How to Survive Winter in a Van! 5 Helpful Tips

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  • Опубликовано: 24 ноя 2024

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  • @ericmed
    @ericmed 28 дней назад +39

    Cold mornings in a warm van + brewing coffee and looking out at the scenery is probably the best thing ever :D

  • @jakefischer8281
    @jakefischer8281 3 дня назад +3

    Get yourself an Eberspächer. They're more efficient and reliable than the chinese diesel heaters. Especially at high altitudes. Also increases value of your van!

  • @billschneider1893
    @billschneider1893 20 дней назад +10

    Diesel heaters are the way to go. Propane heaters have killed several people as they use up oxygen and
    emit CO2 which is a poison. Propane also causes a lot of condensation. Stay safe!

    • @richardsmith5249
      @richardsmith5249 11 дней назад

      It depends on the design of the heater. For instance, Propex Heatsource heaters work in exactly the same way as diesel heaters, where the burnt gasses are exhausted outside the vehicle. If it's correctly installed, it's perfectly safe.

  • @ellsbells9943
    @ellsbells9943 18 дней назад +2

    Old school hot water bottles are a bedtime game changer. Follow the temp of water instructions and wrap in an okd pillowcase. Tighten the cap well (don't ask me why). They literally last all night and having a few is super duper cozy

  • @stephenrogers9664
    @stephenrogers9664 28 дней назад +5

    Another great video.
    My place 36 degrees with 100% humidity is not easy in the van lol
    I run marine carpet on the floor of the van.
    It keeps it warm when I do go into cold.
    Plus you can just pull it out to wash it.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  27 дней назад

      I never thought of that! I just looked up marine carpet and I’m definitely going that route! And there is no way I could deal with any sort of humidity. I did It for a year in Arkansas and a year in Florida. Brutal!

  • @richardhobin2813
    @richardhobin2813 28 дней назад +4

    Really good video. Keep killing it.

  • @josephpiskac2781
    @josephpiskac2781 28 дней назад +7

    I would add when all else fails turn the van engine on and heat up the van. Running the van heater will over heat the interior and be comfortable for four hours. I did this for winter heat one winter and I wish I didn't. Now I run a Mr. Buddy Propane heater. Last year October to May I burned 21 cans of Propane.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  28 дней назад +2

      That’s a lot of propane! Sure beats having to fill a propane tank though. I’m going to see if I can get my electrical system dialed and run an electric blanket. That sounds cozy.

    • @Globetrotter-1
      @Globetrotter-1 28 дней назад +5

      I don't think it's necessary or healthy to sleep with the engine running or heater running at night. A good sleeping bag is more than enough warmth.

    • @jabreck1934
      @jabreck1934 День назад +2

      ⁠@@Globetrotter-1
      Arctic sleeping bag is literally all you need to survive.
      All this other stuff is more about convenience and is not necessary to survive….. simple as that.

    • @Globetrotter-1
      @Globetrotter-1 День назад +1

      @@jabreck1934 That's definitely true. I live in my BMW X5 all winter 🥶❄️ and use a Rab -25C duck down sleeping bag in the car, and a Mountain Hardwear Ghost SL -40C/-40F goose down waterproof sleeping bag on the mountains without a tent or bivvy.

  • @heatherturner2366
    @heatherturner2366 20 дней назад +1

    Toe and foot warmers, blankets, and either a rug or carpet

  • @MJCarter-MnknLady
    @MJCarter-MnknLady 24 дня назад

    Dc to Dc with an upgraded alternator is smart. I picked up two 12v car blankets on clearance. There are also 5watt tiny heating pads made to put into jackets/ sleeping bags. Rumpl blankets rock. I like a weighted blanket as well (once you acclimated to one). What about a hanging UCO candle while awake? Foresty forest keeps back up parts for his diesel heater. I myself would have to find a way to store a second dial heater just in case. I like crisp mornings. I don’t enjoy bathroom tasks in the cold. Of course, those views are the trade off. I’d love to see everyday tasks (dishes etc) being addressed in the winter. Midwest winters are cooolllllld! Thanks for showing how to do winter in a van. Looking forward to seeing more.

  • @bobdemichele1542
    @bobdemichele1542 28 дней назад +2

    Thanks for the Vantastic tips. I have a 12 volt blanket that works great. Take care and always enjoy your videos.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  28 дней назад +2

      I’m going to have to find one of those blankets!

    • @bobdemichele1542
      @bobdemichele1542 28 дней назад +2

      I would try Walmart it cost $24.00 or Amazon. I have the one with low and high control. Just keep it on low to stay warm. 👍

    • @Les_Grossman
      @Les_Grossman 27 дней назад +1

      They are AWESOME! I use it to pre heat the bed only most of the time but it is so cosy when the bed is warm when you come from your outdoor winter adventure!

  • @blazerprophet
    @blazerprophet 28 дней назад +3

    Propane is very wet and will damage the interior. Diesel is dry.

  • @heatherturner2366
    @heatherturner2366 20 дней назад

    Toe and foot warmers, blankets, and either a rug or carpet. Also curtains

  • @akseakayaker
    @akseakayaker 20 дней назад

    One good solution to batteries is to buy three 12 volt wheel chair batteries and wire them in series. They are deep cycle and can handle deep discharge. All three can fit inside the compartment under the drivers seat. You could squeeze a forth one in but it’s tight and I preferred to use that small space left for the batteries isolation unit that then connects these batteries to the starting battery so they are isolated yet charge when engine runs. Everything except the starter and dash gages and headlights use the house batteries. 70 watt solar panel on top helps to charge when it can but in reality it’s the engine alternator that carries the bulk of recharging. I installed a large case 130 amp marine alternator designed for a Diesel engine. Diesel engine alternators are designed to put out more of their maximum amperage at lower RPMs when your idling yet are unaffected by higher gas rpms when your driving highway speeds. I’m from Alaska and understand what your talking about in the winter. Great video, thanks for sharing.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  20 дней назад

      I’ve looked into the wheelchair batteries, I might have to do that since that area isn’t very usable for anything els. Solar is great in the summer but winter is much longer and those uv rats are hard to come by. I went with a high output alternator for my TDI and i haven’t had any issues with it. I ended up cleaning my battery grounds and it’s holding a better charge now but the deep cycle battery is definitely on its last legs. It’s been drained and sat at -30 for weeks on end a few winters ago. That didn’t help

  • @randyrowett7998
    @randyrowett7998 13 дней назад

    This is a nice setup. Great ideas. I enjoyed the video. Stay safe and happy travels.

  • @richardchaney6990
    @richardchaney6990 26 дней назад

    Love the van and this channel! VW was ahead of their time with the camper van interior layout , materials, and appliances. Great to see you keeping it all alive! Thanks , Key West Rick……new sub.

  • @cnawan
    @cnawan 27 дней назад +2

    I wonder if those polycryo heatshrink plastic sheet window insulation kits would work on vehicle windows. Might be a nice idea if you want insulation and to be able to see out the windows. I guess reflectix is just reflective bubble wrap, so you could insulate the windows with good ol' bubblewrap if you wanted light and something like a bathroom window effect too.

    • @samsonsilverhand5159
      @samsonsilverhand5159 14 часов назад

      I did the heat shrink plastic in my truck a couple months ago. Seems to work pretty well, but we've only had a few days of really cold weather so far. I can give a more detailed report at the end of January.....

  • @Globetrotter-1
    @Globetrotter-1 28 дней назад +5

    I prefer to not use any heaters during winter ❄️🥶.
    I leave all the windows open day & night to maintain fresh air flow and to help avoid condensation.
    My only source of heat is from my own body. I wear just high quality goose down clothing through the day. During the night inside my SUV, I sleep naked inside a minus -25C duck down sleeping bag. If I'm sleeping outside in the mountains without a tent or bivvy, I just use my minus -40C/-40F goose down sleeping bag.
    Generally I'm too warm, and so the colder the temperature gets the better I tend to sleep.
    I also never place any covers over the windows and don't add any vehicle insulation.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  28 дней назад +2

      I need to get me a sleeping bag like that! Though I do like the ability to press a button and have the van at a comfortable room temp all winter. I’ve found it easier to keep the van more comfortable in sub zero temps than throughout the summer.

    • @Globetrotter-1
      @Globetrotter-1 28 дней назад +1

      ​@@SebastianstonumThe body actually adjusts to living in cold weather. It always takes me some days to adjust back to the 24/7 in the car after visiting family or friends with their over-hot centrally heated homes! 😂
      Regarding power, I prefer the Ecoflow units. I've also installed an Ecoflow Alternator Charger which charges at a constant 800W to the Delta 2 power station, even with the vehicle stationary with the engine on idle. This is a big advantage summer & winter during prolonged periods of rain 🌧️ and not much solar power.

    • @yankos.journey
      @yankos.journey 26 дней назад

      What about the cold air that u inhale sleepin at such low temperatures? Does it not cause pain or damage of the lungs?

    • @Globetrotter-1
      @Globetrotter-1 26 дней назад +1

      @@yankos.journey In no way whatsoever! In fact, I absolutely love to be wrapped in the warmth of a sleeping bag and breathe the sweet smell of icy fresh mountain air...and it helps me sleep better. It is also healthy for the lungs. Far preferable than during the oppressive heat of hot summer nights.
      Also it is important to not breathe into a sleeping bag or it will cause it to retain moisture and the goose down to partly lose its loft.
      I also swim naked during winter beneath waterfalls, or across mountain lakes and rivers

    • @yankos.journey
      @yankos.journey 26 дней назад +1

      @@Globetrotter-1 thanks Mate. Very useful. I am about sleeping in a car at low Temperatures around 0 degrees.

  • @phildurall7466
    @phildurall7466 15 дней назад

    Sebastian ... nice tips Sir! Stay warm in the coming months!

  • @bvanman
    @bvanman 27 дней назад

    Sweet rig and sage advice on winter vanlife...

  • @ruhisamani4502
    @ruhisamani4502 19 дней назад

    How nice & organized

  • @AmyStubbs-i3z
    @AmyStubbs-i3z 27 дней назад

    Perhaps for the international watchers you could convert your temperatures to Celsius, love the filter coffee maker.

  • @marlyescorcha4120
    @marlyescorcha4120 28 дней назад

    Thank you for sharing Sebas ❤

  • @jean-claudebonillo1535
    @jean-claudebonillo1535 28 дней назад

    Bonjour and great job on posting on the cold. Coming up and how to keep it warm in the vanagon.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  28 дней назад

      It’s almost here! I’m going to keep the van nice and toasty this winter!

  • @wish1were
    @wish1were 16 дней назад

    Bravo....welll done....you actually address issues which Ihave not even thought of...thank you...Yurr new fan...Rhonda

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  14 дней назад

      Glad I could help Rhonda! Welcome to the community!

  • @Wijkkie
    @Wijkkie 18 дней назад

    Love the bed !!!

  • @sunflowersbigadventures-ms9lc
    @sunflowersbigadventures-ms9lc 16 дней назад

    Hey man! New Vanlife youtuber here. SUNFLOWER'S BIG ADVENTURES. you make it look cosy but way too cold there for us. we head south and chase the sunshine ❤

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  16 дней назад

      Yeah I'm good with the cold, but I definitely respect the sunshine! Welcome to the grind!

  • @lapiccolacasablu
    @lapiccolacasablu 27 дней назад

    Great breakfast!! And great channel, subscribed!

  • @ralphtheisen6174
    @ralphtheisen6174 14 дней назад

    Great video. Nice objectivity.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  14 дней назад +1

      Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

  • @jetrg12
    @jetrg12 3 дня назад

    Vw vans are cool but how do you shower and what about toilet? A bigger van with these would be better such as a fiat ducato

  • @vwcamperinteriors
    @vwcamperinteriors 14 дней назад

    All these steel framed beds that camper build people make now ..but look how with ease this westfalia bed pushes back in place. . simple designs that work

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  14 дней назад

      I know that the bigger vans benefit from having more room to work with in the interior but the whole reason I love the westy is because it’s small!

    • @vwcamperinteriors
      @vwcamperinteriors 14 дней назад

      @Sebastianstonum small but everything works perfectly 😁

  • @activmike
    @activmike 27 дней назад

    You briefly showed your your electric fan on your seiling. Could you show your installation. With the roof having some dents struggling on how to install this. I loved your other tips really thinking about a chineese heater to help extend my camping time up in Canada.
    Have fun 😊

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  27 дней назад +1

      I would’ve showed more but yeahh due to those dents in the roof it has remained an unfinished project for almost a year now hahaha I don’t know how to do it to make it look good.

    • @activmike
      @activmike 27 дней назад

      @ oh I understand, that is really the problematic part in my view. The rest is pretty much just taking the time. If you don’t mind I would still be curious to see pictures or a short of your in progress work. It might give ideas for a finish product. Life is a work in progress and a Westfalia is for sure one. We have ours for 8 years now and always maintaining it.

  • @VanventureswithKaia
    @VanventureswithKaia 26 дней назад

    Good tips nice van

  • @jakeomara_
    @jakeomara_ 28 дней назад

    I have a certain brand of LED's in my 84 Westy that are bright as all hell but you can change the colors to pretty much whatever color you want. I have mine set to a really nice orange warm color which helps keep a cozy vibe and isnt too harsh on the eyes (at least for me). I forget the name of the brand of them and I'm out of town away from the van atm but as soon as I get I can take a look and send you the brand if you're interested? I do know at least I got them at Target for I think 40-50 bucks

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  27 дней назад

      Yeah I’d like to go with something like that! Mine were pretty good until I decided to chop off the ac plug and wire it to a dc switch. I need to find ones that are already dc so I don’t have to run the inverter.

  • @erice.5844
    @erice.5844 14 дней назад +1

    Nice ride... good smart upgrades!
    ... Reminds me of few years out of college in the late 90;s.. bought a 1990 Vanagan for 1300 .., sweet white w grey ground effects, n cool rims, light grey interior, auto trans. though... not a stick.
    I threw wider truck white lettered offroad tires n a 1 inch lift on it. (was my Scooby modern smarter van... to the old 70's chevy V-8's w cool rims lettered tires.). it was not the cool camping pop up as you have .... as those were EXPENSIVE!! still are, lol.
    Had an awesome cooler, queen bed of course all did... some storage upgrades, with a spare marine battery charged on driving or running... pre solar, (affordable portable wise..). and portable internet, so FM/ AM radio it was with a CB a friend gave me.
    had installed an awesome roof rack with a collapsable ladder to sit on top..when near the lakes and cook parks,,, with storage tanks for water, spare gas, and a equivalent of a little buddy mini heater and military grade, camping bag, and other cover.. extra padding on the floor, heavy white drapes so was able to sleep in neighborhoods, and privacy. few small lights, and gas cooker. was able to camp the midwest, CO and UTAH, then used it to move myself to Southern CA, where I did the coast, mammoth lakes, the deserts out their, BLM... as off-road as I was able.. and snow in the mountains, good for a van, slow n steady, being smart not to travel in crazy conditions as 4x4 vans now can go.. or my Tacoma current ride with high rise fixed camper topper.
    Now have a 07 tacoma with a tall fixed bare shell I built out nicely, Had a 73 FJ40 which I camped in upper MI WI, and Northern MN, CO, and NM in the early 90's.. Tacoma is the modern smart version of that.... better on gas!_. ... but mainly for camping and not living 24/7 my Tacoma reg cab, 4x4 2.7L stick! not made any longer like that as the stick vanagans.
    .... many cool rids coming on the market and old ones to scoop up!
    Cheers to your awesome video!
    ,,, wish cell phones and the mini digital cameras were more easily available during my adventures in 90's 2000;s Good ol film... and point shoot digital though able to use later nicely.
    Ric,
    MN

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  13 дней назад +1

      Thanks for sharing your story Ric! It’s amazing how we all find ways to make these vehicles work for us, I love the 07 tacomas! Especially with a bare bones topper on it that could be a great build platform for a solid 4x4 camper!

  • @k_clack
    @k_clack 27 дней назад

    Great soundtracks!

  • @Gary-ee3kq
    @Gary-ee3kq 17 дней назад

    Easiest tip is to set your car AC/heater to circulate indoor air. That will greatly improve your insulation .

  • @NicoMurillo
    @NicoMurillo 28 дней назад +1

    Winter is coming!

  • @johnbecay6887
    @johnbecay6887 23 дня назад

    thanks good video

  • @tomezhao
    @tomezhao 3 дня назад

    What brand is the fan at the top?

  • @vwaudiwelder
    @vwaudiwelder 28 дней назад +1

    Thanks so much for sharing. I suppose flannel sheets might be warmer than smooth sheer cotton ones to help retain heat within the micro air pockets.
    For my splitty bus running the same ALH engine for all the doors, walls and roof as I have seen hot rodders utilized instead of super expensive Dynamat for NVH and thermal control I used large rolls of Frost King aluminum foil ducting wrap that have thick foam adhesive as a first layer directly against the steel and then atop that used 1" thick black open cell foam sheets affixed with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. As far as a closed cell foam being far better I am unsure as the 50 or so 11x17 legal letter sized black foam sheets were all used for shipping only once, perfectly clean and they were FREE ninety nine. Haha. I can literally get as much as I want of that stuff so will use it for my Vanagon as well.
    I haven't even taken this machine out into warm or cold weather for that matter but we will see how it does with all the exposed mirror polished stainless steel paneling.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  28 дней назад +1

      That’s awesome! Yeah these tin cans have poor insulation up front. I’ve seen there people go crazy with the adhesive rubber mat everywhere I’m sure that quiets it down a lot! I just have squares spaced out everywhere and it takes out the “tinny” sound. Then wool over that packed in every crevice.
      Keeping heat in the front while driving is also a struggle. The insulation is bad and coolant has to travel far to the heater core. And the alh is very temperamental with distributing heat haha. My solution was a few blankets wrapped around my legs while driving at -20f not including windchill. Steering and braking gets very stiff too!

    • @vwaudiwelder
      @vwaudiwelder 27 дней назад

      @@Sebastianstonum You might recall I mentioned to you I have an identical 1985 tin top I also got for free and have now after a few years finally obtained a Utah title for it. It is a total basket case with a rotted out lower windshield sill and I plan to raise it atop a Toyota 4x4 truck frame so that should be fun.
      Anyway, last week I got a far more handsome and COMPLETE AND CLEAN square headlight (YOWZA) 1986 silver tin top for $650 with a clean title.
      I am so very excited to get it running again and out on the roads but it will be a street cruiser, not an offroad beast.
      Your channel is just wonderful my man.

  • @OriginalTLab3000
    @OriginalTLab3000 27 дней назад

    I don't doubt LiFePO4 being problematic at low temperatures - I just don't really understand it. I've put such a battery in my motorcycle years ago when I didn't even have a car and was forced to ride my bike at temperatures down to -15° Celsius or 5° Fahrenheit. When it's really cold, you have to turn on the lights for a minute, pulling power from the battery and kinda "waking it up" or heating it up a little.
    I don't understand how my LiFePO4 battery can crank a 1000 cc engine at -5°C without preheating and at -15°C or less with preheating - but the campervan LiFePO4's are basically dead at these temperatures. If you use them for a while, they'll get warmer and once they start charging up, they should get to perfectly suitable temperatures in no time.
    Can someone please explain?

  • @_0O0O0O0_
    @_0O0O0O0_ 3 дня назад

    Why do you end up changing your heater once a year?

  • @grahames9228
    @grahames9228 28 дней назад

    Mmmm, that breakfast looked good.

    • @Sebastianstonum
      @Sebastianstonum  27 дней назад

      So good! I think I’ll make some for breakfast today haha

  • @rschreck876
    @rschreck876 26 дней назад +1

    It’s easy. A diesel heater. Been doing it for 5 years now.

  • @buzz5969
    @buzz5969 25 дней назад

    Easy, drive South.😊

  • @adoolxxx142
    @adoolxxx142 16 дней назад +1

    Survive❌camping✅

  • @allthetimeallthetime9627
    @allthetimeallthetime9627 11 дней назад

    너의 자동차가 너무 멋있다

  • @jeffreyatvars148
    @jeffreyatvars148 27 дней назад +1

    Come to CANADA to experience real winters.....

  • @brianhanley1903
    @brianhanley1903 3 дня назад

    Live on wheels roll on to warmer weather.

  • @kodithebear
    @kodithebear 3 дня назад

    Teflon pans are toxic bro

  • @trumpsmum9210
    @trumpsmum9210 27 дней назад

    There's only one rule: DRIVE SOUTH!!

  • @zloy_hatabxaxa5388
    @zloy_hatabxaxa5388 3 дня назад

    Круто🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @flyntfoster4043
    @flyntfoster4043 12 дней назад

    when i see drapes by a gas stove i cringe!!!!!

  • @bladerunner_92
    @bladerunner_92 9 дней назад

    omg, how could u eat that much?

  • @ruhisamani4502
    @ruhisamani4502 19 дней назад +2

    You need a dog