Dang, I get chills looking at all that snow. Definitely get a second set of batteries for the vest and gloves. Your health is very important. Have a happy and safe Christmas.
Oh wow... I woke up this morning (Saturday) and went outside and seriously... I thought of you. Jeeeeez the freeeez!! Warm thoughts your way! I live in western mass. ✌
Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Brave of you to try to drive in that. From a Texan who has never driven in much snow at all. We shut the whole place down when it snows in central Texas.
Dehumidifier is a game changer. Pulls a cup out once a week. In small spaces your breath raises the humidity fast, you get the idea when your in a not running car for a while. The windows fog right up.
I too ordered the heated vest after your review. Love it; especially the built-in hand warmers. I used to live in Alaska and you just do what you need to do to get through. Best wishes.
I was thinking about you & the cold weather. I know you're on top of your game. Time becomes the deciding factor to meal prep vs. ready made. Free perks for your dedication, YEAH! If you get the new job, great, if not think of it as maybe for some reason it wasn't for you at this time. Be safe & drive slow.
Great video! You always feature new perspectives of van life, keeps it interesting! Glad you updated us about the job interview - keeping my fingers crossed! It does sound perfect for you!
Kemimoto sells extra batteries too. I bought the vest, based on your recommendation, and yeah, it's great. I did buy an extra battery , so now I always have one charging while one is in use. I try to do that with all my critical rechargeable items. When these lithium batteries go down, they go down fast! EDIT!: The vest was so nice that I ordered the gloves that Matt recommended too, along with an extra set of glove batteries. Unfortunately, they sent me the wrong batteries. They have a customer service line, but I was pretty clenched when I tried it, because these phone numbers usually lead nowhere but to more frustration! To my utter shock, a very nice young lady actually answered the phone! No phone answering algorithm! I explained why I was calling, and by the time I had finished, she had already pulled up my order using the number that I called from AND confirmed that I had been sent the wrong batteries. In short, the mistake was confirmed and corrected to my complete satisfaction instantly. Both the vest and the gloves are very nice items. The battery packs are super nice too. The customer service is out of this world! Kemimoto rocks!
Get a Camco Wave 3 heater. Then roll down the windows and inch and get a rechargeable fan to circulate the heat. It’s a very dry heat. Have been using it in my van for 2 winters and it’s dry. It’s propane but the only heater that doesn’t cause condensation. Get rain guards for the windows so rain doesn’t come in. It works well when temps are 30* but you’ll need it on the high setting for below 30*. The 3 is good for a van that is 8ft long inside. If your van is longer you might want a Wave 6. For my 3 I use a 20lb tank of propane every 2-3 weeks running the heater 9 hrs per day.
propane releases H2O as part of the chemical reaction so I don't understand how it would create a dry heat... 1 lb of propane produces 1.6 lbs of water
I got the extension pole with a brush also. Works well when a lighter snow out. Also carry a snow shovel in the winter. Although I am doing what I can to stay south during the winters now. Just got one of those suitcase diesal heaters to try out. Winter is always a challenge trying to stay warm.
I don't know about snow plow trucks, but here in Greece when you get several busses in a row after a long time without any it means that the drivers are sitting around socializing at the end of the route and most of them are getting started late on their route.
I use a product that I spray or pretreat on windshield, side widows, mirrors when I know bad winter weather is coming. It’s called Prestone Ice & Frost Shield Vehicle Glass Treatment. Basically keeps ice from forming or makes it a lot easier to clean.
I think most modern vehicles when you use the defrost autimatcly puts on the A/C also. Sleeping in a van creates lots of moisture not much you can do about it.
That drone! I’m in the suburban wonderland that is Plano TX but will soon be trading it for the Kingman AZ area. Why the desert? Too many years in the Kansas City area informed me that I’m done with cold and dreary! My day job as an electrical engineer for an AI startup is a fantastic gig and pays the bills but photography has been the thing that keeps my mind engaged and has done so since I was a kid in the 70s-80s. IDK about you but I find photography fascinating because it is a subject no one can truly master. Always a new challenge, a new technique, a new toy, which is why I am eagerly awaiting your take on the V11 Pro. DJI rightfully earned their number one spot in the drone market, but like any other company they have to create market segmentation so they’ll take a feature that in terms of hardware does not add that much cost to the drone like for example 8K video and reserve it for more expensive models. Whereas a smaller company has to fight for market share so they’ll give you the features. I’ve run the gamut of digital photography, as well as film photography, including developing C41 and E6 color film in the kitchen sink, (it can be done!) Now? It’s time to break into the Z axis in anticipation of all the exploring out in the desert I have ahead of me, and the V11 PRO is a machine to keep an eye on.
I wok love to live in AZ or NM, just beautiful landscapes down there. Unfortunately I am tethered to Boston due to work but hopefully that changes soon.
Regarding your job prospect, my guess would be with all climate-change stuff it may behoove you if you go in for a second interview to bring up energy saving strategies in van life.
I believe they’re plowing into each other’s plow to get it all over to one side “quickly”. I’ve wondered the same thing, it might be slow but sure is about the safest place you can drive.
Correct, they line up with a little offset relative to each other. The lead plow pushes to the 2nd plow, the 2nd to the 3rd, and so on. This pushes the snow to the side, either the median or to the shoulder, in one pass and prevents a ridge from forming in the roadway, which would be dangerous. I have followed these convoys on rt 2 many times. They only travel 20-30 mph, and it can be exasperating to follow, especially when there's hardly any snow, but it's also crazy to try and pass. It's also painful to be blasted with salt if they are laying it down. Not sure how much they pay, but they always seem to be looking for drivers and plow rigs.
How do you sell that to someone? You said it perfectly - I think the job is perfectly made for me and I’m perfectly made for it. I’ve been on the other side of an interview desk and as an interviewer I’d really appreciate hearing exactly that. I wish you luck in getting that second interview and that it is conducted by someone who is capable of hearing you. Really appreciate your work on your vids…stay warm!
You can overcome all those challenges! Inspired by your passion of keep going with VanLife !! Can the hydronics system (heated floor + warm air blow out) work reliability through out the night? You may consider to replace/add secondary alternator (280Ah) so that you don't need to drive long hrs everyday. In addition, you may consider to ADD a gasoline heater (draw fuel from vehicle's tank, you tabbed into it) under the passenger seat
I do have a gas heater that draws from the car's fuel tank. It heats up the glycol which is what's pumped through the tubes. I think glycol freezes at -22 so hopefully it never gets that cold!
Dont know if you ever heard of him, but there is a youtuber van dweller out in like Colorado, or somewhere, Foresty Forest, and he actually has a small wood stove hooked up in the van,, its so cool. But I am sure it would take some maintenance.
I have a medium roof Transit. I’ve been using a ❄️ telescoping snow roof rake for a few years now. It’s a great tool to have for us van lifers in the Northeast. Why not plug in your usb gadgets into a 12v socket? Bypass your inverter. It will save on energy. I’m a full time van dweller in Pa. It will be 4F in the am. It’s a bit too cold for my liking. But I’m prepared. Thanks for the video.
I would avoid Market 32 in Pittsfield! Another vanlifer @VanlifeBlackpearl did a video - he quit working there because of the disgusting and unsanitary conditions of the kitchen and prep areas. The Board of Health should close them down.
Hey Matt! Does your Transit van have heated mirrors? I have a Sprinter van, so I invested in a telescoping brush/ scrapper for my van. I'm impressed by the Polar Xtreme snowplow with the 64-inch reach. That's cool! I'm going to check out your link to KEMI MOTO heated apparel. I like the heated gloves. How long are they supposed to last? Thanks for sharing the great content.
As a northern Canadian, that snow brush is pathetic! Get yourself a REAL brush...Mine is telescopic to 6 feet out and has a rubber squeegee on one side and a broom opposite. Super easy to clean off my big box truck.
I don't like drones . One fell out the sky near here in Orlando and hit a little 5 or 6 year old little boy and nearly killed him . He required open heart surgery following the crash . This happened at Lake Eola park . Hopefully little boy will pull through . 🙏🙏🙏
If you are going to live in a vehicle, it helps to live in a electric vehicle where you can run the heat or A/C for days off the battery. The Ford E-Transit costs the same as the gas transit. With it's 89 kWh battery you could probably sit in it with the heat or A/C at full blast for three days, or more.
I love it when he says, I'll wake you guys up...
This is my new favorite "living in a van" channel 👍
Your humble humor is great and is a breath of fresh, clean air. It truly cracks me up. Truly enjoyed it. Be safe and stay practical. 👍👍
thanks
Young man you are fast becoming one of my favorite van lifers.
thanks Karen!
We have heated gloves and socks for motorcycle touring in the winter.
Best idea is to have at least a second set of batteries.
A great tip to keep your mirrors clear is to over them with a Walmart plastic bag before it snows. No scraping needed.
great idea!
Biggest reason I left the Northeast for the desert southwest when I started nomad life.
I would love to do the same... maybe in 2025!
“I feel like I could punch someone” 😂😂😂 perfect gloves then!
Dang, I get chills looking at all that snow. Definitely get a second set of batteries for the vest and gloves. Your health is very important. Have a happy and safe Christmas.
thanks, you as well!
Oh wow... I woke up this morning (Saturday) and went outside and seriously... I thought of you. Jeeeeez the freeeez!! Warm thoughts your way! I live in western mass. ✌
yeah brutal last few days here
Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Brave of you to try to drive in that. From a Texan who has never driven in much snow at all. We shut the whole place down when it snows in central Texas.
yeah I remember seeing that in the news lol
I loved the random framed Larry Bird jersey at the rest stop
I'm in NH, I'm full-time in a class C motorhome Chinese diesel heaters kick ass! Kept me nice and cozy this past weekend.
What's the coldest you've used it in?
they are great but at 0*F it doesn't keep up with the cold coming through the hull... at least for me.
@undertheradarvan I'm sure you know this but for anyone that doesn't make sure to set your car ac/heater to indoor circulation before you go to sleep.
“I’m an accountant too…”LOL 😂
lmao 'hopefully i dont have to do something dumb in the morning like scrape off my windshield"
Dehumidifier is a game changer. Pulls a cup out once a week. In small spaces your breath raises the humidity fast, you get the idea when your in a not running car for a while. The windows fog right up.
Might get that, I'm surprised it doesn't pull more than that
I too ordered the heated vest after your review. Love it; especially the built-in hand warmers. I used to live in Alaska and you just do what you need to do to get through. Best wishes.
-25c is cold! Even for a canadian
I'm horrified but im in balmy toronto
I was thinking about you & the cold weather. I know you're on top of your game. Time becomes the deciding factor to meal prep vs. ready made. Free perks for your dedication, YEAH! If you get the new job, great, if not think of it as maybe for some reason it wasn't for you at this time. Be safe & drive slow.
thanks for the insightful words Theresa
Great video! You always feature new perspectives of van life, keeps it interesting! Glad you updated us about the job interview - keeping my fingers crossed! It does sound perfect for you!
thanks Melissa!
Kemimoto sells extra batteries too. I bought the vest, based on your recommendation, and yeah, it's great. I did buy an extra battery , so now I always have one charging while one is in use. I try to do that with all my critical rechargeable items. When these lithium batteries go down, they go down fast! EDIT!: The vest was so nice that I ordered the gloves that Matt recommended too, along with an extra set of glove batteries. Unfortunately, they sent me the wrong batteries. They have a customer service line, but I was pretty clenched when I tried it, because these phone numbers usually lead nowhere but to more frustration! To my utter shock, a very nice young lady actually answered the phone! No phone answering algorithm! I explained why I was calling, and by the time I had finished, she had already pulled up my order using the number that I called from AND confirmed that I had been sent the wrong batteries. In short, the mistake was confirmed and corrected to my complete satisfaction instantly. Both the vest and the gloves are very nice items. The battery packs are super nice too. The customer service is out of this world! Kemimoto rocks!
Noice
Pull your mirrors downwards so the ice and snow doesn't sit on them while you're parked. I've found that helpful.
They don’t pull down on a ford transit. We can only fold them in.
I could fold them in but I find that doesn't help much
Great job, keep it up, ill be sure to tune in.
Thnx
Vinegar & room temperature water in spray bottle for ice.
Get a Camco Wave 3 heater. Then roll down the windows and inch and get a rechargeable fan to circulate the heat. It’s a very dry heat. Have been using it in my van for 2 winters and it’s dry. It’s propane but the only heater that doesn’t cause condensation. Get rain guards for the windows so rain doesn’t come in. It works well when temps are 30* but you’ll need it on the high setting for below 30*. The 3 is good for a van that is 8ft long inside. If your van is longer you might want a Wave 6. For my 3 I use a 20lb tank of propane every 2-3 weeks running the heater 9 hrs per day.
propane releases H2O as part of the chemical reaction so I don't understand how it would create a dry heat... 1 lb of propane produces 1.6 lbs of water
Time for a rear mounted ladder!
Not now that he’s got that six footer brush 👍🏻😂😂😂
It's been cold here in Mass.! Stay warm and Merry Christmas!
Thanks, yeah brutal the last few days
I have never experienced snow or cold temperatures like that 🥶 Hope you stay warm and cozy Matt.
I get by Vanessa - thanks!
I got the extension pole with a brush also. Works well when a lighter snow out. Also carry a snow shovel in the winter. Although I am doing what I can to stay south during the winters now. Just got one of those suitcase diesal heaters to try out. Winter is always a challenge trying to stay warm.
I am so enjoying your videos. Keep em coming. 😍
More to come!
I don't know about snow plow trucks, but here in Greece when you get several busses in a row after a long time without any it means that the drivers are sitting around socializing at the end of the route and most of them are getting started late on their route.
I use a product that I spray or pretreat on windshield, side widows, mirrors when I know bad winter weather is coming. It’s called Prestone Ice & Frost Shield Vehicle Glass Treatment. Basically keeps ice from forming or makes it a lot easier to clean.
I have that, never thought of respraying it though... I'll give that a try
If you didn’t realize it, run the A/C compressor with defrost. This eliminates the humidity in the air. Hear air alone is 1940’s era.
I was just gonna say that👍🏻💯
I think most modern vehicles when you use the defrost autimatcly puts on the A/C also. Sleeping in a van creates lots of moisture not much you can do about it.
I live in connecticut and it's 6F here tonight. I just checked Miami weather and it's in the 70s. If I had that van I'd be headed south.
Thanks for the informative and entertaining videos. I hope this comment finds you safe and warm, you're facing some dangerous cold. Merry Christmas.
thanks, you too
Enjoy your videos! praying for your job . 🙋🏼♀️
Thanks Ruth!
That drone! I’m in the suburban wonderland that is Plano TX but will soon be trading it for the Kingman AZ area. Why the desert? Too many years in the Kansas City area informed me that I’m done with cold and dreary! My day job as an electrical engineer for an AI startup is a fantastic gig and pays the bills but photography has been the thing that keeps my mind engaged and has done so since I was a kid in the 70s-80s. IDK about you but I find photography fascinating because it is a subject no one can truly master. Always a new challenge, a new technique, a new toy, which is why I am eagerly awaiting your take on the V11 Pro.
DJI rightfully earned their number one spot in the drone market, but like any other company they have to create market segmentation so they’ll take a feature that in terms of hardware does not add that much cost to the drone like for example 8K video and reserve it for more expensive models. Whereas a smaller company has to fight for market share so they’ll give you the features. I’ve run the gamut of digital photography, as well as film photography, including developing C41 and E6 color film in the kitchen sink, (it can be done!) Now? It’s time to break into the Z axis in anticipation of all the exploring out in the desert I have ahead of me, and the V11 PRO is a machine to keep an eye on.
I wok love to live in AZ or NM, just beautiful landscapes down there. Unfortunately I am tethered to Boston due to work but hopefully that changes soon.
Regarding your job prospect, my guess would be with all climate-change stuff it may behoove you if you go in for a second interview to bring up energy saving strategies in van life.
Smart idea. Good suggestion.
Gst a windscreen saver for the front of vehicle outside. Insulation for windows.
Do you have to go outside to put it on / take it off?
@undertheradarvan yes.
Before you move your vehicle take it off.
I believe they’re plowing into each other’s plow to get it all over to one side “quickly”. I’ve wondered the same thing, it might be slow but sure is about the safest place you can drive.
Correct, they line up with a little offset relative to each other. The lead plow pushes to the 2nd plow, the 2nd to the 3rd, and so on. This pushes the snow to the side, either the median or to the shoulder, in one pass and prevents a ridge from forming in the roadway, which would be dangerous. I have followed these convoys on rt 2 many times. They only travel 20-30 mph, and it can be exasperating to follow, especially when there's hardly any snow, but it's also crazy to try and pass. It's also painful to be blasted with salt if they are laying it down. Not sure how much they pay, but they always seem to be looking for drivers and plow rigs.
that makes sense
How do you sell that to someone? You said it perfectly - I think the job is perfectly made for me and I’m perfectly made for it. I’ve been on the other side of an interview desk and as an interviewer I’d really appreciate hearing exactly that. I wish you luck in getting that second interview and that it is conducted by someone who is capable of hearing you. Really appreciate your work on your vids…stay warm!
Thanks for the support!
Here is something I do when it is cold . I just heat my sleeping bag with a
usb heated sleeping pad ! Why heat what you do not need ?
Nice video Brotha! Stay safe out there and merry xXmas to you and yours!
thanks you too bro
You can overcome all those challenges! Inspired by your passion of keep going with VanLife !! Can the hydronics system (heated floor + warm air blow out) work reliability through out the night? You may consider to replace/add secondary alternator (280Ah) so that you don't need to drive long hrs everyday. In addition, you may consider to ADD a gasoline heater (draw fuel from vehicle's tank, you tabbed into it) under the passenger seat
I do have a gas heater that draws from the car's fuel tank. It heats up the glycol which is what's pumped through the tubes. I think glycol freezes at -22 so hopefully it never gets that cold!
Nice to see you make funny sounds like me. 😂
Sand & salt mixfor winter
Nice drone !
You and Bren should link up 😆
who?
Why is the interior of your van red?
Have you considered an EcoWarm heater?
They’re supposed to be superefficient.
They advertise them all the time on the Internet.
Holy touching your face, batman. Too much even for a drinking game.
Agreed, here’s a weird guy 😂 I’ve watched all his videos and I don’t really like this guy strange weird personality
lol good video!
thanks
how did your interview go ? I hope it went well
Velcro the baskets
that's what I did!
Dont know if you ever heard of him, but there is a youtuber van dweller out in like Colorado, or somewhere, Foresty Forest, and he actually has a small wood stove hooked up in the van,, its so cool. But I am sure it would take some maintenance.
@@zoeazsss5035 Foresty is cool to watch. He's actually Canadian but has been traveling the upper/Midwest areas. The wood stove is awesome!
yeah that looks badass but I'm sure my car insurance would instantly cancel my policy if they found out I did that
@@undertheradarvan Possibly. Hmmm.
I have a serious question, and I hope it doesn't appear to be snarky: Why is there a fold down step attached to the rail on the Death Star's ladder?
extra handle/footing for when its super slippery
I'd bet if I go to NE you won't be hard to find. There can't be many people van dwelling in below 0 🥶.
I've only ever met one other full time van dweller here in MA in three years.
What kind of heater do you have? Diesel , propane or gasoline?
gas... eberspacher
Have you considered fashoning an extension for your heater vevt to quickly deice the insifevof your windshield? Perhaps a dryer vent hose.
the factory setup seems to work well enough
I have a medium roof Transit. I’ve been using a ❄️ telescoping snow roof rake for a few years now. It’s a great tool to have for us van lifers in the Northeast.
Why not plug in your usb gadgets into a 12v socket? Bypass your inverter. It will save on energy.
I’m a full time van dweller in Pa. It will be 4F in the am. It’s a bit too cold for my liking.
But I’m prepared.
Thanks for the video.
Matt can you hide that basket of batterys if some one breaks in snatch and grab there all gone sound like my dad be safe out there
How’d the interview go?!
😎
Was wondering if you watch static camper?
I do not watch any van life channels on TH-cam unfortunately
Does he really "throw away" all those things? 😢
Did you used to be a singing chef..in Portland Oregon in the 90's??..I used to sing with you in the kitchen ..if that's you..
No, I wish
Oh no…. Not the everything sprinkles again
I would avoid Market 32 in Pittsfield! Another vanlifer @VanlifeBlackpearl did a video - he quit working there because of the disgusting and unsanitary conditions of the kitchen and prep areas. The Board of Health should close them down.
Hey Matt! Does your Transit van have heated mirrors? I have a Sprinter van, so I invested in a telescoping brush/ scrapper for my van. I'm impressed by the Polar Xtreme snowplow with the 64-inch reach. That's cool! I'm going to check out your link to KEMI MOTO heated apparel. I like the heated gloves. How long are they supposed to last? Thanks for sharing the great content.
the transit doesn't have heated mirrors. as for the gloves, they last about 6-7 hours on the medium heat setting.
Stay off the roads, hunker down now!
Please put a little light in the van so we can see you 😊😊
Thith extendths upto sixthty inchthes 😂😂😂
That Dio gives me the creeps! Just saying!
Dio?
As I see.., You're just way to urbanized. Maybe roll to like North Adams ? You own a van after all 🌞.
I find driving through the downtown of that city a nightmare of lane switches
@undertheradarvan that's true and also harder to find level parking there too but, turn east or west and you'd be successful 👍.
I'm sure he has heated mirrors
As a northern Canadian, that snow brush is pathetic! Get yourself a REAL brush...Mine is telescopic to 6 feet out and has a rubber squeegee on one side and a broom opposite. Super easy to clean off my big box truck.
Those worn out shoes arent good in the snow x[
I don't like drones . One fell out the sky near here in Orlando and hit a little 5 or 6 year old little boy and nearly killed him . He required open heart surgery following the crash . This happened at Lake Eola park . Hopefully little boy will pull through . 🙏🙏🙏
If you are going to live in a vehicle, it helps to live in a electric vehicle where you can run the heat or A/C for days off the battery.
The Ford E-Transit costs the same as the gas transit. With it's 89 kWh battery you could probably sit in it with the heat or A/C at full blast for three days, or more.
It has terrible range. When they fix that, I'd consider it, but I'd be charging it 5 times a day when I'm on my road trips.
@undertheradarvan Yeah, it's needs a 200 kWh battery like the Chevy Silverado EV.
Stay at a hotel.