Stealth Camping

Gundog · Guru

Stealth Camping

Mike Harding · Guru

I have seen the same on community camp sites but only very rarely I'm pleased to say.

There is little to be done, such dishonest people will always be there.

86GTS · Guru

Yes, we've seen them occasionally.
The last one was at the little community CP at Murrayville NW Vic.
The lowest act that we've seen on our 12 years of retired travels was at Goolgowi Rest Area NSW.
We were camped overnight, a couple with a new Landcruiser towing a new 20+ft Bushtracker caravan with an ensuite pulled up before dark.
Next morning the guy got out of the caravan, took a shovel off the cars roof rack & dug a shallow hole right next to the only picnic table in the RA.
He then took a huge dump & made a half hearted effort to cover up his mess.
They pulled out, leaving a pile of sh*t covered in blowflies.
Wonderful effort!

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
I have seen the same on community camp sites but only very rarely I'm pleased to say.
There is little to be done, such dishonest people will always be there.

Like you, Mike, I have seen this happen, and I am not shy about having 'words' with these lowlifes. A photo and a report might help, but probably little would be done. On that note, the number of people who pull up in parking bays, drop their strides, do their business, finish the paperwork, throw the paper onto the ground and drive off is hard to fathom.

msg · Guru

I think the description "stealth camping" is totally different to what these lowlifes are doing. They are not stealth camping. Stealth camping more akin to those people who largly camp in non designated camping spots. They park overnight in largely legal parking spots or out of sight of passing vehicles. They are not necessarily destructive. They just park under the radar. These dishonest, filthy people being described are not necessarily stealth campers.

86GTS · Guru

We live adjacent to Port Phillip Bay, the boat launching ramp carpark near us is a popular location for people in motorhomes to stay overnight, particularly as there's a toilet block handy at the beach a few paces away.
They're stealth campers because there are signs prohibiting what they are doing but are they really causing any problems, not really.

dabbler · Guru

That's interesting 86GTS. I was listening to NSW regional radio last week and a regular guest was speaking about the lack of parking at boat ramps in the greater Sydney area and the impact on businesses like bait and tackle shops (to the point of closure for some). The issue parking spaces but availability with many locals using them a commuter parks daytime and stealth campers overnight. Sometimes when you're not affected you can't see an issue.

86GTS · Guru

dabbler wrote:
That's interesting 86GTS. I was listening to NSW regional radio last week and a regular guest was speaking about the lack of parking at boat ramps in the greater Sydney area and the impact on businesses like bait and tackle shops (to the point of closure for some). The issue parking spaces but availability with many locals using them a commuter parks daytime and stealth campers overnight. Sometimes when you're not affected you can't see an issue.

Yes I agree with you. We recently sold our boat, but in this case the overnight steath campers never got in the way when parking our rig after launching our vessel. In other locations that situation could create a problem. When we were in Tassie the boat trailer parking areas were full of caravans, all with ensuites, clustered around the toilets.

Mariner30 · Senior Member

To me, stealth camping is any camping in a spot where there is ample signage saying camping is not permitted but some folk still do it, partly because there is a nice view or has toilets handy etc etc.

Not every Council has the resources to move these people on except when they cause problems.

We live in Tassie a block from a busy boat ramp, we've never seen the carpark full of motorhomes/ caravans etc.

( and we have 5 boats, either trailer boats or in berths nearby )

deverall11 · Guru

Using the OPs original statement whereby someone is using power without paying, it is
definitely a reason to serious look at installing power meters on each site. Similar concept
to parking meters. Not only do you stop that, you also make fairer on others who will no
longer be subsidising the guy next door using the A/C all 24/7, including when they are
not there. Pay as you go. Could/should lead to cheaper powered camping sites.

yobarr · Guru

deverall11 wrote:
Using the OPs original statement whereby someone is using power without paying, it is
definitely a reason to serious look at installing power meters on each site. Similar concept
to parking meters. Not only do you stop that, you also make fairer on others who will no
longer be subsidising the guy next door using the A/C all 24/7, including when they are
not there. Pay as you go. Could/should lead to cheaper powered camping sites.

Now THAT's a good idea! How much would it cost to implement though? Cheers

woolman · Guru

The only time that I could have been included under "low life" by someone not knowing the reason were as follows. I phoned to make a booking at a caravan park advising of my 9metre length and car on tow. I did this as it was a fair drive and i wanted to be sure we could get in. When we arrived the owner said I would have to pay double "as I was higher". Other than the birds inthe trees I could see no relevance to hight. I advised I was too tired to driveback to another caravan park so we spent the night in the car park opposite the park entry. $45 was more than enough to pay let alone the $90 requested.

Neil

Mike Harding · Guru

I'd say your actions were quite reasonable Neil. We're talking about people who intentionally set out to steal and get something for nothing.

Mike Harding · Guru

The thread title is a bit of a misnomer: "Stealth Camping" is a term which has gained popularity on the internet in recent years and usually refers to individuals, often on foot, who make an overnight camp in a city park or even the middle of large traffic island! and suchlike - these people are usually harmless oddballs who simple camp on public land where camping is not permitted, they do no harm.

What this thread is concerned with is thieves.

Bobdown · Guru

I have heard of caravanners staying in a beach carpark (which states no overnight camping) from dusk onwards.

They have a few drinks and when the Ranger turns up, they say they can't drive because they are over the limit.

Or they park in an Light Industrial Area in some quiet part of town and move on before sunrise.

They are the same ones who don't pay at donation camps, all to save a few measly dollars........tightarses.

Cheers Bob

deverall11 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
deverall11 wrote:
Using the OPs original statement whereby someone is using power without paying, it is
definitely a reason to serious look at installing power meters on each site. Similar concept
to parking meters. Not only do you stop that, you also make fairer on others who will no
longer be subsidising the guy next door using the A/C all 24/7, including when they are
not there. Pay as you go. Could/should lead to cheaper powered camping sites.
Now THAT's a good idea! How much would it cost to implement though? Cheers

Obviously implementation costs would be a factor but you have to start somewhere. The increase in caravan park fees are mostly due

to the increase of power costs. Just like installing roof top solar panels. You pay for the investment upfront and you get to a point

whereby it pays for itself. We would get back on the road if we didn't have to pay the fees that are being asked now.

Aside from locking up the place, do you have a better idea to stop power theft?

Tony Bev · Guru

Gundog wrote:
To put it mildly a low down scum of the earth stuck in a caravan park after dark, parked for the night, connected power etc, only to sneak out before daylight without, thus stealing from the owner.

I hope this person is not a member of this forum.

I can only say, that of the forum members I have actually met, in person

And we are all different people, from different backgrounds

None of us would have been the person you have mentioned

msg · Guru

I don't bother to watch what other people are up to.

Mike Harding · Guru

msg wrote:
I don't bother to watch what other people are up to.

There are many with your attitude; no interest in or care for their community.

Let us hope that if one day you fall down the stairs or are attacked someone is watching out for you.

msg · Guru

How nasty

yobarr · Guru

msg wrote:
How nasty

What do you believe to be 'nasty'? Is it your attitude, or Mike's pertinent response? Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

Wanda wrote:
Mike Harding wrote:
msg wrote:
I don't bother to watch what other people are up to.
There are many with your attitude; no interest in or care for their community.
Let us hope that if one day you fall down the stairs or are attacked someone is watching out for you.
So, how is the community in your forest Mike.
Mr high and mighty who hides away in free camping spots.
No point relying on you helping out if somone does fall down the stairs or attacked in the streets, your hiding away in your forest
Thanks robin hood
Ian

-- Edited by Wanda on Sunday 19th of June 2022 07:28:22 PM

Wanda: I think you have an anger management problem... and possibly more.

Mike Harding · Guru

Wanda wrote:
Na, just a problem with how YOU respond to people
Its no wonder you live like you do
You seemed have lost any peoples skill, but then again you probably never had them
Ian

Have you considered mediation?

rgren2 · Guru

Wow, maybe some should change their username to Sandpaper.

deverall11 · Guru

How about coming up with suggestions on how you would mitigate the issue.
I put forward the introduction of meters on each site. Yobarr indicated it may
cost too much to implement with no alternate solution.
Anyone or are just going to have a school yard barney.

-- Edited by deverall11 on Monday 20th of June 2022 09:53:31 AM

rgren2 · Guru

Change the sockets on the power, rent the adapter, then refund when returned.

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Change the sockets on the power, rent the adapter, then refund when returned.

That's thinking inside the power box. I like it. smile

Gundog · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Change the sockets on the power, rent the adapter, then refund when returned. that would deter me from staying at a caravan park with that system, purely because we leave parks around 7am.

I'm not sure but I think electrical components must meet the Australian standard. I dont know how many times I've seen tight wad caravaners using light weight10amp extension cords rather proper heavy duty 15 amp cords.

Why should caravan park owners have to spend additional funds to because of theiving low lifes

-- Edited by Gundog on Monday 20th of June 2022 12:36:59 PM

rgren2 · Guru

Gundog wrote:
rgren2 wrote:
Change the sockets on the power, rent the adapter, then refund when returned. that would deter me from staying at a caravan park with that system, purely because we leave parks around 7am.
I'm not sure but I think electrical components must meet the Australian standard. I dont know how many times I've seen tight wad caravaners using light weight10amp extension cords rather proper heavy duty 15 amp cords.

Why should caravan park owners have to spend additional funds to because of theiving low lifes

-- Edited by Gundog on Monday 20th of June 2022 12:36:59 PM

To stop thieving lowlife thieving off them. There are gated parks that stop lowlife thieving off them. Same as some places are locked and you need to rent a key, you get your rent back when you return the key.

Ivan 01 · Guru

I got talking to a park manager and he explained that hiring of equipment to travellers was often just not worth the effort.

People leave with the equipment regardless of deposits charged.
They leave with gate pass cards, tv cables, hoses and power leads.

He had a boom gate installed that any tenant was given an individual PIN number and that saves the heading off with the gate card problem.

He also decided to provide tv cables to those who had booked for a longer term than a couple of nights. His theory was that they could make other arrangements for a tv lead if only for one night.

The same PIN number let you into the toilets bathrooms and laundries.

He had the phone number of a local hardware store for those without hoses and you were refunded and moved on if you did not have a sullage hose.

He got sick and tired of travellers just stealing this equipment which was supplied to help.

I could bet that there are some on here that may have stolen or least have driven off with equipment that is cheaper to buy through a deposit default than to go to the hardware or parts store.

This forum has a huge membership and I bet that some have camped under stealth both in van parks as well as on public grounds and probably even private property.

By saying this I am not pointing the finger at any individual but experience tells me that many arent as *holier than tho * in real life.

-- Edited by Ivan 01 on Monday 20th of June 2022 12:52:38 PM