Winter Storm in a Van and my Heater DIED!! | Living the Van Life
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Leading up to yet another snow storm in Texas, my van heater broke! After it snowed I had several other troubles which made my van dangerous to camp in.
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I've been Van Camping for over 20 years in 48 States & half of Canada, and I have NEVER needed a heater during winter... I have a Military Surplus Excavation Bag Rated -60F, but I also have 2 extra regular sleeping bags mainly for cushion layered on top of the inflatable mattress & two 4 inch thick =8 inch foam cushions, and I have 3 comforter Blankets & 5 pillows.... What's funny is when I wake up in the morning and see ICE on the "inside" windows with of course lots of snow & ice on the outside too.
The cold killed my vans battery but I’m thankful that Walmart honored the free replacement
Use a broom to clean your van off. Tube sock to protect wipers.
What A good idea. Slinky synthetic socks tho.
Just lift the wipers up off the windows, no need for socks. That is how Canadians do it.
That’s what I did in Colorado. I lived in an apartment but I didn’t always get home in time to get my car in the garage when it snowed. It was so hard to get it in the garage if the snow got deep.
The squeeling is not your battery. Thsts your fan belt. It’s slipping cause it’s cold.
in Colorado thru prop the wipers up too. But I liked socks on mine too. I got to putting a blanket or tarp on my windshield. Holding it down with my wipers. At one time I had a cover for my windshield. Magnetic. Worked well.
Make sure your van is topped off with antifreeze, if it’s low it will not blow heat until you start driving
With not either
@@WillChil466 with antifreeze
You will not get warm air out of the van's heater vents until the engine gets warm.
Diesel fuel can freeze at 32 degrees F. Should add cetane additive to the diesel fuel tank.
Glad you got your onboard heat working. I can't stand day after day of cold, grey skies either....it's really depressing.
Good luck and safe travels.👍
If you can lower your window (Driver or passenger) all the way down, so that the glass no longer protrudes above the metal, you can stand on the edge of your door and look above the roof of your van at half height, (Tip: Put a pair of thick socks over your shoes, this way you have more grip on the metal and it seems safer to me, and you also don't damage the paint on the door) Take a long broom handle (for example, the extra long extendable model is handy if you have to reach far) and mount a window squeegee with a sponge on it. Immerse the sponge with antifreeze (the same thing you have in the water tank of your windshield washers). With that squeegee you can wipe off most of the snow and ice, and Use the sponge to thaw these frozen parts and wash off the stubborn leftovers.) As far as the poorly functioning heating of your car itself is concerned, it is best to have it checked in a garage. This could be a blockage in your interior radiator (That small radiator under your dashboard), or the coolant level is too low, leakage, or a thermostat that no longer closes properly when the engine is cold, which means that the engine cannot warm up sufficiently and continues to run cold or lukewarm, and therefore remains at an insufficient temperature. also have greater fuel consumption www.amazon.nl/DERPOL-Telescopische-telescoopsteel-sponsbreedte-ruitenreiniger/dp/B0BR4FZZSZ/ref=sr_1_40?__mk_nl_NL=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=Q965YNNVN5AA&keywords=Trekker+met+spons&qid=1706132490&sprefix=trekker+met+spons%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-40
I watched you going through what is a daily ritual here.
I highly recommend you get a DC-DC charger, if you don’t already have one.
They’re inexpensive, reliable, easy to install, and far more effective than solar panels are, especially at this time of year. The charger can deliver more power in 15 minutes than the solar panels could deliver in a whole afternoon during the winter.
BTW, my panels are removable. I don’t have them on the van during the winter because they don’t deliver enough power, and because I don’t want to risk damaging them when removing ice and snow.
Hope this helps.
Yes! I have a DC to DC charger installed. It's been super helpful! Also, smart about the removable panels!
Oh girl I'm glad you got your van heater fixed 🙏❤️ I cant handle cold weather at all! Lol 😳
Thank you, me too!
Tip : crack a window when you first turn on your heater. Toxins blow out first from sediment 🤗. Ventilation always wins.
Sure hope you can stay warm and get your heater fixed sending prayers.. 🙏 🙏 🙏
There are many recipes but water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle will melt the frozen iced glass and locks on vehicles fairly quickly. You could ck if that's an option on solar panels.
I live an hour north of Dallas and have lived in Texas most of my life (a couple years in SF and a couple in Phx) but I do NOT live here because I love the cold weather!! I am all about the warmth!! I am so thankful that here in Tx the freezes are few and far between!😊
So glad you are safe and the heaters can be fixed. Stay safe and we will see you in the next video. ❤
This was an insane storm for much of the country. I’m glad you’ve survived it and it looks like things are getting corrected. ✌️❤️🙏
Hello Allison and everyone. Happiest Wenesday. Keep Enjoying the great outdoors. Glad all worked out for you with heat . We are all feeling this terrible chill. Like your white Coat. I could feel the cold as you were walking ......it was so crunchy. Blessings always beautiful😘
Your rig needs a list of upgrades and improvements before you winter it out in a van or any type of rv, trailer, etc.
better insulation, 2 or 3 different options for heat. Tire chains, a pioneer kit.
The list goes on.
Sorry hun, but I'm kinda glad me heading southwest got pushed back lol I watched the news and how the cold is everywhere this winter 😂
what did the mechanic say about heater core cuz it doesnt sound like they fixed it right…also dont brush off van with keys in hand cuz if any of that water gets inside your ignition then it will either short it out or rust will form inside it then you will have another problem..lithium batteries dont do well in cold temps..there should be a temp shut off eigther on battery or in manual..did you get thermostat replaced?..hope this info helps u fixing your heat problems 🙏
Though I've never been a smoker, I used to always keep 3-4 lighters in my bag so that when my car door and even apartment door locks were frozen, I would hold the key over the lighter flame for 10 seconds, insert the key in the lock wait a couple of seconds, then the door would unlock.
There's a spray for that
That is very smart!
@@WillChil466That spray won't light your way if you suddenly find yourself in the dark with no lumination, including from your phone. Nor will that spray start a fire to keep you warm when you're out in the woods (pick a reason), nor will that spray light the candles you have at home needed during a blackout. Lots of good reasons to keep lighters with you for uses other than smoking.
Ooo girl...I know this is rough...take care, looks like you've made some preparation... Just stay warm, be safe
Thank you, I will!
Maybe one of the heaters that plug in the cigarette lighter thing, they are made to defrost but it would be a source of heat in emergency situations
It’s either to hot or to cold for me here in the panhandle of Texas but I deal with it every year
Texas weather is crazy. I love it here, but the weather is crazy.
Weather is crazy globally. Global warming.Read the news?
Girl I hear yeah!!! The RV heater broke three times. Lol, the Rv company wanted to charge 300 for the motherboard went to another store 2hrs away I paid 50.00 dollars. Crooked RV shops.
I forgot to mention I’m so happy the mechanic was able to fix your heat! I think all nomads need to learn about heating & cooling systems & what type of fluids are needed to keep them rolling… 🙂🙃
Thank you and I agree!
It’s good to have a small backup heater… Those little ceramic heaters are really good and getting up fast
You still have to power it. I don't know if she has a portable battery like bluetti etc.
Where will she plug it in?
@@RollOnBusin A portable power station charged either by the van’s alternator, or some other power source.
They take a lot of power. Even if u had
a Bluetti oinr Jackery
@@ThatGuy-mu2rr A heater requires a lot of power. A "jackery" will last about two hours. When you live in a vehicle ThatGuy, you will understand better.
Allison, as a Nomad; is there anyway you can avoid the severe Cold? God bless you...
Hi I'm new but did want to give my 2cents . You really should not be brushing all the snow off with your keys and the fob,it absolutely will get wet inside and you will have another big issues on topofno heat . Good luck
Hey I pray God directs you Walmart have plug in heaters and portable heaters God Bless you
Can you get the Buddy heater as backup? I pray for you
Well, a stack of power stations and a ceramic space heater are on my van build list.
Where are you that you’ve got so much snow? I’m glad you’re not in your van in cold weather any more right now anyhow. When I lived in Colorsdo you learn how quickly it gets dangerous in snow. You have to have a good car and good set ups when it’s cold. It gets so dangerous so fast in cold and snow.
Cold weather is rough. Keep your chin up Allison
Things will get better
I pray for God's hand on you! In Jesus' name
Thank you kindly!
You're a tough cookie, makes me sad seeing you cold. Come back to Vegas.
haha! I definitely loved the more moderate weather that's for sure.
I have been homeless after DV and a crooked court my Ex is related to. Lost my housing, kids, money, credit. It was tough 2013-2018. Homeless alone in a van without heat and full of stuff. I should have put a bed in the back and put everything into storage. I was afraid that I’d lose precious pictures and court papers, clothes etc if I couldn’t afford the storage costs. I stayed several weeks at a time under a casino in CT. At least I could walk inside, got food and 2 nights a week free at hotel casino for free. I lost a lot to get the perks. I don’t recommend that life though the bells and whistles, pools, showers, food and people.. did help save my life. I would have been more depressed and froze to death alone. What state are you in? What happened to your apartment? Those memories are many. Only I remember. It was sad and hard times. Love Won eventually! I got a home, my kids back. They became old enough to escape and speak in court for themselves.
GET YOU SOME smokeless candles at the dollar store... Warm as toast.
I have a question about an old video you made. My husband and I are going To Myrtle Beach for a 3 week vacation the end of Feb. What was the name of the condo you stayed at?
Might be heater coil gone bad. Check coolant level. May be empty.
Heater core
Hello Addison.
Is always a treat to see your videos.
I often bench watching tons of them and I don't sleep advertising 😊
so glad they were able to fix the problem, stay safe
Hi Allison I'm so glad you weren't on the road in a cold state thank god. Also glad you got it repaired god is good Allison.
Amen to that!
LiPo batteries are terrible in the cold, the cold is when you need them the most. SEE THE ISSUE! Get rid of the JUNK and get some AGM batteries, be nice and warm like I am.
I wish you could park in a covered garage parking structure.
Please stay safe.
Drive south!
Well that’s dangerous at least your not traveling
Cant you go back to your apartment?
😂
Silly question
Of course. She is trying to take care of the van in this cold weather.
@@Stay_tooned She doesn’t have her apartment.
It looks to me like she is at her apartment. Just trying to keep things from getting too frozen.
Did you think to check the radiator for coolant. Also the fuse for the heater
Winter .. buddy heater back up .. one heater breaks fix it or replace it .. cheap Chinese heater .. better have a another .. they break down .. can't run low they carbonize to rich .. add clean flow in the fuel ..
Stay safe & warm! 🌷
So sorry you are going through this mess. I know this isn't funny, but you so look like me when I get frustrated my eyes look dilated! BTW my mom always bought dry ice for the refrigerator when we lost power. It works like a charm and doesn't melt for days. Keeps everything really cold. Hot water bottles work like a charm under clothing if you have propane left to heat water. Hope this helps. 🩷 From Northern California
Why aren't you in Quartzite or Florida ?
Do you have a trickle charger? Maybe that would help.
Why do you go where it is snowing?
Hi Alison....glad to see your channel! Hope things get better
Thank you so much!
You should have moved farther south part of texas. It is more like California weather.
Muggy summers. Unbearable heat
@@WillChil466 not hardly.
@@WillChil466 I have to laugh at this comment because all of Texas is humid and hot .. haha
No. It’s nothing like California weather.
@@Alnava-ml3wn I was raised in orange county CA, and live outside of corpus Christi TX key board warrior.i know what I'm talking about nemrod or I would not have said.
Hello from NC.
❤
What kind of van do you have?
E V E R Y ..... Y E A R ..... she deals with the SAME thing. Maybe next year will be different. WHY continue to go through the stress (EVERY YEAR) ?? FOR CONTENT ?? MAKES NOOOOO SENSE. GO SEE YOUR SON A DIFFERENT TIME OF YEAR. Like mid Feb/March?!? Just RIDICULOUS.
Be nice..save your rant..or watch a different channel ...she is a free spirit..she can go where she wants.. I'm in Minnesota..we tough it through.. I learn a lot from her.
For one, suggestions are nicer than opinions. 2nd If you've been watching her videos she has moved to that location. A nice rule of thumb many learned as children...If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
If you had been paying attention, she moved to Texas.
@@JNanteThat old saw is for peep with no backbone
Sometimes in life it is not worth "fixing," every tiny problem, and every difficulty in everyday life is not a disaster but just something you deal with when it comes up.
Allison ❤❤
Stay in a hotel a few nights
Head South to Florida
It's risky when your caught in a storm.You must have an emergency strategy. 😢
Where were you sleeping?
Did you make it to where your son in Texas lives?
Yes I did! Thanks
Why kind, year and mileage is your van? I knew once but can't remember. I'm looking at a 1997 GMC Savanna with 92,000 miles. They want $19,000. Have no idea if it's a good deal or not. Stay warm, dear lady!
No. American old rigs are no good.
@@WillChil466👍
Please find work.
Thermostat? Stay safe!
What did I miss? Why are you in the snow?
I believe she’s in TX visiting her son. In TX we had a ice/snow storm last week.
Maybe she covers this, but why not just drive south for the winter?
Well, from what I see on the weather channel lately, many Southern states have been totally iced over~Here in Arizona, we have been quite cold yet pretty much tolerable...Holly☆☆
Praised the Lord 🙏🏽👍🏽
Amen!
Why choose a white van?
With all the ‘creep in a white van’ stories I would choose any color but white