Hi Bob! Great video. I make my quilts from felted wool sweaters. It makes a wonderful "heavy layer". 3-4 man size, 100% wool sweaters, washed in hot soapy water (top load washing machine is best), then I cut it into blocks and handstitch them together. I've been living in my 14' camp trailer since 2014 and wool has been a life saver. I always purchase my wool sweaters from thrift stores! 20-25 dollars for a wool quilt? Yep. That's how I roll! From the mountains of VA to the desert in AZ, wool has been my friend! I even made wool curtains to block the cold! LOL Have a great day everyone!
In 1968, my husband took a job at his Uncle's oil pipeline service company in Soldotna, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. We left our jobs in Everett, WA with the Boeing Co. We were both working on the electrical mock up of the 747. After landing in Anchorage, we drove on a tundra dirt road for about150 miles, it was late summer/early fall. Upon arriving at our new home in the wilderness was a very forlorn looking pink and white 10 x 50 Marietta trailer. It had a gigantic propane tank and sat within a stones throw to the Keani River. And then WINTER arrived ~ ~ I have never been so COLD in my whole life, and I'm a native of WYOMING! I marvel at your stories of you living in a van and car in the temperatures I too experienced in Alaska. I also want to extend my highest admiration to you for STAYING in the same city, in such a horrific and extreme climate, where your children resided after your divorce! You are probably the most ethical human I have ever had the privilege of encountering. Thank you is not enough for all you have shared with all of us.
Love how Bob always shyly mentions his Amazon affiliate links in the end... Often tongue-in-cheek. You deserve every cent with everything you contributed to this world, Bob. Proud to use your links.
I agree. This ain’t a perfect world, and unless you’re a super expert hunter/gatherer, and an off grid bio-fuel engineer, you still gotta earn a sustainable living. As I consider reorganizing the rest of my life, it’s very appropriate to show examples of how you earn your money. I feel increasingly more comfortable with idea of adapting to a van life the more you earn a sustainable living.
Nice Video! Ihave a few additional suggestions. I use a Nalgene Bottle filled with boiled water as a hot water bottle - works great. Before putting it in my bag I make sure to shake off all water that might be in the threads or stuck to the outside of the Nalgene. Then I preheat my bed with that. But... One time I wore some long Johns with zippered ankles to sleep in and the hot water bottle sat next to those zippers and I got a burn on my leg. So be careful! Exercising before going to sleep works well too. I heat up my body before getting in bed by doing some push ups or jumping jacks for a spell to get my blood pumping - then I jump in with a pre-heated body. If I wake up in the middle of the night and I am cold I do some sit-ups/crunches in my bag and that heats me up. And lastly, if it is really cold I will eat some food before bed - ideally something fatty. Fats are like logs that burn inside our metabolic fireplaces - they burn slow and long. So, a few chunks of chocolate before bed often helps me stay warm all night - just like putting a log on the fire.
Ha haaaa. Love the physical examples in this one. Way to get in there and show us the way to do it Bob! I had no clue how bad cotton in winter was. Fleece and wool. I love fleece. Thank you!
Bob, you are such a hoot!! I do love and appreciate all the wonderful information, but you wrapped in a sleeping bag with a fleece blanket around your head and still talking just made my day!! I’m still giggling about 10 minutes later. 🤪. Cheers n Hugs to you and Kasey!
An old fashioned way to preheat your bed it to heat up some coals, place them in a metal container with a wood handle attached to it, then slide that between the covers to heat it up. I've got an antique bed warmer that was commonly used generations ago. What did you son think of the time he spent with you in the freezing cold? Get yourself chest warmers rated for 8-12 hours use. Then get hand and foot warmers rated for the same period of time. The chest and foot warmers use glue to adhere to your body. But if you're a sweater they can peel off a bit near the edge and corners. Get yourself a warm cap with tie downs, velcro or snap closure flaps that will help to secure it to your head while covering your ears, neck, face simultaneously. You can also get body length insulated coats as something to help stay warm in while sleeping. Basically look for what security guards, soldiers, or patrolman use when they have to work outside in freezing cold/wet conditions. The one big issue would be for anyone that uses a some form of PAP machine (APAP, CPAP, etc) because they are breathing in the temperature of the air around them. I'm not sure how well the heated water tanks and heated hoses are going to work in freezing conditions. They're chiefly made for normal indoor use. Not for auto dwellers, campers, etc.
Just an fyi - If you are using a down comforter or down sleeping bag, that should be on the OUTSIDE, and any blankets should be on the inside. The reason for this is that the loft of a sleeping bag is what keeps you warm. The higher the loft, the warmer you will be. Blankets, (even lightweight fleece) can compress the loft a little, (because down is so light and fluffy) and will prevent the sleeping bag from being effective. I've tested this in real life, and it can be significant. I've camped in a tent in below zero temperatures, and always put the blankets on the inside, and the down is the last thing on top.
I must say Bob. You are definitely one of my largest inspirations at this tough part of my life. Thank you so much for all you are doing to help people! I hope to meet you one day soon. In my own troubled situation and trying to find a solution to make the conversion to a full time nomad. It's the only way I can make it and your videos help keep me motivated to believing it is possible to make it...So thanks again for you being you! Sincerely, Lee
I agree! Very few people are willing to help people to the extent that Bob does, especially with the amount of flack he gets from so many! Wishing you the very best in your nomadic life, Lee! Happy trails!
He mentioned what you should sleep on but what you shouldn't sleep on to keep warm is very important. Do not use a normal blow up bed/air mattress. Without insulation the cold from the ground or just the air will go right thru them and you will be cold.
When I was in college I lived in a sorority house one year, it had a warm dormer and a cold dormer, where the windows were open all year. I opted for the cold dormer and I kept a heating pad in the foot of my bed. 20 or thirty minutes before going to bed I'd start up the heating pad to pre warm the bed, so when I got in it was warm as toast. I loved it.
The heater I like, that makes the most sense for me is a diesel air heater. Love it. No CO to worry about and no moisture, just warm air blowing just like a home furnace.
As an avid hiker, outdoors enthusiast, camper, Licensed Nurse, thank you for all you "give back" to this community. You give hope and encouragement through all your videos. Yet another great video with excellent content!!! Much respect!
Another thing, if you have a propane stove, try and find one of those cast iron lids off an old cookstove. You can put that on top of the burner and it will store some of the heat. I can't use down any more but I always use wool for warmth.
A thick layer of cardboard on the floor will help. You get a lot of the cold by having the underside of the vehicle exposed. Keep adding layers till you feel the difference.
When I was a child my mom would heat big rocks in the campfire, wrap them in a towels and put them in the bottom of our sleeping bags. It keeps you nice and warm.
having a reflective 'space blanket' under the insulated air mat is also a tip I learned...I used to have what we called string blankets when I was a kid - they were a lofty thermal knit that both breathed and served as that dry thermal air gap when you put the heavier wool blanket on top and yes, those white navy blankets were awesome!! Yes, water bottles, hand warmers, electric blanks and the like -Finally, down or down alternative and then another tight blanket on top! Great video...thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Bob! For people that don't live and sleep in the cold they may not understand. Last winner I sleep with 4 chicken coop Brooder heater because I have faulty Electric. I will be on the road full time soon and I have watch this Vid 3 time over and am learning so much from you. TY
Ah, that explains a lot. Im a side sleeper who pulls the blankets completely over my head. I try to always make a ventilated spot in front of my face that lets my breath out and fresh air in. If it collapses, I wake up drenched. I bet if I was someplace cold, i'd be freezing. Thx for the explanation. I also have memories of my mom covering me with a wool Navy blanket. (My dad served aboard the Missouri). The blanket was like a warm, heavy hug. I have several quilts, myself. Thx and stay warm! 😎
I have spent many cold nights sleeping out. I am Canadian. Balaclavas are the ticket. open face for just cold and the eye hole, mouth hole for real cold. A coolmax motorcycle balaclava is nice for just whenever to control my wild long hair too.
Many times growing up in cold country we would be without heat for a week or two before we could afford oil for the furnace. Old houses with single panes windows get freezing. Those army blankets were great. Let me say the learning curve was not steep. Thanks Bob.
Cheers Bob I am going to stop whining about having stayed home this winter and hauling wood and shoveling snow ! And I live in an adobe which foot thick earthen walls hold the heat ! I REALLY look forward to meeting you on the road next RTR ! Thank you man your an exceptional and very gifted human being.
Much appreciated, Bob! Love your many suggestions. This topic is reminiscent of my Army days. When out on bivouac, we slept on cots in a big canvas tent. Even in a down sleeping bag, I'd be shivering. A sergeant told me to take my poncho (you could use a tarp, as well), and wrap it around the outside of the sleeping bag, which will trap the body heat in. Worked like a charm! I've heard people make mention that it also traps moisture in, but I never experienced that issue. peace..
Used a -20 bag and a couple electric hand warmers in the bag, a tuque all on a hammock in - 20 weather (outdoors!) for a few weeks! Fit in a backpack, with food and a bio lite, super comfy, best experimental experience of my life :)
My single wide has been the miserable coldest place I have lived. It radiates cold from all directions. Warmth has been a $2 mylar sheet under my bedding. Nothing beats it. I have a down mattress and comforter from prior to the mylar sheet. Next winter... partially underground tiny house!
Cody dog in the bed will keep you warm also. In extreme cold, I always cover my face with a sheet or felt blanket like you have. I used those throwaway hand warmers winter camping in MI and worked better than expected. I wrapped my dog in a fleece blanket and use one of those hand warmers under him for sleeping, Most of the time I just put him under the covers with me.
When I went winter camping in the BWCA in northern MN we learned from our guide: Go pee if you have to!, dont wait, it takes body heat to warm that water inside you.. and if your feet are cold at night, eat chocolate candy bars. It works! Also, my Dad said in the army they taught them to sleep naked inside the sleeping bags, I think it had to do with moisture trapping in your clothes can make you colder. During the day if the sun is out, air out the sleeping bags, they hold moisture too. Great info Bob, thanks!
7 liter utampos are great, from Japan, the best I have found are from Japanese Hardware store, Soko Hardware in San Francisco. Fill them up with hot water, and they will be warm most of the night. Fill them with boiling water, put it under a pillow to radiate heat to you slowly, and keep them covered, they will be warm in 24 hours. They come with a quilted cover.
As an Aussie I know how to keep cool, but this (and part 1) are why I listen to people from the Northern Hemisphere when it comes to keeping warm. The coldest my country has ever been was - 7.5 F in the middle of a winter night, in the mountains -- and I don't live there. Of course, we can also get 150 (in the sun), where I do live.
Bob, you know so many things. I don’t mean just about keeping warm in extreme cold, just in general. It struck me anew while watching this one. So much good information, thank you.
Nalgene bottles can be filled with hot water to warm up sleeping bags. This is convenient and economical because it is something many of us have on hand already. Put it in a sock if you want a cozier feel. Creativity RV recently talked about silicon fluid filled hot "water" bottles that can be plugged in and reheated. They require electricity but retain heat for a long time. I got one and really like it! (available on Amazon.)
I have a 15F Hyke & Byke, I use it as a top quilt when it's below freezing. The foot box fits over the bottom of my Kelty 5F, so I sleep in/on the Kelty and can zip or unzip it while the Hyke & Byke pretty much stays in place on top. Because I sleep in a hammock and hammocks are relatively affordable, I have two hammocks with a down comforter and foam pad sandwiched in between to keep my body heat from escaping. To keep my face from freezing, I toss a big blanket over a ridge line. The blanket does absorb moisture but it's easy to wash & dry. While I might fall asleep zipped up, wearing thick socks and a hood pulled up over my head, before too long the Kelty is unzipped enough to allow freedom of movement, my hood is down and the socks have been ejected. I think I must heat up the van a little because getting up to pee isn't terrible but I don't waste any time getting back into my warm nest... Thanks for all your warm advice
Heated rocks work really well, but don''t use river rock that has the possibility of a water pocket. Not a pleasant experience during the heating process.
Raising my kids in Alaska I made our pants out of those old army blankets LOL they were very warm and inexpensive. I really love KCs sleeping bag, mine is ultra light weight and 20 degrees which i need for backpacking but for my van that would be so awesome, roomy and a top zipper! Wow, I am going to have to get one, Im in 6 degree temps at night. Great video Bob!
This is really a coincidence! I have an REI pad in the same color in the extra width. We've had a few very low temp nights here in the Carolinas so far for this winter. I placed a shiny 'survivor blanket' under my queen bed mattress on top of the plywood in my motor home. Unfortunately it left black residue (like graphite) on my mattress underside, even though it blocked the cold air. So, I placed my REI pad under the bottom flannel 'sheet' and it WAS warm and felt great! I opened the end valves before bed so it would inflate a bit more. I've had the mat about 8 years and it still stays inflated. Thanks for sharing that and reaffirming how well it works!
Great advice Bob ! Thanks for sharing brother. Slowly converting my 1992 gmc vandura high top to a livable camper van. Hope to see you on the road someday.
I bought a 3 by 3 foot electric blanket that runs off a USB rechargable battery pack similar to the ones used to recharge a phone. The reviews l saw on TH-cam said it will last 7 hours on low. I also dislike mummy bags so l bought a rectanglular down bag with a drawstring on the top to capture heat.
As a kid we always had houses that the upstairs where our bedrooms were, were never heater. A glass of water on the windowsill would be frozen by morning and sometimes even one on the bed stand would be frozen too. If it wasn't frozen it'd at least have ice in it. Anyway through that I agree with you, yes you sleep with a couple layers of close on. How I kept a hat on was with my hoodie...which was actually a third layer on my upper body. Put the hat on the tie the hoodie hood pretty snug around your face with just your nose and mouth out of it. Sometimes though that hat would make me itchy so I'd just deal with it without the hat. We had some of those wool army blankets too, as my dad was a Korean war vet. Usually sense my room was always the one upstairs, cause I valued my privacy so much I usually laid claim to my dads old army parka too and that sucker was really warm by itself...and heavy. He was stationed in Alaska though too for part of his military career so he knew about cold too. Anyway yes very good video and you said much of stuff I already knew, but still very good for those who may not know. Plus now when I try to tell my kids or grandkids how to stay warm I can say and see this guy says it too haha. I love the looks of that sleeping bag too btw. I can never find ones that I like so this one looks like one that might pass my test
A balaclava either fleece or down also works and will stay on your head as well as the ski face masks with nostril holes... just some more options to consider, especially if you don’t have a mummy bag for your head.
Great video- FYI- acrylic fleece is nothing but plastic- use a wool blanket or even a thrift store wool sweater to cover your face. Wool wicks away water, stays warm when wet and is breatheable. Plus it is a sustainable product. Do not use acrylic it has very little ability to keep you warm.
If you're really cold and broke check out op shops for old woolen blankets. They are often better quality than new ones. Put one under your sheets to help keep you warm it really works, wool keeps you warm even if it's damp. And it doesn't get as compressed like the loft in sleeping bags. Then if you find more layer them on top of you.
I have bought several Very Cheap sheepskins for me and my little dog. We lay on them and then I use a sleepingbag -17°C as a cover for us. She don't like to freeze but she don't like hot either, and so am I. My car (working van Opel Vivaro 2015) were not insulated for 6 month Winther so we stayed on somebody's coach October until March this year. The insulation is not ready yet, because I had to stand outside and it has been raining or very chilly and the glue had it's working temperature. But SOON I can go on AND figure out What in Earth I should keep of all stuff in one of my son's cellar... and in my old camper I don't use This is my 3 vehicle in 3 year - NOW I hope it last - it is Expensive to buy "new" every year 😢 I live in middle of Sweden and are fulltime working a couple of years Thanks for your videos 💖
Wool blankets are heavy (need to layer a few to keep warm in freezing temps)...one more thing to rob gas mileage. A down blanket (quilt) is usually less than 2 lbs...and you only need one. Also, I've been sleeping on a foam pad in mid-30(F) temps and it works fine. Love sleeping in my fleece beanie...but i'm bald, so it's a requirement.
I own several 100% wool blankets and they're all at least 4 pounds, each. It takes 3 of them to keep me warm, even in the 30s(F). My 2 pound down bag (which i unzip as a blanket) does the same job as all 3 wool blankets put together...and could probably take me into the 20s, comfortably.
Informative video Bob. On the hot water bottle use...my wife & I put two into a foldable solar oven. Even on an overcast day we see temps around 150f which heats the bottles up nicely.
Seedling mats. They use 40 watts per hr. I use them to keep my indoor water pump (that lives outside in a cooler) from freezing. It gets really warm in that cooler. So I'd trust them as heating matts for the bed.
I love your channel! Thank you for all the advice you provide here. We live in a travel trailer in new England and have been using a kerosene heater since spring 2015. We tried propane first in 2013 but it was to expensive, stank horrible every time a tank went low, and you had to go outside to switch tanks no matter the weather. Propane left us freezing with a hot ceiling, excessive moisture, and bad air quality. We were originally completely off grid but now have some electricity so we keep electric heaters for temp control when the kerosene is off because I need to keep my house plants and pets from freezing. I'll always keep a kerosene heater for emergencies but am looking into replacing it with something that can run on diesel or ethanol so that bio fuels are an option. My preference is for woodburnig stoves as a primary heat source and electric oil filled radiators to kick on if the fire is out. I had a custom van stove for my last trailer but it's to small so putting in a regular small wood stove that will actually fit normal sized logs in my next one. You want multiple small kerosene heaters because you can always turn an other one on but there's only one temp setting and it's hot so don't go to big or you'll have to leave the winow or vent open and be paying for wasted fuel. My nice trailer was destroyed so we now have an oversized dump and don't want to or have any money to sink into it but insulation makes a world of a difference and my next mobile home will be a maximum of 24' and insulated well. We have never been cold while using kerosene or a wood stove but you have to keep an eye on them and refuel regularly the hardest part is finding a gas station with kerosene pump which is why I'm gonna look in diesel soon. Our insulated room stays warm and I'm insulating one more room to last until we downsize because without insulation trailers loose heat within minutes but with kerosene burning we stay plenty warm even when it's negative outside
@@briannab5296 thanks. I keep reading about those in the comments here, and they seem to have all good reviews. I haven't seen a video or done any research yet but it's something I'm considering buying before next winter.
omg bob you are so great. i love that you are willing to show it all so there's NO doubt what you are talking about. and getting into the hammock bag. you are SOO right about the old style sleeping bag zippers being on the side and being so insanely acrobatically difficult to close up. ugh. when you talked about not burying head into the sleeping bag - great info btw - i didnt know all that - it was so funny. i think i have just had a horrible stinker of a day that your video just got me laughing out loud. literally. so thank you. thank you for going thru the trouble of trying things and explaining things. when i do vanlife, i will get one of those hyke/byke thingies. btw have you done a tour of KCs (spelling?) can/rig? i'm sure she has some cool tips to share. thank you
I slept at -40 with no heat just turn the heat on in the morning nothing better than a nice wool blanket and a down sleeping bag if the feathers are not coming out
Great 2 vids. I certainly hope & pray, I don't ever experience really cold nights again. Growing up in the North was fun as a child. Adult not so much fun with shoveling & driving in ice/snow combo....uugghhh!!! Love "palm tree" living with central AC too. Love in Sarasota ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
About air mattresses, I've never had an air mattress hold air. Sure, when it is new, but do you open the valve every morning? Go from a few hundred feet elevation to 4,000 ft. Elevation... Take I 5 from Redding to the Summit North, forget to open your valve, so it pressurizes. Your air mattress will leak. They talk of 3 dog nights, I have experienced 3 fill-up nights, waking to blow air into my mattress.
I've also found, since I sleep in clothes during the winter, that sleeping in a hoodie w/ drawstrings works in place of wearing a hat and moves with me more consistently than when I tried sleeping with a blanket covering part of my face ...
I enjoy your videos very much and like to get all that info you've about your experiences on traveling. My way to travel is a motorcycle and in this video you hit the nail right on the head with the info on the Hyke & Byke sleeping bag.I have one question since I also don't like mummy bags.I would like to know what size your assistant bought ( short, regular or long) since I like to have some room to move around,I'm 5'6''. Thanks in advance and keep posting those great videos.
Thank you Bob for setting it straight. Presently I have a cargo van. I planned to be in Az. At this time but had to wait to get some extras installed on my van. I'm in the northeast (Va.) In the mountain area (Blue ridge) it is freezing at night but somehow I manage to survive. The extras I'm waiting to have installed in include solar power. I wanted to gave it done in Az. But knowing how many people will Be lined up to get their Van build out on I thought it be best to have the work done before leaving for Az. Your recommendations for staying warm are essential to me and Many others. The booties are a game changer and the Columbia down jacket is a must have. I own several down jackets, all by the same premier manufacturer. They work very well but are dressy to a degree. I love the booties. I can't breath propane, or any type of fuel for heat so I use tea candles and clay pots inverted over candles. This method also irritates my throat, nose and ear, possibly because tea candles are manufactured from petroleum. I have a floor heating element that is used is homes to heat the floors. I am hoping to have it installed in one of the side walls in my empty cargo van. I think a box with a tile front will work. I don't want to put it on the floor and take the chance of heating or disrupting a fuel line or somehow breaking the tile over top. Once my solar power is installed I will have other opportunities to explore. My first choice will be to turn the key and drive away. YIPPEEEEEEEE.
Hello, i just saw..on video a camper who made with a Friend a very warm cozy tent like the Indians made to sweat ...so he put several layers ..on top of the wooden tree frame ...a layer of duvet and a rainproof tarp and they dug in the ground a fairly deep hole in the middle of the tent ground...where they put very hot rocks they heated in the camp fire ..just before sleeping ...it was even too hot in there and outside it was verryyy cold don’t know how much below zero c but very cold...so i was thinking if it gets really cold ..and you are at a place where you can do a camp fire..and you have several rocks ..you could do the same ..and put them in a dutch oven ... in the van ...could be a tip ...
Bob, I am a side sleeper and move around alot at night too. I would recommend bed socks, balaclava, poly-pro underwear, fleece track suit and a wool or fleece muffler. All my bags are synthetic fiber fill side zipper models that i always twist around so the zipper is on my backside. LOL
I agree with the SIDE ZIP sleeping bags. I'm not sure how but I always figure out how to get lost on the wrong side in the middle of the night having to rush to pee & can't find the zipper. I found a pretty GREAT double sleeping bag at TJ MAXX. That place, Marshals and HomeGoods tend to have some GREAT high end finds for outdoor gear. Just have to keep your eyes open and take your time on a lazy Saturday. Also SierraTradingPost dotz coms has awesome base layer gear!!!! I always collect blankets on international flights.
If it's of help to anyone, I've found sleeping in clothes helpful for both backpacking and other applications. You don't lose the heat in taking the clothes off before going to bed and you don't stand there shivering in the morning after getting out of your sleeping covers and waiting to put on cold clothes (helps to sleep in what you plan to use in the morning - also just saves time)
Great videos, Bob; thank you!🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻 We too have lived in both Alaska and Yukon Territory (even through 1995, which was the coldest winter on record at that time) and also in Scotland’s North - every bit as cold! Brrr! This week it’s 40 below here (before wind chill, so it can *feel* as low as 60 below), and apparently it’s not going to warm up any time soon.🙁 We do have a 40 below down ‘WOODS’ sleeping bag (well, actually two of ‘em zipped together), and while not at all inexpensive ($600 CAD + tax each), they’re wonderfully warm to sleeping in, and they’ll last longer than we will, so we felt (and feel) that they were an excellent investment. Canadian Tire carries them here, but I believe they’re available in the States, and quite possibly from Amazon. We wouldn’t voluntarily trade ours for anything else! We don’t need to sleep in our sleeping bags in the summer (we really only have two seasons here - a seven-month winter and a five-month period that tries its best to resemble summer, but temps can still drop below zero at night, even in July). We just use a couple of duvets then - one down and one synthetic. They (our sleeping bags) each have a unique feature (or one that I’ve not seen anywhere else), which is a separate zipper that runs across the top of each bag, which in effect creates a ‘pocket’ that is the same size as the (huge) sleeping bag, so it’s easy to add a heavy duty, King-sized down duvet to the (top) bag, and whatever’s your pleasure to the same zippered pocket underneath, whether that be an air mattress, as you suggested, or anything else that works for you. Because of hip and spinal injuries, I have to sleep on 4”-high ROHO medical cushions (unless I want to wake up screaming - BTDT😱), and there’s plenty of room in our King-sized bags to accommodate them. We fill up any air space with easily washed, $6 synthetic ‘WalMart’ pillows, a trick I learned as a child growing up in Scotland. Living in a 28’ Class A motor home (necessary for concert touring), I’m afraid we do the unthinkable in many people’s eyes. We run our Big Buddy heater (we have two - one is a backup) 24/7 on high, and we’ve found that necessary in winter here. We keep a 20 lb propane tank inside our rig, and we’re meticulous about safe operation, cleaning, and proper ventilation. They’ve served us well for two years and we haven’t had any mishaps yet.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I’d rather not use propane at all, and I certainly don’t want the tank inside, but we’ve tried everything else and nothing seems to work sufficiently well, so we’re operating on diligence and (most of all) prayers. We tried to keep the tank outside the RV, which worked pretty well until the temps dropped quite a bit below zero, at which point everything outside simply froze. We wrapped everything in Creation around the top of the tank, and along the hose, but nothing stopped the whole apparatus from freezing. (We check our connections and hose several times a day, and we replace our hose every winter season.) Sigh.... We too choose to sleep in layered clothing in wintertime, which keeps us toasty warm and our sleeping bags clean. Since I pretty much live either on our mattress or on stage, we cover our sleeping bags with a large synthetic comforter, which we wash once a week. It works for us. During the day, we each wear extra clothing layers. Brian likes Thermal underclothing, tee shirts, and hoodies, and warm socks and slippers, of course. I hate feeling restricted by clothing, so I wear a tank top, tee shirt, and a Nepalese or Icelandic sweater - they’re deliciously warm and they give me an excuse to visit Iceland now and then. (Brian buys all his sweaters there too.) It’s possible, I think, to acquire them through the mail. Again, they’re not cheap, but they last ‘forever,’ so ultimately I doubt that they cost any more than people are repeatedly obliged to spend at WalMart. (I’ve had my favourite and most frequently worn Nepalese sweater for almost 30 years, and it still looks new. It cost me $500 CAD, and until this frigid winter, I haven’t needed to wear a winter coat in all that time, and I live in the mountains in Canada.) Unfortunately, Maunder Minimums or ‘Mini Ice Ages’ have a way of rearranging one’s priorities and needs. The last one (apex 1645-1715) killed 25% of the global population, and this one’s expected to do far worse, with an 85% reduction in Earth’s population by the end of 2024. Charming!🙄 But most will die because they’re unprepared. *Please* inform yourselves! (Check out Ice Age Farmer, and Adapt 2030 on TH-cam, and read John Casey’s books ‘Dark Winter’ and ‘Upheaval.’) I’ll link to the outer garments that we’ve chosen below. The TH-cam vids are well worth watching. th-cam.com/video/610RUGtsNEI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/HFj8Ab_5B2A/w-d-xo.html Love and All Good Things, Jesse.🌹
I also grew up with heavy wool blankets. The weight was very comforting. My husband and I also like regular covers when we’re in our tent. No trailer yet...
Don't think there's nothing you wouldn't do Bob to help people, that's why I love ya like so many of us do!!! p.s. claustrophobic, Hate sleeping bags!!...Something that people don't think about is an RV being cold. I think that would be a great video!! I know when I get something I'll be traveling to KY to see my kids in the winter time Nov-Feb are the cold months but at least I'll have the holidays/birthdays covered lol... besides I'm sure I'm not the only Easterner ;)
Hello. Big fan. Have you made a video about good tv mounts for van life? If not can you make one? I wanna put a tv in my van but scared that a bump will break the tv. What’s your suggestion???? Thanks!
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Hi Bob! Great video. I make my quilts from felted wool sweaters. It makes a wonderful "heavy layer".
3-4 man size, 100% wool sweaters, washed in hot soapy water (top load washing machine is best), then I cut it into blocks and handstitch them together.
I've been living in my 14' camp trailer since 2014 and wool has been a life saver. I always purchase my wool sweaters from thrift stores! 20-25 dollars for a wool quilt? Yep. That's how I roll! From the mountains of VA to the desert in AZ, wool has been my friend! I even made wool curtains to block the cold! LOL
Have a great day everyone!
Fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing, Betty 💐
In 1968, my husband took a job at his Uncle's oil pipeline service company in Soldotna, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. We left our jobs in Everett, WA with the Boeing Co. We were both working on the electrical mock up of the 747. After landing in Anchorage, we drove on a tundra dirt road for about150 miles, it was late summer/early fall. Upon arriving at our new home in the wilderness was a very forlorn looking pink and white 10 x 50 Marietta trailer. It had a gigantic propane tank and sat within a stones throw to the Keani River. And then WINTER arrived ~ ~ I have never been so COLD in my whole life, and I'm a native of WYOMING! I marvel at your stories of you living in a van and car in the temperatures I too experienced in Alaska. I also want to extend my highest admiration to you for STAYING in the same city, in such a horrific and extreme climate, where your children resided after your divorce! You are probably the most ethical human I have ever had the privilege of encountering. Thank you is not enough for all you have shared with all of us.
Love how Bob always shyly mentions his Amazon affiliate links in the end... Often tongue-in-cheek. You deserve every cent with everything you contributed to this world, Bob. Proud to use your links.
I agree. This ain’t a perfect world, and unless you’re a super expert hunter/gatherer, and an off grid bio-fuel engineer, you still gotta earn a sustainable living. As I consider reorganizing the rest of my life, it’s very appropriate to show examples of how you earn your money. I feel increasingly more comfortable with idea of adapting to a van life the more you earn a sustainable living.
Nice Video! Ihave a few additional suggestions. I use a Nalgene Bottle filled with boiled water as a hot water bottle - works great. Before putting it in my bag I make sure to shake off all water that might be in the threads or stuck to the outside of the Nalgene. Then I preheat my bed with that. But... One time I wore some long Johns with zippered ankles to sleep in and the hot water bottle sat next to those zippers and I got a burn on my leg. So be careful! Exercising before going to sleep works well too. I heat up my body before getting in bed by doing some push ups or jumping jacks for a spell to get my blood pumping - then I jump in with a pre-heated body. If I wake up in the middle of the night and I am cold I do some sit-ups/crunches in my bag and that heats me up. And lastly, if it is really cold I will eat some food before bed - ideally something fatty. Fats are like logs that burn inside our metabolic fireplaces - they burn slow and long. So, a few chunks of chocolate before bed often helps me stay warm all night - just like putting a log on the fire.
Ha haaaa. Love the physical examples in this one. Way to get in there and show us the way to do it Bob! I had no clue how bad cotton in winter was. Fleece and wool. I love fleece. Thank you!
Bob, you are such a hoot!! I do love and appreciate all the wonderful information, but you wrapped in a sleeping bag with a fleece blanket around your head and still talking just made my day!! I’m still giggling about 10 minutes later. 🤪. Cheers n Hugs to you and Kasey!
An old fashioned way to preheat your bed it to heat up some coals, place them in a metal container with a wood handle attached to it, then slide that between the covers to heat it up. I've got an antique bed warmer that was commonly used generations ago. What did you son think of the time he spent with you in the freezing cold?
Get yourself chest warmers rated for 8-12 hours use. Then get hand and foot warmers rated for the same period of time. The chest and foot warmers use glue to adhere to your body. But if you're a sweater they can peel off a bit near the edge and corners. Get yourself a warm cap with tie downs, velcro or snap closure flaps that will help to secure it to your head while covering your ears, neck, face simultaneously. You can also get body length insulated coats as something to help stay warm in while sleeping. Basically look for what security guards, soldiers, or patrolman use when they have to work outside in freezing cold/wet conditions. The one big issue would be for anyone that uses a some form of PAP machine (APAP, CPAP, etc) because they are breathing in the temperature of the air around them. I'm not sure how well the heated water tanks and heated hoses are going to work in freezing conditions. They're chiefly made for normal indoor use. Not for auto dwellers, campers, etc.
Just an fyi - If you are using a down comforter or down sleeping bag, that should be on the OUTSIDE, and any blankets should be on the inside. The reason for this is that the loft of a sleeping bag is what keeps you warm. The higher the loft, the warmer you will be. Blankets, (even lightweight fleece) can compress the loft a little, (because down is so light and fluffy) and will prevent the sleeping bag from being effective. I've tested this in real life, and it can be significant. I've camped in a tent in below zero temperatures, and always put the blankets on the inside, and the down is the last thing on top.
I must say Bob. You are definitely one of my largest inspirations at this tough part of my life. Thank you so much for all you are doing to help people! I hope to meet you one day soon. In my own troubled situation and trying to find a solution to make the conversion to a full time nomad. It's the only way I can make it and your videos help keep me motivated to believing it is possible to make it...So thanks again for you being you! Sincerely, Lee
I agree! Very few people are willing to help people to the extent that Bob does, especially with the amount of flack he gets from so many! Wishing you the very best in your nomadic life, Lee! Happy trails!
He gives hope & encouragement, that it can be done...and we are not alone❤
He mentioned what you should sleep on but what you shouldn't sleep on to keep warm is very important. Do not use a normal blow up bed/air mattress. Without insulation the cold from the ground or just the air will go right thru them and you will be cold.
When I was in college I lived in a sorority house one year, it had a warm dormer and a cold dormer, where the windows were open all year. I opted for the cold dormer and I kept a heating pad in the foot of my bed. 20 or thirty minutes before going to bed I'd start up the heating pad to pre warm the bed, so when I got in it was warm as toast. I loved it.
The heater I like, that makes the most sense for me is a diesel air heater. Love it. No CO to worry about and no moisture, just warm air blowing just like a home furnace.
As an avid hiker, outdoors enthusiast, camper, Licensed Nurse, thank you for all you "give back" to this community. You give hope and encouragement through all your videos. Yet another great video with excellent content!!! Much respect!
Thank you so much, I was so cold at night not understanding I was only wearing cotton clothing inside my sleeping bag.
Another thing, if you have a propane stove, try and find one of those cast iron lids off an old cookstove. You can put that on top of the burner and it will store some of the heat. I can't use down any more but I always use wool for warmth.
A wealth of information especially for those of us who are confused about the topic.
Stay warm my friends , don't forget to keep you head warm !
Hate the cold. That's why there's wheels on my rig. Thanks Bob.
You are correct. That's why they invented the wheel, to move things.😀🌴
A thick layer of cardboard on the floor will help. You get a lot of the cold by having the underside of the vehicle exposed. Keep adding layers till you feel the difference.
When I was a child my mom would heat big rocks in the campfire, wrap them in a towels and put them in the bottom of our sleeping bags. It keeps you nice and warm.
having a reflective 'space blanket' under the insulated air mat is also a tip I learned...I used to have what we called string blankets when I was a kid - they were a lofty thermal knit that both breathed and served as that dry thermal air gap when you put the heavier wool blanket on top and yes, those white navy blankets were awesome!! Yes, water bottles, hand warmers, electric blanks and the like -Finally, down or down alternative and then another tight blanket on top! Great video...thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Bob! For people that don't live and sleep in the cold they may not understand. Last winner I sleep with 4 chicken coop Brooder heater because I have faulty Electric. I will be on the road full time soon and I have watch this Vid 3 time over and am learning so much from you. TY
Infinite gratitude for posting this video.
Ah, that explains a lot. Im a side sleeper who pulls the blankets completely over my head. I try to always make a ventilated spot in front of my face that lets my breath out and fresh air in. If it collapses, I wake up drenched. I bet if I was someplace cold, i'd be freezing. Thx for the explanation. I also have memories of my mom covering me with a wool Navy blanket. (My dad served aboard the Missouri). The blanket was like a warm, heavy hug. I have several quilts, myself. Thx and stay warm! 😎
Oh good now we know how to stay warm in below - freezing temps. thanks Bob..
I have spent many cold nights sleeping out. I am Canadian. Balaclavas are the ticket. open face for just cold and the eye hole, mouth hole for real cold. A coolmax motorcycle balaclava is nice for just whenever to control my wild long hair too.
Many times growing up in cold country we would be without heat for a week or two before we could afford oil for the furnace. Old houses with single panes windows get freezing. Those army blankets were great. Let me say the learning curve was not steep. Thanks Bob.
Cheers Bob I am going to stop whining about having stayed home this winter and hauling wood and shoveling snow ! And I live in an adobe which foot thick earthen walls hold the heat ! I REALLY look forward to meeting you on the road next RTR ! Thank you man your an exceptional and very gifted human being.
Much appreciated, Bob! Love your many suggestions. This topic is reminiscent of my Army days. When out on bivouac, we slept on cots in a big canvas tent. Even in a down sleeping bag, I'd be shivering. A sergeant told me to take my poncho (you could use a tarp, as well), and wrap it around the outside of the sleeping bag, which will trap the body heat in. Worked like a charm! I've heard people make mention that it also traps moisture in, but I never experienced that issue. peace..
Used a -20 bag and a couple electric hand warmers in the bag, a tuque all on a hammock in - 20 weather (outdoors!) for a few weeks! Fit in a backpack, with food and a bio lite, super comfy, best experimental experience of my life :)
My single wide has been the miserable coldest place I have lived. It radiates cold from all directions. Warmth has been a $2 mylar sheet under my bedding. Nothing beats it. I have a down mattress and comforter from prior to the mylar sheet.
Next winter... partially underground tiny house!
Mylar sheet! That's Brilliant!! Thx
Cody dog in the bed will keep you warm also. In extreme cold, I always cover my face with a sheet or felt blanket like you have. I used those throwaway hand warmers winter camping in MI and worked better than expected. I wrapped my dog in a fleece blanket and use one of those hand warmers under him for sleeping, Most of the time I just put him under the covers with me.
You're the best Bob! Thank you! 😊👍🏼
When I went winter camping in the BWCA in northern MN we learned from our guide: Go pee if you have to!, dont wait, it takes body heat to warm that water inside you.. and if your feet are cold at night, eat chocolate candy bars. It works! Also, my Dad said in the army they taught them to sleep naked inside the sleeping bags, I think it had to do with moisture trapping in your clothes can make you colder. During the day if the sun is out, air out the sleeping bags, they hold moisture too. Great info Bob, thanks!
Bob, I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate this video!!
I can't sleep with a hat on either so I wear a balaclava when I'm hammock or tent camping. Great coverage on an important topic. Thanks, Bob!
7 liter utampos are great, from Japan, the best I have found are from Japanese Hardware store, Soko Hardware in San Francisco. Fill them up with hot water, and they will be warm most of the night. Fill them with boiling water, put it under a pillow to radiate heat to you slowly, and keep them covered, they will be warm in 24 hours. They come with a quilted cover.
As an Aussie I know how to keep cool, but this (and part 1) are why I listen to people from the Northern Hemisphere when it comes to keeping warm.
The coldest my country has ever been was - 7.5 F in the middle of a winter night, in the mountains -- and I don't live there. Of course, we can also get 150 (in the sun), where I do live.
Bob, you know so many things. I don’t mean just about keeping warm in extreme cold, just in general. It struck me anew while watching this one. So much good information, thank you.
Nalgene bottles can be filled with hot water to warm up sleeping bags. This is convenient and economical because it is something many of us have on hand already. Put it in a sock if you want a cozier feel. Creativity RV recently talked about silicon fluid filled hot "water" bottles that can be plugged in and reheated. They require electricity but retain heat for a long time. I got one and really like it! (available on Amazon.)
I have a 15F Hyke & Byke, I use it as a top quilt when it's below freezing. The foot box fits over the bottom of my Kelty 5F, so I sleep in/on the Kelty and can zip or unzip it while the Hyke & Byke pretty much stays in place on top. Because I sleep in a hammock and hammocks are relatively affordable, I have two hammocks with a down comforter and foam pad sandwiched in between to keep my body heat from escaping. To keep my face from freezing, I toss a big blanket over a ridge line. The blanket does absorb moisture but it's easy to wash & dry. While I might fall asleep zipped up, wearing thick socks and a hood pulled up over my head, before too long the Kelty is unzipped enough to allow freedom of movement, my hood is down and the socks have been ejected. I think I must heat up the van a little because getting up to pee isn't terrible but I don't waste any time getting back into my warm nest... Thanks for all your warm advice
wear a 3/4 length parka for best warmth , as for that sleeping bag , I would choose extra large for movements ,, because I toss and turn during sleep,
My mother said they used to heat rocks and put them into their beds in the winter to help keep their feet warm.
Heated rocks work really well, but don''t use river rock that has the possibility of a water pocket. Not a pleasant experience during the heating process.
I'm using sky clothing and a thick blanket , so far it's working for me.
Raising my kids in Alaska I made our pants out of those old army blankets LOL they were very warm and inexpensive. I really love KCs sleeping bag, mine is ultra light weight and 20 degrees which i need for backpacking but for my van that would be so awesome, roomy and a top zipper! Wow, I am going to have to get one, Im in 6 degree temps at night. Great video Bob!
I am paying attention...I live in Calgary,Canada.Right now it has warmed up to a balmy -16.Heading for Van life despite that. Cheers Bob!
I have no intention on being in weather that cold, however, once I am out there I want to be prepared! Thank you so much!
This is really a coincidence! I have an REI pad in the same color in the extra width. We've had a few very low temp nights here in the Carolinas so far for this winter. I placed a shiny 'survivor blanket' under my queen bed mattress on top of the plywood in my motor home. Unfortunately it left black residue (like graphite) on my mattress underside, even though it blocked the cold air. So, I placed my REI pad under the bottom flannel 'sheet' and it WAS warm and felt great! I opened the end valves before bed so it would inflate a bit more. I've had the mat about 8 years and it still stays inflated. Thanks for sharing that and reaffirming how well it works!
Another great video! Thank you so much Bob!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great advice Bob ! Thanks for sharing brother. Slowly converting my 1992 gmc vandura high top to a livable camper van. Hope to see you on the road someday.
I bought a 3 by 3 foot electric blanket that runs off a USB rechargable battery pack similar to the ones used to recharge a phone. The reviews l saw on TH-cam said it will last 7 hours on low. I also dislike mummy bags so l bought a rectanglular down bag with a drawstring on the top to capture heat.
As a kid we always had houses that the upstairs where our bedrooms were, were never heater. A glass of water on the windowsill would be frozen by morning and sometimes even one on the bed stand would be frozen too. If it wasn't frozen it'd at least have ice in it. Anyway through that I agree with you, yes you sleep with a couple layers of close on. How I kept a hat on was with my hoodie...which was actually a third layer on my upper body. Put the hat on the tie the hoodie hood pretty snug around your face with just your nose and mouth out of it. Sometimes though that hat would make me itchy so I'd just deal with it without the hat. We had some of those wool army blankets too, as my dad was a Korean war vet. Usually sense my room was always the one upstairs, cause I valued my privacy so much I usually laid claim to my dads old army parka too and that sucker was really warm by itself...and heavy. He was stationed in Alaska though too for part of his military career so he knew about cold too. Anyway yes very good video and you said much of stuff I already knew, but still very good for those who may not know. Plus now when I try to tell my kids or grandkids how to stay warm I can say and see this guy says it too haha. I love the looks of that sleeping bag too btw. I can never find ones that I like so this one looks like one that might pass my test
A balaclava either fleece or down also works and will stay on your head as well as the ski face masks with nostril holes... just some more options to consider, especially if you don’t have a mummy bag for your head.
Great video- FYI- acrylic fleece is nothing but plastic- use a wool blanket or even a thrift store wool sweater to cover your face. Wool wicks away water, stays warm when wet and is breatheable. Plus it is a sustainable product. Do not use acrylic it has very little ability to keep you warm.
Another useful and wonderful video. Thanks, Bob!
Hey Bob. Your video of Scott and his wife in their Airstream trailer pushed me off the fence and into the lifestyle. Thank you.
If you're really cold and broke check out op shops for old woolen blankets. They are often better quality than new ones. Put one under your sheets to help keep you warm it really works, wool keeps you warm even if it's damp. And it doesn't get as compressed like the loft in sleeping bags. Then if you find more layer them on top of you.
Wool is great for stationary homes, but there are better (lighter) alternatives for travel.
I have bought several Very Cheap sheepskins for me and my little dog. We lay on them and then I use a sleepingbag -17°C as a cover for us. She don't like to freeze but she don't like hot either, and so am I.
My car (working van Opel Vivaro 2015) were not insulated for 6 month Winther so we stayed on somebody's coach October until March this year.
The insulation is not ready yet, because I had to stand outside and it has been raining or very chilly and the glue had it's working temperature. But SOON I can go on AND figure out What in Earth I should keep of all stuff in one of my son's cellar... and in my old camper I don't use
This is my 3 vehicle in 3 year - NOW I hope it last - it is Expensive to buy "new" every year 😢
I live in middle of Sweden and are fulltime working a couple of years
Thanks for your videos 💖
Wool blankets are heavy (need to layer a few to keep warm in freezing temps)...one more thing to rob gas mileage. A down blanket (quilt) is usually less than 2 lbs...and you only need one. Also, I've been sleeping on a foam pad in mid-30(F) temps and it works fine. Love sleeping in my fleece beanie...but i'm bald, so it's a requirement.
@@briannab5296 Weight affects gas mileage...more than you think.
I own several 100% wool blankets and they're all at least 4 pounds, each. It takes 3 of them to keep me warm, even in the 30s(F). My 2 pound down bag (which i unzip as a blanket) does the same job as all 3 wool blankets put together...and could probably take me into the 20s, comfortably.
This was like a cliffhanger!! So happy for part two!! Hooray!!
Informative video Bob.
On the hot water bottle use...my wife & I put two into a foldable solar oven. Even on an overcast day we see temps around 150f which heats the bottles up nicely.
I learned a lot from this, and I definitely want one of those sleeping bags! Hike and bike
Seedling mats. They use 40 watts per hr. I use them to keep my indoor water pump (that lives outside in a cooler) from freezing. It gets really warm in that cooler. So I'd trust them as heating matts for the bed.
I love your channel! Thank you for all the advice you provide here. We live in a travel trailer in new England and have been using a kerosene heater since spring 2015. We tried propane first in 2013 but it was to expensive, stank horrible every time a tank went low, and you had to go outside to switch tanks no matter the weather. Propane left us freezing with a hot ceiling, excessive moisture, and bad air quality. We were originally completely off grid but now have some electricity so we keep electric heaters for temp control when the kerosene is off because I need to keep my house plants and pets from freezing. I'll always keep a kerosene heater for emergencies but am looking into replacing it with something that can run on diesel or ethanol so that bio fuels are an option. My preference is for woodburnig stoves as a primary heat source and electric oil filled radiators to kick on if the fire is out. I had a custom van stove for my last trailer but it's to small so putting in a regular small wood stove that will actually fit normal sized logs in my next one. You want multiple small kerosene heaters because you can always turn an other one on but there's only one temp setting and it's hot so don't go to big or you'll have to leave the winow or vent open and be paying for wasted fuel. My nice trailer was destroyed so we now have an oversized dump and don't want to or have any money to sink into it but insulation makes a world of a difference and my next mobile home will be a maximum of 24' and insulated well. We have never been cold while using kerosene or a wood stove but you have to keep an eye on them and refuel regularly the hardest part is finding a gas station with kerosene pump which is why I'm gonna look in diesel soon. Our insulated room stays warm and I'm insulating one more room to last until we downsize because without insulation trailers loose heat within minutes but with kerosene burning we stay plenty warm even when it's negative outside
@@briannab5296 thanks. I keep reading about those in the comments here, and they seem to have all good reviews. I haven't seen a video or done any research yet but it's something I'm considering buying before next winter.
omg bob you are so great. i love that you are willing to show it all so there's NO doubt what you are talking about. and getting into the hammock bag. you are SOO right about the old style sleeping bag zippers being on the side and being so insanely acrobatically difficult to close up. ugh. when you talked about not burying head into the sleeping bag - great info btw - i didnt know all that - it was so funny. i think i have just had a horrible stinker of a day that your video just got me laughing out loud. literally. so thank you. thank you for going thru the trouble of trying things and explaining things. when i do vanlife, i will get one of those hyke/byke thingies. btw have you done a tour of KCs (spelling?) can/rig? i'm sure she has some cool tips to share. thank you
Love this guy. Great info about not breathing into sleeping bag . I would not have thought of that but yeah great way to end up REALLY damp and cold .
I slept at -40 with no heat just turn the heat on in the morning nothing better than a nice wool blanket and a down sleeping bag if the feathers are not coming out
Great 2 vids. I certainly hope & pray, I don't ever experience really cold nights again. Growing up in the North was fun as a child. Adult not so much fun with shoveling & driving in ice/snow combo....uugghhh!!! Love "palm tree" living with central AC too. Love in Sarasota ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I thought I was the only one who did the blanket-head thing. Good tips!
About air mattresses, I've never had an air mattress hold air. Sure, when it is new, but do you open the valve every morning? Go from a few hundred feet elevation to 4,000 ft. Elevation... Take I 5 from Redding to the Summit North, forget to open your valve, so it pressurizes. Your air mattress will leak. They talk of 3 dog nights, I have experienced 3 fill-up nights, waking to blow air into my mattress.
Excellent practical advice Bob
I used to wrap a wool sweater around my head and breathe through the neck opening.
I've ordered a balaclava to sleep in... it's in pink though !! Lol
Whatever works to get the job done...
Cotton bedding and sheets are the worst in winter. The material is very cold when in contact with the skin. I recommend fluffy duvet
Living in Colorado up in the mountains when I was a kid I had flannel pajamas. Flannel is awesome! Wear flannel! ;)
I've also found, since I sleep in clothes during the winter, that sleeping in a hoodie w/ drawstrings works in place of wearing a hat and moves with me more consistently than when I tried sleeping with a blanket covering part of my face ...
BOB when you leave this world , the world will be a little less good we love your channel
Great knowledge!! Thank uuuu!
Good information.. Thank you.
Wow Bob allot of this I didn't even know after six years of living in my van all these years I've been doing it wrong I feel stupid ty sir
Great videos Bob!
I enjoy your videos very much and like to get all that info you've about your experiences on traveling. My way to travel is a motorcycle and in this video you hit the nail right on the head with the info on the Hyke & Byke sleeping bag.I have one question since I also don't like mummy bags.I would like to know what size your assistant bought ( short, regular or long) since I like to have some room to move around,I'm 5'6''. Thanks in advance and keep posting those great videos.
White navy blankets! Oh, yes...
Wonderful video and info Bob. Thanks so much! We do a lot of this in our Boy Scout troop.
Thank you Bob for setting it straight. Presently I have a cargo van. I planned to be in Az. At this time but had to wait to get some extras installed on my van. I'm in the northeast (Va.) In the mountain area (Blue ridge) it is freezing at night but somehow I manage to survive. The extras I'm waiting to have installed in include solar power. I wanted to gave it done in Az. But knowing how many people will Be lined up to get their Van build out on I thought it be best to have the work done before leaving for Az. Your recommendations for staying warm are essential to me and Many others. The booties are a game changer and the Columbia down jacket is a must have. I own several down jackets, all by the same premier manufacturer. They work very well but are dressy to a degree. I love the booties.
I can't breath propane, or any type of fuel for heat so I use tea candles and clay pots inverted over candles. This method also irritates my throat, nose and ear, possibly because tea candles are manufactured from petroleum.
I have a floor heating element that is used is homes to heat the floors. I am hoping to have it installed in one of the side walls in my empty cargo van. I think a box with a tile front will work. I don't want to put it on the floor and take the chance of heating or disrupting a fuel line or somehow breaking the tile over top. Once my solar power is installed I will have other opportunities to explore.
My first choice will be to turn the key and drive away. YIPPEEEEEEEE.
Do those tea candles and flower pot heaters really work, would it warm up a minivan up if it's like 30 degrees?
Hello, i just saw..on video a camper who made with a Friend a very warm cozy tent like the Indians made to sweat ...so he put several layers ..on top of the wooden tree frame ...a layer of duvet and a rainproof tarp and they dug in the ground a fairly deep hole in the middle of the tent ground...where they put very hot rocks they heated in the camp fire ..just before sleeping ...it was even too hot in there and outside it was verryyy cold don’t know how much below zero c but very cold...so i was thinking if it gets really cold ..and you are at a place where you can do a camp fire..and you have several rocks ..you could do the same ..and put them in a dutch oven ... in the van ...could be a tip ...
Another awesome and informative video, Bob. Thanks!!!!
Bob, I am a side sleeper and move around alot at night too. I would recommend bed socks, balaclava, poly-pro underwear, fleece track suit and a wool or fleece muffler. All my bags are synthetic fiber fill side zipper models that i always twist around so the zipper is on my backside. LOL
I agree with the SIDE ZIP sleeping bags. I'm not sure how but I always figure out how to get lost on the wrong side in the middle of the night having to rush to pee & can't find the zipper. I found a pretty GREAT double sleeping bag at TJ MAXX. That place, Marshals and HomeGoods tend to have some GREAT high end finds for outdoor gear. Just have to keep your eyes open and take your time on a lazy Saturday. Also SierraTradingPost dotz coms has awesome base layer gear!!!! I always collect blankets on international flights.
If it's of help to anyone, I've found sleeping in clothes helpful for both backpacking and other applications. You don't lose the heat in taking the clothes off before going to bed and you don't stand there shivering in the morning after getting out of your sleeping covers and waiting to put on cold clothes (helps to sleep in what you plan to use in the morning - also just saves time)
It's a bag of Bob! Too cute!
Great videos, Bob; thank you!🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻
We too have lived in both Alaska and Yukon Territory (even through 1995, which was the coldest winter on record at that time) and also in Scotland’s North - every bit as cold! Brrr!
This week it’s 40 below here (before wind chill, so it can *feel* as low as 60 below), and apparently it’s not going to warm up any time soon.🙁
We do have a 40 below down ‘WOODS’ sleeping bag (well, actually two of ‘em zipped together), and while not at all inexpensive ($600 CAD + tax each), they’re wonderfully warm to sleeping in, and they’ll last longer than we will, so we felt (and feel) that they were an excellent investment.
Canadian Tire carries them here, but I believe they’re available in the States, and quite possibly from Amazon. We wouldn’t voluntarily trade ours for anything else!
We don’t need to sleep in our sleeping bags in the summer (we really only have two seasons here - a seven-month winter and a five-month period that tries its best to resemble summer, but temps can still drop below zero at night, even in July). We just use a couple of duvets then - one down and one synthetic.
They (our sleeping bags) each have a unique feature (or one that I’ve not seen anywhere else), which is a separate zipper that runs across the top of each bag, which in effect creates a ‘pocket’ that is the same size as the (huge) sleeping bag, so it’s easy to add a heavy duty, King-sized down duvet to the (top) bag, and whatever’s your pleasure to the same zippered pocket underneath, whether that be an air mattress, as you suggested, or anything else that works for you.
Because of hip and spinal injuries, I have to sleep on 4”-high ROHO medical cushions (unless I want to wake up screaming - BTDT😱), and there’s plenty of room in our King-sized bags to accommodate them. We fill up any air space with easily washed, $6 synthetic ‘WalMart’ pillows, a trick I learned as a child growing up in Scotland.
Living in a 28’ Class A motor home (necessary for concert touring), I’m afraid we do the unthinkable in many people’s eyes. We run our Big Buddy heater (we have two - one is a backup) 24/7 on high, and we’ve found that necessary in winter here. We keep a 20 lb propane tank inside our rig, and we’re meticulous about safe operation, cleaning, and proper ventilation. They’ve served us well for two years and we haven’t had any mishaps yet.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’d rather not use propane at all, and I certainly don’t want the tank inside, but we’ve tried everything else and nothing seems to work sufficiently well, so we’re operating on diligence and (most of all) prayers.
We tried to keep the tank outside the RV, which worked pretty well until the temps dropped quite a bit below zero, at which point everything outside simply froze. We wrapped everything in Creation around the top of the tank, and along the hose, but nothing stopped the whole apparatus from freezing. (We check our connections and hose several times a day, and we replace our hose every winter season.)
Sigh....
We too choose to sleep in layered clothing in wintertime, which keeps us toasty warm and our sleeping bags clean.
Since I pretty much live either on our mattress or on stage, we cover our sleeping bags with a large synthetic comforter, which we wash once a week. It works for us.
During the day, we each wear extra clothing layers. Brian likes Thermal underclothing, tee shirts, and hoodies, and warm socks and slippers, of course.
I hate feeling restricted by clothing, so I wear a tank top, tee shirt, and a Nepalese or Icelandic sweater - they’re deliciously warm and they give me an excuse to visit Iceland now and then. (Brian buys all his sweaters there too.) It’s possible, I think, to acquire them through the mail. Again, they’re not cheap, but they last ‘forever,’ so ultimately I doubt that they cost any more than people are repeatedly obliged to spend at WalMart. (I’ve had my favourite and most frequently worn Nepalese sweater for almost 30 years, and it still looks new. It cost me $500 CAD, and until this frigid winter, I haven’t needed to wear a winter coat in all that time, and I live in the mountains in Canada.)
Unfortunately, Maunder Minimums or ‘Mini Ice Ages’ have a way of rearranging one’s priorities and needs. The last one (apex 1645-1715) killed 25% of the global population, and this one’s expected to do far worse, with an 85% reduction in Earth’s population by the end of 2024. Charming!🙄 But most will die because they’re unprepared. *Please* inform yourselves!
(Check out Ice Age Farmer, and Adapt 2030 on TH-cam, and read John Casey’s books ‘Dark Winter’ and ‘Upheaval.’)
I’ll link to the outer garments that we’ve chosen below. The TH-cam vids are well worth watching.
th-cam.com/video/610RUGtsNEI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/HFj8Ab_5B2A/w-d-xo.html
Love and All Good Things,
Jesse.🌹
Baked potatoes used to be tucked into pockets and around feet during sleigh rides. That could be used and then have them in a meal later ❄
I also grew up with heavy wool blankets. The weight was very comforting. My husband and I also like regular covers when we’re in our tent. No trailer yet...
that help,s a lot thankyou bob
Another great video! Thanks Bob!
Don't think there's nothing you wouldn't do Bob to help people, that's why I love ya like so many of us do!!! p.s. claustrophobic, Hate sleeping bags!!...Something that people don't think about is an RV being cold. I think that would be a great video!! I know when I get something I'll be traveling to KY to see my kids in the winter time Nov-Feb are the cold months but at least I'll have the holidays/birthdays covered lol... besides I'm sure I'm not the only Easterner ;)
Hello. Big fan. Have you made a video about good tv mounts for van life? If not can you make one? I wanna put a tv in my van but scared that a bump will break the tv. What’s your suggestion???? Thanks!
My Dog Keeps Me Warm too!!-Coty Helps ya too i Bet!! 🐕
great info!
Great vid Bob !