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05-18-2022, 09:53 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 846
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Blacking out all windows (for covert camping purposes)
I’m curious if folks here have found good solutions for blocking all light from escaping your trailer. We have a Flying Cloud, and on rare occasion have been camping where we wanted to keep any light from leaving so it was not obvious we were in there. (Using our trailer in our own driveway being one of those reasons.)
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05-18-2022, 10:41 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
Litchfield Park
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 549
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In our case we are trying to keep light from getting in the trailer. We use Reflectix, cut to the size/shape of the window, and the edges sealed with blue painter's tape.
Steve
__________________
Steve Jones
2019 Globetrotter 27 FB
2018 Chevy Silverado 2500 4WD LT
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05-18-2022, 12:24 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2019 25' International
Providence
, Senior Electrical Engineer
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,135
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Hoa?
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05-18-2022, 12:40 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kittmaster
Hoa?
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More just trying to stay incognito. It’s technically against city ordinances.
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05-18-2022, 12:58 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2019 25' International
Providence
, Senior Electrical Engineer
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,135
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Without a "perfect fit" any type of blackout "device" will leak....are we talking fines? Towed? Confiscation?
You're best bet is to burn down the entire city......You're welcome....I'm here to solve problems.
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05-18-2022, 01:37 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kittmaster
Without a "perfect fit" any type of blackout "device" will leak....are we talking fines? Towed? Confiscation?
You're best bet is to burn down the entire city......You're welcome....I'm here to solve problems.
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LOL! It’s one of the things I really liked about the Basecamp Design, fully blackout curtains on all the windows. I wonder how hard it would be to replicate that design.
At home, probably just fines since we park in our driveway. On the road, all kinds of consequences from attracting unwanted attention to being asked to move.
Perhaps I need to join a van lifers forum of some type, they do this kind of thing a lot in order to stealth camp in cities.
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05-18-2022, 02:51 PM
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#7
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Site Team
1994 25' Excella
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5,522
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If you have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills, what about making yourself a set of full blackout curtains which attach to the window frames with Velcro?
Should be pretty simple to make a template of the window opening, and then add 3/4" all around for the Velcro. Use the self-adhesive type on the window frames and sew on the curtain side.
The air gap between the glass and the blackout curtain will be helpful in avoiding having any condensation contact the curtains.
__________________
Richard
11018
1994 Excella 25 Follow the build on Gertie!
1999 Suburban LS 2500 w/7.4L V8
1974 GMC 4108a - Custom Coach Land Cruiser (Sold)
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05-18-2022, 03:58 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
2019 30' Classic
2021 Atlas
Charlotte
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 302
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Lots of vanlife people do stealth camping. They tend to make their own custom curtains and use magnets but our window trim is not magnetic, so it looks like Velcro is the answer.
__________________
2019 Classic and 2005 Land Yacht 396 XL and 2 cats
Certified RV Tech, LP certified in TX, generator certified and Alde certified.
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05-18-2022, 06:20 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2017 16' Sport
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,789
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hikingcamera
I’m curious if folks here have found good solutions for blocking all light from escaping your trailer. We have a Flying Cloud, and on rare occasion have been camping where we wanted to keep any light from leaving so it was not obvious we were in there. (Using our trailer in our own driveway being one of those reasons.)
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If the goal is to give the appearance that someone is in the trailer, some light escaping would be good. Leave a pair of old shoes outside your door, cover most of your windows go outside walk around the trailer and adjust things inside so most of the inside is not visible. Leave the TV on or the radio. You’ve accomplished your goal.
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05-18-2022, 06:25 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2023 28' International
Mercer County
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 726
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I think the OP's goal is to have it appear that no one is in the camper - probably because they are in a place that doesn't allow camping.
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05-18-2022, 08:15 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2017 25' International
West Lake Hills
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,633
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevejones
In our case we are trying to keep light from getting in the trailer. We use Reflectix, cut to the size/shape of the window, and the edges sealed with blue painter's tape.
Steve
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^1. Reflectix cut to fit each window. We do it to keep heat out.
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05-18-2022, 09:22 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2022 23' Flying Cloud
Seattle
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffb831
I think the OP's goal is to have it appear that no one is in the camper - probably because they are in a place that doesn't allow camping.
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Sometimes, yes, technically camping is not allowed in our driveway, I'm not sure anyone would care, but I'd rather stay under the radar regardless if we ever use it for a guest room. Other times I am just in a place where I want to be more circumspect. I've stayed in places where I have permission, but I'd still rather not draw attention to myself. It's admittedly not a common occurrence.
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05-18-2022, 10:14 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
2020 25' International
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,468
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I go visit my cousin in Phoenix, same issue. I stay in the trailer all the time, never been busted. Most probably assume you left a light on.
__________________
- Stewart
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05-19-2022, 09:26 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
FREDERICK
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 526
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fungus
^1. Reflectix cut to fit each window. We do it to keep heat out.
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Yup, we do this with with all the bedroom windows and the front panorama windows - we camp in the desert a lot.
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05-19-2022, 10:40 AM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Green Valley Lake
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 235
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Urban stealth camper here.
Start with limo black window tint. You can then use some kind of insulation or reflectix.
Seal any light leaks with tape.
The slightest leak can be a dead giveaway.
But most importantly, don't snore
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05-19-2022, 10:55 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2008 22' Safari
Spicewood (W of Austin)
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,950
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What does the city regulation state SPECIFICALLY…??
Wording to the effect of “No camping”…. doesn’t mean “No TESTING” of your airstream in your own driveway.
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05-19-2022, 11:11 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2021 25' Globetrotter
2014 19' International
2008 28' International
Camp Hill
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 25
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Just wear night vision goggles while inside!
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05-19-2022, 11:23 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
1959 24' Tradewind
Twin Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 246
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Yep, we use Reflectix to keep out light and shade the windows when they're open, velcro underneath.
__________________
Regards,
Tony
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05-20-2022, 06:42 PM
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#19
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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Blacking out all windows (for covert camping purposes)
Trying to Stealth camp in an airstream travel trailer is a far cry from stealth camping in a van. You stand out like a sore thumb. Even sprinter vans are having a harder time given the increase of ‘#vanlifers’, the increased vigilance of local municipalities, and all the sharing on social media. A lot of them are actually using vans with desert windows and putting fake decals on the sides, i.e. ‘Metro Plumbing’ or ‘ABC Delivery’ etc.
You’ll never pull it off on an Airstream Trailer even if you block out every pinpoint of light. They’ll know you’re in there. Especially because you’re hooked up to a tow vehicle [emoji23]
Of course I’m referring to trying to camp on city streets etc, not your own driveway.
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05-21-2022, 07:54 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2008 27' International FB
Petaluma
, California
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,348
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Delinquent vehicle and no camping laws are there for a reason but usually not so law abiding citizens can visit or have visitors. However, here's always some a$$hat neighbor in every neighborhood that complains so the city has to take action. Reflectix and tape is prolly the best way to go but we just take our chances and get warned once and again when aforementioned neighbor gets bored and trigger happy with the phone. We have agreements with neighbors close by and let them know when we have visitors and will be parking on the street.
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