PaulC
Guest
I've been read[ng a bit about stealth campers on the net, basically a converted camper van that looks like a normal panel van and hence is "invisible". What do people think about this as a concept?
messenger 2.5td
Guest
stealth campers
Depends what road you want to go down(excuse the pun)if you want a van thats fitted out as a camper without the windows could be an added bonus if used discreetly not as conspicuous as a hightop or coachbuilt.Mine works well was built for wildcamping by the previous owner although does have three windows in,based on a renault messenger b110 not a van i was familiar with but runs well if a little slow accelarating.Put this down to weight being 5.5 ton getting around 26 to the gallon van has long range fuel tank fitted so at todays prices expensive to fill £60 is only half full,tempted to try vegatable oil maybe 70/30.Does anyone have experience of using vegatable oil in Renault engines?Good luck with whatever you decide.
Depends what road you want to go down(excuse the pun)if you want a van thats fitted out as a camper without the windows could be an added bonus if used discreetly not as conspicuous as a hightop or coachbuilt.Mine works well was built for wildcamping by the previous owner although does have three windows in,based on a renault messenger b110 not a van i was familiar with but runs well if a little slow accelarating.Put this down to weight being 5.5 ton getting around 26 to the gallon van has long range fuel tank fitted so at todays prices expensive to fill £60 is only half full,tempted to try vegatable oil maybe 70/30.Does anyone have experience of using vegatable oil in Renault engines?Good luck with whatever you decide.
tonyfu
Guest
For some locations that you might want to park at this might look unusual / suspicious and attract more attention rather than less, especially if there are any MOD facilities in the area!
Tony
Deleted member 2636
Guest
Some people even go the cost of having the vehicle sign written in English, French and German; usually with something like "Kitchen waste removal" or something equally unpleasant.
They then hang a couple of those white dust suits inside to cab in plain view. All vents are through the roof and there will be no windows at all.
They then hang a couple of those white dust suits inside to cab in plain view. All vents are through the roof and there will be no windows at all.
PaulC
Guest
Stealth campers
I was under the impression that a converted van had to meet some requirements of DVLA and the insurance companies, such as have windows fitted, etc. Although one stealth owner said he only had small windows fitted high up an very inconspicuous. Anyhow how can you get insurance and remain legal?
I was under the impression that a converted van had to meet some requirements of DVLA and the insurance companies, such as have windows fitted, etc. Although one stealth owner said he only had small windows fitted high up an very inconspicuous. Anyhow how can you get insurance and remain legal?
t&s
Guest
stealth campers
is this name for them a little over the top?
a plane pannel van or a marked commercial van parked up in a lane or lay by or any public place is the first choice for investigation by the police the chance of being turned away from an overnight stop or at least being questioned is greatly inhanced as vans are used for so many crimes they are target for most police.
we all have to start motorhoming somewhere and a plane commercial van with a home conversion is a good way to start but (stealth camping) sounds like something criminal
to me
is this name for them a little over the top?
a plane pannel van or a marked commercial van parked up in a lane or lay by or any public place is the first choice for investigation by the police the chance of being turned away from an overnight stop or at least being questioned is greatly inhanced as vans are used for so many crimes they are target for most police.
we all have to start motorhoming somewhere and a plane commercial van with a home conversion is a good way to start but (stealth camping) sounds like something criminal
to me
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Deleted member 2636
Guest
"Stealth" camping as I understand it is parking up in the middle of a town.
If you are using the van as a "motor-caravan" then your insurance company will have some criteria that they will need to be fitted to the vehicle. I have enclosed what Shield require - purely as a guideline
Hope that clears up a bit of confusion on that score.
Some people have negotiated insurance that allows them to take the furniture out of their vehicle and use it for their trade or business.
If you are using the van as a "motor-caravan" then your insurance company will have some criteria that they will need to be fitted to the vehicle. I have enclosed what Shield require - purely as a guideline
Hope that clears up a bit of confusion on that score.
Some people have negotiated insurance that allows them to take the furniture out of their vehicle and use it for their trade or business.
wildandwelsh
Guest
this is an interesting one. As a female camper, often alone, I prefer to think that someone knows I am in there. I would be very nervous sleeping in a van without windows incase it attracted vandals who thougt the van was abandoned. Plus I can see who is outside my van should anyone knock the door!
t&s
Guest
there is a firm in dorset who make camper vans that look like delivery vans
they arecalled ( rdv leisure vehicles )i cant find em on the web they use iveco vans with a small logo LDV on the bonnet any one seen one yet ?
they arecalled ( rdv leisure vehicles )i cant find em on the web they use iveco vans with a small logo LDV on the bonnet any one seen one yet ?
Firefox
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DVLA motorcaravan definition requires 1 side window. Sheild insurance do not require windows.
You need a bed, table and seating, cooking facilities, storage, water container, and a door to the caravan bit. The facilities have to be securely fixed in place, and the van not suitable for commercial goods use. No moonlighting as a delivery driver in the week either!
The way to go is two privacy glass bonded windows directly behind the cab so it looks like a crew cab van. This is also more acceptable for campsites Then black out covers for these and black out curtains behind the cab. No temptations for "look at me I'm a motorcaravan" graphics or go faster stripes/flashings like you are some hyped up boy racer with a new toy!
At the moment I'm posting this from my mobile broadband in my warm, insulated, blacked out, raised bed compartment from a pub & leisure centre car park in mid Herts. This is wild camping at it's most versatile. There's other vehicles in the car park, but noone has a clue I'm here.
If you think carefuly about it, you can have a vehicle which will pass for DVLA, insurance, campsites, wild camping, and stealth camping.
You need a bed, table and seating, cooking facilities, storage, water container, and a door to the caravan bit. The facilities have to be securely fixed in place, and the van not suitable for commercial goods use. No moonlighting as a delivery driver in the week either!
The way to go is two privacy glass bonded windows directly behind the cab so it looks like a crew cab van. This is also more acceptable for campsites Then black out covers for these and black out curtains behind the cab. No temptations for "look at me I'm a motorcaravan" graphics or go faster stripes/flashings like you are some hyped up boy racer with a new toy!
At the moment I'm posting this from my mobile broadband in my warm, insulated, blacked out, raised bed compartment from a pub & leisure centre car park in mid Herts. This is wild camping at it's most versatile. There's other vehicles in the car park, but noone has a clue I'm here.
If you think carefuly about it, you can have a vehicle which will pass for DVLA, insurance, campsites, wild camping, and stealth camping.
flashingblade
Guest
intolerence
having full-timed in a 7.5ton self conversion, i had to think long n hard about putting windows in. these would apply to a van also. without, i just looked like a truck and nobody would object to me being parked up in certain places ( using common sense ) but i would be inviting unwanted attention of 2 catagories of undesireables-
first thieves thinking it was an empty truck/van so could try to break in for possible tools / goods
secondly the travelling community who just love vans and trucks for parts and cloning.
then there was the problem of ignorant site owners who discriminate against you ( yes, you might need the use of a site once in a while )
in the end i bit the bullet and fitted windows. i was accepted by all !
i could get insurance as a self build without worrying about small print, i could use sites, i could use ferry services as a camper van, people started to treat me as a camper and occasionally waved!, travellers knew i was sleeping in it ( suddenly i had their sympathy- i became in effect, one of them ) !!, i had daylight and views when i woke up.
sure, there will always be people that show unwanted interest in your vehicle and you should apply good security but could you spend time in a box without those views we all go camping to get. cabin fever springs to mind.
each to their own, i do understand why people want stealth, to blend into their surroundings for a 'quiet life'. you can always retro fit windows should you get fed up. i found even in urban areas, people are more accepting of a vehicle with windows. you could always use smoked film to give privacy.
having full-timed in a 7.5ton self conversion, i had to think long n hard about putting windows in. these would apply to a van also. without, i just looked like a truck and nobody would object to me being parked up in certain places ( using common sense ) but i would be inviting unwanted attention of 2 catagories of undesireables-
first thieves thinking it was an empty truck/van so could try to break in for possible tools / goods
secondly the travelling community who just love vans and trucks for parts and cloning.
then there was the problem of ignorant site owners who discriminate against you ( yes, you might need the use of a site once in a while )
in the end i bit the bullet and fitted windows. i was accepted by all !
i could get insurance as a self build without worrying about small print, i could use sites, i could use ferry services as a camper van, people started to treat me as a camper and occasionally waved!, travellers knew i was sleeping in it ( suddenly i had their sympathy- i became in effect, one of them ) !!, i had daylight and views when i woke up.
sure, there will always be people that show unwanted interest in your vehicle and you should apply good security but could you spend time in a box without those views we all go camping to get. cabin fever springs to mind.
each to their own, i do understand why people want stealth, to blend into their surroundings for a 'quiet life'. you can always retro fit windows should you get fed up. i found even in urban areas, people are more accepting of a vehicle with windows. you could always use smoked film to give privacy.
Firefox
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There are plenty of places you are legally allowed to stay but also plenty of people with more time on their hands than sense who delight in reporting people sleeping in vehicles.
As for windows, Id definitely concur. But a good blackout system is desirable for me.
doronron
Guest
i thought wild camping was suppost to be be , not trying to hide from everyone ... ...
guerdeval
Guest
So whats the situation (I'm thinking vat) with these new Vivaro or vito vans that have a factory fitted window in the sliding door? ,are they still vans or have they paid the vat to call them campers?
Firefox
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Wild camping is not using a recognised campsite.
Which means parking up elsewhere either overtly or covertly. Although some would say stealth camping is different from wild camping I think it's part of the broader picture. You're still sleeping, cooking, and living in your van not on a campsite. Whether people know you are doing so or not, doesn't really alter the fact that you are doing it.
Which means parking up elsewhere either overtly or covertly. Although some would say stealth camping is different from wild camping I think it's part of the broader picture. You're still sleeping, cooking, and living in your van not on a campsite. Whether people know you are doing so or not, doesn't really alter the fact that you are doing it.
Admin
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Several times in the past when I have wildcamped I have had problems with youths and drunks, mainly banging the van or other anti-social antics.
I am looking at doing a project van that will be a low roof crew cab, it will not look like a camper from the outside at all. I will have full blackouts on the side windows and no rear windows past the sliding door. The cab will have a sliding door (bit like an ambulance) so once you are in the back the van will be stealth.
I am looking at doing a project van that will be a low roof crew cab, it will not look like a camper from the outside at all. I will have full blackouts on the side windows and no rear windows past the sliding door. The cab will have a sliding door (bit like an ambulance) so once you are in the back the van will be stealth.
Firefox
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I'm going for heavily tinted privacy glass in my crew cab type windows plus blackout. There is also a blackout curtain which divides the cab from the rest of the van and I have a half dinette which can be used by up to three people with a table in stealth mode with cab divide curtain closed.
Come the fine days on a campsite or safe open wilding spot, the cab curtains are drawn back, cab seats swivelled, midi heki opened and wide sliding door opened if desired. Then the table extends to seat 5 for dining, so this front lounge layout is versatile for both scenarios.
Come the fine days on a campsite or safe open wilding spot, the cab curtains are drawn back, cab seats swivelled, midi heki opened and wide sliding door opened if desired. Then the table extends to seat 5 for dining, so this front lounge layout is versatile for both scenarios.
chopper
Guest
heres mine always wild camp and have had no problems for years
self built transit van
self built transit van
twosugars
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this is my camper, no outside grills or gas fridge exhausts etc and tinted windows and a blackout screen inside the windscreen.
never had a problem with idiots / nimby's - i go with the theory that if a location doesn't feel right, it probably isn't - move somewhere else!
wheelspin marks in car parks or dumped rubbish is a definite no-no!
never had a problem with idiots / nimby's - i go with the theory that if a location doesn't feel right, it probably isn't - move somewhere else!
wheelspin marks in car parks or dumped rubbish is a definite no-no!
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