Fear is normal. A healthy dose of fear keeps us safe and alive. Only little chidren and psychopaths are fearless. Overcoming fear takes courage. Two thumbs up for having the courage to step above the fear.
Hi Scott, I lived in a camper for two years and I can tell you I was a single woman at that time and I was never scared, because I was always locked & loaded. I came from a big city and I knew how to take care of myself. I never relied on anyone to take care of me, I worked on my own truck fixed my flats, but never turned down help because of pride. I have always been aware of my surroundings, and when I moved to a new area I would scope it out to make sure my little girls were safe. They are all grown up now! Good video, Good memories amigo👠
Most people are oblivious to their surroundings. Not a good thing. You should always be aware of your surroundings. If for any reason at all you feel uncomfortable in a location, regardless of how nice it seems, you should leave and not look back.
Thank you for this video! I am preparing for an "extended" road trip (4-5 years or more) starting next fall when I start receiving my SS. My friends and family are supportive but cautious...the first question I am asked "on your own?" Followed by "aren't you scared?" Maybe I am stupid, delusional, or naive, but I am not scared. The thing about being mobile is just that...you can move at will. I did opt for a van so I don't have to leave the vehicle to get in the driver's seat to move. People in general mind their own business. If you are good at minding your own business and following your instincts, I don't see anything different than your "everyday" life in your hometown. Stealth really is how you conduct yourself. Thanks again for this reassuring vid!
+Scatter Vanshine Thanks for this very nice comment. I'm intrigued by your road trip! Sounds like much more than a road trip to me. I cut a lot out of this video, one of those things was talking about the fact that there are a lot of single women van dwellers, most just keep a low profile. I subscribe to a few here on RU-vid. I don't think you're stupid or naive. We all have a comfort zone that is based on what we are used to. To be honest, I am working on being more comfortable boondocking.
+West Coast Roller Thanks dude! We got to find a way that works for us. In your last video you were in my old neighborhood, hope you have moved on through quickly and without incident. :^)
Great video. What most don't realize is in a house there usually is a basement and 2 floors. In a vehicle no one can break in with out you knowing if your in it. If I was a thief and breaking in to a van, someone appearing inside would scare the shit out of me. I have an alarm in my RV just as a notification if some one was able to pry a door open. I have a system if this ever happens and should be able to start it and drive away before any one can make it in. Maybe a little different than your topic but A house is easier to break in to than a vehicle while occupied in my opinion.
+Traveling Mike interesting! It isn't off topic, I talked about break ins a bit but had to trim the video down so thanks for bringing this into the discussion.
Good talk. I started out in a SWB Dodge van thinking about stealth, and "what-if's". Within like three weeks I pretty much abandoned stealth. I didn't concern myself with the what-if's, and the anxieties of the "unknown". I upgraded to a class-B RV, which is not stealthy at all. I've not had a problem. You just gotta be smart about it.
Hey. I was just watching One Awesome Inch and he mentioned this video. I like the good old RU-vid response to someone else video. You're right about the kind of van not being a real big deal. It's all about negative attention rather than being invisible.
I went through a similar process of taking on fear in small bites, then finding out the problems aren't as big as I thought. I reshared this to my FB page, added to my video lists, etc. Well stated, Sir!
Hi Scott, This “aged” video came across my feed. Excellent advice. You have come along ways and certainly have shared some of your experiences with your subscribers. I truly hope you are happy and content with your life. Life is not easy! Again, thank you for your channel! Until next time!!🇺🇸
Great video ! I just discovered your channel, and I find your insights about what stealth really is very interesting ! Thanks for your work :-) Bottom line seems to be "do what you should reasonably do to prevent police encounters or breakins, but don't overstress it. Better accept it than refrain from embracing this lifestyle"
Thank you, thank you so much for taking away in large measure that "fear of the unknown" that you've faced and talked about. You've been such great help, probably for a lot of folks, as well as myself. I feel so blessed to have found your channel in recent weeks...godspeed!
I feel like that is such a familiar experience..! Buying the van and then not working on it for a while..! I’m in that place right now..! Seeing this was very timely ...! Thank you🙏
With so many videos now on RU-vid about people 'living in a van' every van I see I wonder if somebody is living in it. If I see a van with a solar panel then there is no doubt about it in my opinion. I live in an apartment block and when I look down I see the vehicles with solar panels and I think hmm...
+Alex A Exactly! So why worry about it? I'm over the "stealth" thing. It makes good clickbait but it's just not relevant to real life. I really appreciate your comment!
great topic to talk about, and you did it better than most imho, thanks! my attitude is that i don't LIVE in my van (people find that creepyish): instead, i'm off an an adventure, TRAVELING in my van (people dig that). somehow, as long as they think you're paying rent or a mortgage somewhere, the average person is more inclined to be envious than to find you somehow dangerous.
I lived in my van in the year 2000. We didn't have RU-vid, cellphones, solar panels and the knowledge we have today. I imagine if I did it today it might be easier.
Those if you that have lived in a van before the advantage of RU-vid and all the other helpful technology should be applauded. You figured it out on your own, that’s a big accomplishment. Take care, Julie.
Static CamperVan it wasn't very comfortable. I didn't know anything about insulation or fans. I didn't last very long in it. I definitely feel smarter now that we have "smart" phones. I just Google stuff.
I carry a car club for my steering wheel. It's probably useless. This is a great post with lots of great philosophical van building/living info. Thanks.
👍Good topic and talk. Like you said, following your gut when it comes to safety is good (as is for most things in life, not just living in a van). I agree with what you said about the "point of view" perspective too.
When I first moved into my van I did feel excited but I didn’t feel scared or any negative emotions which I think was because I read a lot about van life before buying my van so I knew quite a bit even though I didn’t know everything & I noticed that what I had learned about van life was enough information to take away that fear of the unknown & since I have been in my van now for over a couple of years I have learned so much more about van life & now I have full confidence I know how to stay safe & I still enjoy living van life being in my van is my happy place & since I have been in my van my depression has disappeared while my mental health has improved I don’t know why but I do know that living van life is really good for you & it has many positive benefits & I want to spend the rest of my life living van life & my fur baby does too
Late to the party in commenting on this video but I have watched it before. It just strikes a cord with me. I’m thinking about early retirement and getting a small van and getting out there. But I feel some fear and trepidation. Leave my job? Sell my place? I think I have to get past the part that it doesn’t have to be forever. I can always get an apartment if I find it isn’t for me. And I can always go back to work too. I like how you said you were doing it for 4 months no matter what. For me I’ll start with baby steps. I’ll take off for a week or two during my vacation time next year for a trial run. Thanks for the videos, I always enjoy them.
Thanks for the message. I think it’s normal to have some doubts. I think jumping into full time vanlife isn’t the best idea for most people. I have a hope that my videos will inspire people to travel more on their days off. Because that’s what I am doing. Yes, I committed to living in my van but everything else about my life remained the same. A very viable option to taking baby steps towards trying out vanlife is to have a vehicle that will allow you the opportunity to travel on your days off. If you already own a bigger vehicle, you could set it up to travel. That’s what I did in my wagon long before I I heard of vanlife. Good luck with your decision. I hope to hear about your plans as they come together. Thanks again.
This is what I think about FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear is often based upon a misperception or lack or knowledge. FEAR is also sensing real danger or harm. It's that inner voice or gut feeling that we should listen to that is warning us. Being able to discern the difference between what is real & false is very important. Wishing you continued safety & the best of each day in all of it's stealthy glory. 🤗💞🤗
Static CamperVan - Oh yes, I stopped watching the news & news magazines years ago...nothing but negativity, tragedy, murder, death, killings, robberies etc.
the trouble with no windows is not knowing what that sound was. think a spy camera or to is a must. at least you can go in to quiet mode if you see a cop, and be ready if you did see a guy with a crow bar. in the UK a stealth van looks like a tradesmen van. estate rats break in to them looking for tools. a well timed cough would avoid door damage and a little chat!
+waine dodd I would like to avoid damage. But as for going quiet when cops or other people are around- I'm over worrying about that. I LIKE that cops know I live in my van. One of them came over to check on my van once when I had the door cracked open. He called out and as soon as he saw me said, oh I just wanted to make sure it was You in there. I thought about adding cameras but then realized they just enable my fear. I'm Not going to be afraid anymore of things unseen. But this is what works for me. Dan Travels has an awesome security camera set up. If cameras and quiet modes work for others, that's Ok.
Fear of the unknown occurs with over thinking situations and is something I am trying to do less of, (over thinking) though I catch myself doing at times and stop immediately because "ya' don't know until ya' know". This is where optimism kicks in.
+Kel Collins good thoughts. You have me wondering if the people who have tried vanlife and had too much trouble to keep with it, are not optimists. I think nomads need to be happy and content to start with otherwise the mundane and difficult aspects would become huge annoyances. There's a good video topic here. Thanks!
This video was good news for me because my van is just not that stealthy. I like my windows, and I'm going to add solar. Most other van dwellers seem to have come to the same conclusions as you. As long as I don't appear to be "up to no good," hopefully no one will "start making trouble in my neighborhood," LOL (forgive my 90s pop culture reference). 😜 As for safety, that isn't guaranteed anywhere.
the first couple of times that I stayed in my van it took me forever to find a spot now it's a piece of cake but I had to get through that first couple of times by the way I was born in Orange so I know your area pretty well although now I live in Reno Nevada I find your videos interesting thank you and happy trails
Having easy access to the front of the van, ready to drive away if someone is trying to break in. And if you can squeeze one in, having a dog is a really good deterrent. They know what's happening well before you do. If the dog is calm, then you're ok.
Wow this old video showed up in the feed. Was good to hear. Fear of breaking down in my MH is what keeps me from taking off now that my husband has died. Thanks for the video.
Thank you I have to say that this is the best response that I've ever heard you and Bob Wells are the two that give good advice very good advice thank you so much for taking the time and yes actually taking the time and slowly explaining all of this to us. I appreciate it. Have a good day
+ken thomas I wholeheartedly agree with you on your first point. But I don't get hassled by the police. In fact I see them as watching out for me. Of course not all cops are good people but then again not all people are good people.
Yup. I keep wondering when that 'free country' thing kicks in. It's not like a vehicle takes up that much space compared to the millions of square miles in the country that are still uninhabited. As far as fear goes, I've been more afraid watching a teevee show that depicted fictional violence than I ever have been driving down the road or walking out my front door. Never met an ax murderer or a psycho cop yet and I figure odds are better I'll slip in my nonexistent bathtub...
great video I think if i had a camper van and didn't feel comfortable or was scared i would probably own a drone and scan the area that i was going to boondock before i would camp there.
+robert Arce That is one great and inventive idea! Although I should tell you that I am almost always a city stealth camper. Flying a drone may bring me some unwanted attention! Ha ha.
Hi Static man! Loved your talk- but can you repeat the step by step directions for disabling your alarm system? Think I missed a step! But seriously , I just returned from a trip to the Shenandoah National Park in VA. I stayed in their camp grounds where we were packed in like clams and on my second night there in the wee hours of the morning someone tried to pry off the handle/lock of my sliding door. Luckily for me my neighbor saw something and made some noise, they ran off. I felt less safe camping with 243 other campers than I do on my own. Being safe is definitely a state of mind and not necessarily a location. Your advice of listening to your instinct is right on. I will tell you when I pulled into that campground I felt anxious about being there.
my fear like many I would imagine stems from living a sheltered life. I am 40 this year and have not reviled anywhere alone. the thought of doing this terrifies me because whatever route I take it will take a sizable chunk of my savings. I should try living in my hatchback to see if I can take it. may be when the ewearher gets better not right now since it's so cold.
+supercooled in my opinion, the biggest obstacle is our own brain. We overthink too much. I used to stealth camp out of my car back before I even knew the term. In hindsight, it helped immensely by giving me insight into what I would really need to be comfortable.
Great video! My question is... Do you have a hide-a-key on your van? And if so, where exactly do you keep it? LOL Great response to the 2nd persons question!
Hi Scott, in my opinion your just as safe as the next person who is city van dwelling or campground dwelller. Your as safe as other boon docking overnighters. If you sense danger you can move go another location. There are people who could hypothetically intrude upon your space. It pays to have some self protection resources ready just the same as you would if you lived in a sticks and bricks dwelling. Be alert and strategic about where you park and you will be safe.
Thank you for the talk and the video! I give you credit, I think it would be safer camping in parks or BLM land than in the city. I think you said you are still working in city and that's why you park there. Where I'm from, they would not let you park anywhere at night except maybe wally mart and that is only one night.
+Regina Palmer there was a "city ordinance" that prohibited sleeping in vehicles but the police never enforced it. I liked the fact the police knew I live in my van and would watch out for it.
💜 fear can really hold us back. But as you say, it’s always good to have that healthy bit of fear. Yes, always following our instincts is the way to go. It’s that sixth sense when something just doesn’t seem right or feel right whatever that is we just need to go with it and follow it and remove ourselves from a potentially negative situation. I recall when preparing to move to a new city for a new job. I remember going down to the city to look at an apartment. The complex seemed fine and well kept. The unit I looked at seemed fine and well kept. My friend agreed she thought it was great as well as she was helping me look at different places. But I kept having this uncomfortable feeling that I couldn’t quite understand. But what it felt like was very uncomfortable kind of icky Unsafe. My friend did not get that same vibe so she thought I was a little nuts but she is my best friend so she’s allowed to think that :-) turns out when I was telling another friend who lived in the area about my visit to that complex and my thoughts about that unit , she shared with me that there had just a couple of weeks prior to that been a murder at that very complex. I don’t know if it was in that particular unit, but it was in the area and that’s what was setting me off. Can’t explain it just was a feeling I had and I went with that gut feeling of staying away. Good plan that I did because that area of town often has shootings , and around that complex seems to have a lot of negative activity. So yes, everybody follow your instincts. Most often they will be right.
Very good topic, I agree with what you said. Most people would have no idea someone would be living in a van that small. And some kind of cargo van is going to blend in more than a RV. Agree you will not fool the police especially with the solar or vents on top. And living is a house is not totally safe, there are a lot more house break-ins now a days. The bottom line is don't let fear stop you, sometimes that is when you most feel alive ;) Are you staying warm? It's getting cold up near San Francisco area, in the 30's at night. Take care, Tina
+tinabeane it's very nice to get some positive feedback on this video. 30's!?! That sounds like shear torture! Yes I have been comfortable, I bought a new sleeping bag and fleece liner. I'm not crazy about my Buddy heater though. It puts out too much heat for me, but we've only been in the low to mid 40's. I'm sure the Buddy heater will be more useful if it gets colder. Thanks for the message. Hope you still planning on the RTR.
Hey Static! Yes I'm going to the RTR!!!!! I'm so excited and can't wait. I'm renting a mini van from Lost Campers in the city. It comes setup with a bed and kitchen, I got a pretty good deal on it. I'll be in Chicago for work so will miss the start of the RTR, will most likely get there on the 14th or 15th and stay until the end. Hope to see you there. :) I got me a buddy heater and some luci lights for the trip so will see how it goes. Have a great weekend! Tina
People fit a roof rack and then get a solar panel to sit INSIDE that, not mounted ON it and that's how they hide it. I have a HUGE dash as some vans do, so are likely to get a solar panel to tuck in behind the seat then sit it on the dash as I want. Parked at work during the day or whatever. Then I don't need to worry about holes in the roof, etc. I got a removable roof rack that has these lumps on the roof and you screw the racks into them. NOT CHEAP. About $400. I may even end up with a solar hot water set up on them but have realized there's probably no point. But I don't regret getting it. I'm going to get a cargo carrier for a shower with heavy pool liner (like vinyl) sides with a popup type setup on it.
Good talk for the apprehensive folks out there, though I personally don't understand 'the fear'. The unknown should be exciting not scary, that's why we're doing this! When you're vanning/traveling/nomading your wits are your most valuable commodity and resource. I also don't think much of being 'stealth', far too much is made of that word imo. Even with the van life explosion 99.9% aren't noticing us, just think 'work van' or are apathetic. Don't act scared, be bold, be smart, be respectful, commit to the moment yada yada yada... Did you get your battery issues sorted?
+Wanderlustman this is why I was encouraging you to make more videos, your much better at this than me! That's a no on the batteries. But I did decide what direction I'm going to take based on your advice. Do you know that out of everyone, you were the Only one that gave me practical advice. The only hold up is me not wanting to spend more money at the moment. Most likely next month I'll order a new one. Thanks Man!
One more thing whilst I'm soapboxing- These YT videos of ''being scared/threatened in a van'' are just clickbait from drama queens and spurious people, they are not common occurrences. Folks, think of them as sellouts and join me in having disdain for them. See you good ones at the RTR.
+Wanderlustman that is the truth. More of us need to speak up about this. And more still need to realize it's clickbait and Not Watch videos that are titled that way. Thanks for pointing that out. And glad to know you'll be at the RTR.
Thanks for the kind words but I could not have made a one-take video like this and been that articulate. Truthfully, most days I am thisclose to deleting my channel and by not making content I can keep it 'boutique'. LOL but I also mean that...it's a fine line.
This is the second video of yours I’ve watched, and in the first one, you mentioned your favourite pastime is walking, and that you’d walk all day if you could. My thoughts went straight to worrying about the van being broken into in that time away. It’s a fear I have when I go camping in my 4WD if I’m to leave it for any significant time. I’m not suspicious of the fellow asking about the alarm at all.
Hi Static man, great talk and some good advice . But I think I missed the step by step directions for disarming your alarm system, can you please repeat? But seriously, I just returned from a camping/hiking trip to the Shenandoah National Park in VA. Beautiful park , saw black bear, hiked some awesome trails.
I think the size makes a big difference. A nice high roof van will draw attention because it's rare to see one. With a small van you blend in. At least you're not homeless who sleeps on the sidewalk.
I actually don’t blend in because my doors are frequently open. And if not, I’m cooking and moving around and snoring. You’d be surprised just how friendly people are. Especially when I am cooking or making coffee, people will come over and chat.
I'm having a bit of a chuckle at myself for I just really never pictured living in a van. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just never came to mind... The funny part is back in 2006 bought a van!! Just used it to haul in the groceries, make trips North. etc.. It now is sitting in the back yard driveway in need of repairs. So now when I look at it I think or maybe should rather say. I daydream, What would it be like living in it??
I owned a house for 12 yrs and in that time my neighborhood turned into a ghetto. Lived next door to a murderous rapist on meth who broke into my home multiple times, twice was inside waiting for me. I always managed to outsmart him, but other neighbors were not so lucky and, sadly, lives were lost. I moved all my belongings out, lest they be a temptation, and lived in my empty home with only some essentials (much like my current campervan) for 4 years until he went to prison. The economy sucked, my neighborhood sucked, and I'd have given anything to be able to just turn a key and drive to a different neighborhood at the first sign of trouble. Houses offer a false sense of security and always keep you beholden to some entity. As for stealth, people see what they wanna see. Before I knew about this lifestyle, I used to see an RV park in front of my apartment complex from time to time for a couple days. All I ever thought was that it looked clean, nice, and I totally just assumed that they were visiting a neighbor. Never once occurred to me that they were sleeping inside, let alone that they might be complete strangers.
+csquared Thanks for sharing your story. I hope everything is better now. At least we now HAVE the option to turn our key and go. Reading this made me wonder just how many people are or have been in a similar situation. That false sense of security is something most people don't want to admit.
If someone is breaking in let them know your in there, they will take off running. otherwise bear spray, gun in the window, or car horn will send them running.
'You're never going to fool police officers.' Kind of what I figured but still not what I was hoping to hear. :) At this point I have absolutely no idea what my vandwelling experience is going to look like. I still can't quite conceive of casting off ties to a "home address". But, God has yet to provide an alternative that works (I, too, am chemical sensitive and pesticide-sprayed public housing is NOT going to work for me), so the van plans crawl slowly forward. If the dry-rotted floor joists in this old apartment get any worse that timetable may get a sudden, unavoidable jolt. Hope I can be more intentional than to let that occur. OTwo other hitch-in-the-glitch-alongs are my long-time companion, a toy poodle, and a big dog I rescued a couple of years ago. The poodle will be 18 in July and is already mostly blind and deaf. She gets around happily enough here because I moved here while she was still sighted. I can't see making a move until she's passed over what the rescues call the "rainbow bridge". The bigger dog is an issue because her separation anxiety is gigantic. Put just a chain link fence between us and she trembles violently. Put a door or a wall and she howls horribly and tries to tear down whatever is keeping her from being next to me. Not good for a van no matter how I look at it. I need to figure that one out before I can move along decisively. As for fear... I can't think of anything in my life I've done that didn't initially come with some level of fear. Fear I can cope with. It's foolhardiness that concerns me and I hope to avoid.
I’m sorry to hear you are considering vanlife out of necessity and not willingly. Pets are a big factor even when they are healthy. You don’t sound foolish to me, I am sure you will find the right solution.
Static CamperVan Thanks. I'm researching this pretty intensively. It will be a skinny start probably but, from much of what I've seen, beginning with a "light" build and filling it in as my needs and wants become more apparent is a good model to follow anyway.
I find a general misunderstanding by some in the difference between 'fear' and 'anxiety.' Fear has a real object, but anxiety is the anticipation of harm, more like what that acronym for fear states (False Evidence Appearing Real). That acronym makes fear seem harmless, but fear is what you would feel if you were actually attacked, not just the anticipation of it. Thinking of it like 'anxiety' might help the person that hesitates to put their feelings into perspective. (Deep thoughts on old news here, but since it came up again in vids recently, I had to say it--lol)
+Ron Bailey ha ha! It's crazy here. The RV parks are ghost towns in the summer but now All of them are filled up to capacity. When you look at the license plates, most are from Canada or Eastern states.
People say that stuff all the time in virtual caravans. I think we just see those things because we are interested in travelling like that. I don't think I ever thought about it until I started considering this seriously.
"burglars" a little thing I've said for years.... I've lived on the same street for many decades... there at 27 houses on it... in ALL of those years ( 55) I've never heard of ONE place being broken in to ..and only 1 fire to memory ? with no house loss. ... then I will follow with if it does happen there's 26 chances it won't be me ! Just a fact.
Great videos. I like the idea of the small transit connect for maneuverability, parking, fuel economy, etc. My biggest concern would be if I could be comfortable in that small of a space. I'm 5'11" and 230lbs. What do you think? Could I be comfortable in there with a setup similar to yours and if not would something like a Nissan NV200/300 or similar be better? Thanks.
+David Landers Thanks! You might want to check out One Awesome Inch as he just downsized from a chevy Express hightop to a Transit Connect. It's all about minimalism. You can be comfortable but you're not going to be able to keep a lot of belongings. I would suggest renting a mini van for a weekend and go camping or on a road trip. Try to cook your own food and don't skimp on what you bring along. It will give you a very realistic idea of what living in the van will be like. Small vans are not for everyone but definitely have there advantages.
Lmao that's soooo funny! Someone actually asked u that? I came across ur channel n it's 2 am n I sware when u started to laugh omg I busted up. Cuz ur face when u laughed said it all on video . Thanks for the late nite comedy hour u made my night or should I say my early morning cuz I can't sleep. Lock ur doors please just in case that guy's watching you.... Lol jk Take care ! I'm still laughing . I'M going to watch ur channel now cuz u made me crack up.Thank you !
I don't want to argue with you, but the danger of living in a van is not imagined. That fear is fear of a reality because (really) a van is obviously less safe than a house/apartment which can be made much more difficult to enter and doesn't have police problems just by being there. To say that a determined crook can break into anything does not change anything because there is never 100% safe, but only more and better safe. That said, you are doing what all of us do about safety, which is to face our fears, prepare as best we can, and definitely not having fear control us. But that fear is real, not imagined. True, you did imagine safety problems before you moved in, but you did simply faced them once you did move in. I am facing my own fear right now, which is of rambling and taking too long to say something. I'll shut up and start remodeling my Brink's truck. (fear moves to paranoia)
+Larry Kramer I have to admit that part of me feels that I have failed somehow to get my point across. I wish now that I didn't cut out so many of my thoughts just to keep the video under 20 minutes.
I understand completely the first time I stead in my van I got a knock. I found out I was in a small casino around rv's and they said I needed a stacker to stay there. The next 2 or 3 weeks I stayed in my van and very time a car want by I would wonder is it a cop. Lol. Now I've been doing this over 6 years and only got 3 n Knocks in all that time. Bye the way I got my girl friend a little Toyota van and come to realize that Toyota is lass likely to get a knock than me. Because people look at that and think oh someone is staying in that and must be passing though Where in a van they might think someone may be up to no good they better call the cops just to make sure. So be happy and remember the 9th court of appeals. It's not illegal to be homeless. Ps Scott said that a few years back. Lol
Scott,if someone is going to break in& your in there, I'm sure your going to discourage them,& call police& your have a guard dog,camera,I don't think their going to continue 👍👌✌️🤞🇺🇸🙌🙏🌅🌄💡
I had a thought recently... " mounting a vantastic fan" in the corner of the floor " .... it wouldn't draw hot air as well from the roof area... butttttttttt.... would bring in the same air as on the roof... and not be visible at all.... one would have to build a shield to protect it ...if mounted under a van..
+plutoplatters yes. Check out Becauseivan He mounted computer fans in the back of his van that pulled air up through channels from the lower rear of his van. It looked like it worked very well.
what you should do this is what I do with my van life having storage place like a house has a garbage rent a garage so you can put some things in there like toiletries and stuff spend stuff that's what I do or going to storage we pay $107 a month you can afford it because you're not paying rent anymore think about that so you have your van and you have your storage place where you put certain things that's you should do and you can work day if you want to work there on an off day
Scale the security you get from castle, to gated community, to house, to car, to tent, to sleeping bag on the ground. Everyone has their own tolerance level for a good night's sleep. I took a trip around the U.S. for a month with my Kawasaki Ninja. Told work I was heading to Cali, then Florida, then New York, then home. The plan was to just sleep in my riding gear on a picnic table in various rest stops. I just couldn't do it as I felt too exposed. So at times I just rode as much as 26 hours continuous to the next friend's house. Not a wise plan but youth and angels protected me. A tent would be the best ratio of portability and size vs. price, but that thin layer of fabric just doesn't let me sleep securely. A vehicle works but you have no control or rights over the ground next to the vehicle. Nor do you know your neighbors (neighborhood) when living in a parked vehicle. My neighbor is a deputy. Knocks on a van's door could be anyone for any reason and are happening right by the owners bed. Knowing your neighbors. as a layer of security, might be part of people's objections to a strange van squatting in front of the house. Dogs make pretty good alarms for houses or vans.
there is no were safe not even in Mc Donald's or even Walmart, man don't worry about it,we half to live with weirdos no matter what or were, no fear remember you have the advantage they don't know what's behind your door,we all half to deal with thief's house car pick pockets, purse grabbers bike thief's, man don't worry about it man,if you got something that valuable keep it somewhere Else peace.
That’s what I’m saying. Possessions are just things to worry about. Now that I don’t have hardly any possessions, I don’t have hardly anything to worry about.
Fear can paralyze a person. Anything can happen knowing that i live my van life happily. Its been 4 years safe not even a knock. I have thought of what ifs and protected myself in those areas. I am 76yrs old and only because of mobility problems I dont have solar on my roof. I have portable panels and have enough power to cover my needs. I feel crooks like animals smell fear. I use the vehicle I had and go where I want when I want. I black out my windows and my top blankets and sheets are black I have a black out curtain in back of the front seats. I surround myself with the things I want and Im happy. I have one want which is a air conditioner other than what came with my van. I want to remain stealth but not sure of the different types. All and all my fridge and freezer. Holds everything I like to eat pluss zi have everything else I need including ice cream and snacks. Dont feel you have to lose out on anything to live van life you dont. I lose out on home taxes and utility bills I live it. In a house if someone tries to break in my options are few but with van life I only have to get in the drivers seat and drive off and never park there again I feel safer. I have protection that would stop almost anyone if needed I refuse to live in fear.
Reverse a fantastic fan setup in the floor, and mount the solar panel to be easily removable at night and I bet you would fool police officers. For the ultimate stealth van setup tips, search: FBI surveillance van. Roof mounted 360 degree periscope with controller anyone? I think so. lol
+RvThereYet XD haha. I'm just not at all interested in stealth anymore. I wish I never made videos with "stealth" in the title. It doesn't serve any purpose to worry about being stealthy.
Technically it is illegal to sleep in your vehicle on the street. Maybe you don't think it's important because your van is much stealthier than you think. All the other nomadics on youtube have stories of being asked to leave areas, and they've been reduced to hiding in public fields or jumping from Walmart to Walmart. I think if you spent a month in a class A, you would find out how important stealth is. Maybe the vents in the floor and hiding the solar panels are overkill, but your van is pretty freakin stealthy to me. lol
+RvThereYet XD it is illegal to sleep in a Walmart parking lot. It's not illegal to sleep in a car on a public street. The 9th Circuit Court made the ruling I'm not sure why so many people say it is illegal when the second highest court in the country says otherwise. Except I do know why there are so many videos talking about stealth. Sensationalism sells. More people watch videos titled with scary or outlandish statements. Look at the most watched videos, None of them are about how something went smooth and trouble free. The fact is: videos make money so everyone is playing to the angles that will make them the most money. It's a shame because it causes fear with the new van dwellers. It's all about greedy filmmakers and vloggers wanting to make money by any means possible. And that's why I'm sad I ever used the term in my video titles. And it's also why it's my goal to tell as many would be van dwellers the real truth.
You're wrong about the Walmart parking lot. It is private property, what they say goes. Some allow overnight parking and some don't. It's up to them if they allow it, they may even allow a circus to set up a big top tent in their parking lot and let animals sleep on their property if they want, in fact, thats exactly what the walmart does in my town during The Stampede. lol. I could link you to 100 videos showing vandwellers/rv's being asked to leave because they are not allowed sleep in their vehicle on the street. I've heard it come from the cops mouth themselves so i know its not a rouse to get viewers. I forget how it works maybe it's city ordinances that ban sleeping in a vehicle? And if you leave the city you can sleep in your vehicle in public rural land? I won't link you a whole bunch of examples but take a look at whats happening to Howie Roll. You just suggested his page to me the other day. Police follow him around from spot to spot telling him to leave the city, he's not even allowed to stay in his class B campervan overnight, let alone sleep. Like I said, your van is hella stealthy already, and maybe you're lucky and live somewhere that they don't care, and that's why you don't think stealth is important. Get a camper and travel, and I'm sure you'll have some "run in with the cops" videos for us too. ;)
+RvThereYet XD the four cities I have been parking in for the last two years have Very strict no parking ordinances. And all the police know that I am living in my van. And I've never had a knock or an issue. It just comes down to how behavior. Where and how you park are more important than anything else.
Only 3 states remain that don't have reciprocity concealed carry agreements. Though you'l likely never have to use a weapon it is still wise to have one available "just in case". My wife and I both carry all of the time. Nobody is the wiser and we feel much more secure in our daily travels.
If someone breaks in, they meen you harm. House,apt or rv. Don't matter. Shot them or die. Always be prepared for a fight. Always! I won't take a chance with my life. Break into my rv and get shot in the face. I wouldn't think twice. P.s. I invested alot into my bed. I sleep so great in my rv. Better than any apt I ever had. And I hear crickets at night, not the drunks next door. Thumbs up friend.
+Brian Edwards I'm no electrician, so all I've learned has been from RU-vid and Renogy.com I've gotten a lot of negative comments on this but, my solar electrical system is separate and isolated from the vans electrical system. I just have the ground running to the negative terminal on the battery. I can guaranty somebody's going to see this comment and say that is the Wrong way to wire but I have had my Dad look it over and also an engineer friend look at it. They both said the same thing: it's not the "correct" way to wire it up but it is perfectly Ok. And I haven't had any issues at all. I should point out that my solar electrical system is Very small and I've tried to keep it as simple as possible. Maybe a bigger system would require a different approach.
