Modern Stealth Camping - Overnight at a Love's Truck Stop
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
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Luke is back with another adventure and this one involves his truck Drifter and a Truck Stop out of town. Luke is on a mission and together, we shall accomplish it.
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Do this every night of the week.😉 Watch out for the lot lizards.
Michael Hite Yep, lot lizards 😬🤢🤮
Recreational reptiles
Michael Hite me to brother
Loves tend to fill up too fast since their lots aren't that big.
What's a lot lizard?
This episode of TOGR brought to you by, Camping with Steve, all you needed was a "Step 2".
Hunker down
@@rabbitdadthings homeless people have been step 2ing for decades
Hunker Down!!!
moakley In my younger years I was known to hunker down and enjoy a few step twos do to lack of permanent residency myself. I lucked out and had lots of friends willing to share couch space but some times I didn’t want to feel like I was invading their space and... hunker down.
I loved the fact today someone I spoke to mentioned step 2 and hunker down here in Australia! Mr Wallis would be proud! Loving this video as well!!
“My rule is just to avoid everyone.”
Words to live by!
Great video!
Amen
Welcome to Finland
There were times when I had to live out of the back of my pickup truck for over a month. It was a 1/2 ton model with a 6 foot bed, a camper shell and an "xtra" cab that gave me about a couple of feet of space behind the front seats. I had a sheet of plywood cut so I could put it over the corrugated truck bed for sleeping. Then I put a foam pad on top of the plywood and my sleeping bag on top of that. I duct taped black plastic garbage bags to the windows for privacy, and bubble wrap to the ceiling of the shell for insulation. As it was a typical shell it did not lock from the inside. But using parachute cord and lashing the opening down I was not only able to secure it but make it feel like it was "locked" when rattled from the outside. All in all it worked out reasonably well.
Current vehicle is an SUV I might have to make some minor alterations to before I tried something like that again.
If you're going to be doing that sort of thing for any real length of time you are going to want to be able to stretch out when you sleep. I would also recommend trying to set up some sort of curtains or something so nobody can look in the vehicle and see you sleeping. Also nothing of any obvious value should be left where it can be seen.
I never had any real problems, but there were a couple of times when someone tried to open up the shell while I was inside. I simply did and said nothing, and whoever had rattled the handle went away. You need to check your laws to see which ones apply, but I had a .44 Magnum handy if anybody had tried anything serious.
As a professional truck driver, I absolutely loved pandemic traffic. No rush hour, no traffic back-ups. :)
As a long haul truck driver, I really don't think you'll find many truckers that mind anyone parking at the truck stops, after all, I believe most of us are looking forward to the day when we too can travel for fun in a motor home, camper or even in a good pickup truck. All it takes is a good truck cap on your pickup truck and you can do just about anything! You can even make it home sweet home if you want to.
Hunkering down Steve Wallis style, love it
Step two!
No crazy neighbor...
And a shower curtain...
"Everything's gonna be allllright...."
Steve Wallis is a fucking legend!
Steve's a Boss! No electric blanket for that dude. Canadian Tire doesn't carry it.
When I stay the night at a truck stop or at a Wally World I will go in and get something for breakfast. I think of it as paying a little rent for the night
It’s only polite
I buy a 99 cent Arizona tea and use the restroom.
Dang I didn't know there REALLY is a Wally World ! (from "Vacation") wow. sounds cool.
@@tinasan3870 That is what some of us call Walmart. Back in the day if you went there around 3am you will be very amused by the types of people at those stores.
@@motomuto3313 Not surprised .....have you seen some of them at 3pm ?
Love's are the best stops I know of. My wife and I stealth camped there many times in a suburban on our honeymoon. We did a road trip from Ohio to the Grand Canyon along as much of Route 66 as we could do in a quick 9 day trip. We had no set plans and slept at a lot of Love's on our trip. Great Video!
Those camping honeymoons are the best ! Especially next to a sweet clean lake or river. So much fun !
Road trips are fun when done safely and not rushed or planned to the point of being stressful.
Loves is always a great place. I’ve stayed at that one in Marion. Always good folks working there and clean showers. Coffees not bad either
Kudos to your *wife* for making all those *masks* to donate! 💜😷😷😷😷
too bad they are probably useless, not having the right materials/filters and not being medical grade
oly loly you called it lol
Yes, thanks for helping advance the cause of tyranny.
Mask = Slave.
Park4Night is a great app for car campers, I believe it has global coverage
Luke is the man. Thanks for all the great videos and keeping us updated on gear. Your videos have made me get out and start making my own. So much fun!
Congrats to your son! My daughter graduated from high school in January this year too. She worked hard and wanted to be done. Thank goodness she did! Love the videos so keep them coming.
Truck camping is a really great cheap & interesting way to keep it moving. I drove from NYC to Los Angeles in my F150 with a shell on the back, laid down 2 layers of carpet foam & a moving blanket as insulation & padding, used my camping pad & sleeping bag & was super comfortable. Kept my flashlight & P320 right next to me just in case & a Gatorade bottle for late night drainage.... Basically just did grocery store & Walmart lots, a few freeway rest stops when available. It’s definitely an experience worth trying. Great video man. 🤙🏼🇺🇸
Luke: Puts mayo on the BBQ. "It doesn't taste like BBQ!"
Me: "Dude, you put mayo on it!" :)
After the wraps, I sort of expected to see mayo on that apple pie. I woulda died!
I've been watching you videos for a while. And I love them. I love camping and the outdoors. Keep the videos coming.
My favorite sleep spot is to find a rural exit, and park on the entrance ramp to the interstate out of sight of the side road. By the time a vehicle on the interstate sees me, they are by, and gone, and the few cars heading to the interstate are on a mission to be somewhere, and pay no attention to you.
lol I saw what you did there Luke at 3.30, I do the same thing and its a very smart move....when you leave your vehicle and you are coming right back to it always crack the window enough so that you can fit your hand through it to unlock the door just in case you accidently lock your keys in the car.
Billy Blaze I was wondering why he did that
Respect to you both, Susie for making the masks and you for delivering them. My company here in the UK has ME delivering masks and gowns to the hospitals one truck of masks is about 12,000.
Nice job to you and your for donating your time and effort Luke. You guys are good people and always enjoy the vids
I've been to that Loves truck stop many times while driving for work.
Ahhhhhh Luke,
I've camped in truck stops for 35 years 😀🙃😎
Dennis from Delaware
Are you a truck driver lol
Yes I was. I'm retired now spent over 35 yrs on the road. I'll be 64 in June. Was forced to retire at 61 yrs do to a heart attack (widow maker).
Dennis from Delaware
The personal automobile is the ultimate expression of individual liberty and capitalism.
I watched almost all of your adventures videos. This is my most favourite video in your channel. Learned a lot from you how to camping in vehicle safety. Thanks. I have watched this video many many times. Great video !
As a truck driver, yes truck stops are a great place to park overnite. Just keep your 4 wheeler out of the semi stalls. On more than 1 occasion it being late at night and looking for a spot. I find one and set up for backing to find a car or van or truck at the very back of the spot. Nothing pisses me off more except for Mexico plates on rigs north of the border.
Love your video, reminded me of my trking days..
When I was driving trk, I used to like parking at night by backing in, getting back in my sleeper closing the curtains, but turning off all the lights, and just sitting back there and people watching..
Depending on which trk stop you were at, it was much more interesting/entertaining to watch them, and listen to them on the CB, than any movie!! :)
Congratulations to Lukas! That is a testament to good parenting.
Also if you back into a place with the front of the vehicle facing out it's a great way to escape in a hurry if you need to . No backing out !
truck stops are used to people sleeping in their cars over night. If you have any doubts, ask at the fuel desk, they will almost always say "go ahead."
I spent 5 years living in my car its no holiday but it has a level of freedom to it no other life offers. I miss it, strange as that might sound.
Welcome to my world.....truck driver here. Good advise on this video for staying at a truck stop. I've seen it all. And yes....I've stayed at that loves...lol.
When I was a trooper years ago we were supposed to run people off after two hours at the rest areas but I left folks alone unless they caused a problem because I saw too many fatalities due to sleepy drivers; way more than even drunk driving on our rural interstate 85.
Great topic and tips on this video. I have done this kind of sleep time so many times since I was a teen, a Marine, and even as a part of surveillance team with travel. Obviously, no travel restrictions. For food, if not a fast food grab, I would trave with some fresh foods pre sliced for sandwiches, wraps, etc in an ice chest. I likes the BBQ chips on sandwiches and wraps for the crunch, with onion, pickles or even slices of apple. I usually use a poncho liners or two and a neck pellow. I have window caps above my windows so no rain issues except where there are bugs. I'm on the tall side so cross seat is out. Usually I kick back on the front passenger seat in the recliner. For coffee time, I can brew a cup on the tail gate in just a few minutes. I something's take a walk around any complex I stay at just to see who is about before I sleep and to get some excercise. I will also buy some gas, etc if I am going to stay there as a courtesy. I also carry a gallon of tap water in the back to shock my face and retame my hair in the morning. Most of this stuff is already in my trucks trunk (hint at what brand of pickup it is). Thanks for the video. Stay safe.
Used to drive a lot for work. Vent visors make a big difference as you don't have to worry about rain.
28:32
"Head north-east." "You got it, baby"
*flustered google noises*
Used to travel to a lot of trade shows with a toy hauler. Truck stops were always my first pick. I didn't mind the gentle purring of the trucks and enough people filtering around that It seemed safer than a rest area. Stayed in a ton of rest areas anyway. At truck stops, I prefer to be in the back away from the front pumps and traffic.
I would love to see another road trip from you guys!
Just to let people know the truck stops have a lot of 12 volt appliances you can purchase coffee makers I believe there's even a pizza oven toaster ovens hot pots lunch pail. That can be plugged in and cook food head to your local truck stop like a pilot truck stop and check out all the 12 volt appliances available
Whoa! That Dewalt tire thingy was cool!
As a former truck driver, you're better off stealth camping in your car when you're near an area with alot of traffic. The employees will almost never notice you unless you try to live there permanently.
One or two nights carefully slept at a truck stop would be easy least. And there are so many different truck stops it's crazy. Alot of choices by major highway exits. Some of them even have $12 dollar showers and laundry rooms.
When we are traveling across country in the RV, we try to avoid eating fast food or the truck stops' packaged starchy, fatty foods that have a lot of chemical additives. Eating well while traveling is a real challenge and the pounds can quickly pile on if you are just sitting and driving all day and consuming fast food burgers and fries. Some truck stops do have a limited selection of fresh fruit and packaged salads available, but most do not. We prefer to make a quick stop at a supermarket for healthy alternatives to fast food when we are too tired to cook a healthy meal from scratch.
We will buy individual salads and a couple of apples or pears from the fresh produce section of a supermarket plus a small package of roasted nuts at the checkout. Alternatively, we will buy a loaf of whole wheat bread, a couple of individual size packages of Starkist tuna salad or a small package of lean sliced turkey deli meat and one small green salad and make tuna salad sandwiches or turkey sandwiches with plenty of greens on them. Dessert might be a small container of melon chunks. If we want a crunchy side to go with our sandwiches, we often choose pork rinds instead of potato chips or tortilla chips to reduce the amount of carbs in our meal. These simple moderate calorie meals cost less than the two of us eating at Denny's without a 2-for-1 coupon and are better for us than a paper bag of greasy fast food meals. We avoid sugary drinks when driving/riding all day because those just encourage weight gain. For snacks on the road when we do not have time for a lunch, it is hard to beat beef jerky, almonds or protein bars plus a bottle of plain water. One positive thing I can say about the convenience stores at truck stops is they tend to have a good selection of beef jerky and packets of nuts.
ANOTHER GOOD PLACE if you need to sleep in your vehicle over night is to find ( if you can ) a HOSPITAL PARKING LOT. A decent sized Hospital will have security patrols but if your windows are blacked out you should be just fine. The Security is only looking for the obvious ( broken windows, a fallen patient and the like ) so its just busy enough of a place but yet not too busy and if it is a decent sized hospital there will be LOTS OF VEHICLES to hide among
I’m glad I found this video. Thank you
Well, this is something new. I like it!
Thanks Red!
Be safe out there brother.
- Luke
@@TheOutdoorGearReview here in illinois you need a plate on the front as well as the back,but if i want too see your back plate ill just go back and look at it no matter if your backed in or not.
Reality check. Excellent advice. Safety, balance and avoidance are key.
I've slept in my vehicles too. You have to be very stealthy. It's good to have dark tinted windows. Look around 360 for awhile while waiting to go to bed....watch the activity. And i used to use go into a different Walmart or a different gas stations to use the #2. It's good to have 32 oz empty Gatorade bottles to pee in. You have to avoid going into the building to use a restroom because people will see you are sleeping in the vehicle. Having a power outdoors jackry is a good idea to have to charge cellphones or use the electric blanket. Or have extra blankets during the fall and winter months....it sure gets cold in the vehicle. It's good to have water and snacks prior to stealth camping. I used to change locations every night two nights. You hv to vent a window for ventilation. I was afraid to pack any firearms because if the police knocks on your window you wouldn't want to have a round in the chamber because you'll be in trouble. I was nervous tucking a firearm near my pillow. I just trusted my instincts and said a little prayer 🙏 that's what worked for me over 20 years of vehicle camping. I never had to rack my 9mm ever.... I never want to shoot no one only if my life was in total danger like if someone pointed firearm at me.
Thanks Luke for not parking in the truck lot taking a spot that a 18 wheeler need .. many people are that rude.
tip to all. it is absolutely important to be able to sleep fully stretched out to get a good night's sleep. at 5'7" i was able to do this in my Nissan versa note with a bit of seat arrangement and inflatable mat.
Good to choose a well lit area. Cover your windows with a dark material as a privacy screen if they are not tinted. I've done it for a whole week. It's good to be mobile. Don't settle for one spot. Check laws in the areas you visit.
I've drank for 29 years. Not one night did I ever pass out in them. 2017 i bought a newer mid size car and let me tell you what. I was sleeping better in the car than my own bed!. This video has been the most useful yet. Thanks!
That harbor freight parking lot is where you'll find the local racers ready to go up hwy 80 on most weekends. Awesome to see you camp so close to home Luke. Cheers
When I was younger maybe 17 18 and I wanted to get away I would go out in the country and stay a couple of days.. the place I was at was quite nobody knew where it was at it was GREAT
Where it was at?
Love quite places
I was living in Oklahoma at the time
love the video! i'm from spain and in february i made 10k miles more less through 14 states east and west coast, i rented a dodge grand caravan (really good platfrom) and havind planet fitness black menbership to be able to shower in every gym in the country thats a good tip if u like to smell good xd
Had my car break down when I was driving from Texas to NM back when I was 19. It was an old hatch back Civic, and I got towed to a Loves truck stop while I waited for a family member to meet me out there the next day. Honestly, that little car felt pretty roomy with the hatchback and the back seat folded down. I wouldn't do it all the time if I was on a long trip, but in a pinch, car sleeping isn't the worst.
Hi Luke. Thanks for all those great tips on where to park when you car camp. This is especially good for women to know. We have to be very careful when we travel alone. Luke, looks like you really didn't enjoy that so call tuna dinner, but it was better than having nothing at all huh!!..lol. How did you warm that coffee up? Or did you have it hot in a thermos already? Overall, I enjoyed the video.
Stay safe out there Luke. Strength and honor. 👍
It's always good to carry either pepper spray or a stun gun if not both. There are a lot of weirdos out there. I've never messed with me but I'm a pretty big guy
What is CS?
Here's another tip @Lady Jaay, park with the front of your vehicle facing an escape route so you can just drive away if there's an issue
Thanks for keeping it agenda free!!
That was fun. Brings memories back of day's we travelled from state to state. Staying overnight at places inbetween our destination. Fun Fun Day's. Thanks that felt good to watch 🤗😊
If you use an electric blanket find a 12v as it uses the power station more efficiently. You lose some power going through the inverter the fan is a pretty good drain.
You should try staying at a truck stop thats been closed for years. There's a bunch along route 66. I had to stay in one once because I blew a steer tire, and no one would come where I broke down that late. Whatever was out there tormented the crap out of me. Scared me so bad. I had a stage coach 12 gauge loaded with buck shot and I felt very under gunned. I gripped it so hard there is a forever hand print in the wooden handle from that night. When the tire guy showed up in the morning, I almost kissed him I was so glad to have a way out of there. I have never, ever stopped at a place like that again. I only run my steers to about 50 percent these days then sale them and buy new. I manually check the air every pre and post trip too. Not just kick them. It really effected me.
I slept in the backseat of a minivan for a a few nights. Hated every moment lol.
Shoot that's almost a hotel. I've had to sleep in the front seat of my Jeep before because of a blizzard.
Awesome Luke and Suzie
In one of your videos you were putting up a purple tent ! I'm like omg . I would love to go camping in a purple tent. Purple is my favorite color. Thanks for the videos. I watch them all.
Glad you did not park with the trucks. If a car is taking up a truck spot, they will mess with you for taking one of their spots. I am a trucker and the hardest part of my job is finding parking late at night. BTW, most truck stops are full by 10:00. Great video.
Rest stops usually say "24 hour parking only"...I sleep no more than 8 hours. I never thought we couldn't overnight at rest stops in NC. I've done it with no problem.
It's actually illegal for non-commercial drivers to sleep at a rest stop in most places, but enforcement varies. Don't try it in SoCal, they hate anyone not paying their high rents and hotel room prices so you can end up in jail (honest) and paying a big fine at the least. Actually better to sleep here in the daytime when they're not thinking about overnighters and sleeping, but that takes some getting used to. If yours is a plain common non-RV type vehicle, just move it to another area after a couple hours of shuteye and do another stretch. Only if they're using ALPR cams or have an on-site attendant will they discover your trick.
In my travels I only do a hotel room every few days; stealth-parking and camping fills in the blanks. Saves a ton of money I don't have anyway.
As someone who travels the country for work, I sleep in my pickup a lot at truck stops. Never had issues.
"kinda smells like catfood" ..LMAO !!!!
Back in August my dad and I went from VA to TX and back in basically 5 days. Love's truck stops were basically what we survived on.
We drove 3,000 miles across the country in a sedan. We slept at rest stops and truck stops in between the semis. We parked next to the same trucks sometimes, and a few of them were looking out for us on the way.
as a retired truck driver, i feel that if i never go into another loves truck stop it will be too soon. having said that, they are probably the best of the large chains. decent breakfast foods, usually a subway or some such and good coffee on a kind of hit or miss basis, mostly hit. some even have a cafeteria with semi edible food.
With all of those semi trucks all over the place it reminds me of the movie Maximum Overdrive.
This was the perfect video for me. I’m planning a road trip from Auburndale, FL to Yuba City, CA. Should be fun.
I've slept in a few rental cars when I didn't have motel fare or there were no hotels around; it sucks. But I finally bought a truck and put a camper shell on the back. Big difference. I even had a coleman propane stove so I could cook on the tailgate; kept my gear inside. Need to stay healthy so need to cook good food. I even have a mini instant pot that would work. Went to the BR outside; no problems, but now that I'm older I need a cab over for my truck and a small kitchen and tiny shower/toilet combo, or a van I could live in. Then I'm good to go. Still looking. I'm retired and have no desire to live in a house anymore. Your way for a night or two would be ok, but not for long periods of time.
I was at love's in Boston Massachusetts today went to pick up a huge bay window I left NY at 3:30 am down interstate 90 ..6 hours later I arrived got me window stopped at love's got gas pissed washed me hands got subway on the road I just got home 2 hours ago awesome trip no traffic maybe 10 cars trucks I'm loving this driving unit these Corona shit is over
If it’s busy but not to busy . You do feel safe in a way
Nice little overnighter, excellent tips, and looks like a good set up in the truck !!
I plan on taking one soon as well.
I drove cross country from utah to pa last summer and slept overnight at flying j truck stops in my car. On the way back from pa I was able to set up my hammock at truck stops, when the had trees available.
A good portable non-cook dinner is taco chips or wrap and spicy refried beans as the dip. Some grated cheese could be added. Some veges cut bite sized.
The Lemon Pepper Tuna is the BEST!!!
Great video! I would have to pack a 9 mm though. Be safe and continue with the video’s! 👍
Luke....im in VA. and the AT is shut down but most other trails are open. I just hiked Mount Pleasant and I only saw 2 other hikers all day....all trails in the George Washington National Park are open....they just ask that you maintain social distancing and don't do anything dangerous like rock climbing because the forest service may not be able to respond if you get hurt.
Glad all went snooth. Just want to say.I like the dash cam. You show us the countryside that so many may never get to see if our good ol lovely contry. Thank you and try and do more of the dash can. If you want and can
Love the video. Really inspiring. Thank you
Arizona is one of the few states that encourages drivers to sleep at rest stops. Alot of truckers use them
As long as you don't park in truck parking I have no problem with this We have enough problems with Bob tails and Local drivers park their cars to save their spots Do not park a car in truck parking
Great video Keep it up
I was surprised you did something like this. Thanks for your insights into the process.
You can olso buy some inside door locks for another layer of protection. Truckers use them. Most ta's and petros will have them. You can also make your own with a club. Or crow bar
Also, If You have a truck with a CAP over the bed big enough to sit up in AND you have a split window in your truck I have crawled through the window to the bed of the truck and slept back there. MYSELF, I can not sleep curled up in a seat or sitting upright, I have to be horizontal, but in a situation like this where you are in public you may NOT want to get out of your truck to climb into the bed to sleep if you dont have a split window. AS FOR ME I want to be able to go straight from the bed to the drivers seat IF I NEED TO LEAVE QUICKLY and not expose myself to the outside and what ever is going on out there ( BEARS, BAD GUYS, FIRE, WOLVES what ever ).
Bless your wife for the mask. They are so expensive here and I'm on ssdi and just can't afford them. But your wife is a jewel for blessing those in need of mask such as the hospitals.
I love those car camping trips brotha Luke!👏🏾
Fun fact, just to reiterate what Luke said. I was getting home in my hometown from the Navy and I was at the local bus stop and a guy asked if I wanted to buy some marijuana, for like $50 or something. So I said “I don’t even have $50” and opened my wallet to show him I only had $10 or $15 bucks he then snatched my cash out and threw the weed in my wallet and ran off IN A FLASH! I learned my lesson.
I have saved so much money car camping while traveling. Thanks for video Luke stay safe
My friend and I stop there and get coffee going to the VA, in Asheville. Good coffee Luke.
I hear their is an awesome donut shop in Asheville
Walmart parking lots have been closed for many years to overnight parking. Look for the signs on the light poles at each entrance
My cousin and I were headed to go canoeing and we left late. We ended up camping overnight in a cemetery. No problem and nobody disturbed us. Until 3:30 in the morning when we realized we had parked next to a train track. Interesting way to wake up.
There is blue stuff you can put in that bucket as well that helps with smell.
Congrats to Lucas, my good man. And stay safe, both you and your family.
Just one thing... Love's and other truck stops/travel stops are used to people spending the night in their parking lots. In fact, they like it if you get some food, snacks, and gas when you wake up, and like to get as many people as possible to use their showers and buy truck stop trinkets and gadgets.
When I was homeless for a while, many times I slept at Love's, Flying J, T/A, and others. They had diners, showers, good coffee (not great, but trucker approved). I was living in my 2002 Dodge Ram King Cab and had all my valuables like my cat and my firearms and bugout gear.
So stealth? Not really...
Well done, well done good counsels. Thank you again and the best to your wife. Good souls both of you are.