As a youtuber who's been here for 10+ years, it's NEVER a good idea to give out your social media's. Lots of weird people out there. You just never know. When in doubt, call the Ninja Turtles. 👍
I've gotten knocks about 4 times so far living in my vehicle. Once at 7am was a state park ranger who was nice and asked me to leave within an hour and no more overnight camping. - Another knock at 1am was a hotel patron who asked if I was OK, offered me a job trimming trees which would put me up in hotels 5 nights a week for free (him and his company were staying there) -the most recent knock was at 3am during a snowstorm a police officer just asked if I was OK, and that a plow truck driver spotted me, i said "yeah im ok, i need to sleep for work in a few hours" I was still in a dream daze lol. I didn't even have a chance to get out of my sleeping bag or take down a window cover before he was back in his car and gone lol
As a hotel night auditor I have had people walk in and ask me if it would be okay that they parked in the back and got some sleep and they'll leave early before others start coming out for breakfast and I say sure you can. It doesn't hurt to either call the front desk or walk up to the desk attendant. Many of us are very nice and will allow you sleep.
It’s great to communicate and accommodate, but from a legal perspective, you should 1) clear the practice with ownership, and 2) make sure you have the same info that you require from paying guests. If someone parked in your lot with your permission happens to harm a guest, the hotel can be held liable. Everyone thinks is only litter that deters private property owners from allowing overnight (or longer) stays. It’s actually liability and insurance policies that create a deterrent. Best to you!
@@lauraweiss7875 first of all it's called having common sense. I can pretty much tell when they walk in what they might be about. Secondly we will normally watch and see where they park and keep an eye for disruptive behavior. If they go and park and don't get out the car leave them alone!!! We have enough problems in this world to deal with your crap logic on what if. What if, what if. What if a man strangles a lady during a fight who are registered in the hotel? Come on.
@@lauraweiss7875 just for information I've worked the hotel industry for 22 years and mostly night audit. So don't tell me. You got that? I'm no newbie night auditor. I work the nights. I get to say who can stay, and who can go!!
You're smart being selective about who in person you tell about your lifestyle and what's in your vehicle.. Quite a few nomadic and van lifer you tubers get "stalked" by people thinking " Yeah , I'll stop by uninvited and that you tuber will be just glad as heck to see me invade their space..and a few of them call "you tubing" quits because the intrusions and RU-vid notoriety gets too much for them..
Hey man I just found your channel and I’ve enjoyed your videos a lot! I would have done the same thing in that situation. Completely agree with staying discreet to a certain degree in the area you currently reside. I’ve noticed some Carlife / Vanlifers with RU-vid channels only post videos from any given area only after they have traveled away. I think pepper spray may be a good addition to your self defense gear if you don’t already have it. The thing with that is being careful not to let it get inside the car if you’re still inside. Always believed the best defense is one’s feet… or wheels in our case. I have my exit technique down to < 30 seconds to get in the front seat, pull down the front window covers, and drive off. I always have the keys in the same place in front, and I always park in such a way the I have a clear path to drive away.
Yesss a stranger and then him being able to see what you have in your carhome! Him seeing everything! Yessss I think this way as well! That's true Dont set yourself up too much with sharing that kind of information! Very smart Bren!!
Loved the little Leo and Bren training montage. Had me in stitches. You've got your head on right. Assume most people are friendly but have a contingency plan if things go South. You're a good egg, Bren. Thanks for the cheeky upload and can't wait for the q and a video!
You made the right call. Many car dwellers are there for a good reason. They may have criminal backgrounds, drug/substance abuse problems, violent tendencies, etc. The fact that he's living in a car, invading your privacy by knocking on your door, offering you things (to gain your trust and possibly make you feel that you owe him), and lingering around your car even after you said goodbye is enough red flags to never see him again. You need to be cynical and defensive. Imagine the worst situations. Maybe he has a violent past. Maybe he wants your Jackery. What's he going to do to get it? Possibly kill you, you never know. I once helped out a homelss person by giving him a ride in my car. It turned out to be a disaster, and I will NEVER do it again. Again, these people are in these situations for a reason.
Or maybe he’s just down on his luck and wanted to talk to somebody that does car life also, I understand you can’t trust everybody but you can’t label people as well.
I believe this particular gentleman was a good soul making a kind gesture and I did not judge him in any way but I still have to take precaution for my own safety. I would never assume that just because someone is homeless that they have a violent past and we know nothing about the reasons as to how they became homeless. I can usually get a good feel for someone within a few seconds of being around them. I act on those feelings in those moments. I don’t generalize the homeless. Most homeless people I encounter are kind, genuine, respectful and incredibly grateful for the smallest offerings. Some of them are bat shit crazy, yes!! But I usually cross that bridge when I get there so to speak.
Hey Bren. Your info is very helpful, esp this one, the 15 things, Q&A's and the rice cooker episode. What advice would you give older solo female car dwellers to prevent being targeted? Do you think tinting film is enough to prevent glass going everywhere? What's safer than a knife or gun to defend ourselves if we have animals or children in the vehicle? Young locals in Quartzsite, AZ recently went on a rampage, targeting three older car dwellers as they slept. One woman was hospitalized and insurance refused to cover the damages to her vehicle. Glorious Life on Wheels covered the story. Thanks for all you do. Bright blessings. 💖
Totally spot on being prepared. After studying martial arts for several years, just a small suggestion, you might want to take it one step further. Many places offer self-defense classes that are focused on just these situations. If you work with someone that is reputable they can give many tips that can help you even further. Working with knifes is certainly an art form that is useful. If a gun is involved things can change quickly, even so, there are many techniques for disarming safely. You are a smart man, most people do not prepare.
hey new viewer here. Im originally from RI. I live in GA now... Seen your thumbnail on the vanlife group on facebook so i looked up your channel. stay safe!!
You are right don't share Even good people do things out of desperation Bren I worry when I hike coming back to my windows broken and my stuff gone my power station and halo pls solar panel
Trust your gut. That "gut feeling" and being extra cautious is your subliminal brain picking up on stuff that doesn't immediately jump out to your regular conscious brain. Always listen.
The Walmart in Dartmouth and fairhaven Massachusetts don't allow overnight parking anymore, Wareham Massachusetts still has overnight parking, defense I have my knife nearby me and my framing hammer near me at night in my car
No slug cocoons, but an awesome idea for a graphic on your sweatshirts, mugs and stickers in your store. Opportunity literally knocked for you today. Great content, keep it coming man! Thanks for being you.
Hi Bren. I am studying English with your videos. You have perfect pronunciation. I understand almost everything. Thank you so much. I'm trying to watch the TV series 'Ted Lasso'. It is very hard for me. Have you ever watched it?
I was parked up on this forest service road deep in the North Carolina mountains, in the middle of winter, with half a foot of snow on the ground, and I got a knock from a group of hunters wondering if I was frozen to death in the back of my Honda Element. Worst part of living in your car. I’ve had a lot of weird nocturnal encounters with people.
@@brenpgraceI agree. I sleep in my truck sometimes and I have very dark tints - even my windshield is tinted. I don’t even need window covers. Nevertheless, I now got a small rv trailer and sleep in a full sized bed.
An alternative to knives or a gun may be a pepper spray cannister. They can be highly effective at disabling, taking down an assailant, without killing them or doing permanent harm. But oh they will be screaming while doubled over in pain for a few moments - long enough for you to run like hell and get away. Caveat: don't use on a windy day when the wind is blowing at you in your face ... lol.
You are clearly a Rhode Islander! 🤣 The answer is no! I live here but I’m not from here, all the same I show it love! It is home to me right now. My coffee is decaf black no matter where I am.
I just received a knock last night from a police officer asking for my I.D. It was 3:30 in the morning in a motel parking lot. Two police cars. They said I didn't need to move, but I did anyway and went back to sleep. Any suggestions on what was happening?
Or maybe the guy was lonely and wanted someone to talk to, as you both have something in common he might just need a friend. As far as your location, how many Walmart's are in the West Providence metro? Um, one. Seriously though, the thing I'd worry about most is getting ran into while sleeping. I'd be finding the most sheltered spot with as many curbs around me as possible.
@@unscripted_journey yeah it’s very convenient. I often wonder why people do these extreme builds in hatchbacks. The platform is already there, very easy. Plus the higher you are from the ground the better temperature wise.
@@brenpgrace I did mines for the storage underneath but I don’t really use those clothes. N then in have a storage so I can easily go there n get what I need.. also some of the vehicle seats don’t go flat
@@brenpgrace You said "They dont know that..." and then shared the location of where you keep a weapon, so now you need to put the weapon in a different location. Surprise is your best defense. My statements always make sense. Stay safe man.
Hopefully this lifestyle will be replaced for good because the longer you live that way the probability of remaining safe will depreciate in a bad economy. I hear Walmart may no longer support overnight parking.
Good move not to share the RU-vid thing with a fellow Car Dweller. Unfortunately, the possible downside of an extra sub is simply not worth it. - ever.
Hi I don’t know if you ever look at comments to older videos but the person you described sounds like a RU-vidr called Down2Mob Overland he has 156k followers. There are several van lifers who will give out excess supplies and even meals when they cook as a kind gesture…. But I understand not trusting strangers and staying safe. Ps you have awesome videos .
