Vanlife parking is alright in streets with houses, if your stealth and they don't notice but when i did park up in towns, an industrial estate was ideal. Where i was working recently, a big food factory had many of their night-shift workers buy cheapo vans and sleep in them for the working week. Much cheaper than the fuel to and from their houses everyday. Nobody's bothered about them being there either. Arrive late and leave early if you park in residential streets if there's no ofher choice at that moment but that probably wont be the case in London as you know.
After 3 years full time, my biggest fear is the van not starting. Had alot of trouble with it, but thanks to some fantastic mechanics, and a small fortune, been sailing smooth for about a year now. Still get that fear when first turning the key! Oh and rodents, yeah, had a couple of those on board too causing no end of electrical problems!
Yeah I can see why that would make you worry. When I lived in a house my car was always breaking down, and I'd worry every time I went to work each morning. At least in a house if things go wrong they are not as drastic
Mark the Viking! Really enjoyed your stories mate, a little bit scary tho, but not so bad in the end I guess. Kinda makes me feel like I've been lucky, but then I'm only 9 months in. I have to agree with you, city centres are where you might have an issue as per the examples you cited - I've avoided this so far. And I hate them old gits that complain about you parking somewhere where it doesn't even affect them in the slightest (and you're parked totally legal ofc) - I've had one of them. Then you get "some" people that say it's "illegal" full stop, mentioning no names ofc >>> "Motorhome Matt"
Never had a problem in UK full time in my vehicle the past five years. I never park up in towns or industrial areas. The only time I've had trouble many years ago, was when I was shot in the head with a Magnum bullet while sleeping in a car...but that was in USA.
Your lucky to still have a head 😆 I used to talk to a guy on a forum who was shot in the face with a 12 bore point blank. He was blind but alive and still had a reasonable life. Amazing what people can survive. Is there any long term affects ?
@@Roadshome I was lucky and the bullet went through the back door like cheese wire, then scraped my skull (catapulting me from a prone sleeping position, forward into the windscreen) and the second bullet went through the engine bay. A long story, but I survived. The hospital clamped the wound together using a special staple gun. (The full story is in my book 📖 Globetrotter's Quest).
Many people think off grid is unhooking the orange cable. We had a Covid incident of a similar nature. So glad Sioux is in the good half of the equation.
Worst I had was someone smashed my side window at the front about 1am, I recon it was a message from the local car jacking org going on at the scrap yard I was parked near. Also had a bolt put under me tire. Shot at with air gun. Asked for a dogging session.. Said no by the way!! Near got struck by lightning a few times... Fork lightning like tree trunks hitting the road round the van... Almost shat myself with excitement..
In over 6 years all I have had is eviction notices on the drove. Like you I had police stop and ask a few questions during covid but no problem, they drove past each day but didn’t stop again
@@Roadshomenot made it there yet this year which is very unusual, that’s where I first met you :) was hoping for equinox but it isn’t going to happen but may make it before I go back up Scotland
I fell asleep down Stonehendge one night, when I got up in the morning ish about 10 ish I realised I had not just left my windows wide open but the keys in the ignition my cash on the drivers seat along with my bank cards. Ya forgot to mention the amusing story of the guy that wouldnt stop shining a torch in ya face when you were drunk, that was funny bruv 👍✌
Nice stories 🤗💜... Like u say stay away from TOWN CENTRES 😂😂 ... I know i keep going on about it but for us non vanlifers trying to learn about van life could u do a short video) demo how u fill up or turn heaters on? Do u have to have engine running all night to keep heater going? 🤔🥰... 🤗💜✌️🌏Xx
No, we don't need to start the engine. the heater is powered off the leisure batteries. You will only ever need to start the engine if your battery is flat.
@@RoadshomeI don't use a heater during winter and leave all my windows partly open, even at night. The Ecoflow 800W alternator charger (connected to a Delta 2) maintains my main vehicle engine battery, even if parked up for weeks without driving.
Great to hear very useful thank you for taking the time to tell us 👍
Vanlife parking is alright in streets with houses, if your stealth and they don't notice but when i did park up in towns, an industrial estate was ideal. Where i was working recently, a big food factory had many of their night-shift workers buy cheapo vans and sleep in them for the working week. Much cheaper than the fuel to and from their houses everyday. Nobody's bothered about them being there either. Arrive late and leave early if you park in residential streets if there's no ofher choice at that moment but that probably wont be the case in London as you know.
After 3 years full time, my biggest fear is the van not starting. Had alot of trouble with it, but thanks to some fantastic mechanics, and a small fortune, been sailing smooth for about a year now. Still get that fear when first turning the key! Oh and rodents, yeah, had a couple of those on board too causing no end of electrical problems!
Yeah I can see why that would make you worry. When I lived in a house my car was always breaking down, and I'd worry every time I went to work each morning. At least in a house if things go wrong they are not as drastic
Love your sense of humour 😂
I think it's an acquired taste 😆 and grows on people I hope 😆
Nice one Mark sound advice my friend take care ❤
Really enjoyed that Thanks for sharing thisc❤
Hope you had a laugh too, 😃 I still smile thinking about it.
@Roadshome yes you sneaking out naked and all those lads legging it.🤣
"Man is condemned to be free" Jean-Paul Sartre
Mark the Viking! Really enjoyed your stories mate, a little bit scary tho, but not so bad in the end I guess. Kinda makes me feel like I've been lucky, but then I'm only 9 months in. I have to agree with you, city centres are where you might have an issue as per the examples you cited - I've avoided this so far. And I hate them old gits that complain about you parking somewhere where it doesn't even affect them in the slightest (and you're parked totally legal ofc) - I've had one of them. Then you get "some" people that say it's "illegal" full stop, mentioning no names ofc >>> "Motorhome Matt"
I thought those encounters were pretty much OK. given the area I came from people get shot and everyone carries on without noticing. 😆
Never had a problem in UK full time in my vehicle the past five years.
I never park up in towns or industrial areas.
The only time I've had trouble many years ago, was when I was shot in the head with a Magnum bullet while sleeping in a car...but that was in USA.
Your lucky to still have a head 😆 I used to talk to a guy on a forum who was shot in the face with a 12 bore point blank. He was blind but alive and still had a reasonable life. Amazing what people can survive. Is there any long term affects ?
@@Roadshome I was lucky and the bullet went through the back door like cheese wire, then scraped my skull (catapulting me from a prone sleeping position, forward into the windscreen) and the second bullet went through the engine bay.
A long story, but I survived. The hospital clamped the wound together using a special staple gun.
(The full story is in my book 📖 Globetrotter's Quest).
Many people think off grid is unhooking the orange cable. We had a Covid incident of a similar nature. So glad Sioux is in the good half of the equation.
Worst I had was someone smashed my side window at the front about 1am, I recon it was a message from the local car jacking org going on at the scrap yard I was parked near. Also had a bolt put under me tire. Shot at with air gun. Asked for a dogging session.. Said no by the way!! Near got struck by lightning a few times... Fork lightning like tree trunks hitting the road round the van... Almost shat myself with excitement..
You'll do well at youtube lol. Remind me not to park near you if I ever do lol. Your doomed.
In over 6 years all I have had is eviction notices on the drove. Like you I had police stop and ask a few questions during covid but no problem, they drove past each day but didn’t stop again
They still coming round on Tuesday and Thursday at the drove lol.
@@Roadshomenot made it there yet this year which is very unusual, that’s where I first met you :) was hoping for equinox but it isn’t going to happen but may make it before I go back up Scotland
I fell asleep down Stonehendge one night, when I got up in the morning ish about 10 ish I realised I had not just left my windows wide open but the keys in the ignition my cash on the drivers seat along with my bank cards. Ya forgot to mention the amusing story of the guy that wouldnt stop shining a torch in ya face when you were drunk, that was funny bruv 👍✌
Oh but I wasn't in the van then, so I don't think that counts. The drove is a pretty safe place really. Like minded people.
Nice stories 🤗💜... Like u say stay away from TOWN CENTRES 😂😂 ... I know i keep going on about it but for us non vanlifers trying to learn about van life could u do a short video) demo how u fill up or turn heaters on? Do u have to have engine running all night to keep heater going? 🤔🥰... 🤗💜✌️🌏Xx
No, we don't need to start the engine. the heater is powered off the leisure batteries. You will only ever need to start the engine if your battery is flat.
@@RoadshomeI don't use a heater during winter and leave all my windows partly open, even at night.
The Ecoflow 800W alternator charger (connected to a Delta 2) maintains my main vehicle engine battery, even if parked up for weeks without driving.
Give me the wood every time. 3 years so far. best thing ive ever done.
Me too. And yes I'd always chose woods over towns
Never had a problem with parkups, worry about being being moved on. My worry is van problems and my home being fucked.
Yes that's a real downside to vanlife.
Sod camp sites why pay
When there are mollion pound views to have for free