. Most all Walmarts, Lowes, and Sams club will let you stay if you ask.. 1 night on the edge of the parking lot.. There a few exceptions like downtown Vegas where the mall that Walmart is in won't let you stay on mall property. But its always a great place well lit, safe, most always other travelers there, buy food and hard goods restaurants close,,, great if your passing thru.
Just finishing my winter in and around Yuma and heading for Spokane by way of NM, Texas, OK, KS, Nebr, Omaha Falls, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone . . . Expecting the trip to take at least 2 full months. Maybe we'll cross paths along the way.
This video is so extremely useful! I'm getting ready to head out on a big journey in my van, so I'm gettin' the goods from ya'all! Thank You! Well done. And, you're bad-ass.
Casinos are good, too. Just park to the outer edge if you want to have quiet. Usually free wifi and coffee and soda and security that works for you, not against you!
Hi Carolyn, My name is Bob, I live in Western Montana, and all the information you give is written down, and is so interesting. I plan on taking off for anything below interstate 10 this year and too get out of winter. I just turned 70 last month and I want too do and see this country of ours while I can still can geteup go. LOL
Bob Bailey hello Bob, I live in western mt to. We r going to start rving this year. We r looking forward to it. Maybe we could tex n u could tell me how ur last ur went. Thanks Rosemary Grove
This is a helpful video so thank you. If you did a video on how to transition from renting in a apartment or home to RV or Van dwelling and how to best go about this and deal with any fears for the new lifestyle that would be a popular video Im sure. All the best
Some good tips! Here's one back. As a ginger, you shouldn't risk a sunburn. In fact, you should be avoiding exposure as much as possible. Look up the melanoma rate for blue-eyed (I assume), fair-skinned people as compared to the overall rate, then find yourself some SPF 5,000,000 sunblock and use it EVERY time you step outside. I just discovered your channel and would like to keep watching your videos for more than a few years!
After watching a few more of your videos, it appears you may not be a blue-eyed ginger, but my original concern holds up. Be careful of excessive sun. Here are 2 RV-relevant tips that might prove useful. First, an America the Beautiful pass is only $80 per year and opens up a wider variety of federal lands to your vehicle with no entry fees (although campsite fees might still apply, depending). Second, a number of Interstate Highway rest areas offer free RV dump stations (there's at least one free website that maps them out for you).
parked at my friends for months and months and never had a problem thank goodness!! great video very comprehensive! never ever Park in a strip mall! 🐙🐶
Yesterday when before this new video came up I was having Carolyn Rv Life withdrawals. So Iwas on your website and read part of your-book..... so sad! My heart just broke for you! Love to you !
Love your videos Carolyn! And Capone is such a Handsome boy! Love your personality and your video format, HATE the desert though! I always wonder how people can find beauty in a barren wasteland. Every thing is just grey & brown, no color, it just says death & despair to me. I guess there are some exceptions like valley of fire, and Sedona. Anyhow you are so awesome that I don't mind watching a desert landscape.
Regarding crime in unfamiliar areas, I recommend going to Trulia.com. Not only does it offer a code-coded map (green = safe, red=dangerous, with various colors in between depending on the level of crime in the area), but it also shows you the crimes that were reported. It may be marked orange for "be careful", but the crimes were loitering or domestic dispute. Green is good, but if the crimes are mostly auto theft, probably not a good place to sleep. So take a look at the colors as well as the comments. Happy camping! :)
Posted to "older" vid with and Bob, figured I'd repost on your blog, so you'd see my ideas.-- Carolyn - time to get a little wiser, look into security cams. One does not have to peek out windows to see what is happening outside your rig what ever type you drive. It can be like a go pro cam place in the right locations. automatically "connected" to the internet directly. Something happens, a recorded "visual" record helps authorities and others to get involved. I've seen many vids of bikers (motorcyclists) as I've been researching possible nomadic life, if that is a way to describe my desired future. Safety is a priority for all of us. Adding Bear Spray, a stun gun, a strobe light, and a mega blast horn are other "tools" to be considered. One small advantage "may" turn the tables. BE SAFE!
