Into The Mystery 13 should've put plastic sheeting then card board then double sided foil faced bubble wrap over the metal surfaces then insulate it if you needed to after that. card board doesn't transfer cold barely at all but you need the plastic sheeting for condensation especially if you run a propane heater. after that you can go well below zero.
likewise.. is 45 maybe also a turning point in peoples lives ( when you selfreflect, also knowing that you ain't gonna live forever like we did thought we were 16-18 ) ? :p
Maybe. I'm in the same ball park. Have lived in the same place for nearly 20 years but want a change. I have looked at so many videos from van life to cheap property.
Hi, I know I’m a bit late to this discussion, but I once slept in a tent in 29 degrees and made it through the night warm and toasty. All I did was get one of those thick acrylic blankets and put it inside of my sleeping bag. It was so warm and soft and goodly. 🤗
I never have problem keeping warm under covers. My issue was always keeping my head and face warm... and the issue of breathing in cold air. To address this what I did was create a tent of sorts over my upper body using a thick comforter. Making sure of course that I leave some openings for fresh air. Your body heat and warm breath warms the space up just enough to make it comfortable. I move my carbon monoxide detector under there at night also of course. I also have do the same thing with the buddy heater that is mentioned in the video. Us it right before bed and when I wake up in the morning. Never while sleeping. They have low oxygen and tip over detectors and all of that but I'm not going to trust my life to something like that while I'm sleeping.
What I found funny is when you said you hated getting into a cold bed, I am the opposite, can only get to sleep good if getting into a cold, cold bed. Mr. Buddy is a great option, good tips on heater air flow and carbon dioxide/monoxide.
Buddy heaters are good, instead of cracking the door I have window deflectors installed and roll my back windows down a bit. The deflectors keep snow and rain out so they are handy.
Flannel sheets will keep you warm and fleece blankets. Glad you mentioned AIR flow. A must. Be safe! Also keep Few Mylar emergency blankets. One can be put between your sheets or just under your top blanket, the other kept for safety reasons. They are Bout $1 a pack.
I insulated my van including all windows that I don't need. Also my awesome mom made me some insulated window coverings for the windows that I do use. I have a Planar diesel drip heater, fan runs off the solar. For cold winters in Canada you need heat all night. I've spelt in the van in -15 C and been toasty warm. A good sleeping bag always helps.
Stayed in the woods in a tent one winter and had no warmth except for a campfire, so i found layering bedding worked great. When it got really cold a layer of newspaper between blankets keeps you very warm.
Your insulation ideas are excellent: Reflectix on windows, roof insulation, additional flooring covering. Sleep naked to let body heat warm your bed (no kidding). Double-sided Polarfleece is 60 inches wide: buy enough for a blanket length at a "mill end" fabric store -- cheaper there, and you don't care about color. We have narrow twin beds in our camper and use Polarfleece doubled over with a small quilt on top. We also have canvas type bedspreads. I crack a window. If we're parked somewhere super cold and windy, I carry Reflectix panels for the windows. Been there. Handwarmers activated for your feet. And for guys, a plastic urinal (drugstore, about $10) by the bed. Your ideas and applications are well thought out! And if those of you with rigs think this stuff is overkill, wait until your batteries die and won't charge. Been there, too -- very recently!
Power Inverter + portable heater + deep cycle battery. They also make rain guards that are affordable. Not as affordable as plastic tub covers, but it functional and fluid.
I have a 12 volt heated bed pad in my RV because I don't like running the heat when I am sleeping because of the noise from the fan as it's a forced air system. I have slept warn and comfortable even when the temp was as low as 5 F outside. You can find them on line or at a really large truck stop.
Crazy Horseaz try amazon really, They're pretty common and as stated truckers famously use them, So if you even run into a truck stop that's got a few things for truckers check that section I've seen head sets and blankets basically all things trucker related at these types of gas stop while traveling
I found that you have to cover ALL the metal. Even bubble wrap will help. I'm also spending quite a bit of time on heating systems. Got some amazing 'solar tube' filled with sand; water systems and halogen terracotta heaters that work really well. Also a small fan to circulate air is surprisingly efficient.
If it gets really cold I just use a sleeping blanket rated for very cold temps. Inside a sub-30 degree blanket with a thick beanie and I've slept cozy when it's 30's inside my car.
Thanks, concise, informative and funny. I have been living in my van in UK for 2 years, still not yet insulated ceiling. I have a gas heater but sometimes get condensation on metal and glass, front window being the worst. My best friend in winter is a hot water bottle. I can be warm even when it is freezing outside. In England people are discouraged from living in vans unless on private property, hence stealth. Crap really because in France, Spain and Portugal it seems like you are tolerated much more (you might spend some money). I just noticed this post is 2 years old. Are you still in your van, do you have an update? Hi to other van dwellers wherever you are. Keep up the good work mate.
Hi. I'm Don from Canada,, I drive a c class and it gets cold here in the north like -40 ,, you do a great job on your videos,,, your easy to watch too as you speak well and don't repeat yourself a 1000 times ,, stay warm and safe ,,,
Suggestions Tips for warmth. Flannel sheets. Warmer by far! Use an electric blanket with battery solar charged. Will warm u faster. Or just a hot water bottle! Lasts all night! No worries with heater then. Your down cover is nice but too light. Get a good one rated -30. Wear a warmer set of under garments with took and warm socks like u recommended. Your insulation was great! Get a heater used for mini trailers. Much safer!! Also a roof vent would mean your doors can be closed and u can stay safer inside. Too many out there to hurt one. Gave done cold weather camping in tent, so trust the tips. Extra blanket under bottom sheet is better or mattress for warmth too. Cheers! .
Actually 27 degrees is hot compared to when I spent my winter in the van. At times it got to 10 below zero. The Mr. Buddy heater was a great thing to have. Plus a extreme cold military sleeping bag was also a life saver too.
It's all relative I find, your body really adjusts pretty quickly to each climate. -10 below zero I would consider pretty temperate, -40 though can be tough.
At @2:50 (click) you showed a heater. I am currently living in my car in Denver, and the one thing I hate most about it is that I have to crawl out of my sleeping bag when it it cold. So I was thinking about getting one of those heaters and turning it on about 15 minutes before i do my early morning crawl. What do you think?
The only way you're getting CO in the van is by running the engine, or heating/cooking with gas in the van. Don't do that without ventilation and don't do it while sleeping - ever.
He also needs to take that carbon monoxide detector and mount it down by the floor because carbon monoxide sinks and by the time it reaches that detector it's already going to be over his head while he's asleep and he's going to be dead
Something I learned by trial and error is if you have a knitted or crocheted type afghan closest to your body with your other blankets on top instead of the other way round, it keeps you much warmer
Great tips bro. In sailboats lots of people use the foam puzzle pieces you showed. I have been scratching my head wondering why more van people don't do that. Good to see you picked up on it. Fun tips and trick video man.
a good idea is to place a heavy duty emergency blanket under your mattress and a wool blanket between your covers. Keeps me toasty warm when wintering in my 5th wheel in oregon.
Where I'm from "emergency blankets" are these shiny aluminium/plastic sheets, working a bit like Reflectix. These are really bad to use for a night, because there are not breathing, therefore you can get lot of condensation on them... I woke up in a wet sleeping bag, and your mattress definitely needs lot of air to not rot.
I know it may sound strange but if you fill up a hot water bottle that you can get at Walmart for $10.00 with hot water heated from your stove to almost boiling and throw it in your bed about 20 minutes before crashing it makes your bed nice and warm and it will last about 4 hours or longer depending on how cold the weather is. You could use a plastic one liter soda bottle as well for free but after a few times they start to crack or leak a bit. Its really amazing how well it works.
I would really doubt that you could run out of air in a non running parked vehicle without the windows cracked in the winter. I have slept way too many nights in cars with more than one person and no windows open. I mean its not a air tight vacuum its a car or van or truck. I guess if it makes you feel better. Now if the heater is on, yes crack a door or window but not just sleeping.
I am glad that I just watched this video. It is time for me to go to bed I have not opened a single window. I just can't. It would take too much effort. Maybe tomorrow
Thanks for the great videos and content. Quick observation regarding your carbon monoxide detecter is that it is positioned above your head when you sleep which will not prevent a mishap. Carbon monoxide is heavy and will rise from the floor up, which means your detector will sound long after you are already unconscious. Best location for the detector is as close to your floor as possible. Hope that helps & keep the videos coming buddy.
I greatly appreciate your freedback, concern, and support. I've done a bit of research and found that co2 is actually slightly lighter that oxygen and co2 detectors are best placed up high. You're not the first person to tell me it should be down low. I'm not sure where this info came from. All the major Government and private safety agencies, safety websites, as well as the manufacturer of my detector all recommend putting it up high. Is placing it down low based on new information those sources aren't yet aware of?
I think upgrading your bedding alone would make a huge difference. I have slept on top of an Abrams tank with an Army sleeping bag with wool blanket inside on 17 degree nights.
If nighttime temperatures are below 50 or above 70 I either run the generator or check into a campground and plug in. I boon dock 99% of the time. I check the 10 day forecast daily and go where the temps are friendly.
If you get in a good mummy sleeping bag rated to 15 degrees and strip all the way down to underwear you can keep good and comfortable I know this from being in the army in pretty extreme conditions. More cloths I wore in the bag made me colder it's like comparing gloves and mittens when your extremeties are exposed within the bag you stay warmer. Good luck my friend !
I also have a 12 volt heated car seat cushion that i can put in my bed, and also have a 250 watt heater i got from walmart that works well on my 1000 watt inverter and deep cycle battery . and yes, I always keep my Carbon Monoxide detector on the wall. you can also use hot water bottles to heat ur bed ..
slept in my van when it was 6 degrees , I swear by fleece blankets, and one as a barrier underneath you, I stay toasty that way🖒🖒🖒🖒 I can't live with out thick fleece blankets or smartwool socks🖒 awesome video, I enjoyed your setup gave me some ideas thanks
Curtain off sleeping areas from other areas. Your own body heat while sleeping will help warm the vicinity as the rest of the van gets colder. Plus- you know- that naked sleeping thing you talk about- best to have a curtain for our well being : ).
You could install pop up Roof vents in the van sort of like small chimney and fresh air will always be there and you would never forget to open the window
+Paul Jones yes I have two of them on my new van (this video is very old). The problem with using the roof vent for ventilation when it’s cold is heat rises so let’s a lot of heat out. You don’t need much though, just a crack
OK. Awesome vid and thanks. Takeaway for me? Heating. You immediately solved my problem with heating. Use a Butane small heater. They're the same canisters as my stove.. thanks. We but them from the loca supermarket for nothing so they are perfect for travellers. . BTW> I do know what it's like to sleep on a closed up boat.. horrendous. So I installed a smallish popup hatch to let air in all the time while not freezing or heating you to death. Australia makes it possible to really sleep all year round without issue.. our issue are Mosquitoes ..they will drive you completely insane with the buzzing.. forget the bites which humans build up an immunity to..its blastard buzzing in your ear as you sleep. I've seen grown men throw furniture because of Mozzie's. Most Ozzies can handle the cold and warmth but Mozzies????.. With my van I concentrate on Mozzie netting.. Not an issue during the day.. but I think your heater will solve that problem as they are very sensitive to atmosphere and gasses.
I just bought a 1994 Ford Ambulance with a 7.3l non turbo diesel. Needs some work and some retrofitting but it's bad ass. Paid 1400 for it. Gets decent fuel mileage. The best thing is I can stand up in the back! But then again I'm only 5'6''. It's also rather insulated. This is the best way to live. I have lived full time before in a chinook and missed it. #nomorerent!
Hi. My first time watching your video. My trick to sleeping better is to use a hair dryer to warm up in bedding BEFORE I crawl into bed. I'm not sure if they make battery operated hair dryers but if they do you might want to get one. I used to live in Oregon. Hated crawling into bed with cold sheets. You have to use too much body heat to warm up the bed.
Always have a sub zero sleeping bag, just incase. They also sell double sleeping (for 2 people) on Amazon. We lov your down comforter, it is so warm and cozy :-) Great tips. Thanks 4 sharing.
I keep a wool blanket under my bottom sheet and one or two ready to deploy over my sleeping bag. All were thrift store finds. And I use a pair of hot water bottles to prewarm the bed. I tuck one where my back will be and the other by my toes.
currently converting a transit connect...its tighter than a nuns b hole in there, but coming along, just utilizing any space I have. keep up the good vids
Metal containers with water or sand gravel or rocks and water added to it heat them up over a camp fire or Flame outside and then carry they're into your camper for the night they'll slowly radiate heat and raise your temperature significantly and you can sleep soundly knowing and you can sleep soundly cuz it's a much safer source oh Heat just make sure your your container doesn't leak and don't spill it on you
I've been in my van in 8 degrees and I have a duvet that I sleep on and I have a mountain sleeping bag and I have blankets on the ceiling and the walls and like you I have my windows done in my curtains and my little heater
Good advice, another tip is to use a hot water bottle or two to warm up the bed before getting in. Also I believe the carbon monoxide alarm should be placed lower than your sleeping height since the co gas is heavier than the oxygen and the alarm will go off before its too late. (if I'm wrong someone correct me please). Take care buddy
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Thats great advice as well! Thank you! You know I hadn't given much thought to the placement of the co detector. I'll look into that right now!
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Everything I'm reading says to place them up high, and some say on the ceiling others say up to two feet below. I'm going to keep it where it is for now. Btw Co2 is slightly lighter than oxygen, and stays up towards the top with heat, according to the four little articles I just read.
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Carbon Monoxide is slightly less dense then oxygen and will dispense evenly throughout a room/living area. So the detectors can be placed anywhere and will be completely safe.
Mr buddy type of heater is indoor use rated. It will use up o2 but they have a low o2 safety shut off that in theory should keep alive. No co2 nox or bad stuff
I use the cheap rocket type heat exchange vented diesel heaters you get for 200 bucks at amazon. They run all night on 4 oz of fuel and no need to crack the windows and let your $$$ fly out the window. Good for -20 degrees.
If you're all about being alive then don't do what this guy does. His carbon monoxide detector is up by the ceiling and carbon monoxide sinks which means that by the time it reaches that detector it will already have killed him.
It sound like you got that reverse with what is being emitted from gas heaters and humans. Carbon Monoxide is emitted from gas heaters and carbon dioxide from human. I don't think you can die from having your van close while sleeping from carbon dioxide. We have receptors in our body that will cause pain (you will wake up) with lack oxygen. Your right about dying while a sleep from carbon monoxide but not carbon dioxide..
Yes, excellent observations! You might know from Apollo 13 that they had a carbon dioxide situation in the landing module because there were too many people exhaling for far longer than designers had anticipated, so the crew had to modify some spare service module carbon dioxide scrubbers to work on the landing module. But back to +Into The Mystery 133's advice: Mr. Buddy indoor-safe heaters are safe to use indoors; 2. read and follow safety instructions; and 3. don't teach bullshit.
When your in a space capsule and if oxygen is used up, you can just open windows as you would in a camper. Your comparison using Apollo 13 is stupid. But with carbon monoxide when saturated we don't have receptor in our system to alert us so that we are awaken. I'm not question Mr Buddy whether it's safe or not. My only point, the difference between CO2 and CO. Mr. Buddy It's not as safe as you think because it's band is some states and country. I'm sorry about the people who are too ignorant to understand the difference between CO2 and CO.
Without ventilation if there is no sensor on heater to manitor O2 and when O2 is used up that you can die. Carbon Monoxide will fake out the body sensors thinking it's breathing O2. With only too much C02 you will wake up if your a sleep. But with C0, the silent killer.
PJ Jackson No, I'd defer to Mr. Heater, who claims Buddy heaters will provide "indoor safe heat" ... but I'd do all I could to avoid sleeping with one.
i just binge watched a bunch of your videos . very good, great content . a few things, watch the red lights and the stop signs oh and the one way streets : )
watch A guy. A girl. In a Camper van about staying warm. Look specifically for the heater blanker that runs all night off a portable battery charger for USB. It keeps them warm in the Canadian winters.
I made several. I rebuild that van three or four times. I made tons of videos showing the builds on all but the first. Check out my playlist to find them
@@IntoTheMystery13 thanks buddy.will do.i just bought a toyota sienna but the ac blew out.oh well.Now I'm thinking maybe I should buy a full size van.Theres 2 of us.Nice Videos Man
I've got a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country it's got all kinds of room in the back thinking about getting an air mattress for it and an additional on tent and going camping
Hot water bottles and or electric blanket attached to a secondary battery that you charge during the day. I did fine in the Canadian Rockies without those but it would have helped
boil a bunch of water and if you have a plastic pop bottle fill er up and put it in bed beside you...heat for most of the night...works great even for camping
One great inexpensive way is rubber hot water bottles 10 bucks I by feet 1 by chest also if you have decent battery power 12 v heating blanket twin size under layer of foam 17 bucks wally world turn on 15 min before bed then after getting settled I turn it off if I get cold during night turn on again for few min 3.5 amps 44 watts an hour on high less on low I use probably total of 1 hour a night with these 2 methods warm and toasty bed all night with good comforter to keep heat in I've done it at 5* also wear thermals cover head good thick comfortable sweats thick wool socks over reg socks
Some of the guys living in cold areas look absolutely unprepared and miserable. U look thoughtful and careful. I'd say 2 or sleeping bag inside another one. Also I'm reading if u wipe shaving cream on Windows they won't get foggy.
Jay Jay I'd worry about temperature first. Any down blanket will become wet if you get too hot. Anyway, you can layer it as needed. You can also use single-ply reflectix, which is perforated and does breathe.
KarasekUS Any blanket will become wet when you sweat, but it will get even wetter (and smellier) if it cannot dry! And a non-breathing one can become wet from the condensation of your breathe and body (warm and humid inside your "cocoon", cold outside) even if you're not warm, cooling you down. Perforated Reflectix however could be the best of two worlds, I might try that :)
if you really want to heat by using a propane stove/burner then put it in a steel box an vent it to the outside. Keep the water out of the van and the CO2 out as well.
You don't want to run that space heater inside or anything for any amount of time. It's good that you have a CO detector but carbon monoxide binds to your cells for hours after you inhale itand even if your detector does go off there could still be damage done to your body. If you want to heat your vehicle right before bed I would just run the cars heater for a few minutes just to give you a heat boost before climbing into bed. Stay safe.
Into The Mystery 13 o forrealz kool . Yeah I got tired also from the smell of the fumes from the buddy heater .Hey remember you mention about those pple that be bumpin loud music when you sleep at Walmart that happens to me also shit sucks.
I have a sleeping bag for freezing weather in case I loose electricity. I do everything you said but I also use a cloth mask and booties over my socks. I live in a studio in Jerusalem Israel.
I have slept 2 people in a car in the winter (30-40 degrees f) with windows closed. I am still alive. Only problem is ice that builds up on inside windows. You only need co3 monitor if you are using propane or generator to heat.
I always laugh when most people talk about "cold" camping. I went camping in just a normal tent last weekend and it got down to 25. It rained that night and we woke up with a frozen capsule around the tent.
I watch videos on that little buddy heater for vans and the number one complaint is that it made the van too hot even on the lowest setting also people have problems getting it getting it to light up when it's really cold and even on low setting you get only like 3 hours of the butane tank that's attached to it it's very expensive
If you want to learn more about living in a van, I have 66 videos in this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLxQr_k9xIVN3w5zuQ3OsqTWi9XsNNJTjr
Into The Mystery 13 this is great I'd love to do this to my Caravan great job man !!
Into The Mystery 13 should've put plastic sheeting then card board then double sided foil faced bubble wrap over the metal surfaces then insulate it if you needed to after that. card board doesn't transfer cold barely at all but you need the plastic sheeting for condensation especially if you run a propane heater. after that you can go well below zero.
Into The Mystery 13 U should get a rechargeable or battery powered warming blanket.
Into The Mystery 13 why do you live in a van?
You are amazing Human being.
I am 45 years old and next year I'm going to do the same thing you're doing, thank you for being such an inspiration!
likewise.. is 45 maybe also a turning point in peoples lives ( when you selfreflect, also knowing that you ain't gonna live forever like we did thought we were 16-18 ) ? :p
I'm 48 and am considering doing this in the spring. Canadian winter is Hell.
Maybe. I'm in the same ball park. Have lived in the same place for nearly 20 years but want a change. I have looked at so many videos from van life to cheap property.
Hi, I know I’m a bit late to this discussion, but I once slept in a tent in 29 degrees and made it through the night warm and toasty. All I did was get one of those thick acrylic blankets and put it inside of my sleeping bag. It was so warm and soft and goodly. 🤗
I never have problem keeping warm under covers. My issue was always keeping my head and face warm... and the issue of breathing in cold air. To address this what I did was create a tent of sorts over my upper body using a thick comforter. Making sure of course that I leave some openings for fresh air. Your body heat and warm breath warms the space up just enough to make it comfortable. I move my carbon monoxide detector under there at night also of course.
I also have do the same thing with the buddy heater that is mentioned in the video. Us it right before bed and when I wake up in the morning. Never while sleeping. They have low oxygen and tip over detectors and all of that but I'm not going to trust my life to something like that while I'm sleeping.
What I found funny is when you said you hated getting into a cold bed, I am the opposite, can only get to sleep good if getting into a cold, cold bed. Mr. Buddy is a great option, good tips on heater air flow and carbon dioxide/monoxide.
Buddy heaters are good, instead of cracking the door I have window deflectors installed and roll my back windows down a bit. The deflectors keep snow and rain out so they are handy.
+Brandon Taylor Good point! If its snowing or raining I do the same :)
Flannel sheets will keep you warm and fleece blankets. Glad you mentioned AIR flow. A must. Be safe! Also keep Few Mylar emergency blankets. One can be put between your sheets or just under your top blanket, the other kept for safety reasons. They are Bout $1 a pack.
I insulated my van including all windows that I don't need. Also my awesome mom made me some insulated window coverings for the windows that I do use. I have a Planar diesel drip heater, fan runs off the solar. For cold winters in Canada you need heat all night. I've spelt in the van in -15 C and been toasty warm. A good sleeping bag always helps.
Stayed in the woods in a tent one winter and had no warmth except for a campfire, so i found layering bedding worked great. When it got really cold a layer of newspaper between blankets keeps you very warm.
Your insulation ideas are excellent: Reflectix on windows, roof insulation, additional flooring covering. Sleep naked to let body heat warm your bed (no kidding). Double-sided Polarfleece is 60 inches wide: buy enough for a blanket length at a "mill end" fabric store -- cheaper there, and you don't care about color. We have narrow twin beds in our camper and use Polarfleece doubled over with a small quilt on top. We also have canvas type bedspreads. I crack a window. If we're parked somewhere super cold and windy, I carry Reflectix panels for the windows. Been there. Handwarmers activated for your feet. And for guys, a plastic urinal (drugstore, about $10) by the bed. Your ideas and applications are well thought out! And if those of you with rigs think this stuff is overkill, wait until your batteries die and won't charge. Been there, too -- very recently!
I have to respectfully disagree regarding the sleeping naked part. My experience has been otherwise, what can I tell you?
Skip paying money for a urinal. I just use the empty gallon jug my orange juice came in. Free is good.
Power Inverter + portable heater + deep cycle battery.
They also make rain guards that are affordable. Not as affordable as plastic tub covers, but it functional and fluid.
Samuel Luria Been doing it for 50 years. PJs and nightgowns tangle. Body heat radiated directly into the covers. Works for us.
if you are somewhere cooler again you should check out heated 12v truckers blankets
I have a 12 volt heated bed pad in my RV because I don't like running the heat when I am sleeping because of the noise from the fan as it's a forced air system. I have slept warn and comfortable even when the temp was as low as 5 F outside. You can find them on line or at a really large truck stop.
TheSimplecanadian I am assuming a 12 voltage blanket is real, could you please tell me other than maybe a truck stop,, to buy a couple cheap. Thanks
Crazy Horseaz try amazon really,
They're pretty common and as stated truckers famously use them,
So if you even run into a truck stop that's got a few things for truckers check that section I've seen head sets and blankets basically all things trucker related at these types of gas stop while traveling
walmart
Say what.That sounds like MY sort of blanket bro
High praise for what you do, living how you want and making your way in life. Go hard mate.
+Hemi * thanks Hemi!
Good sleeping bag keeps you warm in cold nights
I found that you have to cover ALL the metal. Even bubble wrap will help. I'm also spending quite a bit of time on heating systems. Got some amazing 'solar tube' filled with sand; water systems and halogen terracotta heaters that work really well. Also a small fan to circulate air is surprisingly efficient.
If it gets really cold I just use a sleeping blanket rated for very cold temps. Inside a sub-30 degree blanket with a thick beanie and I've slept cozy when it's 30's inside my car.
Thanks, concise, informative and funny. I have been living in my van in UK for 2 years, still not yet insulated ceiling.
I have a gas heater but sometimes get condensation on metal and glass, front window being the worst.
My best friend in winter is a hot water bottle. I can be warm even when it is freezing outside.
In England people are discouraged from living in vans unless on private property, hence stealth. Crap really because in France, Spain and Portugal it seems like you are tolerated much more (you might spend some money).
I just noticed this post is 2 years old. Are you still in your van, do you have an update?
Hi to other van dwellers wherever you are.
Keep up the good work mate.
Hi. I'm Don from Canada,,
I drive a c class and it gets cold here in the north like -40 ,,
you do a great job on your videos,,,
your easy to watch too as you speak well and don't repeat yourself a 1000 times ,,
stay warm and safe ,,,
Suggestions
Tips for warmth. Flannel sheets. Warmer by far! Use an electric blanket with battery solar charged. Will warm u faster. Or just a hot water bottle! Lasts all night! No worries with heater then. Your down cover is nice but too light. Get a good one rated -30. Wear a warmer set of under garments with took and warm socks like u recommended. Your insulation was great! Get a heater used for mini trailers. Much safer!! Also a roof vent would mean your doors can be closed and u can stay safer inside. Too many out there to hurt one. Gave done cold weather camping in tent, so trust the tips. Extra blanket under bottom sheet is better or mattress for warmth too. Cheers! .
When i was young slept many nights outside when went dirt biking..
Sleeping bag, and when needed, with a cargo blanket never failed me..
Actually 27 degrees is hot compared to when I spent my winter in the van. At times it got to 10 below zero. The Mr. Buddy heater was a great thing to have. Plus a extreme cold military sleeping bag was also a life saver too.
It's all relative I find, your body really adjusts pretty quickly to each climate. -10 below zero I would consider pretty temperate, -40 though can be tough.
I'VE CAME ACROSS ALMOST 30 TO 50 DIFF. VANLIFERS THIS GUY WILL BE MY TYPE OF INFORMATION SOURCE. MULTIPLE WAYS TO BEAT THE COLD.
At @2:50 (click) you showed a heater. I am currently living in my car in Denver, and the one thing I hate most about it is that I have to crawl out of my sleeping bag when it it cold. So I was thinking about getting one of those heaters and turning it on about 15 minutes before i do my early morning crawl. What do you think?
The only way you're getting CO in the van is by running the engine, or heating/cooking with gas in the van. Don't do that without ventilation and don't do it while sleeping - ever.
William's Custom Jewelers
Yes, that's common sense, but some don't have common sense..
A CO detector is a wise idea, but put it lower.
He also needs to take that carbon monoxide detector and mount it down by the floor because carbon monoxide sinks and by the time it reaches that detector it's already going to be over his head while he's asleep and he's going to be dead
Although that's a pleasant way to die, I'm all about being alive.
Jonathan Philmore lol ikr the kid cracks me up
Jonathan Philmore
| m f b.ω. 0
😂😂😂
well it does sound pleasant
That was my take away too!
Something I learned by trial and error is if you have a knitted or crocheted type afghan closest to your body with your other blankets on top instead of the other way round, it keeps you much warmer
Oh wow, yeah I'll bet creates an air pocket. I'll try that the next cold night. Thank you!
I love your user name by the way, it's genius!
Great tips bro. In sailboats lots of people use the foam puzzle pieces you showed. I have been scratching my head wondering why more van people don't do that. Good to see you picked up on it. Fun tips and trick video man.
Yeah their great :) thank you
Excellent information, especially about the air flow and carbon monoxide!
a good idea is to place a heavy duty emergency blanket under your mattress and a wool blanket between your covers. Keeps me toasty warm when wintering in my 5th wheel in oregon.
Where I'm from "emergency blankets" are these shiny aluminium/plastic sheets, working a bit like Reflectix. These are really bad to use for a night, because there are not breathing, therefore you can get lot of condensation on them... I woke up in a wet sleeping bag, and your mattress definitely needs lot of air to not rot.
I know it may sound strange but if you fill up a hot water bottle that you can get at Walmart for $10.00 with hot water heated from your stove to almost boiling and throw it in your bed about 20 minutes before crashing it makes your bed nice and warm and it will last about 4 hours or longer depending on how cold the weather is. You could use a plastic one liter soda bottle as well for free but after a few times they start to crack or leak a bit. Its really amazing how well it works.
+Waynes World Thank you!
I m really glad I watched this about air flow and the cabin monoxide sensor
Thank you for having such organized and information packed videos!
Great video dude! Lots of good info! Keep on truckin’! 🤙🏼
I would really doubt that you could run out of air in a non running parked vehicle without the windows cracked in the winter. I have slept way too many nights in cars with more than one person and no windows open. I mean its not a air tight vacuum its a car or van or truck. I guess if it makes you feel better. Now if the heater is on, yes crack a door or window but not just sleeping.
I am glad that I just watched this video. It is time for me to go to bed
I have not opened a single window. I just can't. It would take too much effort. Maybe tomorrow
There are inches of insulation and no cracks. And that van is less than 50 ft².
Thanks for the great videos and content. Quick observation regarding your carbon monoxide detecter is that it is positioned above your head when you sleep which will not prevent a mishap. Carbon monoxide is heavy and will rise from the floor up, which means your detector will sound long after you are already unconscious. Best location for the detector is as close to your floor as possible. Hope that helps & keep the videos coming buddy.
I greatly appreciate your freedback, concern, and support. I've done a bit of research and found that co2 is actually slightly lighter that oxygen and co2 detectors are best placed up high. You're not the first person to tell me it should be down low. I'm not sure where this info came from. All the major Government and private safety agencies, safety websites, as well as the manufacturer of my detector all recommend putting it up high. Is placing it down low based on new information those sources aren't yet aware of?
I think upgrading your bedding alone would make a huge difference. I have slept on top of an Abrams tank with an Army sleeping bag with wool blanket inside on 17 degree nights.
Good ideas and insights.
All about bein alive, i love it.
If nighttime temperatures are below 50 or above 70 I either run the generator or check into a campground and plug in. I boon dock 99% of the time. I check the 10 day forecast daily and go where the temps are friendly.
I have a sheet on my bed too to keep warm. The good thing about small spaces though is it takes less time to warm up
If you get in a good mummy sleeping bag rated to 15 degrees and strip all the way down to underwear you can keep good and comfortable I know this from being in the army in pretty extreme conditions. More cloths I wore in the bag made me colder it's like comparing gloves and mittens when your extremeties are exposed within the bag you stay warmer. Good luck my friend !
Nice video, very natural and authentic. Thumbs up.
... how about insulation underneath the van - outside ?
And a very hot instant soup before go to bed ?
Dogs! Plenty of dogs! I love my dogs and I am happy paying a buck a day per dog for food for them in exchange for company and heat.
Life is very good, and even better when your living your dream in a van. Great vid and great info. Thanks
+gldsmith61 :D Thank you for beautiful comment :D
I also have a 12 volt heated car seat cushion that i can put in my bed, and also have a 250 watt heater i got from walmart that works well on my 1000 watt inverter and deep cycle battery . and yes, I always keep my Carbon Monoxide detector on the wall. you can also use hot water bottles to heat ur bed ..
slept in my van when it was 6 degrees , I swear by fleece blankets, and one as a barrier underneath you, I stay toasty that way🖒🖒🖒🖒 I can't live with out thick fleece blankets or smartwool socks🖒 awesome video, I enjoyed your setup gave me some ideas thanks
Curtain off sleeping areas from other areas. Your own body
heat while sleeping will help warm the vicinity as the rest of the van gets
colder. Plus- you know- that naked sleeping thing you talk about- best to have a curtain for our well being : ).
+www.LittleTinyHomes.com Oh definitely! And yeah I wouldn't wish a surprise peak of my fuzzy butt on my worst enemy
You could install pop up
Roof vents in the van sort of like small chimney and fresh air will always be there and you would never forget to open the window
+Paul Jones yes I have two of them on my new van (this video is very old). The problem with using the roof vent for ventilation when it’s cold is heat rises so let’s a lot of heat out. You don’t need much though, just a crack
Love all your videos brother I wish I would have found them when I was living in my van.
OK. Awesome vid and thanks. Takeaway for me? Heating. You immediately solved my problem with heating. Use a Butane small heater. They're the same canisters as my stove.. thanks. We but them from the loca supermarket for nothing so they are perfect for travellers. . BTW> I do know what it's like to sleep on a closed up boat.. horrendous. So I installed a smallish popup hatch to let air in all the time while not freezing or heating you to death.
Australia makes it possible to really sleep all year round without issue.. our issue are Mosquitoes ..they will drive you completely insane with the buzzing.. forget the bites which humans build up an immunity to..its blastard buzzing in your ear as you sleep. I've seen grown men throw furniture because of Mozzie's. Most Ozzies can handle the cold and warmth but Mozzies????.. With my van I concentrate on Mozzie netting.. Not an issue during the day.. but I think your heater will solve that problem as they are very sensitive to atmosphere and gasses.
Great vid as always dude. Very helpful information
I just bought a 1994 Ford Ambulance with a 7.3l non turbo diesel. Needs some work and some retrofitting but it's bad ass. Paid 1400 for it. Gets decent fuel mileage. The best thing is I can stand up in the back! But then again I'm only 5'6''. It's also rather insulated. This is the best way to live. I have lived full time before in a chinook and missed it. #nomorerent!
+DJ Vendetta Wow! How did you get it so cheap?!
+Into The Mystery 13 they wanted 2500 but I'm an awesome negotiator.
+DJ Vendetta Man I guess so! That's a killer deal.
+Into The Mystery 13 check out my channel I did my first vlog about it :)
I lived in my van for 8 years, Never wore cloths to sleep or used a heater in whether as low as -45 just bought a warm sleeping bag. The End
Thanks for the tips I live in a van and it's very bare bone so cold. The winters in Oregon are cold and wet
Hi. My first time watching your video. My trick to sleeping better is to use a hair dryer to warm up in bedding BEFORE I crawl into bed. I'm not sure if they make battery operated hair dryers but if they do you might want to get one. I used to live in Oregon. Hated crawling into bed with cold sheets. You have to use too much body heat to warm up the bed.
Always have a sub zero sleeping bag, just incase. They also sell double sleeping (for 2 people) on Amazon. We lov your down comforter, it is so warm and cozy :-) Great tips. Thanks 4 sharing.
+RVing LiveThe Dream Thanks for the support! That sub zero sleeping bag is a great idea!
Run an electric blanket on low of an inverter too keep you warm all night cheers great information on insulation.
Great video!! We enjoy your enthusiam for the van lifestyle. Keep up the great work!
+VanGo Adventures Thanks VanGo! Now that I'm in the van I don't know that I could ever live any other way!
Thank you sir thats very helpful ,just do exactly what you did for installations
I keep a wool blanket under my bottom sheet and one or two ready to deploy over my sleeping bag. All were thrift store finds. And I use a pair of hot water bottles to prewarm the bed. I tuck one where my back will be and the other by my toes.
A soon under your sheet, that's clever!
Into The Mystery 13 put a thick coat of coconut oil on your hands, feet, legs, core, etc - it will help with warmth.
currently converting a transit connect...its tighter than a nuns b hole in there, but coming along, just utilizing any space I have. keep up the good vids
Metal containers with water or sand gravel or rocks and water added to it heat them up over a camp fire or Flame outside and then carry they're into your camper for the night they'll slowly radiate heat and raise your temperature significantly and you can sleep soundly knowing and you can sleep soundly cuz it's a much safer source oh Heat just make sure your your container doesn't leak and don't spill it on you
"Sleeping Bag" is a good way of staying warm I'm Sure... TFS
I've been in my van in 8 degrees and I have a duvet that I sleep on and I have a mountain sleeping bag and I have blankets on the ceiling and the walls and like you I have my windows done in my curtains and my little heater
Good advice, another tip is to use a hot water bottle or two to warm up the bed before getting in.
Also I believe the carbon monoxide alarm should be placed lower than your sleeping height since the co gas is heavier than the oxygen and the alarm will go off before its too late. (if I'm wrong someone correct me please).
Take care buddy
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Thats great advice as well! Thank you! You know I hadn't given much thought to the placement of the co detector. I'll look into that right now!
+Into The Mystery 13 Cool, let us know what you find out so we can all be safe :)
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Everything I'm reading says to place them up high, and some say on the ceiling others say up to two feet below. I'm going to keep it where it is for now. Btw Co2 is slightly lighter than oxygen, and stays up towards the top with heat, according to the four little articles I just read.
+Into The Mystery 13 Good to know, I can't remember where I heard it from but thanks for correcting this!!
+Adenturegasm 2.0 Carbon Monoxide is slightly less dense then oxygen and will dispense evenly throughout a room/living area. So the detectors can be placed anywhere and will be completely safe.
Mr buddy type of heater is indoor use rated. It will use up o2 but they have a low o2 safety shut off that in theory should keep alive. No co2 nox or bad stuff
Tip- fill a good bottle with very hot water and put in your bed. Nice and toasty.
Great advice. Ever try a hot water bottle to warm up the bed? Stay warm and safe travels.
+Sue G Thanks Sue! I haven't felt that I've needed to so far, but if I ever get down into the teens I just might have to try that trick!
I use the cheap rocket type heat exchange vented diesel heaters you get for 200 bucks at amazon. They run all night on 4 oz of fuel and no need to crack the windows and let your $$$ fly out the window. Good for -20 degrees.
My man as always thumbs up, well done
I'm all about being alive too man, dig this life you have..
If you're all about being alive then don't do what this guy does. His carbon monoxide detector is up by the ceiling and carbon monoxide sinks which means that by the time it reaches that detector it will already have killed him.
It sound like you got that reverse with what is being emitted from gas heaters and humans. Carbon Monoxide is emitted from gas heaters and carbon dioxide from human. I don't think you can die from having your van close while sleeping from carbon dioxide. We have receptors in our body that will cause pain (you will wake up) with lack oxygen. Your right about dying while a sleep from carbon monoxide but not carbon dioxide..
Yes, excellent observations! You might know from Apollo 13 that they had a carbon dioxide situation in the landing module because there were too many people exhaling for far longer than designers had anticipated, so the crew had to modify some spare service module carbon dioxide scrubbers to work on the landing module. But back to +Into The Mystery 133's advice: Mr. Buddy indoor-safe heaters are safe to use indoors; 2. read and follow safety instructions; and 3. don't teach bullshit.
When your in a space capsule and if oxygen is used up, you can just open windows as you would in a camper. Your comparison using Apollo 13 is stupid. But with carbon monoxide when saturated we don't have receptor in our system to alert us so that we are awaken. I'm not question Mr Buddy whether it's safe or not. My only point, the difference between CO2 and CO. Mr. Buddy It's not as safe as you think because it's band is some states and country. I'm sorry about the people who are too ignorant to understand the difference between CO2 and CO.
Danny are you saying Mr. Buddy heater is safe to use in a van without ventilation?
Without ventilation if there is no sensor on heater to manitor O2 and when O2 is used up that you can die. Carbon Monoxide will fake out the body sensors thinking it's breathing O2. With only too much C02 you will wake up if your a sleep. But with C0, the silent killer.
PJ Jackson No, I'd defer to Mr. Heater, who claims Buddy heaters will provide "indoor safe heat" ... but I'd do all I could to avoid sleeping with one.
i just binge watched a bunch of your videos . very good, great content .
a few things, watch the red lights and the stop signs oh and the one way streets : )
+sd sturges Oh right on! That's solid advice!
Getting into a cold bed is a wonderful feeling
NELOPES7 👎
watch A guy. A girl. In a Camper van about staying warm. Look specifically for the heater blanker that runs all night off a portable battery charger for USB. It keeps them warm in the Canadian winters.
You have a link?
they're on RUclips. a search should bring them right up.
I saw that just last night, should be an easy youtube search, would heat on low to medium on a single full charged cell phone battery.
ruclips.net/user/results?search_query=sleeping+in+a+van+rechargeable+electric+blanket
ruclips.net/video/iQvzJUaN-sg/видео.html
Q
thank you very much for making this video and taking the time to share.
If your van is diesel powered you should looks for auxiliairy heater unit that sleeper trucks uses (espar and webasto to name two).
I've never seen a tour video of your van.Gonna go find one of it.Good videos..keep em coming
I made several. I rebuild that van three or four times. I made tons of videos showing the builds on all but the first. Check out my playlist to find them
@@IntoTheMystery13 thanks buddy.will do.i just bought a toyota sienna but the ac blew out.oh well.Now I'm thinking maybe I should buy a full size van.Theres 2 of us.Nice Videos Man
Yeah you are definitely going to need a bigger van haha.
Excellent tips, I'm in the process of making an old range rover classic, a bit more livable. Thanks a bunch
I've got a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country it's got all kinds of room in the back thinking about getting an air mattress for it and an additional on tent and going camping
+Steven Jennings right on!
Some very good and wise ideas shipmate. Thanx
Hot water bottles and or electric blanket attached to a secondary battery that you charge during the day. I did fine in the Canadian Rockies without those but it would have helped
steve b obviously you really have l experience or clue DUMBASS
I am curious How long a 5 gallon of hot water will keep your car warm?
boil a bunch of water and if you have a plastic pop bottle fill er up and put it in bed beside you...heat for most of the night...works great even for camping
One great inexpensive way is rubber hot water bottles 10 bucks I by feet 1 by chest also if you have decent battery power 12 v heating blanket twin size under layer of foam 17 bucks wally world turn on 15 min before bed then after getting settled I turn it off if I get cold during night turn on again for few min 3.5 amps 44 watts an hour on high less on low I use probably total of 1 hour a night with these 2 methods warm and toasty bed all night with good comforter to keep heat in I've done it at 5* also wear thermals cover head good thick comfortable sweats thick wool socks over reg socks
+ron werner great ideas!
Some of the guys living in cold areas look absolutely unprepared and miserable. U look thoughtful and careful. I'd say 2 or sleeping bag inside another one. Also I'm reading if u wipe shaving cream on Windows they won't get foggy.
Get a duvet cover and put 3M thinsulate and reflectix bubble wrap inside. You'll have one hell of a blanket.
Your blanket needs to breathe or it'll become wet; reflectix does not breathe, does it?
Jay Jay I'd worry about temperature first. Any down blanket will become wet if you get too hot. Anyway, you can layer it as needed. You can also use single-ply reflectix, which is perforated and does breathe.
KarasekUS Any blanket will become wet when you sweat, but it will get even wetter (and smellier) if it cannot dry! And a non-breathing one can become wet from the condensation of your breathe and body (warm and humid inside your "cocoon", cold outside) even if you're not warm, cooling you down.
Perforated Reflectix however could be the best of two worlds, I might try that :)
Try pocket warmer.. stick it under cover before you going to sleep.. it is small and reliable..
if you really want to heat by using a propane stove/burner then put it in a steel box an vent it to the outside. Keep the water out of the van and the CO2 out as well.
You don't want to run that space heater inside or anything for any amount of time. It's good that you have a CO detector but carbon monoxide binds to your cells for hours after you inhale itand even if your detector does go off there could still be damage done to your body. If you want to heat your vehicle right before bed I would just run the cars heater for a few minutes just to give you a heat boost before climbing into bed. Stay safe.
Great Tips! Enjoyed!
Hi I usually use the flower pot heater I was using the my buddy heater before which is more costly for the propane
+Crance Feliciano for sure. It's it's above freezing I just use some candles. Thats usually enough
Into The Mystery 13 o forrealz kool . Yeah I got tired also from the smell of the fumes from the buddy heater .Hey remember you mention about those pple that be bumpin loud music when you sleep at Walmart that happens to me also shit sucks.
haha right? Just another reason to find a nice place in the wilderness!
Candles smell nice, but the flame is very sooty, which is actually very bad for your lungs compared to a propane flame...
I have a sleeping bag for freezing weather in case I loose electricity. I do everything you said but I also use a cloth mask and booties over my socks. I live in a studio in Jerusalem Israel.
Havent tried it yet but i was thinking putting an electric blanket on a intervalometer to turn on for 10 minutes every hour off of a battery pack.
I have slept 2 people in a car in the winter (30-40 degrees f) with windows closed. I am still alive. Only problem is ice that builds up on inside windows. You only need co3 monitor if you are using propane or generator to heat.
Very helpful, thanks man.
Have you used a space blankets to suspend over you at night with cloth pins.
I always laugh when most people talk about "cold" camping. I went camping in just a normal tent last weekend and it got down to 25. It rained that night and we woke up with a frozen capsule around the tent.
I watch videos on that little buddy heater for vans and the number one complaint is that it made the van too hot even on the lowest setting also people have problems getting it getting it to light up when it's really cold and even on low setting you get only like 3 hours of the butane tank that's attached to it it's very expensive
I only used it to get into and out of bed comfortably. It’s great for that use. A little bottle lasted me forever
Watched lots of videos on staying warm in a van but nobody has mentioned hot water bottles
Thanks for the info! Just found you! New subbie! Keep them coming !
Vicki
Its nice and clean man