How to Car Camp
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Car camping is an amazing way to save money on hotels, and therefore go on many more adventures since you'll have more money to do so.
Although the thought of car camping can be intimidating, once you follow these few tips and suggestions, you'll be out there sleeping in parking lots and road tripping in no time!
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My son and I toured the USA for 5 weeks in a hired Bid Plus that we turned into a camper. We only had our clothes with us in a sportsbag (me) and a backpack (my son) and two sleeping bags. The rest we bought as cheap as possible at Walmart. Two air matrasses, a smal gasstove that fits on half liter gas bottles and a pan. We hanged a rope between the ceiling handles at the front where we hanged dark cloth to have a little privacy. The rest of the windows were tinted. We road tripped from national park to national park and only had the police once visiting us. We were allowed to stay for the night, but that was because of the place we picked. At the end of a rural area, on a gravel parking lot were the school busses park for the night. The just were curious who we were.
At the end of our road trip we gave our stuff to homeless people and took a flight home.
Truck stops are the best place to camp. They are always open. They have toilets showers and people are always there making sure no one is breaking into the trucks.
Lots of showers and bathrooms closed now. Trust me I know.
@@UnusableFootage where? I’m a truck driver and never seen a truck stop where the showers were closed.
@@UnusableFootage t by yûy
Are you sure truck stop allow auto to park overnight？
Nah, those showers are ridiculously expensive... They also have a very long wait time to use them. Its much better to use a gym that allows pay per visit or a national chain for a monthly charge.
You have sound advice! Before I retired I worked all night job 50 miles from home one way. Sometimes I was so sleepy and tired when I got off work? I was afraid of getting into accident so, I would drive to a store parking lot and sleep there for about three hours. Then go to Mickey Ds and get me a coffee and drive home safely. So, you’re absolutely sound in your advice.
Remove the back seat of the station wagon (combi). Move front seats up. Inflate pool mattress covered with a cotton bed liner. Put a screen outside your window secured by the closed door and magnets. You are good to go. I traveled Europe this way but I mostly camped at RV campsites with electric plugs for my portable (loud) A/C and cooking gear. They provided bathrooms and showers. It was terrific.
That sounds great!
I've just set up my Civic coupe for stealth car camping. Took out the seats and made a folding bed thingy to sleep on. Getting ready for my maiden voyage. I'm gonna try some filming and editing to share.
How did it go?
Best of luck!
Gotta start camping in your Bentley dude. That’s how you work that sweet Beverley Hills parking spot.
And get robbed
I think you need to choose a parking lot with 24 hour business, such as a hotel, casino, or all night store. If you just park in a regular strip mall, it will be obvious your car doesn’t belong there.
great idea i have been thinking that too, as the most comfortable
I work 12 hr nights and I travel. I was falling asleep so I pulled off the highway and pulled into McDonald's parking lot to rest for a bit. This was like 8am. Next thing I know cops were pounding on my window and told me to leave!
I truly don't understand what the big deal is about letting people camp in parking lots. As long as you aren't bothering anybody and not there every day, who are you really hurting?? Seems stupid to me
A good option I found recently that works in some places
Park n rides.
I know one in denver I could literally park at every single day forever and no one would say anything
Go get black felt at Joannes Fabrics, either cut to size or just put one long piece to cover windows!
Try parking in hotel parking lots less likely to get kicked out
and pick a non-budget one for extra sense of security.
We actively check for car campers and will have you trespassed.
In major cities this isnt viable that much anymore. Security usually be in full force at nights
@@swirlingabyss fuck you
@@swirlingabyss yeah fuck you
Good video and well done for including the downside to stealth car camping on a parking lot. One thing to remember though, is to always have your car keys on you, even when sleeping. You were lucky to have a friendly security guard tell you to move on. If, on the other hand, it would have been a gang of unruly louts banging on your car, you would not want to lose time hunting for your car keys in order to beat a hasty retreat.
Look up stealth car camping and how to blend in. Having silver reflectix on your windows draws attention.
He paints them black in the video wdym
@@brandonlo5162 The spray paint doesn’t do a whole lot as the texture through the window is still visible. He’d be better off covering one side in black felt to use at night while still maintaining the insulating properties of the reflective side during the day.
Hey I just drove from Louisiana to California completely unprepared and unorganized. This video WILL help me when we go back in a week or two.
Bro there is a very clear reason why people don't want you to park in front of their house. As well as why it would raise suspicions Lol ... especially at night.
Those are some great tips! I started camping by car camping so I guess I’m a little spoiled when it comes to tents haha. One thing I would I say is that you should make some window covers that have no pattern on them (ie a flat face design) as well as making them a similar black color to your windows just to make them blend in as much as possible. Looking forward to seeing more videos on car camping trips though!
Thats a good idea. This is the insulation roll that Home Depot had on hand so that's what I had to use in this case. I'll be doing some more research and making a video with improved window covers in the future. Thanks for your support as always.
Of you take black duct tape, around the edges of your reflective, from one side to the other, this leaves about an inch of tape(doubled over) to cover the edges, that may not be perfect, and help hold it in place.
I basically do what you’re doing. I’m a truck driver. Truck stops and rest areas are great for parking and I get free showers for every 60 gallons of fuel I get. Plus I get paid to drive. You should look into getting your CDL.
Cool subject! I am planning a trip, going through route 66, and car camping the whole way. 😁
That's definitely the best way to do it!! Hopefully these tips offer some insight you can use. Have fun with it
Did you car camp route 66? How was it?
If I was car camping In a hatch back I would remove the front passenger seat & have a full size single mattress for extra legroom. I would love to drive & camp in a car
coffee in a cocktail glass, get on his level everyone!!!
I am a traveling photographer and these are great ideas! Good video, thank you!!
How about air circulation. Like do you leave some windows just a tiny bit open so you get fresh air during the night or is that even an issue??
I might get those things that get installed over the windows that deflect rain from coming in...
You'd leave it open a tad otherwise all your windows will condense and give you away.
You won't DIE, but its best to crack at the window some. It will help with air flow and drastically reduce condensation build up.
I usually crack the drivers window a couple inches and good to go.
Drive a neighborhood and if you see someone outside ask them if you can camp in their driveway for $10 for 1 night. lol Hey.. I would. 😎
I'm planning on going car camping soon..thanks for the tips
sign-up/join the gym for a workout, hygiene, and overnight camping.
I would guess a membership at Planet Fitness would work for a shower and overnight camping since they are open 24 hours. Great idea!
I have a Velcro strip across the back of the drivers seat and passenger seat, I attache a blackout curtain so I’m totally invisible inside.
homie got scared of a lowrider meet "gang meeting" hahaha Jk dude. Good tips!
Thank god my prayers for safety were heard.
He's lucky he didn't have to undergo an gang initiation and kill someone.
your favorite SF safeway is my local safeway. my gf and I grew up shopping there. never thought twice of ppl using it to car camp! cool to have found your channel while we're planning our own car camping trip! keep up what you're doing, we love the content & looking forward to more!
Haha man that's probably my car camping spot ever as far as parking lots go! Every time I've slept there, there's been at least 3-4 other people staying there over night also. Thank you for the support, good luck with your car camping!!
That’s my go to Safeway also whenever we hit up Chrissy field we stop to get deli sandwiches with sides and drinks and eat at Chrissy Fields picnic benches while looking at the Golden Gate. Love the place
The store I work at has no actual security but police do roll through several times a night. There are 2 truck stops with 4 miles either direction so I direct car campers there. Also safer.
Great video. I got the knock in a hotel parking lot, but only after I stayed for a second night which I shouldn't have anyway. I knew I was risking it. I think parking lots are still great. Anywhere is pretty much great as long as you feel safe and respect the area...and stay preferably one night. Lol.
For the first time car camping what's the ideal length of the trip?
In the city, what about park in the church parking? They usually empty at night and I guess no one would visit there at night. Also, I don't think they have security guard.
I LOVE THIS VIDEO AND HOW YOU SHARED HOW TO MAKE THE WINDOW PRIVACY THAT WAS SO AWESOME
I find apartment complexes that have extra parking on the outside of the complex, and I never get bothered. I did get bothered multiple times sleeping in actual apartment complex parking lots not because of a security guard tho. Apartments seem to always be doing some kind of construction and we almost got towed twice while being in the car and no one knew lol.
Some apps tell you if you can sleep overnight, Walmart, Crackel Barrel etc
Also, some truck company terminals will be easy to get into and take a shower and do laundry. They also sometimes have cafeterias or vending machines, and a place to sit and watch TV. A lot of them, you can just walk in from the employee parking lot. However, some of them have security or you need a badge to get in. You just have to ask around which ones you can go to.
oh Chile I am from Fresno, and I can ASSURE YOU that Walmart is in the most sketchiest strip of the city. if you come by again, definitely check the one out in Clovis, its 15 minutes away from that one.
Word! Yeah it was an iffy area but def not too bad!
I see people parking massive rvs outside walmart. They say they are shopping there but they stay there for days sometimes
Its widely known in RV circles that Walmart allows this. That and Cracker Barrel. Walmart like the business they get from RVers. Its not all Walmarts though but many. Some Walmarts have places to plug in even.
I was googling car camping in my home state. I don’t see many options. It’s either rvs or primitive tenting and they don’t want you parking there. I don’t get it.... where do we go if we don’t want to sleep at parking lots bc we have loud kiddos
Carmelita.88 I would check out the app called iOverlander! It is a very useful resource for finding all kinds of different car camping spots other than parking lots
Pro Tip: Black felt spray adhesive over the reflectex will make them look much less ghetto, just leave a 1' margin around the edge to suck up the margin at night it looks identical to a limo tint.
I love that 2gen 4Runner bro
i always wish i could do the same... i live in hong kong where everywhere is filled with people. enjoyed watching ur video, its so informative!
I slept 4 times in a car, it was terrible because I could not stretch.
I’m in Maryland I’m trying to figure out where to park around here but it’s hard
Have you tried those Oasis things or truck stops??
Our upper bracket neighborhood, we would assume your car belongs to one of the many teens living in the neighborhood. Just don't park in the parking for the pool. Safe travels.
looking for a good comfy sleeping pad that’s also cheap… does anyone know!!?
Question about sleeping on the road. I’m planning a 3000 Mile iron butt weekend on my scooter. If I need to stop and nap for a couple hours would you do it at a rest stop on the pavement? Any advice is appreciated
Not literally 😂
I like to stealth camp in a hot pink lamorghini diablo
That's up there with my favorites for sure.
I live in Fresno, clovis (the neighboring upper level town) would've been a better place to crash if your looking to car camp here
I want to take a trip to CA n take my 2small dogs…looking at prices of a 3-4 days stay at a hotel plus d extra fee to hving 2dogs
..its just way too expensive..so I’m going to setup up my SUV to go on this trip w/my two dogs n for us to sleep in my car for d 3-5days in CA. I’m a bit afraid but I must try this once to then go aften😊
Hiding in plain sight isn't as simple as it sounds. Being the only car in a huge car park isn't the way to do it. Parking where the staff cars are is an option. There will always be a cluster of vehicles.
Dumb question, how do you get air? Do you leave the car running?
Crafting montage was very cool
I have the same Subie and I am about to start living in my car for a few months. I used to live in my rv, i wanted something smaller so my subie will be perfect.
You woke up to a car meetup. They aren’t in gangs just cause they drive lowriders haha- great video tho, I appreciate the information!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣you called out Karen!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You can also park at your job especially if you work in security and your coworkers are monitoring it. You tell them and they usually don’t mind
That's called being homeless. Why would you car camp at your own job in your own town if you have a home/apartment there?
Do you sleep in the car with the car and AC on ? If not dosent it get hot af ?
just put some fabric over the covers
That was great, thanks very much from North Yorkshire England. I'm getting my windows tinted all round (apart from the front windscreen) which will be $250. I definitely intend to take your advice, thanks again.
I’ve RV camped for years but age is requiring some changes. I always had good luck with W-mart and Country Kitchen. Both allow RVs except in some locations where there will be signs.
How do you sleep over night in your parked car when the weather is too much hot ?
Usb fans are a good option i have like 3 different ones. But tbh when it gets too hot in one spot ill move further north where it's not
I’m selling everything and doing this.
yeah!!
Sell the car too lol
Happy Froggy Well i own my car outright and it’s a keeper for me. I think ill keep my car and necessities. Thats it!
@@jizzythefroggy1108 🤣🤣🤣
Me And My Wife Are Selling Everything & Doing This. Foreeeal!!
Freedom!
National parks don't except anyone sleeping in your car. So I'm still trying to find a safe place to park. With know luck. I just became homeless today and I can't find a place to park.
Bubble wrap (the small ones) will stick right to the window. You can paint them black on one side to make it private. You just spray the window with water (even add a drop of dawn dish detergent to help it stick even better. But not necessary) I use this method with my windows in the winter too. Just as is, don’t spray paint. Obvi) it saves so much time with pealing the 2 sided tape strips, keeping it even and blow drying it to tight fit. Way way faster with bubble wrap…🙂
I think the second parking lot is better no lights either that good be sign to look for as a no go zone maybe.
I jus gotta minivan for 1200 vans or suv u can really be stealthy in them i bout to work 2 jobs so i can get this bag🏦💰💰💰
A mini van would be terrific. So much space and very incognito! Cheers
How about your ventilation?
Honestly I haven't had any issues with ventilation. I've heard people say that you need to crack the windows but I haven't personally run into an instance where I ran out of oxygen from sleeping with the windows up. Perhaps if you're with another person it would make sense that you might need to crack them since 2 people use more oxygen than 1. This is just from personal experience though, no scientific data or information so make sure to take it with a grain of salt!
I didn't think about grocery stores... I am traveling from Vermont to Colorado next week and plan to car camp. Do most grocery stores seem to have overnight parking??
I guess the problem is your cover is too obvious. 😅
But I guess if its black that it looks like a tint maybe there would be less risk of getting caught.
Good job! If someone steal your car when you sleep.......?
I forgot to ask... how is the veganism going? Any interesting recipes you can recommend?
It's going great. Really starting to get the hang of it. I actually have a video in the works that shows a few of my easy, go to pant based recipes. Stay tuned :-)
you shouldnt have to worry about Karen... 🤣
Did you ever sleep in your parked car keeping engine ideal running condition with AC or hot air blowers on for whole night ?
I haven’t kept it running all night but in the winter when it was super cold, I ran the car and blasted the heater until it was really toasty, then turn off the car and quickly crawl into your warm sleeping bag and you’re good for the night!
You wouldn't want to do that in fear of carbon monoxide poisoning from the exhaust. Always keep a window cracked so you don't also get carbon dioxide poisoning from you the air you exhale. Plus having a car idle for hours is not good for it either in the long run. That's the reason why police cars when sold at auctions or whatever are alot cheaper than their civilian counterparts. Due to the constant idling while police are stationed say on the side of the road will create more wear on the motor components even if the odometer has relatively low miles.
Where do you recommend a California guy car came in Oregon? I’ve only ever visited family in Portland but would love to car camp and see the sites
Your videos are really good .
Wow . Great information ! Thanks much !
Thanks for sharing. Shit happen. Have fun.
What did you use to stick the reflective sheet on the windows?
you just cut them to shape and shove them in
I am a handicap a part time getting up when I do fall down on the ground or on the floor inside my home any people help me help let me I love the new car camping or van or minivan camping I am trying to save up the money for one of them what I just mentioned not to Longo
I love this guy
I enjoy car camping...I prefer camp grounds
You’re an inspiration!
send him some money
It starts with you, baby
If you’re willing to put in a little more time and effort into the homemade window shades, you should buy some black fabric and stitch it on to the covers to get rid of the reflective look. It’ll look more like a tinted window and no one can peep through
that's a good idea.
was wondering if having window coverings beyond the front is a giveaway though?
I'd keep the silver tint on the front windows. That way they look like normal sunshades protecting your interior from heat. The back windows go dark so they look tinted. I feel this would look more natural. 🧐
The sign behind your car said for customers only. Yeah, target is super picky .
5:14 So random to have my local Safeway pop up unexpectedly.
What about a morning crap 🤔🤔
Grocery store is my goto in the morning lol
Great video love to see more on the window covers you made please?
Okay I will definitely make that!
If you have a long car ok but a compact city car is terrible.
Must be nice. i only have a sedan and my boyfriend is too tall so its impossible.
Targets are terrible! Walmart man!
How i wish he don't show his face almost so very much most of the time. Showing more about the car and stuffs is better.
👍🏽Great content 💯
Great video
Pavilions is nice and safe
Ur idea is great and u r so cuteeeee
Just make back windows limo tint
The heat for me its so hot
Well, you all kept electing Pelosi. This is the result.