Stealth Van Camping Overnight at Largest Mall in Texas (TOWED While Asleep Inside!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2024
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After building out my DIY Uhaul tiny house conversion for over a year and a half, we finally start adventuring. In episode 4 of the stealth camp series, we visit the Galleria mall in Houston - the largest mall in Texas!
#carcamping #tinyhome #stealthcamping
Just a note, add a pack of food prep gloves to your inventory. We save a lot of water that way. I wish we'd seen your build before we did ours. So jealous!😂
Good idea!
So, save water but add to the microplastics and etc that pollute our planet???
Native Texan here , been to the galleria mall serval times . You parked near a rich people mall . No wonder you got towed , you should have parked at smaller one . Like town east .
Parking in malls and plazas, maybe you should consider a fake sign on both sides of your box truck. Something like "Techno Floor Cleaning & Polishing Services" with a phone number that goes to a pre-recorded message about your "business". Grab a "Magic Jack" and hook to your home router, comes with a choice of phone numbers. An "800" number is preferred. This way security guards will assume you run a floor crew inside the mall or a store in the plaza, and hopefully then ignore it, seeming to be there for legit purpose. Most floor cleaning crews operate at night when stores are closed anyway.
I like the way you think I was thinking of creating a faux business for my box truck that way everyone will think that it’s a actual business and not a small apartment on wheels lol
Or at least fake truck numbers on the bumpers kinda like fleet vehicles use
I run a telephone network, and I can set you guys up with something if you like. Just pay a couple bucks a month for a phone number and I'll host the recordings, menu, etc. I can definitely make it look legit. 😂
@@ronaldduck7567 that's a great idea too!
The big trouble with fake advertising is that now a totally plain unremarkable white vehicle now becomes more memorable, and the stealth factor could be negatively impacted if your fake business doesn't "fit" the situation.
This is the best video I've seen all week. I'm the same way when it comes to doing things I don't know how to do by reverse engineering what I'm seeing in my head and watching TH-cam videos for help. I also agree that we don't need a lot a sleeping space. I have a queen-size bed in my house and I only sleep on a 1/3 of it. By the way, I live in Houston so it was fun seeing areas I'm really familiar with. Great video!
Best video over kill tony?! I do agree lol
Loved the video and stealth city camping in your box truck! My wife and I suggest trying a hospital parking lot, we think that might be a good place to hang out without too much worry.
Another question/idea. Since you don't have a pet large enough to rock the van while its bouncing around inside, what about some sort of alarm to notify you if there is anything moving your van from outside. Maybe a proximity alarm? Modified car alarm sort of thing, but not brain splittingly loud?
Great video! I feel like economy hotel/motel and mid-range apartment complexes are the most inconspicuous places for stealth parking. Used to seeing miscellaneous moving vehicles 😁
Some motel, hotel, have their overnight residents also place their tag number on the form they sign in. They also may get a kickback from the towing company for each "unregistered vehicle" that is towed. If honest, they'd put a sign alerting such towing service is used, or it may only say 'parking for registered guests only". Truck stops along interstates are fairly safe avoidance of towing for an overnight stay in vehicle, and if a box truck used, can park where the big rigs do and are never bothered.
"I don't even think they can tow this truck anyway to be perfectly honest."
Hearing this reminded me seeing a semi truck towing a semi truck.
Underrated channel. Very interesting. Wow, getting (almost) towed is my nightmare. I wish you had video of that part. But, I'd say it's not a fail because they didn't know anyone was living in it. Anyone, any vehicle, parked there would have been towed too. I'd call it failure if they notice something about your vehicle or hear your, and figure out there's someone inside. I guess the lesson is: If there's no overnight parking, you simply can't park there no matter how stealth you are.
I had my Sony with me on the roof but the battery died right then 😅
If youre stealth, like my rig, I just park on a public residential street when I'm in cities. I haven't had a problem. Pull in after dark and leave in the morning. I particularly like residential areas that border a commercial district, and next to public parks is nice, but never in the parks parking lot overnight
yeah, at my local park, I went there because I was going through something I'd prefer not to write about at home and there were these cars that came in literally at like 12:00 or 1:00 A.M. at night. I think there were 3. I don't remember it too well now anymore. This is a city where everyone stops driving at like 8:00-9:00. Anyway, I decided to move out and enter from a different side and then suddenly one of the cars came and parked kind of next to me, but too far away for me to see.
I don't know if they wanted check up on me or what. I didn't really care. Maybe partly because I was so emotionally drained, but it gave off bad vibes. Common sense told me it'd be a good idea for me to leave so I did- annoyed.
I think that park might be a spot for "criminal activity" when dark (drugs etc.)
Made a comment on your other video about the motorcycle guy. This build is how I’d use the space and is more accessible and wise use of space. And, thanks for the recipe. 👍🏼 love the Murphy bed or a modern sofa bed.
If SHTF you got the right rig to stay in!!
Finally, someone that uses the term Stealth, that is actually Stealth! I'm constantly commenting on TH-cam videos "NOT STEALTH" or "Nothing stealth about that!". But you, you've earned my subscription! Sweet Rig man!
That's why I love my gravity water system. No pump to worry about ever.
I love watching your excursions! (The little washer/spinner hooked me, lol). One thing I wonder, why not put the table, bags of groceries, and anything you need, thru the hatch into the back, while you are in the lot at Kroger? Then once you are at the "stealth location", you only have to slip yourself back through there quickly.
Just a tip, you don't want to use a hard cutting board with a blade. You want something soft like wood or bamboo.
For them eggs… really cool invention called a spatula.😂
😂😂
Awesome adventure. You did nothing wrong. You definitely like spicy foods….😂 keep them coming. Please start putting your build’s back in the lineup. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Your stealth camping was a success, not a fail because you avoided getting towed. Definite win.
You're like me-- I like my food super spicy and "ruin" my meals with Sriracha and BBQ sauce.
A fun little gadget that may help you in the future is a tilt sensor meant for bicycles. It's an anti-theft device for bicycles, but I have one for my car because we have a lot of catalytic converter thefts going on where I live. You can arm/disarm it with a little fob and place it anywhere in your car/truck, and customize the sensitivity. It is loud as hell, but very effective. I'll send you a link if you're interested.
That sounds pretty cool! Definitely interested
With the desk you hardly need the table, but I hope it stays because it looks aesthetically pleasing and much more relaxing to dine at.
Your water pump will cavitate if it is installed above the water supply. Best ways to resolve this issue is to install supply water tank above the pump OR install a one-way check valve in the water supply line so it doesn't drain back into the tank.
I have to admit I really like the box idea. But boy would I ever be stressed out about being towed away.
I love perma bed, but in my case covers the garage which is packed full of toys. The bed is large but gets used as a large shelf during the day. If you have a garage makes sense to have a perma bed yes/no
I’ve had problems with small pumps, struggling to build prime from a long suction run.
In a pinch, if you have a second or portable pump, I’ve use those to help prime the line.
Perhaps not a bad idea in your builds to have a second pump plumbed in a loop ready to go as a back up.
I used to travel a lot. Often my schedule would get all fouled up and I was making hotel / motel reservations on the fly. I'd often show up early in the morning of the day for which I had a reservation. In a pinch you could try to make a reservation at a popular hotel for the "next" day and then if you get run off your stealth spot go to the hotel. Walk in, use the restroom and ask what time check-in is and what time the kitchen opens for breakfast. Then say, o.k. "Well, I'll just wait the restaurant to open," then go outside and chill. If hotel security bothers you say, "I was just at the desk. I have a reservation for TODAY and I'm just a bit early. What time does the restaurant open?" Chances are they won't run you off. Then just cancel the reservation or let it lapse. Unless they make you hold it with a credit-card it should not cost you a dime.
TOTALLY agree with you on the sleeping space. Can’t believe it when I see solo campers with double beds!
I came here to say just this.
Last I checked from all these types of conversions I've watched, people build what is suitable to them and not what others "think" is more practical for a solo van/box truck camper. It's all about individual importance. IJS
@@JNante
For real. The elitist vibe is repulsive in parts of this channel. I really, really like everything else, but the consistent shitting on anything he (or others) don't deem personally pleasing is just a bit much. I personally have hip and back issues that get pretty severe. I use a large bed to stretch on when in pain, move, sit, etc. There may be other reasons someone can't be shoved up into the ceiling. Maybe they value a larger bed area and don't need all the living room space. It's just dumb when people are so absolutely confident that their opinion matters the most. 😂
A larger bed area because I am not in jail. Because sometimes i prefer the company of a woman. Because sometimes my dog wants to sleep with me. Because it's my bed, not yours.
@@ElysetheEevee I didn't find it elitist, just personal preference with no PC filtering. 😊 For instance, my preference is to have a single side-to-side bed across the back with an equally long & comfy bench along the cabin edge of the bed where the back of the bench gets lifted up to make a full bed when desired. That way, I wouldn't lose valuable living space when not sleeping/lounging *and* the back of the couch provides access/separation with the garage! See? Personal preference.
This might be a dumb question, but how much interior noise (voices, TV, appliance use) ends up being apparent to folks outside the truck?
Omg this was such an intense vlog! Also based in Texas so it was a hoot to see someone in an area I'm familiar with lol.
“…I think it’s worth mentioning that I have never been here before…” hahahaha😂😂😂
this video is hilarious. I've thought about this possibility before. Crazy that it actually happened to you
Awesome video TB! Can’t wait till the next one! I’d love to see the “patio” in use so maybe somewhere remote for your next outing. Cheers mate
Just finished your build videos! Can’t wait to see what you do with that wall where you were talking about putting a Murphy bed and the back wall with the glass door!
Why would I want such a big bed when I am traveling alone? Because even though I've aged, I have not yet died, and still hope to get lucky now and then... When I was young I didn't mind a bed built into the wall that dictated I climb on it to make it, but as I've aged I desired a bed I could walk around the end and sides to facilitate making it comfortably. I now have that with a full size murphy bed. With the bed in the upright and stowed position I have a living room that I can move about comfortably. Ahh, life is good.
So, you have split the difference in that you did not take up a large portion of limited living space with a bed. Yours gets out of the way when not in use. Good job! 👍 The *permanent* and fixed verbiage seems to be what many folks missed. In fact, many people with a fixed bed end up using it as a couch because they have nowhere else to sit.
BTW, Great option!😊
Have you thought of getting an NVR for the cameras so you would have a 24/7 recording? Not really useful for a regular van build, but it could be a good addition for the content if you plan on doing it long term.
Also, love how the videos are getting added humor, very appreciated!
You can buy "induction metal plates" which will allow you to use ANY pot on an induction cooker. It heats the plate, which in turn the pot sits on top of. Even for "induction ready cookware", those plates can even out simmer temps in the pot so the cooker isn't making a hotter area under the induction coil than in areas of pot where the circular coil isn't at.
Thanks! 😊 That could save a lot of landfill space and preserve Granny's cast iron cookwear! I have not liked the idea of "having to" get rid of favorite old things and buy all new cookwear just to use those cooktops..
@@dross24MA iron cookware works on induction burners just great.
@@JoeZyzyx Yay! Thanks!
So, does it work (or not work) with copper bottomed Revereware? What about similar material without the copper bottom?
I don't care about aluminum because I never used that.
Would that thingy make Corning Ware usable?
😮
Questions questions questions
😮
@@dross24MA doesn't work with copper or aluminum, it must have iron in bottom. Some which work have iron plus aluminum like two plates, for induction and better heat spread above that, like two plate on of each in the bottom clad area.
@@JoeZyzyxThanks. I had completely misunderstood what I had heard before. Gadz, I love being educated / corrected this way😅
Do you ever worry about people/security smelling your dinner when you cook at night? 🤔🤔
Effin love this channel since i stumbled upon it a couple days ago, you’re the frickin man, bro! 😂😂😂
Awesome ❤❤❤🎉as usual
For me I see the need to on occasion park inside the city so stealth is a factor. But I think the idea of a van or truck home like this is you can throw down a starlink and be in the middle of no where. Id like to see you take your truck to the middle of a mountain forest or dessert. A beach someplace or that sort of thing. Its nice to know you can park it anywhere but the places you want to be fully self sufficient are the ones as far from civilization as you can get.
Dare ya ta do Martha's Vineyard with some border crosser s.
Just found your channel. Love it. Proper stealth with an edge…. Subscribed
I really don't get why stores tow people when the parking lot is empty and a single night hasn't even passed. I think cities should pass laws which say that anyone can park overnight in any public parking space for one night when, say, 75% of the spaces are empty. There should also be ways for businesses to be able to take pictures of any trash left behind/license plates to fine people who leave trash. That means cameras probably.
I don't like heavy-handed government, but if someone gets slapped with a $200 fine with, maybe, an extra $50 for processing they're not gonna leave their trash behind again for sure! I'd be glad to pick up someone's cheeseburger wrapper trash and check a camera for $200 LoL. The cost of the cameras might be something some businesses might not want to pay for though. That's understandable, but cameras are getting so cheap these days!!
If I see a store/shop with a "no towing" sign I am less likely to like it/buy there.
and I also realize that this means wear and tear on driveways, but maybe the law can also say that businesses can ask/enforce a reasonable charge to park overnight. (like, for example, $2 in cash to a pay machine.)
That would help bring off the pressure for businesses.
The only way for laws like these to be passed though is if people know about the options.
Why not just stock up and keep supplies in there for your trips, and always check everything like you would before you fly or take a trip to make sure all is working as expected. Your meals look very tasty and nutricious plus enjoy watching you cook. You did put a murphy bed in and it was a great genious invention so much more comfortable. You can be stealthy and comfortable...yes?
I like what you say about wasting space with big beds. Space is already tight. I like single purpose sleeping spaces more than convertible spaces.
Years ago, go booted there for taking to much time while shopping at Neiman Marcus.
Yikes, just too long shopping?!?😮 That must have been one heck of a haul you made. Hahahaha😂
Awesome set up. I would like to buy one when I get back to the USA, but I am concerned about getting a truck with a problematic engine.
Is that really just your apartment? 😂 It looks huge in there! Awesome vid🎉
That was close. Good point to know, they can't tow a vehicle with someone inside. Wonder if that is local, state, federal? Google search time coming up. Lol.
Was the tow truck those hunters? By that I mean tow trucks that drive around at night looking for cars/vehicles.
Also, i have the same logic when it comes to having a bed in my van space, why take up so much space for somewhere you’re only gonna spend 6-8 hours outta the day? I haven’t built mine yet, but I’m thinking of making a couch that extends into a bed when I’m ready for it.
And even then it’ll only be big enough for just me (maybe a little bigger) but yea I’m not taking up all that space just to sleep.
the truck looks great.
8:40 Security guard over the radio. "I smell chicken"
It's all about who you know right. Maybe you meet or know someone well enough with a business and it's cool after a while to park backed up to their loading dock or in the lot. Stress free cook vids then. If there is somewhere safe to do it maybe see how it takes some light off-road camping.
Success great vid tech next you need to find a quiet non stealthy location somewhere you can show that glass back door and foldout patio
Wow, great build out!
So basically you don’t want to park in a lot that has specific rule against overnight parking.
Soy tu fan, somos vecinos en Houston, ya encontré la U-Haul box truck para comenzar, muy pronto estaré contactando para alguna información, gracias, he visto todos tus vídeos
Making your "moving" van appear unattended in a spot near a facility that could be considered a terrorist target, is quite the risk. After Oklahoma City, that should scream at any security that sees it. You are way better off, as unchallenging as it may be, in the industrial areas, big box lots (I work at Home Depot, we have a moving van rental in our tool rental desk, your van would blend right in for probably a couple days, before anyone would notice it.), or hotel lots. I would not want to mistaken for a terrorist.
Great summary of one of the reasons I am so conscious of security patrols!
He has a video where he did that exact thing!
Dude...
You kick ass!
Recommend you go up one size for shirts. Lookin goofy.
The airport one was good, just maybe at some 24hr business parking lot. Travis Heinze who lives in his car was harrassed by cops and they got a dog who hit on his car, they tore it up searching but then found nothing, left and he had just a couple hours to gather it all and get out of the parking lot, they have such an attitude with people staying in their cars...wondering if you were to stay in some of those places in parking lot of businesses that are open 24hrs and see if they end up towing you or trying to tow you...yes, it's illegal to tow a vehicle with the person in them.
Bro that is balling so nice
Brilliant and informative. Just sub'd and will be back often. Great job evading the Tow. You might consider an issue with the valve for your water problems.
Excellent video.
I get the space usage for bigger beds
Industrial parks. Nobody bats an eye at box truck in industrial park.
haahahhahah love tho way you go in the back
Red accent lights wont kill your night vision (instead of blue).
Absolutely incredible 👏
Cool video and channel just came across it 🎉 cool van
I'm near Philly, they would probably try and steal something like this parked..do you have safeguards in place so that doesn't happen? That would really suck to be back there and someone driving off with you in it!
18:03 totes mc goats agree with that statement hahahaha
Close one bro!
1st time watching your vid. two questions.. 1.when guards were near you and you cooked, how'd you manage the smell and smoke, also light? 2.when you were working until 2pm, did you turn on the ac? if you have to, is it pretty silent?
Nice to see a fellow Mr. Brown drinker.
I’d love to see that extraMurphy bed you mentioned, or is it possible to put a bunk above where you sleep
My 1st thought was you were way too far into the city.Too many cameras,cops and security. Hotels near busy hwy interchanges are safer. Basically any place that is "open" at all hours.
As far as your rig goes,store a couple gallons of water and/or put an easily accessible small drain valve on your tank so you can step outside to fill up a container.
Love it live one mate,
If it was me, I'd just park at Loves or one of the other truck stops nearby.
Noodles Under Duress!
What is the upside down about. That is what the necklace you are wearing is right. Maybe I’m wrong.
I hate when dudes wear their shirts like that. Such a bro
Oh man. Those breakfast sandwichs made me hungry!!
9:26 the wire in the back probably won't feel heat since they're quick meals and you aren't keeping it on Gor long enough to heat up, still feels incorrect....
16:10 fuck it i might let cancer hitch a ride on my breakfast
youre cool man! 👍👍👍👍
Awesome content
I can barely navigate my big SUV in that underground garage. Can't imagine trying it in a box truck.
smashed the like at 0:01
Dude that shirt looks so goddamn uncomfortable
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
He should just take it off
Bruh I actually appreciate the fact you fck with spicy foods 😂🤟
The sleep area reminds me of a navy bunk rack. I dig it
Need manual backup pump on water tank.
This wouldn't be out of place on the Food Network.
How do you ventilate the cooking food smells from cooking?
It sounded like there was a fan going...
have you had to do any repairs to the truck? like engine, transmission, etc ?
hey T.B. have you ever thought about stealth sleeping at a hospital ? i think it would be easier maybe the best place to live at ?
Any plans to add AI or sensors to your camera setup? Eg with a Raspberry Pi. So instead of often checking the cameras they just alert you when something new is going on.
Success
I'm actually surprised that you lasted as long as you did at the mall before the tow truck showed up. Malls around here have a No Overnight Parking rule. And, unless you made arrangements with mall staff/security, you will at the very least get ticketed.
I like peppers, too. But waking up with the ring of fire in a cube truck...pass.
Hi there awesome build. How did you install your fridge? Thanks
Have you considered the medical center as your next adventure?