After five years of full time RVing here is my rules for stealth camping. Never ever overnight on big box parking lots . It looks very inviting (lots of light and flat) but a lot of them have roving security that comes in late at night and they WILL chase you off. A lot of the overnight apps will say that a certain Walmart does not allow it but when you show up the place is filled with RV's. I.e verify. Cracker Barrels as a rule allow overnight parking. Its my personal favorite. If there is really nothing available then I've found that areas around light industry is a good call. Lots of vans and trucks sitting around. You just slip in among them. Don't go to neighborhoods. Too may people at night. If a cop give you the two o'clock knock, ask them straight up if you are in the wrong spot AND then ask them for a place to direct you to. Works like a charm every time. Always have a plan B..i.e another place you can go to. Lots of fast food places are open 24 hours. Libraries and hotels are good bets too. When push comes shove, if you get the knock, nobody is going to arrest you. Just move on. You'll survive.
I don't live in my car, but I follow a lot of channels for folks who do, as I find it interesting. But I've thought a lot about it, and the dreaded "knock" has taken on unnecessary power, in my estimation. Your comment is a good one, in that I think asking if you are in the "wrong spot" and where you can go is excellent. Or even just asking if you can wait until daylight is a reasonable request. But you're right. You are being asked to move, that is all. They're not coming to arrest you, unless it's a cop and you give them a reason. I often think that if I were in a car all the time I would sleep in the daytime and stay up during the night. Stores are less busy, gyms are too. I think there is less chance of someone messing with you during the day. I may be wrong.
As I was reading this excellent comment, I was thinking “don’t camp in same place more than one night - or in the same place again too soon.” That’s what I did when I car camped in a VW bus a long time ago.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but my age really caught up with me the last 6 months. You actually have to be at least a little in shape (flexible) to live in a small space. Getting from a laying position into a seated position in a Prius requires it. It’s a little embarrassing but true. If you have a back problem or need to physically stretch out (like yoga), then you’re gonna need a motel room… Anywho…
After five years of full time RVing here is my rules for stealth camping. Never ever overnight on big box parking lots . It looks very inviting (lots of light and flat) but a lot of them have roving security that comes in late at night and they WILL chase you off. A lot of the overnight apps will say that a certain Walmart does not allow it but when you show up the place is filled with RV's. I.e verify. Cracker Barrels as a rule allow overnight parking. Its my personal favorite. If there is really nothing available then I've found that areas around light industry is a good call. Lots of vans and trucks sitting around. You just slip in among them. Don't go to neighborhoods. Too may people at night. If a cop give you the two o'clock knock, ask them straight up if you are in the wrong spot AND then ask them for a place to direct you to. Works like a charm every time. Always have a plan B..i.e another place you can go to. Lots of fast food places are open 24 hours. Libraries and hotels are good bets too. When push comes shove, if you get the knock, nobody is going to arrest you. Just move on. You'll survive.
I don't live in my car, but I follow a lot of channels for folks who do, as I find it interesting. But I've thought a lot about it, and the dreaded "knock" has taken on unnecessary power, in my estimation. Your comment is a good one, in that I think asking if you are in the "wrong spot" and where you can go is excellent. Or even just asking if you can wait until daylight is a reasonable request. But you're right. You are being asked to move, that is all. They're not coming to arrest you, unless it's a cop and you give them a reason. I often think that if I were in a car all the time I would sleep in the daytime and stay up during the night. Stores are less busy, gyms are too. I think there is less chance of someone messing with you during the day. I may be wrong.
As I was reading this excellent comment, I was thinking “don’t camp in same place more than one night - or in the same place again too soon.” That’s what I did when I car camped in a VW bus a long time ago.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but my age really caught up with me the last 6 months.
You actually have to be at least a little in shape (flexible) to live in a small space. Getting from a laying position into a seated position in a Prius requires it. It’s a little embarrassing but true. If you have a back problem or need to physically stretch out (like yoga), then you’re gonna need a motel room…
Anywho…
Good stuff thanks
You're ahead of the crowd.
Wondering if a Buccees in Texas would be a good place to sleep at overnight? I know they keep their bathrooms really clean.