Sleeping in your car...safe? Yay or nay?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Now for those on the trips, parking at legal rest areas doesn't sound that bad, to get away from the criminals, why not put some funky tattoos (washable) and get a couple of inflatable guys from adult shops and place them in your front seats with proper dressing, and hats?

Not likely to help and much more likely to attract attention from peace officers. There are very few legal rest areas that allow sleeping and since there are so many safe alternatives, it just seems unnecessary to tempt fate.

mark

[glc]

There is a HUGE difference between sleeping in a SUV and sleeping in a conversion van or small Class B motorhome. If you are looking to experience the mobile lifestyle, get the right vehicle.

[Bob Don]

Certainly sleeping in a conversion van or RV is much better. But it would look awkward and suspicious for a single man to bring a big RV everyday to work.

[glc]

I didn't say a "BIG" RV.......

[Southwest Dave]

But it would look awkward and suspicious for a single man to bring a big RV everyday to work.

I would also think that turning up to work day after day, after a period of time sleeping in a car would be a hard fact to hide. How are you going to keep clothes fresh and hung when living out of suitcases in the back of a car ? You maybe able to hide it for a short while, but I would imagine you will eventually start to look like you are 'homeless' no matter how hard you try.

Alternatively, rent someone's driveway for the nights and park the car there. If I were the owner of the house, it would make no sense if I turn down such an offer for making extra bucks.

I can honestly say that I do not know of anyone who would be willing to let someone live in a car on their driveway for "a few bucks" over an extended period of time. Anyone willing to do that would probably rent you a room of the house on the cheap

In my opinion and if you are planning on doing it long term, it's going to be a lot tougher than you could imagine. At least in a small van as suggested by glc you can have a small stove, heat water, wash and hang clothes, but even that could get old real quick.

[Lifemagician]

... but even that could get old real quick.

I'll vouch for that!!

As one who uses a conversion van for extended roadtrips (several months), there is no way I can sleep in it every single night. My nights are interspersed with nights in motels, hostels and campground cabins, as well as family and friends.

By all means, go ahead with your experiment. Maybe someone will start taking bets as to how long it will last.

Lifey

[MNSwede]

Just a FYI

All Arizona rest areas allow overnight parking. They are well lit and kept clean. I slept well in my Subaru Forester and I made my coffee on a Colman propane burner. Worked great! :)

[glc]

Only one problem with that - there are very few rest areas still open in AZ!

[Lifemagician]

I'm glad you slept well and had a good trip. However, just because AZ allow overnight parking does not make it safe. I have found a couple of other States which 'allow' it, but only FL has armed guards for your safety. The memory of having a family of four murdered at a rest area is something they don't ever want to see again. I'd rather err on the side of caution.

Lifey

[Lifemagician]

Only one problem with that - there are very few rest areas still open in AZ!

Is that anything to do with border issues?

Lifey