A quick way to get toasty is using the vehicle’s heated seat while running the car. Warms me faster than the car heater, so I don’t run the engine as long. They came with my 2009 Forester.
Hi Chase! You got the details right! 30 years in Alaska, lots of winter camping under my belt I can add only a couple of ideas: We cut and taped a floor liner for our tent out of Reflectix. It helped cut down on the heat loss through our pads. I recommend cutting a piece for under your air mattress. I also made a Nalgene bottle insulator out of Reflectix. Wear a balaclava and gloves or a neck gaiter. Avoid alcohol consumption near bedtime. It causes heat loss through vasodilation and through increased urinary output. Urinate before you crawl into your bag, even if you think you don’t need to go. As you mentioned, a full bladder robs your body of heat. If you need to go in the night, get it over with and go. Otherwise you won’t be warm until you do! I’m definitely subscribing!
I've worked in healthcare just under 50 years and urine in your bladder doesn't steal heat from your body, it conserves it in the very heat conservative capacitance of water. You don't even lose heat from urine when you pee that body-toasty fluid into the snow because your core temp remains the same, just less fluid in there. Your body temps remain the same either way. Where you lose body heat is having to get out of a warm bed to pee in the cold frost, then get back in after the heat has dissipated while you were gone, forcing you to heat it back up again with heat your body is trying to conserve after bein outdoors. As always, give yourself a cut off time for fluids before bed, pee whether you need to or not (as said), and then try to tough it out until morning.
Or just have a pee bottle next to you all night in case of an emergency. Solve all those problems (they're not expensive, you can get some for women too AND some come with lids!)
Just as the bottle with warm water retains its heat long time, the pee in your body retains it as well. I have repeatedly read and heard the myth of having a full bladder taking energy… initially heating water takes energy, retaining it is not energy consuming.
My advice would be to invest in a nice wool blanket. Use it inside your bag when it's really cold. Over your bag when it's cold, and under your bag when it's not so cold.
Good advice. I sleep cold so i put a wool blanket under my bag, one inside, and one over. Wiggy's bags are the warmest i've found. Mine's rated to 0°F ...
Bro I’ve looked at quite a few of these videos and yours is by far the most helpful and pragmatic. Almost all the camping videos turn into shameless Jackery advertisements. Thanks for dropping some easier tips for those of us who don’t have $1000 just lying around.
Changing all clothing before going to bed keeps moisture from sweat throughout the day out of the equation. What we wear during day has that moisture in it can make us colder at night.
Good tip. This past winter id wake up with ice all inside my car, but, id be warm as long as i stayed in my sleeping bag.. then id haugh to get in front and start the car. Getting a remote start this year (-:
Although I have never camped in winter, I have done a lot of car camping in summer. My Air Force husband was stationed in Denver at the time and on weekends we would throw a couple of sleeping bags in the car and take off. I was pregnant so we camped in state parks with access to grills and bathrooms. We had a hatchback car, so we could lay down the seats, pop the back and sleep under the stars. My favorite 4th of July camp was in a campground overlooking Grand Junction, Colorado. We watched their fireworks from ABOVE, so cool! We traveled all over Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. As winter approached, so did my due date, and we moved to Mountain Home, Idaho. We didn't car camp after my son was born, but we have fond memories of that summer! 40 years later, we live in Florida so camping in snow is a happy fantasy. Thanks for your informative videos!
@@imaudm Awesome suggestion! I was pregnant with my son, one and only, who will soon be 40. It was an easy pregnancy, biggest concern was having a bathroom available, lol!
I’m sleeping in my car 2 or 3 nights a week due to Covid restrictions, the rest of the times I’m at work sleeping in my truck/lorry. I use a poweroak 500w solar generator to run my single electric over blanket, I find this keeps me toasty warm. Nice video.
I'm a Texan but moved to a place that gets dangerously cold. I found a battery powered heated sleeping bag insert and tuck it in my sleeping bag which is inside an oversized sleeping bag that my dog can sleep in with me. Battery can be recharged with solar. Tried it once so far. Still working on the whole setup. Love your videos.
I have never been able to stay warm in my sleeping bag, but I sleep cold. I wrap up in a fleece blanket, add a wool blanket on top and use my down summer quilt on top and I can sleep cozy, in my vehicle, to 15 degrees or so. I also use a lightweight merino wool buff over my face to help keep my nose a little less cold.
This winter (20-21), I added a wool blanket to my bedding and black polyester fleece to one side of my reflectix. It not only helped with warmth, but it helped counter the moisture inside the car after a night of sleeping. Really enjoying your videos, and I'm a fellow Outback traveler too. Be well and safe, and thanks for sharing!
Wool blankets are great because they work even when wet and generate warmth (or preserve it ) under any conditions, that said you might like polar fleece next to your skin. I keep both even though these days I trailer camp. It has come in handy when no power sources were available, either because of weather or misfortune. A candle "heat source" (check You Tube) can warm up a small space (tent/car/trailer) in a cold snap and make your life much easier. It is amazing how little we need to survive comfortably. Camp on!
Great video! A few tips I learned from my scouting days (long ago). 1) have dedicated sleep clothing and never wear the clothes you wore during the day. Whether recognizable or not, our clothes retain some of the moisture our body produces during the day. Always toss on some dry clothing. 2) Relatively fatty and high calorie meal about an hour before bedtime to keep the furnace firing 3) Drink warm fluids (hopefully without caffeine or sugar). 4) I learned this hammock camping... bring a Gatorade or Powerade bottle in your sleeping back in case you have to take a leak. This way you don't have to get out of your warm bag and also you'll have another bottle of warm fluid to use. Just make sure that A) your aim is good B) your cap is secured tightly C) your bottle is clearly marked so you don't drink the wrong one in the morning, haha. Remember, part of the lure and essence of winter camping is being slightly chilled upon waking up. If you have your car/tent/cabin too warm, you might as well just summer camp, haha. Waking up and seeing your breath is also a reminder to 1) get dressed quickly and 2) get you coffee brewed super fast. Great video Chase!
Other ways to stay warm: 1) Reflectix to cover areas where drafts come from ( check the first cold night to find where those are). 2) Take a dog with you:) 3) Have extra fleece clothing and blankets. Wow, I think you could easily earn money doing simple but lovely builds like that for other SUV's! I have a 2007 Xterra... hint, hint. 74 year old lady boondocking in her SUV.
New subscriber.....lifelong Subaru driver. An affordable piece of winter gear is a Zippo rechargable hand warmer. The nine hour version has a lanyard so you can wear it round your neck. It can replace or supplement using a hot water bottle you mentioned in your video. Perfect for warming cold hands in the morning when you are breaking down camp. Unlike the lighter fluid Zippo model, you can turn this one on and off.
Thanks for the tips! Another tip you can use for cooking is to put a piece of foil or a lid to cover your pan while it is re-heating up, food will heat up faster and you save fuel.
if you can heat soapstone, lava rocks or brick and use it to warm your bedding before getting in it, it is delightful. then leave it in the car for dry heat. I used 1" pink insulation board to make my bed platform. It never feels cold to the touch, and keeps me toasty. Used 1/2 inch for the flooring, over the standard carpet.
Holding them in place for me was easiest when i pressed an oversized 'sheet' against the window firm enough to make creases with which to guide my cuts. I cut just a bit oversized. I learned from another YTber of spray gluing some black material to the showing outside of the window ( so people dont see the silver). Hope that helps. The insulated sheets fit nicely everytime to the windows. Some of the rear side ones i just left on and used my mirrors ( blind spots). But up to the individual.
Those were great tips, Chase. The nalgene trick is one I use, too, but I use a 32oz single wall Pathfinder bottle, fill it with boiling water, pull a long hunter's wool sock over it, twist the top and bring it back down over the bottle. This in effect provides a two layer cover that prevents any damage to my sleeping bag. It goes into my footbox 5 to 10 minutes before I climb in. I "cuddle" a couple of Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers near my core during the night; and move them wherever they are needed. Fully charged one lasts 8 to 10 hours on a three LED setting; there are four settings. On high it may last 5 hours. As a hand warmer I usually require one or two LED lights. Just like your cell phone it can be recharged using your car or an Anker battery or Jackery unit. I use an Appalachian Gear alpaca sleeping bag liner if it's super cold like below zero, pretty much like your Sea to Summit Reactor liner. Another thing I keep within easy reach is a portable urinal (accordion-like), unzip the bag and pee, never getting out of the sleeping bag. Fully extended, the bottle has an ample capacity. Empty and rinse out in the morning. I'll use my Mr. Buddy just to warm the interior of my Jeep SUV then turn it off. Even then I still use a portable monitor just in case. I velcro mounted one on a back passenger door near where my head would be located. BTW I like the conversion kit you have...it's sweet! I just roll out a Teton base camp mat when setting up the bedroll. I keep a 100% wool blanket, queen size, behind the driver's seat in a contractor bag to keep it clean and dry. Many times I used it with my military woobie and stayed toasty warm down to low 30's. My sleep attire is just merino wool layers, shirt and pants, socks (Darn Tough), neck gaiter and fleece beanie that has built-in LED lights in the forehead; switch is in the liner behind my right ear. My "furnace" usually runs very warm and too many layers will cause me to burst into flames :)
Stumbled upon your channel tonight and I just wanted to say you’re a natural behind the camera. With content of this quality you deserve more subscribers. You at least have another one here. Keep up the awesome work :)
I also like to keep a few packs of chemical hand warmers in my vehicle. at .99cents for a 2 pack, one hand warmer typically can last up to 10 hours. I like to put one in the bottom of my bedroll to keep my feet toasty warm. you'd be surprised at how versatile those things are!
You should do a video on the window cut outs. Specifically what material you use and how to make it and how you make them stay in your passenger windows
A couple of more tips from a Vermonter who winter camps: Don’t wear the same clothes to bed that you wore during the day. They might not feel sweaty, but they are. So that moisture will keep you cool. Also, change out of those sweaty “sleeping clothes” in the AM. Basic rule: One pair of daytime clothes. One pair of nighttime clothes. I saw a video of an Alaskan couple and they swear by having hot rocks, (those that were NEAR but obviously not part OF) the camp fire. They put them between their legs, at the foot of their sleeping bags and I think near their necks? When they sleep. Just a few thoughts….keep these videos coming. Great stuff.
Love these tips! To add on to your "start warm" mantra, I'd reccomend putting up your window insulating panels as soon as you stop your car and keep all the doors closed while cooking or doing other outside activities. Having the car sealed will help the cabin retain heat for a longer period of time. Stay toasty!
Sleeping/ camping in ur car in cold weather.....tight fitting clothes help and if you keep ur blanket just enough over ur nose but not totally blocking out air flo really helps.
Your attitude reflects the essence of The Obstacle is the Way, and it's contagious. Your videos are helpful, to the point, and inspiring. Well done, brother.
Oh so true! I totally agree! I sighed watching it...u have such a powerful presence and so present, grounded, balanced...and obviously an intelligent, conscious brother (which i don't say lightly!) A true testimony to the benefits of living among the elements and how healing and grounding that is! We are the elements...when we commune with them they purify and heal us. so amazing!! we are so blessed!
This video was so helpful! My friend and I have gone winter car camping for the past three years and we're mostly learning the hard way. We had room for error in previous years because we were close to home if we wanted to bail, and the weather was pretty mild. This past weekend we were 3 hours from home and the weather was not going to be friendly. We watched your video on prep, and It was our most successful camping trip yet because we followed your pre-sleep schedule. :D
Great video, your videos are so chill and just relaxing.. 12:24 A good thing to remember is that when you wake up you want to put on layers so might not be the best idea to sleep in all your heavy clothes especially your puffy ! That being said you have an adequate sleeping bag etc!
I grew up in a cold old farmhouse; we didn't have heat upstairs so many times you could see your breath at night and early morning. We used wool military blankets and lots of quilts. I would tunnel into the blankets and slept great. I still like a cold room to sleep in.
I’m impressed you found somewhere to winter camp in the dark. I think that would stress me out. That build is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing the tips.
The boiled water in Nalgene bottles was a FANTASTIC HINT! I didn't own any non insulated bottles that could handle that high a temperature. They lasted for hours and made a difference. It was 16 F outside. I was testing the equipment I bought for cold weather camping. It was a success. Thanks for great information.
You can double the R value of reflectix by putting coroplast on the side that touches the window glass. I used black coroplast, reflectix, and a faux velvet fabric for my window covers and I stayed toasty warm. Also, a simple rubber bottom bathmat under your sleeping pad will add another layer of protection.
Wow that dinner looks delicious for a quick fix in a cold place. The cold is not as scary if you grew up or have always been around a state that has snow. It actually doesn't make a difference if you were home in the backyard with the snow all around you.
Great tips!!! I like to wear silk or marino underwear; protects the skin from synthetics. The older you get, the more sensitive you get to these things. on that note, drinking boiling water out of a plastic container sounds dicey. I love your video! We've been x-country skiers/car campers for a long time.
I agree, merino wool is great! Yeah I try not to do it often, but with the boiling point being lower at high elevation where I'm usually camping I'm not terribly worried about it.
@@victorlevasseur7294 We are big fans of the Electrowarmth Twin Heated Mattress Pad. This is also 12 volt, but gets hot so quick we find ourselves running it on low. Unfortunately it is a bit costly at $90, but definitely worth it to us. We own the 55 watt version as well. We like it for running all night as it gets pretty warm come 2am, but up until 2am it feels almost like it isn't even on.
I live in Colorado so this was a very helpful video...as you know, it can get bitterly cold and to keep warm is essential to our survival while in the car. Thanks for an awesome video! I suddenly don’t seem as crazy now that I know someone else is doing the exact same thing! Cheers mate for an awesome video!
I like your butter heated up meal. Much more simple than cooking from scratch. Your setup is so neat too. Cooking outside the car and table goes down into a bed as in a boat!
My winter vehicle, ski resort parking lot stealth camping methodology: off the floor if possible for a cold sink. R8 pad to sleep on. styrofoam, reflectix or closed cell foam insulating walls, ceiling and esp windows. hot soup before bed. pee jug so going is just a matter of unzipping the sleeping bag(s) and arching your back (if you're a guy). hot water bottle to warm up your feet if they've been cold during the day. down booties. bag in a bag, sometimes with a fleece liner as a third, innermost layer when it's below -20F. warm hat of course, gloves if it's super cold. commercial carpet on ceiling and walls, kinda 70s, helps to avoid condensation drip.
Love these! People who camp with solar or battery banks can also try the 12 volt blankets. I take a regular blanket and throw it over my sleeping bag. That helps a ton. I take my car camping, so it also gives him room to climb under and get warm in the tent.
I appreciate the tips, and really appreciate your video style. Thanks! I'm all about the down booties and bringing an extra comforter from home. Glad to be reminded of the hot water bottle trick. cheers!
Thanks for the tips. I’ve started to travel in my van. Back in Nov I so underestimated the cold. I won’t do that again my feet were ice. I have a little buddie now. Even bought a sweater for the dog. Thanks
Please get booties for you dog. If your feet were cold so were your dogs feet. They are great for cold/snow and scorching sand/dirt. One set for winter and one set for summer. Your a good dog mom to get a dog sweater.
There are all kinds of heating cushions and pads and blankets in 12 volt and in 110 volt. You could use a 12 volt rv battery and inverter for a 110 volt, or buy a 12 volt pad or cushion and just use a 12 volt rv battery. A small pad or cushion inside a sleeping bag would be great. They are for sale all over the internet.
I use the booties and stack it with a down hood in really cold weather. Also a big fan of the larger size hot hands than run for 18 hours. One of those all night and you're good to go!
A Trangia alcohol stove set for low heat will burn a long time. Put a large, covered kettle on the stove to absorb some of the heat and release it after the stove goes out. I’m referring to the stable, fire-safe kits such as the Trangia 27 or 25. They are popular in Europe. These stoves are quiet, wind resistant, and safe. They cook gently from all sides. Get fuel from any grocery or hardware store. No need to dispose of butane canisters. Setting heat level takes a bit of practice, but they work well after you learn how to set the control cap. What’s not to like?
Good practical comments on winter camping. I’d like to use those handwarmers when it’s cold. I’ll open a couple and throw them in the bottom of my sleeping bag a half hour before I get into it. On the tip about using a propane heating buddy in a vehicle, you must crack the window. Otherwise the combustion Will consume most of the oxygen in your vehicle although it is not 100% airtight. You may end up with a serious headache or even worse.
Old fashioned hot water bottles, the kind that look like whoopi cushions and are made of a think rubbery material, can be filled with boiling water and stay warm until morning. I keep one by my feet and one near my chest.
Warm clothes in bed makes all the difference. I use a 15 degree comfort rated bag and have worn full on winter gear inside the bag when it gets colder. Put a blanket over top of the opening of the bag as well to help keep super cold air off your face. I use Wiggys gear and bags, the insulation isn’t affected by moisture so you don’t have to worry about moisture or sweating.
Thanks, Chase, for another great video! :) Great tip about those down socks. Haven't seen that before. What I always do is have fresh extra wool socks and heated water bottle at the end of the sleeping bag.
Really great stuff man, thank you so much. I’m looking forward to my Christmas road trip in my Prius from CO to CA and back. (Just a touch of feedback, the music was a bit hard to hear over toward the end of the video). Thanks for the great advice!
Hi Chase, I started car camping back in the early 80's. Back when rainbows were black & white. I read an article in OUTDOOR magazine about car camping. It showed a picture of a guy bivy on the ground in the American Southwest. I knew that I could do that with little to no cost. But I'd sleep in the back seat because of critters. From there I went to truck camping from 84-2017. We didn't have access to all the gadgets you guys have now. All our stuff was limited to Coleman camp products, & wherever you can find them. From '17-2020 did travel trailer camping. I did dry camping, stealth, as well as campgrounds. I like seeing your channel because you show off the latest in camp gear that I/ we never had. 1 thing that I found to be very utilitarian, through misadventure, was a solid hooded sweatshirt. They'll keep you warm at night & can double as a pillow & sack for dirty clothes, gear etc. Stay safe. Happy trails. 🤠
Love the prefabricated set up in the rear of the Subi. Though, I noticed that you canister for heating you dinner sat very high compared to you seating arrangement. I'd be cutting a hole in one of the pull-outs, large enough so that the gas cooker can sit much much lower. Probably so the flame just sits proud of the board. Yes, you'll need to staple some flexible fly screen material into the hole that then stops the canister from falling through to the ground, but being flexible it will squish up when you want to push the board back in. This means you don't have to stand or REACH up to get to your dinner every time you wish to check on it or STIR IT. I'd probably cut this out off to one side so that the rest of the board surface is not compromised for other purposes - so probably in the smaller pull-out and to the side, this will leave the boards fairly free for other activities required prior to bed time. Ok if you cook standing then this obviously isn't a requirement, but I noticed you did cook sitting down. I liked all your tips, but thought: Could you recommend using a heating blanket on top your mattress and under you sleeping bag plugged in to the rear socket? Have you tried one? How much electricity would one use from the car battery? Any recommendations? Happy camping from Australia.
Three thoughts on using vehicle heat, be sure that the car exhaust and underside of the car isn't buried in the snow, have heater fan at least medium or on high so clean air from outside is forced into the car, if there is a switch that toggles recirculating inside air or using outside air that it is selected so that it is outside air going through the heater and into the inside of the vehicle.
Great video! I love the scenery, the hot springs, and your tips. You are a brave soul to car camp in cold weather. I’m planning to go snow camping with friends in January - the first time! I bought a Hot Pocket blanket from Sierra Madre Research. I’ve used it for outdoor events but not yet used it for camping in the winter. The heat for the blanket is powered by a rechargeable battery. It works well at outdoor events.
Hey man, I love the videos - keep them coming! I just wanted to let you know that you played a part in inspiring me to live out of my car (2006 Subaru Outback) next summer after I graduate college while I explore the Western United States (I'm from Minnesota). I visited a friend in Boise, ID this past summer and took a trip to the Sawtooths and have fallen in love with Idaho, so I definitely plan on spending some time there. Just wanted to let you know of my appreciation for your content and thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks Joe! Thats way cool! I haven't gone multiple months full time in mine due to my job here in Boise, but that sounds like so much fun. Idaho is a special place with so much to offer! Best of luck on your travels👍
Great Video - Beautiful country!! We are headed out this weekend for some van camping - no snow but supposed to get down in the 30s at night which is chilly for Arizona! I always wear layers to bed - make sure to use the bathroom before bed, with minimal drinks before sleeping lol We do have tons of sherpa & down blankets and cold weather sleeping bags (20 degree rating). With the van we let it run with the heater on for like 15 min, once we're ready for bed and all the doors are shut. We camp with our dogs too so extra body heat- all those things combined keep us pretty toasty!
Dude, I love winter camping, but your outlook and attitude is incredible. You also gave a few great tips. Awesome video! You definitely won the sub from me. Thanks!
Holy cow…you are brave af! Out in the wilderness all alone, putting all those food cooking scent out there for the bear, wolves etc!! But anyway…good tips! I need to get a hot water bottle. A couple things I would add: 1) When temps are down near zero or below make sleeping space smaller by isolating back of vehicle from the front with a curtain/blanket, or tenting the bed. 2) If you don’t sleep fully clothed, put your clothes in bed with you so you’re not putting on cold clothes when you get up. 3) Put a couple small rugs or a blanket on the floor to help insulate vehicle, and when you get out of bed you it’s warmer to stand on.
Stumbled onto your chanel. Thank you for sharing! We just purchased a Tucson. Thinking of outfitting it similar to yours. Look forward to seeing more videos. From Ontario Canada.
I plug my heating pad into my Jackery! It warms up my bed in my van, and I can turn it on throughout the night if I wake up cold! And for my dog, I put hand warmers in his bed. :) Great video! Also, I LOVE the book "The Obstacle is the Way." I read it a couple of years ago when I was going through a period of self-discovery. Thanks for the video. xoxo
Just stumbled on this page cause I wanted to know what roof rack would be best for camping/snowboarding 3 videos later and now all I wanna do is go camping! Love the content man keep posting!
Good tips. Don’t know how I haven’t seen your channel before. Good video quality. Looks like a suburban? That’s what I camp out of. I use a twin, inflatable mattress, fit right between my big drop down behind the drivers seat. Couple of wool blankets, and an old sleeping bag I had when I was 13 (I’m 50 now 😁). I’ll throw in one of my newer REI 0’ bag or my Colman 15’ bag if I know or an expecting it to be REALLY cold. Like to keep a pop-up, 10x10, I’ll set up right out the back. Trying to set up a small military wood stove up with that. The Little Buddy is an excellent heater, I’ll usually run it before I go to bed, and turn it off after I get settled in. Need to do the reflectics material. But, yeah, good times. Hoping to get out next week, if not the following. Stay safe.
Fun zen video to watch. I would love to see your vlogs of your camping outings ie your entire trip from start to finish, cooking dinner, telling us camp stories and thoughts. You have a soothing voice!
Nice video and thanks for the tipps, I watched every second of it! But it is the wrong way to sleep with a jacket or thick clothes in a sleeping bag. Your body heats up the bag, and that's exactly how it works. So if you waer clothes, you can't heat up the sleeping bag. My tipp is to waer maximum some thermo underwear with wool socks or some socks like you did. The liner is also a nice thing to have and can save a lot of warmth.
Thanks for the tips of staying warm I'm moving out of my apartment the end of January and living in my car full-time so I am wondering if you have any more stay warm tricks
Just learned about hybrid cars like Prius and RAV4 that have climate control. You set the temp and it will run car heater off battery and when that gets low it will kick on the engine for 5 mins to recharge the car battery and then shut off. It repeats this all night without use nearly any gas. Not assuming everyone has a hybrid but this is enticing. Cheers!
I car camp/snowboard in my 2005 grand marquis. i ended up putting a solar pannel on the trunk lid and a 100 ah battery in the back i bought a 12v trucker heating pad for my bed in the back. and put a wool blanket and fuzzy flanket on top and a another comforter to cover up with i run it for an hour or so while im driving and its extreemly warm by the time i get in i have to be stripped down to even get into bed.i can get through the whole night now without haveing to start the car ,but it does help on longer colder nights. i have reflectix on all the windows too which does help.i will keep the windows sealed then air it out if i need too.it s ussual not a big deal.i did also invet in a carbon monoxide detector. Usually not much to do past 6pm so i usually end up sleeping for close to 12 hours every night when im being a ski bum
More importantly than keeping moisture down is ventilation to keep carbon dioxide from building up. CO2 accumulates from normal breathing quickly in a confined, unventilated space.
Awesome thanks! Just boondocked this all last weekend in VA... little chili , not bad... luckily the outback has the remote crank with 10 minute timeout so I did that a couple times... keep’em coming man! Thanks again
Found your channel last week and have been binging all your camp videos! Love your editing style and you seem so genuine in your love for the outdoors. I've already gotten some great ideas from your build, so I appreciate the content! I've also had that book on my to-read list for a while, maybe it'll help encourage me to do more winter camping too haha
![[Emergency]Car Camping in Heavy Rain in Mountain. Desperately Evacuating by Car as Disaster Strikes.](/img/n.gif)
What other tips do you guys have for staying warm while camping?
What do you do if your toes get miserably cold while skiing and then you're a big grump on the first run and no one wants to ski with your whiny butt?
Electric blanket.
Mr buddy nice
Turn heater on
A quick way to get toasty is using the vehicle’s heated seat while running the car. Warms me faster than the car heater, so I don’t run the engine as long.
They came with my 2009 Forester.
"Theres not bad weather, just bad gear and bad attitudes"..... thats so true
👍👍👍
And yet all I could think is “Cue the horizontal sleet!”
“In the rain you can sulk or you can sing. Either way it’s going to rain.” Not sure who said that.
Yes, I have a plaque about not waiting for the storm to pass but learn to dance in the rain.
10:58
Hi Chase! You got the details right! 30 years in Alaska, lots of winter camping under my belt I can add only a couple of ideas:
We cut and taped a floor liner for our tent out of Reflectix. It helped cut down on the heat loss through our pads. I recommend cutting a piece for under your air mattress. I also made a Nalgene bottle insulator out of Reflectix.
Wear a balaclava and gloves or a neck gaiter. Avoid alcohol consumption near bedtime. It causes heat loss through vasodilation and through increased urinary output. Urinate before you crawl into your bag, even if you think you don’t need to go. As you mentioned, a full bladder robs your body of heat. If you need to go in the night, get it over with and go. Otherwise you won’t be warm until you do! I’m definitely subscribing!
@Raffi B stfu u get 10 views
Why do homeless ppl get tanked then pee on themself then ?
I've worked in healthcare just under 50 years and urine in your bladder doesn't steal heat from your body, it conserves it in the very heat conservative capacitance of water. You don't even lose heat from urine when you pee that body-toasty fluid into the snow because your core temp remains the same, just less fluid in there. Your body temps remain the same either way. Where you lose body heat is having to get out of a warm bed to pee in the cold frost, then get back in after the heat has dissipated while you were gone, forcing you to heat it back up again with heat your body is trying to conserve after bein outdoors. As always, give yourself a cut off time for fluids before bed, pee whether you need to or not (as said), and then try to tough it out until morning.
Or just have a pee bottle next to you all night in case of an emergency. Solve all those problems (they're not expensive, you can get some for women too AND some come with lids!)
Just as the bottle with warm water retains its heat long time, the pee in your body retains it as well. I have repeatedly read and heard the myth of having a full bladder taking energy… initially heating water takes energy, retaining it is not energy consuming.
My advice would be to invest in a nice wool blanket. Use it inside your bag when it's really cold. Over your bag when it's cold, and under your bag when it's not so cold.
Good advice. I sleep cold so i put a wool blanket under my bag, one inside, and one over. Wiggy's bags are the warmest i've found. Mine's rated to 0°F ...
NZ Merino socks and hats
I have used an alpaca wrap inside a bivy in the coastal mountains of Oregon.
Fairbanks Alaska we see -40 on some days in January / Febuary
I have an entire wool bed!!
Bro I’ve looked at quite a few of these videos and yours is by far the most helpful and pragmatic. Almost all the camping videos turn into shameless Jackery advertisements. Thanks for dropping some easier tips for those of us who don’t have $1000 just lying around.
PippiOnePointOh I’m glad you found it helpful and I appreciate the comment🙏🏼
Changing all clothing before going to bed keeps moisture from sweat throughout the day out of the equation. What we wear during day has that moisture in it can make us colder at night.
Good tip. This past winter id wake up with ice all inside my car, but, id be warm as long as i stayed in my sleeping bag.. then id haugh to get in front and start the car. Getting a remote start this year (-:
Thank you brother. as someone who is eventually soon going to be homeless...All tips are valuable and nothing is unheard.
Although I have never camped in winter, I have done a lot of car camping in summer. My Air Force husband was stationed in Denver at the time and on weekends we would throw a couple of sleeping bags in the car and take off. I was pregnant so we camped in state parks with access to grills and bathrooms. We had a hatchback car, so we could lay down the seats, pop the back and sleep under the stars. My favorite 4th of July camp was in a campground overlooking Grand Junction, Colorado. We watched their fireworks from ABOVE, so cool! We traveled all over Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. As winter approached, so did my due date, and we moved to Mountain Home, Idaho. We didn't car camp after my son was born, but we have fond memories of that summer! 40 years later, we live in Florida so camping in snow is a happy fantasy. Thanks for your informative videos!
You camped while pregnant and no complaints. Share some of these experiences IRL with your children
@@imaudm Awesome suggestion! I was pregnant with my son, one and only, who will soon be 40. It was an easy pregnancy, biggest concern was having a bathroom available, lol!
Always crack a window a little I think is a good tip
I’m sleeping in my car 2 or 3 nights a week due to Covid restrictions, the rest of the times I’m at work sleeping in my truck/lorry. I use a poweroak 500w solar generator to run my single electric over blanket, I find this keeps me toasty warm. Nice video.
Wow, cool! Sounds like you have it dialed in👍
Great idea!
Candalarie (3 candle) lantern! Uses 9 plus hour wax candles$1.84 ea. Outside temp. 20f inside crew cab truck 50f👌
@@richrobb2322will carbon dioxide build up inside?
I'm a Texan but moved to a place that gets dangerously cold. I found a battery powered heated sleeping bag insert and tuck it in my sleeping bag which is inside an oversized sleeping bag that my dog can sleep in with me. Battery can be recharged with solar. Tried it once so far. Still working on the whole setup. Love your videos.
I find making a fire, a big fire, goes along way to keeping busy and warm on a long winter evening.
And sleep late😚🤗😁🤠
I have never been able to stay warm in my sleeping bag, but I sleep cold. I wrap up in a fleece blanket, add a wool blanket on top and use my down summer quilt on top and I can sleep cozy, in my vehicle, to 15 degrees or so. I also use a lightweight merino wool buff over my face to help keep my nose a little less cold.
This winter (20-21), I added a wool blanket to my bedding and black polyester fleece to one side of my reflectix. It not only helped with warmth, but it helped counter the moisture inside the car after a night of sleeping. Really enjoying your videos, and I'm a fellow Outback traveler too. Be well and safe, and thanks for sharing!
Which side did you put the fleece? I imagine it is facing toward you and not the window…?
Wool blankets are great because they work even when wet and generate warmth (or preserve it ) under any conditions, that said you might like polar fleece next to your skin. I keep both even though these days I trailer camp. It has come in handy when no power sources were available, either because of weather or misfortune. A candle "heat source" (check You Tube) can warm up a small space (tent/car/trailer) in a cold snap and make your life much easier. It is amazing how little we need to survive comfortably. Camp on!
Great suggestions..!!
Great video! A few tips I learned from my scouting days (long ago). 1) have dedicated sleep clothing and never wear the clothes you wore during the day. Whether recognizable or not, our clothes retain some of the moisture our body produces during the day. Always toss on some dry clothing. 2) Relatively fatty and high calorie meal about an hour before bedtime to keep the furnace firing 3) Drink warm fluids (hopefully without caffeine or sugar). 4) I learned this hammock camping... bring a Gatorade or Powerade bottle in your sleeping back in case you have to take a leak. This way you don't have to get out of your warm bag and also you'll have another bottle of warm fluid to use. Just make sure that A) your aim is good B) your cap is secured tightly C) your bottle is clearly marked so you don't drink the wrong one in the morning, haha.
Remember, part of the lure and essence of winter camping is being slightly chilled upon waking up. If you have your car/tent/cabin too warm, you might as well just summer camp, haha. Waking up and seeing your breath is also a reminder to 1) get dressed quickly and 2) get you coffee brewed super fast. Great video Chase!
Other ways to stay warm: 1) Reflectix to cover areas where drafts come from ( check the first cold night to find where those are). 2) Take a dog with you:) 3) Have extra fleece clothing and blankets.
Wow, I think you could easily earn money doing simple but lovely builds like that for other SUV's! I have a 2007 Xterra... hint, hint. 74 year old lady boondocking in her SUV.
Great tips! lol if only I had the time right now I'd love to. Who knows what the future will hold. Thanks for the comment 🙏
I cannot imagine camping in the ❄ snow!!! I do however LOVE living vicariously through folks like you!
Yes! Me too.
New subscriber.....lifelong Subaru driver.
An affordable piece of winter gear is a Zippo rechargable hand warmer. The nine hour version has a lanyard so you can wear it round your neck. It can replace or supplement using a hot water bottle you mentioned in your video. Perfect for warming cold hands in the morning when you are breaking down camp. Unlike the lighter fluid Zippo model, you can turn this one on and off.
Thanks for the tips! Another tip you can use for cooking is to put a piece of foil or a lid to cover your pan while it is re-heating up, food will heat up faster and you save fuel.
We are snowbirds from Canada, ski mask, Smartwool, a warm sleeping bag, hot water bottle and remote car starter!
Perfect!! Need that remote car starter. Warm the car before I crawl out of bed. 💕
if you can heat soapstone, lava rocks or brick and use it to warm your bedding before getting in it, it is delightful. then leave it in the car for dry heat.
I used 1" pink insulation board to make my bed platform. It never feels cold to the touch, and keeps me toasty. Used 1/2 inch for the flooring, over the standard carpet.
Insulated reflextics fitted to every window helps a ton keeping cold out
Yes, Reflectix makes a huge difference in my SUV for winter camping here in BC
How do you hold them in place?
Holding them in place for me was easiest when i pressed an oversized 'sheet' against the window firm enough to make creases with which to guide my cuts. I cut just a bit oversized. I learned from another YTber of spray gluing some black material to the showing outside of the window ( so people dont see the silver). Hope that helps. The insulated sheets fit nicely everytime to the windows. Some of the rear side ones i just left on and used my mirrors ( blind spots). But up to the individual.
@@jimmystate thank you
Absolutely @niferanne...i was also able to tuck a little here and there into the window edges (minivan) is what i was in. Best wishes!
Those were great tips, Chase. The nalgene trick is one I use, too, but I use a 32oz single wall Pathfinder bottle, fill it with boiling water, pull a long hunter's wool sock over it, twist the top and bring it back down over the bottle. This in effect provides a two layer cover that prevents any damage to my sleeping bag. It goes into my footbox 5 to 10 minutes before I climb in. I "cuddle" a couple of Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers near my core during the night; and move them wherever they are needed. Fully charged one lasts 8 to 10 hours on a three LED setting; there are four settings. On high it may last 5 hours. As a hand warmer I usually require one or two LED lights. Just like your cell phone it can be recharged using your car or an Anker battery or Jackery unit. I use an Appalachian Gear alpaca sleeping bag liner if it's super cold like below zero, pretty much like your Sea to Summit Reactor liner. Another thing I keep within easy reach is a portable urinal (accordion-like), unzip the bag and pee, never getting out of the sleeping bag. Fully extended, the bottle has an ample capacity. Empty and rinse out in the morning. I'll use my Mr. Buddy just to warm the interior of my Jeep SUV then turn it off. Even then I still use a portable monitor just in case. I velcro mounted one on a back passenger door near where my head would be located. BTW I like the conversion kit you have...it's sweet! I just roll out a Teton base camp mat when setting up the bedroll. I keep a 100% wool blanket, queen size, behind the driver's seat in a contractor bag to keep it clean and dry. Many times I used it with my military woobie and stayed toasty warm down to low 30's. My sleep attire is just merino wool layers, shirt and pants, socks (Darn Tough), neck gaiter and fleece beanie that has built-in LED lights in the forehead; switch is in the liner behind my right ear. My "furnace" usually runs very warm and too many layers will cause me to burst into flames :)
Hot springs in the snow!! Mate this is unreal, digging your videos
Stumbled upon your channel tonight and I just wanted to say you’re a natural behind the camera. With content of this quality you deserve more subscribers. You at least have another one here. Keep up the awesome work :)
I also like to keep a few packs of chemical hand warmers in my vehicle. at .99cents for a 2 pack, one hand warmer typically can last up to 10 hours. I like to put one in the bottom of my bedroll to keep my feet toasty warm. you'd be surprised at how versatile those things are!
Good idea!
Piddy 3825 where do you buy them?
You should do a video on the window cut outs. Specifically what material you use and how to make it and how you make them stay in your passenger windows
People who are planning to go camping need information like this to serve as their guide before they go. Thanks for creating this!
A couple of more tips from a Vermonter who winter camps: Don’t wear the same clothes to bed that you wore during the day. They might not feel sweaty, but they are. So that moisture will keep you cool. Also, change out of those sweaty “sleeping clothes” in the AM. Basic rule: One pair of daytime clothes. One pair of nighttime clothes. I saw a video of an Alaskan couple and they swear by having hot rocks, (those that were NEAR but obviously not part OF) the camp fire. They put them between their legs, at the foot of their sleeping bags and I think near their necks? When they sleep. Just a few thoughts….keep these videos coming. Great stuff.
By far the best and realistic winter car camping video on TH-cam.
Love these tips! To add on to your "start warm" mantra, I'd reccomend putting up your window insulating panels as soon as you stop your car and keep all the doors closed while cooking or doing other outside activities. Having the car sealed will help the cabin retain heat for a longer period of time. Stay toasty!
EXCELLENT suggestion!
Sleeping/ camping in ur car in cold weather.....tight fitting clothes help and if you keep ur blanket just enough over ur nose but not totally blocking out air flo really helps.
Since Little buddy heaters are propane you need proper ventilation... the only thing you don’t need ventilation with is electric heaters
Thanks for the video.
Completely off topic, you have a really wonderful smile.
Thank you! 😃
Your attitude reflects the essence of The Obstacle is the Way, and it's contagious. Your videos are helpful, to the point, and inspiring. Well done, brother.
Wow, thank you! I appreciate the compliments. Take care🙏
@@ChaseChristopher1 I like your videos
@@dougpart7696 Thanks!
There’s a saying, ”your altitude is based on your attitude”
Oh so true! I totally agree! I sighed watching it...u have such a powerful presence and so present, grounded, balanced...and obviously an intelligent, conscious brother (which i don't say lightly!) A true testimony to the benefits of living among the elements and how healing and grounding that is! We are the elements...when we commune with them they purify and heal us. so amazing!! we are so blessed!
This video was so helpful! My friend and I have gone winter car camping for the past three years and we're mostly learning the hard way. We had room for error in previous years because we were close to home if we wanted to bail, and the weather was pretty mild. This past weekend we were 3 hours from home and the weather was not going to be friendly. We watched your video on prep, and It was our most successful camping trip yet because we followed your pre-sleep schedule. :D
I love winter hiking videos
Usually I'm watching Foresty Forest but now I found you
Thanks for watching! Im glad you enjoyed🙏
I know this is not about camping but I have to say that this guy is dreamy😍
Great video, your videos are so chill and just relaxing..
12:24 A good thing to remember is that when you wake up you want to put on layers so might not be the best idea to sleep in all your heavy clothes especially your puffy ! That being said you have an adequate sleeping bag etc!
As a associate of SIA (Subaru of Indiana Automotive) I love to see a Subie being used properly!
🤙🤙🤙
I grew up in a cold old farmhouse; we didn't have heat upstairs so many times you could see your breath at night and early morning. We used wool military blankets and lots of quilts. I would tunnel into the blankets and slept great. I still like a cold room to sleep in.
I’m impressed you found somewhere to winter camp in the dark. I think that would stress me out. That build is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing the tips.
Thanks for watching!
The boiled water in Nalgene bottles was a FANTASTIC HINT! I didn't own any non insulated bottles that could handle that high a temperature.
They lasted for hours and made a difference. It was 16 F outside.
I was testing the equipment I bought for cold weather camping. It was a success. Thanks for great information.
You can double the R value of reflectix by putting coroplast on the side that touches the window glass. I used black coroplast, reflectix, and a faux velvet fabric for my window covers and I stayed toasty warm.
Also, a simple rubber bottom bathmat under your sleeping pad will add another layer of protection.
do you leave windows slightly cracked?
YesReflective insulation works best with an air gap with the chloroplast provides
Wow that dinner looks delicious for a quick fix in a cold place. The cold is not as scary if you grew up or have always been around a state that has snow. It actually doesn't make a difference if you were home in the backyard with the snow all around you.
Great tips!!! I like to wear silk or marino underwear; protects the skin from synthetics. The older you get, the more sensitive you get to these things. on that note, drinking boiling water out of a plastic container sounds dicey. I love your video! We've been x-country skiers/car campers for a long time.
I agree, merino wool is great! Yeah I try not to do it often, but with the boiling point being lower at high elevation where I'm usually camping I'm not terribly worried about it.
I like my electric blanket and Jackery. LOL. I hate cold
Just bought an e-blanket for my girlfriend to use on ski trips... That sounds enjoyable!
She WILL LOVE IT
Which one did you get ? I got a 12V one and it draws 55w and barely warms up so i need something else that can cut it for car camping in the snow.
@@victorlevasseur7294 We are big fans of the Electrowarmth Twin Heated Mattress Pad. This is also 12 volt, but gets hot so quick we find ourselves running it on low. Unfortunately it is a bit costly at $90, but definitely worth it to us. We own the 55 watt version as well. We like it for running all night as it gets pretty warm come 2am, but up until 2am it feels almost like it isn't even on.
@@victorlevasseur7294 :: lay on **top** of the electric blanket ... heat rises and escapes if you are under it.
I live in Colorado so this was a very helpful video...as you know, it can get bitterly cold and to keep warm is essential to our survival while in the car. Thanks for an awesome video! I suddenly don’t seem as crazy now that I know someone else is doing the exact same thing! Cheers mate for an awesome video!
I like your butter heated up meal. Much more simple than cooking from scratch.
Your setup is so neat too. Cooking outside the car and table goes down into a bed as in a boat!
My winter vehicle, ski resort parking lot stealth camping methodology:
off the floor if possible for a cold sink.
R8 pad to sleep on.
styrofoam, reflectix or closed cell foam insulating walls, ceiling and esp windows.
hot soup before bed. pee jug so going is just a matter of unzipping the sleeping bag(s) and arching your back (if you're a guy).
hot water bottle to warm up your feet if they've been cold during the day.
down booties.
bag in a bag, sometimes with a fleece liner as a third, innermost layer when it's below -20F.
warm hat of course, gloves if it's super cold.
commercial carpet on ceiling and walls, kinda 70s, helps to avoid condensation drip.
Love these! People who camp with solar or battery banks can also try the 12 volt blankets. I take a regular blanket and throw it over my sleeping bag. That helps a ton. I take my car camping, so it also gives him room to climb under and get warm in the tent.
Perfect timing on this video. Doing my first cold car camp tomorrow. Forecast is calling for a snowfall and night time temps of -11c/12f.
Heck yeah, have fun! I'm sure it'll be beautiful👍
Love that Hot spring... we always pull over when we are rafting and hit that one.
Awesome! I have yet to raft that section of river. 🤙
Where's that?
I appreciate the tips, and really appreciate your video style. Thanks! I'm all about the down booties and bringing an extra comforter from home. Glad to be reminded of the hot water bottle trick. cheers!
Thanks, Nathan! Have fun out there👍
Just laid off and preparing my camping van! And you are so right it’s attitude! I will survive this crushed Covid disaster!! Thank you I’m ready!
Have fun!
Thanks for the tips. I’ve started to travel in my van. Back in Nov I so underestimated the cold. I won’t do that again my feet were ice. I have a little buddie now. Even bought a sweater for the dog. Thanks
Please get booties for you dog. If your feet were cold so were your dogs feet. They are great for cold/snow and scorching sand/dirt. One set for winter and one set for summer. Your a good dog mom to get a dog sweater.
There are all kinds of heating cushions and pads and blankets in 12 volt and in 110 volt. You could use a 12 volt rv battery and inverter for a 110 volt, or buy a 12 volt pad or cushion and just use a 12 volt rv battery. A small pad or cushion inside a sleeping bag would be great. They are for sale all over the internet.
Great idea!
I use the booties and stack it with a down hood in really cold weather. Also a big fan of the larger size hot hands than run for 18 hours. One of those all night and you're good to go!
Great idea!
I'm a OLD hiker. Hands get REAL ❄️! Hand warmers work great for me. Continue to enjoy yourself.
Love the video!! I got my van and been practicing for a year in my other car and so far learned to keep warm in winter!! I'm ready for the outdoors!
That is awesome!
@@ChaseChristopher1 Thanks, wish you success!!!
A Trangia alcohol stove set for low heat will burn a long time. Put a large, covered kettle on the stove to absorb some of the heat and release it after the stove goes out. I’m referring to the stable, fire-safe kits such as the Trangia 27 or 25. They are popular in Europe. These stoves are quiet, wind resistant, and safe. They cook gently from all sides. Get fuel from any grocery or hardware store. No need to dispose of butane canisters. Setting heat level takes a bit of practice, but they work well after you learn how to set the control cap. What’s not to like?
I love the tips, your attitude and smile : ) I am going to look for the book. Stay safe and happy travels.
Good practical comments on winter camping. I’d like to use those handwarmers when it’s cold. I’ll open a couple and throw them in the bottom of my sleeping bag a half hour before I get into it.
On the tip about using a propane heating buddy in a vehicle, you must crack the window. Otherwise the combustion Will consume most of the oxygen in your vehicle although it is not 100% airtight. You may end up with a serious headache or even worse.
I got a similar set up in my jeep wrangler. I love car camping.
Awesome!
You can use a light weight wool blanket on top of your sleeping bag, to stay warm really works good for in car camping!
Old fashioned hot water bottles, the kind that look like whoopi cushions and are made of a think rubbery material, can be filled with boiling water and stay warm until morning. I keep one by my feet and one near my chest.
Warm clothes in bed makes all the difference. I use a 15 degree comfort rated bag and have worn full on winter gear inside the bag when it gets colder. Put a blanket over top of the opening of the bag as well to help keep super cold air off your face. I use Wiggys gear and bags, the insulation isn’t affected by moisture so you don’t have to worry about moisture or sweating.
Thanks, Chase, for another great video! :) Great tip about those down socks. Haven't seen that before. What I always do is have fresh extra wool socks and heated water bottle at the end of the sleeping bag.
Thanks! Give them a try, I do not think you'll be dissapointed👍 Good socks are a solid choice too.
Really great stuff man, thank you so much. I’m looking forward to my Christmas road trip in my Prius from CO to CA and back. (Just a touch of feedback, the music was a bit hard to hear over toward the end of the video). Thanks for the great advice!
That's a real nice set up you built there! I would probably suggest a jackery with a 12volt blanket.
Steve C Good idea!
Hi Chase, I started car camping back in the early 80's. Back when rainbows were black & white. I read an article in OUTDOOR magazine about car camping. It showed a picture of a guy bivy on the ground in the American Southwest. I knew that I could do that with little to no cost. But I'd sleep in the back seat because of critters. From there I went to truck camping from 84-2017. We didn't have access to all the gadgets you guys have now. All our stuff was limited to Coleman camp products, & wherever you can find them. From '17-2020 did travel trailer camping. I did dry camping, stealth, as well as campgrounds. I like seeing your channel because you show off the latest in camp gear that I/ we never had. 1 thing that I found to be very utilitarian, through misadventure, was a solid hooded sweatshirt. They'll keep you warm at night & can double as a pillow & sack for dirty clothes, gear etc. Stay safe. Happy trails. 🤠
Hot water bottle at my feet keeps me feeling warm all over. 😉
Love the prefabricated set up in the rear of the Subi. Though, I noticed that you canister for heating you dinner sat very high compared to you seating arrangement. I'd be cutting a hole in one of the pull-outs, large enough so that the gas cooker can sit much much lower. Probably so the flame just sits proud of the board. Yes, you'll need to staple some flexible fly screen material into the hole that then stops the canister from falling through to the ground, but being flexible it will squish up when you want to push the board back in. This means you don't have to stand or REACH up to get to your dinner every time you wish to check on it or STIR IT. I'd probably cut this out off to one side so that the rest of the board surface is not compromised for other purposes - so probably in the smaller pull-out and to the side, this will leave the boards fairly free for other activities required prior to bed time. Ok if you cook standing then this obviously isn't a requirement, but I noticed you did cook sitting down. I liked all your tips, but thought: Could you recommend using a heating blanket on top your mattress and under you sleeping bag plugged in to the rear socket? Have you tried one? How much electricity would one use from the car battery? Any recommendations? Happy camping from Australia.
Not even 10 minutes in and I subscribed!
Definitely going to car camp in the cold now, Ive only car camped in the summer, but this video inspired me.
Same. Nice video. Well made.
He is a natural and obviously talented. Love the music and video!
Three thoughts on using vehicle heat, be sure that the car exhaust and underside of the car isn't buried in the snow, have heater fan at least medium or on high so clean air from outside is forced into the car, if there is a switch that toggles recirculating inside air or using outside air that it is selected so that it is outside air going through the heater and into the inside of the vehicle.
Great video! I love the scenery, the hot springs, and your tips. You are a brave soul to car camp in cold weather. I’m planning to go snow camping with friends in January - the first time! I bought a Hot Pocket blanket from Sierra Madre Research. I’ve used it for outdoor events but not yet used it for camping in the winter. The heat for the blanket is powered by a rechargeable battery. It works well at outdoor events.
Thanks! Im sure that blanket will make the trip enjoyable, have fun!
I spent 12 years of my life in Scouts doing winter camps every year. You blew my mind with the down booties, absolute game changer. Thank you!
Hey man, I love the videos - keep them coming! I just wanted to let you know that you played a part in inspiring me to live out of my car (2006 Subaru Outback) next summer after I graduate college while I explore the Western United States (I'm from Minnesota). I visited a friend in Boise, ID this past summer and took a trip to the Sawtooths and have fallen in love with Idaho, so I definitely plan on spending some time there. Just wanted to let you know of my appreciation for your content and thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks Joe! Thats way cool! I haven't gone multiple months full time in mine due to my job here in Boise, but that sounds like so much fun. Idaho is a special place with so much to offer! Best of luck on your travels👍
Great Video - Beautiful country!! We are headed out this weekend for some van camping - no snow but supposed to get down in the 30s at night which is chilly for Arizona! I always wear layers to bed - make sure to use the bathroom before bed, with minimal drinks before sleeping lol We do have tons of sherpa & down blankets and cold weather sleeping bags (20 degree rating). With the van we let it run with the heater on for like 15 min, once we're ready for bed and all the doors are shut. We camp with our dogs too so extra body heat- all those things combined keep us pretty toasty!
Dude, I love winter camping, but your outlook and attitude is incredible. You also gave a few great tips. Awesome video! You definitely won the sub from me. Thanks!
Thank you, I appreciate it! Happy camping👍
Holy cow…you are brave af! Out in the wilderness all alone, putting all those food cooking scent out there for the bear, wolves etc!! But anyway…good tips! I need to get a hot water bottle. A couple things I would add: 1) When temps are down near zero or below make sleeping space smaller by isolating back of vehicle from the front with a curtain/blanket, or tenting the bed. 2) If you don’t sleep fully clothed, put your clothes in bed with you so you’re not putting on cold clothes when you get up. 3) Put a couple small rugs or a blanket on the floor to help insulate vehicle, and when you get out of bed you it’s warmer to stand on.
The photos you showed made it look like you’re in a Subaru ad and that my friend mead you got skills to pay the bills
Stumbled onto your chanel. Thank you for sharing! We just purchased a Tucson. Thinking of outfitting it similar to yours. Look forward to seeing more videos. From Ontario Canada.
I just love this idea. The set up in your car is awsome. Stay safe my friend.
Thanks, you too!
Great, relaxing video. Also, great tips from someone who actually lives the life. I'm looking forward to your future vlogs.
I plug my heating pad into my Jackery! It warms up my bed in my van, and I can turn it on throughout the night if I wake up cold! And for my dog, I put hand warmers in his bed. :) Great video! Also, I LOVE the book "The Obstacle is the Way." I read it a couple of years ago when I was going through a period of self-discovery. Thanks for the video. xoxo
Great idea! Thanks for the watch. The book is a phenomenal one, I hope it has helped you as much as it has me. Take care.
I hope he’s not the type to chew on those things! Would they work if placed beneath the bed?
@@wendyannh No no he's not a chewer. I do put them under the blankets.
I love adventuring all year long. Just started car camping. I appreciate this video, thank you.
Good video man, i'm hoping to do more winter camping this season 👌 also I dig your Subaru setup, those slide out tables are awesome!
Just stumbled on this page cause I wanted to know what roof rack would be best for camping/snowboarding 3 videos later and now all I wanna do is go camping! Love the content man keep posting!
Good ideas I’m thinking of using the Jackery for the electric blanket . I haven’t tried it yet
Thanks. Go for it!
How does that work?
Good tips. Don’t know how I haven’t seen your channel before. Good video quality. Looks like a suburban? That’s what I camp out of. I use a twin, inflatable mattress, fit right between my big drop down behind the drivers seat. Couple of wool blankets, and an old sleeping bag I had when I was 13 (I’m 50 now 😁). I’ll throw in one of my newer REI 0’ bag or my Colman 15’ bag if I know or an expecting it to be REALLY cold. Like to keep a pop-up, 10x10, I’ll set up right out the back. Trying to set up a small military wood stove up with that. The Little Buddy is an excellent heater, I’ll usually run it before I go to bed, and turn it off after I get settled in. Need to do the reflectics material. But, yeah, good times. Hoping to get out next week, if not the following. Stay safe.
Fun zen video to watch. I would love to see your vlogs of your camping outings ie your entire trip from start to finish, cooking dinner, telling us camp stories and thoughts. You have a soothing voice!
ic2133 Thanks! I will definitely consider doing longer videos of trips, I love capturing the adventure. Thanks for you input! 🙂
Oh that hot water pool by the river looks awesome! Sooo jalous!
Felt liner for your bag. Wool long Johns,
I agree!
Nice video and thanks for the tipps, I watched every second of it! But it is the wrong way to sleep with a jacket or thick clothes in a sleeping bag. Your body heats up the bag, and that's exactly how it works. So if you waer clothes, you can't heat up the sleeping bag. My tipp is to waer maximum some thermo underwear with wool socks or some socks like you did. The liner is also a nice thing to have and can save a lot of warmth.
Thanks for the tips of staying warm I'm moving out of my apartment the end of January and living in my car full-time so I am wondering if you have any more stay warm tricks
Just learned about hybrid cars like Prius and RAV4 that have climate control. You set the temp and it will run car heater off battery and when that gets low it will kick on the engine for 5 mins to recharge the car battery and then shut off. It repeats this all night without use nearly any gas. Not assuming everyone has a hybrid but this is enticing. Cheers!
I car camp/snowboard in my 2005 grand marquis. i ended up putting a solar pannel on the trunk lid and a 100 ah battery in the back i bought a 12v trucker heating pad for my bed in the back. and put a wool blanket and fuzzy flanket on top and a another comforter to cover up with i run it for an hour or so while im driving and its extreemly warm by the time i get in i have to be stripped down to even get into bed.i can get through the whole night now without haveing to start the car ,but it does help on longer colder nights. i have reflectix on all the windows too which does help.i will keep the windows sealed then air it out if i need too.it s ussual not a big deal.i did also invet in a carbon monoxide detector. Usually not much to do past 6pm so i usually end up sleeping for close to 12 hours every night when im being a ski bum
Hi Chase. Do you keep the windows down a little bit to prevent the moisture inside the car when you wake up in the morning？
Indeed...always good to have a Damp-Rid product to keep humidity/moisture levels down.
More importantly than keeping moisture down is ventilation to keep carbon dioxide from building up. CO2 accumulates from normal breathing quickly in a confined, unventilated space.
@@bnkwupt As carbon dioxide and water are both given off in a respiration reaction they are Simultaneous
@@gregoryboles9404 specifically what products..?
Awesome thanks! Just boondocked this all last weekend in VA... little chili , not bad... luckily the outback has the remote crank with 10 minute timeout so I did that a couple times... keep’em coming man! Thanks again
Thanks for watching! Sounds like a good time👍
Found your channel last week and have been binging all your camp videos! Love your editing style and you seem so genuine in your love for the outdoors. I've already gotten some great ideas from your build, so I appreciate the content! I've also had that book on my to-read list for a while, maybe it'll help encourage me to do more winter camping too haha