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Chuck77 Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2007 Posts: 170 Location: Brush Prairie, WA
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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I am from the woods and never had a vanagon when I was "stealthing it". What I used to do is parallel park my old truck in the summer and sleep under my tonneau cover. One time I forgot to allow for airflow after an overly garlic'ed and onion'ed meal, and I actually woke up with my eyes burning like you wouldn't believe. I have slept off a night in my vanagon to keep my drunk a$$ off of the streets before, and I did get the courtesy call from the cops about 3 in the AM. I was in a grocery store parking lot, I'm crossing that off of the list from now on.
YSQUARED--Nice van by the way!!! I have a thing for white vehicles, and that looks sharp. _________________ 1988 Vanagon GL 7 passenger, 15" Mercedes 8 hole alloys with Nokian Hakka's (SOLD) |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3039 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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buckturgidson wrote: |
I'm thinking about stealth camping on San Fran trips to keep costs down . If you're paying $45 a day or thereabouts to park it seems like you ought to be able to sleep in the Vanagon . I'll post when it happens . I'm guessing expensive cities like Frisco and NYC make it hard to pull off , but if you're in some obscure spot on the 3rd floor of a garage who the hell will know ? |
There's an RV park at CandleStick Park with a free shuttle into town. It's more expensive than a regular RV park and as it's all concrete it's not very pretty, but it's not much more expensive than daily parking downtown and you get a bathroom and showers! _________________ 89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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ysquared Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2007 Posts: 66 Location: Grover Beach, CA
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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rockfish wrote: |
ysquared: Not to be a buzz kill - but I'm a bit surprised about the attitude towards DUI arrests.
I had a work colleague killed by a drunk driver (t-boned, ran a red light) while driving back to work at lunch time. I also had a very good friend, who was walking in a crosswalk - with the light, get hit by a drunk driver - cracked his head open - 3 weeks in a coma, 2 years of re-hab. He's healthy now, is married and has 2 kids - but can't hold down a job or do half of what he used to do (former national level swimmer).
So as far as I'm concerned, I'm all for any DUI handed out. |
Don't get me wrong, I'm a law abiding citizen, especially where getting intoxicated and driving is concerned. We've all got our own experiences, 1st, 2nd hand stories, etc., but from what I can tell from my little corner of the world, the cops are getting out of hand. Most of it motivated by money, not public safety. This is why I'm trying to avert any run-in with them and getting advice here.
Let's check the stats ... Since 1982 alcohol related fatalities have been reduced by about 40% and it's leveled off in the last 5 years (MADD has done their job). In 2007 there were about 15,500 alcohol related driving deaths in the U.S. (out of 6 million total accidents) with over 205 million licensed drivers in the U.S.
BTW ... With 30+ years of driving history, I've known 7 people who have died in car related accidents and no alcohol was involved. Unfortunate things happen to good people.
Not meaning to use this forum for a rant, but ... this country has got 1 in 100 citizens in jail right now. If you're hispanic it's 1 in 37. If you're black, it's 1 in 10. 68% of all those jailed are in for non-violent crimes, i.e., DUI, and drug related offenses. 46% of the non-violent criminals are in for Pot.
The only country that jails it's citizens at a higher rate (per capita) is the USSR, and only by 2%. It's predicted that if we keep up at the same incarceration rate we'll be number one late next year. Home of the brave ... land of the not so free?
I've never gotten a DUI and maybe a bit paranoid, but know several people who's lives have been devastated by the legal system. I'm talking about lost jobs, divorces, child services involvement, exorbitant legal fees, not to mention jail. Mostly because they didn't have the good sense to take a cab home ... or sleep in a Westy. _________________ 1985 Westy - 1.9 - 4 sp. - white/ tan
My Space Shuttle on wheels |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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OK ysguared, thank you from all of us for posting those dramatic numbers.
Back to your original post if we can.. how do YOU plan on dealing with drinking and driving and eating at good rectaurants while you up here visiting.
Youve gotten lots upon lots of information on how other travelers handle the stealth camping situation how do you propose to handle your here today gone tomorrow camping |
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zohami Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2006 Posts: 123 Location: Kailua
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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If the neighbors call the cops, and you're too tired to remember not to poke your head up, be sure you don't have any warrants for your arrest!
A loooooong time ago I got a ticket for violation of leash law in Newport Beach, and apparently I blew off paying the citation. Years later, stealth-camping in my '66 Westy in front of a friend's house in San Rafael after a long night drive arriving about 3 a.m., the cops woke me up and nicely escorted me out of town, advising me to pay the fine before I came back to their little city. The cops were actually cool, because they could have busted me instead of providing the escort to the city limits. |
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rockfish Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 740 Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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I would expect a market director like yourself to do a whole lot of digging when investigating the possibilities of stealth camping in a Westy
Have you found any other goodies you would like to share with the Samba community? |
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crukab Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002 Posts: 6114 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:45 am Post subject: |
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I've done a bunch of cross country trips in my old '63 DC, and the last 11 years in our '91 Carat--which doesn't have the windsheild curtain, it does have the behind front seat curtain.
When we Stealth camp we pick a spot, go use the bathroom, set up the bed & all the curtains, then roll into our spot & crash. I usually only sleep until 4-5 a.m., so we leave before anyone figures us out.
We always look for Hospital parking lots, also State Police barracks or Sheriff stations-- checking to make sure it's ok to park for the night, never had a problem. Also 24 hour truck stops on interstates---only ones w/ lots of people around. _________________ Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
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ysquared Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2007 Posts: 66 Location: Grover Beach, CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:33 am Post subject: |
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The advice here has been great, and very much appreciated. Solid, down-to earth, real world stuff. Reminds me of the quote ... "To be foolish is not learning from your own experience. To be wise is learning from the experience of others."
Here's where my other research maybe of interest to fellow Sambaites. Found at www.freecampgrounds.com. http://www.freecampgrounds.com/search.aspx. I'm still researching this website, but it looks like it's frequently updated by RVer's on the road. RV people use the term "boondocking" for their stealth overnighting (never knew that before yesterday). I'm thinking if they can do it in those huge rigs, our Westy's are a shoe-in.
My next investment might be limo tinting the rear windows. I've had a seamstress sew on the outside of my curtains a silvery, flexible material that reflects heat and provides light blocking inside/outside. When buttoned-up at night it may not be enough though.
Also ... I gotta walk my talk here. If anyone is going through Pismo Beach and needs an overnight stay, let me know. I'm 3 blocks off Highway One, with an ocean view. I've got a spare, covered carport off the street and can offer shore power. _________________ 1985 Westy - 1.9 - 4 sp. - white/ tan
My Space Shuttle on wheels |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:48 am Post subject: |
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Dogpilot wrote: |
So I think drunks need to register the same as Sex Offenders, I fear more from them than the others. I also think DUI's need to have a special license plate for a minimum of two years.
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Brilliant! I'm going to copy and paste this section and forward it to my state and federal representatives. _________________ '85 Westy |
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funagon Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006 Posts: 1308 Location: SLC, UT
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Rockfish, that's a nice list of campsites. I stayed at salt point about two weeks ago and it was a great place. Almost full but all the campers were abalone divers who went to bed by night fall so they could get up early to go diving. So no generators, no t.v.'s, no noisy parties, nothing! I fell asleep listening to the waves on the shore and the wind in the trees, and nothing else . . . _________________ 1990 GL 7-passenger
2.2 liter WBX |
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rockfish Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2007 Posts: 740 Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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funagon wrote: |
So no generators, no t.v.'s, no noisy parties, nothing! I fell asleep listening to the waves on the shore and the wind in the trees, and nothing else . . . |
Beautiful. One time we were allowed to camp overnight on the West side (beach parking lot) of Leo Carillo for the night (near Malibu for those not in the know...). We were in heaven. Right on the sand, ocean waves --- couldn't believe our luck.
It's difficult to get a reservation in the summer, but getting a beach front campsite at Carpinteria is still one our favorites. _________________ 89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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All you really need to be considered self contained in CA is one of those folding potties with the bags. Makes into a spare camp stool too.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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noganav Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2006 Posts: 1236 Location: San Diego CA
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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Yikes, now that's a porta potty. The mind recoils at the thought of ever having to use something like that. How much weight do you think those two little pins can support? |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Ideas where to park
http://cheaprvliving.com/wheretopark.html
These are the things I like to have when overnighting anywhere.
1. A front window sunshade, Black side out.
2. An empty Gatorade bottle or gallon water jug.
3. A roll of paper towels, and a bottle of Isopropy Rubbing Alcohol
4. Two Tall kitchen garbage bags and a bucket or 4 legged stool.
Other things I like to have in a Van setup for overnighting
1. Limo tinted windows, with curtains.
2. Water, propane and tea.
3. Sheet, Pillow and down comforter.
4. A spatula, fry pan, and 1 quart pot to boil water.
5. Durable goods: Oatmeal, Matzoh bread, canned tuna, fruit in a cup, instant pancake mix in a sandwich bag, Indian Fare foil packed veggies.
6. Kleenex, tooth brush, hair brush, Paper plates, knife, fork, spoon and teacup.
I have never been rousted by a cop, nor by a resident, for sleeping in a residential area, among other vehicles, not even with the top up, even with yellow levelling blocks under my curbside wheels.
I have been rousted by a cop at 2am sleeping on the side of a 2 lane road thru the redwoods in Santa Cruz, top down, not leveled. After running my license, and coming up clean, I was allowed to go back to sleep with a warning not to return.
I have never been cited for limo tint, even though I have it on the driver and passenger front too, which is illegal in all the states I live in and travel through, California, New Mexico, and Arizona. |
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koolmoe Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2008 Posts: 382 Location: Annapolis, MD
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Great conversation.
I've not "stealthed" in a while but did often with my Westy in college. Many times in bar parking lots or a buddy's driveway - though have been woken up too early a few times blocking in roommates cars. My friends always knew where to find me if I was far from my pad but had disappeared...
On the several roadtrips, we almost always had a friend's place to crash or a campground. Frequently we just took turns driving and the others sleeping in the back on loooong trips. Once out of Mardi Gras, stopped at a KOA not too far away and asked if we could just crash in the front parking area and pop the top for the night - no problem and no cost. That was cool (definitely changed my opinion at the time of KOA's for the better).
I guess that wasn't really 'stealth' though.
Worst car overnight was in my Rabbit in Ocean City, NJ. With the seats forward and a few blankets to fill-in the rear footwells, not terribly uncomfortable, but MAN was it bright at 6am when that seaside sun came up. Sleep didn't last much longer and the hangover was peaking...
That was one thing that got me psyched about a bus. Curtains?! Sweeeet.
KM _________________ --
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on) |
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buckturgidson Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Reno
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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photogdave wrote: |
buckturgidson wrote: |
I'm thinking about stealth camping on San Fran trips to keep costs down . If you're paying $45 a day or thereabouts to park it seems like you ought to be able to sleep in the Vanagon . I'll post when it happens . I'm guessing expensive cities like Frisco and NYC make it hard to pull off , but if you're in some obscure spot on the 3rd floor of a garage who the hell will know ? |
There's an RV park at CandleStick Park with a free shuttle into town. It's more expensive than a regular RV park and as it's all concrete it's not very pretty, but it's not much more expensive than daily parking downtown and you get a bathroom and showers! |
Thanks , great idea . _________________ '83.5 Vanagon converted to camper
'07 Ducati Monster S2R 1000
'86 Yamaha SRX-6 |
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GeorgeL Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2006 Posts: 7346
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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The only places I've found to be hyper-sensitive to stealth camping is the touristy areas where they want everyone to pay for a room or campsite.
The AIRS list is a good place to find folks who will let you camp at their houses. You can also sign up on the Vanagon, Type2, and/or Vintagebus lists, post your route and ask for volunteers. I've done that and made a lot of new friends over the years! Much more fun to stay with VW folk than to sneak around solo. There are some advantages to the Old School mailing lists! |
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Boogievan Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2007 Posts: 152 Location: Port Orchard, WA.
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:38 am Post subject: |
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HA!! This reminds me of my last "stealth" camping trip...
It was after a friend of mine and I met up to go to a concert (in November), at The Showbox in Seattle.
We both fully intended to drive home, and were both fully not able to...
So we camped out in a very "stealthy" fashion... On 1st Ave... With the motor running...
And somehow, we didn't get bothered by the man. |
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Beaverboy Samba Member
Joined: June 27, 2009 Posts: 47 Location: The Olympic Pen
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:46 am Post subject: |
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noganav wrote: |
How much weight do you think those two little pins can support? |
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