How to Car Camp

Car camping is an amazing way to save money on hotels, and therefore go on many more adventures since you'll have more money to do so.

Although the thought of car camping can be intimidating, once you follow these few tips and suggestions, you'll be out there sleeping in parking lots and road tripping in no time!

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@jonathanyentch

#simpleliving #nomad #carcamp

[danielwalker]

Truck stops are the best place to camp. They are always open. They have toilets showers and people are always there making sure no one is breaking into the trucks.

[LEVENINZWEDEN]

My son and I toured the USA for 5 weeks in a hired Bid Plus that we turned into a camper. We only had our clothes with us in a sportsbag (me) and a backpack (my son) and two sleeping bags. The rest we bought as cheap as possible at Walmart. Two air matrasses, a smal gasstove that fits on half liter gas bottles and a pan. We hanged a rope between the ceiling handles at the front where we hanged dark cloth to have a little privacy. The rest of the windows were tinted. We road tripped from national park to national park and only had the police once visiting us. We were allowed to stay for the night, but that was because of the place we picked. At the end of a rural area, on a gravel parking lot were the school busses park for the night. The just were curious who we were.
At the end of our road trip we gave our stuff to homeless people and took a flight home.

[shosmyth]

You have sound advice! Before I retired I worked all night job 50 miles from home one way. Sometimes I was so sleepy and tired when I got off work? I was afraid of getting into accident so, I would drive to a store parking lot and sleep there for about three hours. Then go to Mickey Ds and get me a coffee and drive home safely. So, you’re absolutely sound in your advice.

[trollsymctroll]

I've just set up my Civic coupe for stealth car camping. Took out the seats and made a folding bed thingy to sleep on. Getting ready for my maiden voyage. I'm gonna try some filming and editing to share.

[MarkKrupa]

Remove the back seat of the station wagon (combi). Move front seats up. Inflate pool mattress covered with a cotton bed liner. Put a screen outside your window secured by the closed door and magnets. You are good to go. I traveled Europe this way but I mostly camped at RV campsites with electric plugs for my portable (loud) A/C and cooking gear. They provided bathrooms and showers. It was terrific.

[RenM]

Gotta start camping in your Bentley dude. That’s how you work that sweet Beverley Hills parking spot.

[dougronald]

I think you need to choose a parking lot with 24 hour business, such as a hotel, casino, or all night store. If you just park in a regular strip mall, it will be obvious your car doesn’t belong there.

[inkybiss]

I work 12 hr nights and I travel. I was falling asleep so I pulled off the highway and pulled into McDonald's parking lot to rest for a bit. This was like 8am. Next thing I know cops were pounding on my window and told me to leave!

[nomaderic]

A good option I found recently that works in some places

Park n rides.

I know one in denver I could literally park at every single day forever and no one would say anything

[laurajphillips]

Go get black felt at Joannes Fabrics, either cut to size or just put one long piece to cover windows!

[thomasgrantham]

Those are some great tips! I started camping by car camping so I guess I’m a little spoiled when it comes to tents haha. One thing I would I say is that you should make some window covers that have no pattern on them (ie a flat face design) as well as making them a similar black color to your windows just to make them blend in as much as possible. Looking forward to seeing more videos on car camping trips though!

[abcxyz]

Good video and well done for including the downside to stealth car camping on a parking lot. One thing to remember though, is to always have your car keys on you, even when sleeping. You were lucky to have a friendly security guard tell you to move on. If, on the other hand, it would have been a gang of unruly louts banging on your car, you would not want to lose time hunting for your car keys in order to beat a hasty retreat.

[heatherfeather]

I truly don't understand what the big deal is about letting people camp in parking lots. As long as you aren't bothering anybody and not there every day, who are you really hurting?? Seems stupid to me

[UnusableFootage]

Hey I just drove from Louisiana to California completely unprepared and unorganized. This video WILL help me when we go back in a week or two.

[missysanders]

Cool subject! I am planning a trip, going through route 66, and car camping the whole way. 😁

[ScotmanUK]

Look up stealth car camping and how to blend in. Having silver reflectix on your windows draws attention.

[erikadee]

I basically do what you’re doing. I’m a truck driver. Truck stops and rest areas are great for parking and I get free showers for every 60 gallons of fuel I get. Plus I get paid to drive. You should look into getting your CDL.

[iDuLicious]

your favorite SF safeway is my local safeway. my gf and I grew up shopping there. never thought twice of ppl using it to car camp! cool to have found your channel while we're planning our own car camping trip! keep up what you're doing, we love the content & looking forward to more!

[bryc]

Bro there is a very clear reason why people don't want you to park in front of their house. As well as why it would raise suspicions Lol ... especially at night.

[ManyDoors]

I am a traveling photographer and these are great ideas! Good video, thank you!!