Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 13:39:10 -0800
Reply-To: Rob Campbell <mantid@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rob Campbell <mantid@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Are pop-up tops really necessary??
In-Reply-To: <C024C574.15DE1%bueses@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
"Stealth Camping" is a pretty popular term, I imagine a web search would
result in lots of results.
Its widely used on other Vangon camping lists like WetWesties, VWFulltimers,
etc. To a lesser degree, it seems popular among non-vw campers and RVers.
On long drives across the nation, there is not always an easily accessable
place to camp. Sometimes a rest stop is your only choice. I've also spent
nights parked on residential streets as a last resort. The pure legality of
this is highly variable, but regardless its always best to only sleep. Dont
leave the vehicle, dont cook, etc. Just pull the curtains and get some
rest, and drive to a public bathroom in the as soon as you can in the
morning (superstores often have nice clean ones).
At rest stops, some good advice is to stop before you get there (at a gas
station or earlier rest stop) and take care of all your night time
business. Then when you park, immediately close the curtains and go to
sleep. As a male travelling alone, I have not been very nervous at rest
areas, but this is good advice for anyone. The idea is not to let any
potential troublemakers know anything about the occupants of the vehicle.
Its also possible to stealth camp in some large hotel parking lots, near
boat marinas, etc etc. If you are interested in this kind of thing, the
VWFulltimers list on yahoo has some great tips.
On 2/24/06, bueses <bueses@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > I like it. How about a wire shelf (close organizer type) that attaches
> to
> > the rear roof/AC area (somehow) and collapses up when not in use and
> pulls
> > down to create that second level of storage. I might have to play
> around
> > with that idea a bit.
>
> Yes, I was thinking about a shelf of some sort that doesn't rest on the
> bed
> also-I like to sleep w/ my head at the back, so lifting up the shelf at
> nite
> would be cool.
> >
>
> >>
> >> However, as I was "stealth camping" quite a bit, and didnt want to pop
> the
> >> top to draw attention, I got tired of having to clear all the stuff out
> of
> >> the back when it was time to sleep, so I built this "loft"
> >>
> >> http://rob.quimp.com/gallery/Ronan/IMGP0857
>
> I like the term "stealth camping". How many volks out there do this? It
> sounds like leaving no trace urban camping! There is probably a whole new
> niche for accessories, etc. for this style of camping. Downtown
> Manhattan,
> The Superbowl, Mardi Gras, etc!
>
> Tom-now I am not going to get anything done this pm
>
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