Guys, i am preparing for a cold trip from hossegor, where I am now to Val d’isere for the remainder of the winter. What do you guys reckon for sleeping in a car with my matress in snowy sub-zero conditions. I was thinking of investing in a good sleeping bag, and using a lot of tarp around the inside of the car for insulation. What you think?
Invest in a great sleeping bag, never use a heating source with a flame inside the vehicle, get some kind of pile/fleece/moisture-wicking top and bottom to wear when sleeping...many resources on the net but here's one to get you started:
I think you’re crazy. It’s feasible for a few days, but spending the whole winter this way … Apart from the temperature problems, you’ll probably have to change parking spots regularly (local police may not want to let you sleep on parking lots). You’ll probably also need to find a place to shower. Remember, each year many homeless people dye in the cold. Beware of keeping some ventilation in your car (windows slightly opened) because CO gaz can kill you before you notice anything. Expect back pain problems … Definitely not worth it !
I haven’t done winter in my car for more than a couple nights, but, Nels is on the right track.
I got myself a fiber bag for sub-zero temps (F.) for back country snow action, and in my high tech “wicking” fleece, a nice hooded sweet shirt (For when I get up/out - the bag has a full insulated hood.) Also, a good pee jug will make the nights way mellower.
Isn’t the point of the car to drive to good places… In this case maybe warmer areas w/surf. You could drive to Portugal couldn’t you? Or are you on a snow quest?
"On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty."
Lots of people live in their car. It beats homelessness. It's different if you have a car to call home.
Thanks for the feedback guys, Yeah, Im on a snow quest really, I’m going surf travelling for the whole year, and I’m starting in France so I thought I’d make use of the world class ski whilst im there, and I can also keep it quite cheap by staying in france. I was thinking of investing in a -30 degree sleeping bag for extra security, and i read somewhere that cardboard layers all over the inside of the car can really help aswell as metallic insulation material. I’ve lived in the car for a month or 2 at a time, and thats not really an issue, just the cold - which I’m sure i could get around. Hopefully it will be sweet! Anyone else had sleeping in cold car experience?
Firstly I agree with all the above comments saying you're nutts boy! Seriously consider other options...like a house...
That said, if your gonna go for it, here's a tip from the boys up in Scotland that spend winters in their camper vans - loft insulation and carpet...lots of it! Line the inside of your car with the insulation and cover it in carpet. it'll reduce the size of your cabin, but it'll sure increase the warmth...but it'll still be freezin'...better still...get a house!
Seriously wish I had the means for a house! but Im going off to Indo, South Africa, NZ, and Australia for 8 months afterwards which means I can’t be burning up money before my real travelling starts. Loft insultion is like 2 inches thick right?
Come's in a variety of grades - there's some really tec stuff out there actually - some real thin with super insulating properties. Dunno what the DIY stores in SW France are likely to stock though...
I’m gonna sort it out before I leave the UK for Hossegor.
If this is the kind of stuff you’re looking for (thin multi-layered insulation material), you’ll find it here no problem. Any “Castorama” or “Leroy Merlin” or any raw materials store will stock it:
That stuff looks sweet. I think what I’m going to do, is tarp the whole of the inside of the car first. Then cardboard over the tarp the whole area other than the doors, then get that insulation material up. I’ve got my memory foam mattress in there, and then the super warm sleeping bag.
For real insulation you want to avoid anything with exposed fiberglass for obvious reasons, and remember that insulation foam outgasses so that probably isn't any quick solution. Cardboard does work but you'll be in a car, a small confined space, so vapor/condensation is a real issue...especially in sub-freezing territory. We used to carpet interiors of vans back in the old days, light plywood with carpet tacked or glued on, with or without real insulation behind. For a car I would think the windows and maybe the roof would be the problem areas to plan for. Blankets/comforters can be a cheap and easy option.
With interior freeze/thaw cycles you can get some quick water damage inside including under the dash, so the earlier ventilation advice is important for issues beyond personal comfort. A vehicle is very different from a tent.
And remember to cover your head and your feet with something that wicks moisture as well. Anything that gets damp at night can and will freeze and then thaw. No fun with a sleeping bag that has frozen and icy wet spots!
Adding: When you plan the interior spend a bit of time on how it will look from the outside. Stealth! You will enjoy life much, much more if people think your car might be full of a bunch of work crap rather than a person. Arranging/cutting cardboard to give a quick impression the car might have some boxes in it, or putting some hopefully legal dark tinting on the windows are but two examples. Also, what we call in the U.S. "movers blankets" are solid and cheap and pretty recognizeable as what they are and can be used a billion ways including this.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93156
Thanks man! Really helpful. I’m going to get some black tarp against the windows at night and then when I park it at night, hopefully you will not be able to see through the windows. That movers blanket, is that got insulating properties?
“Yeah, Im on a snow quest really, I’m going surf travelling for the whole year… but Im going off to Indo, South Africa, NZ, and Australia for 8 months afterwards”
Hmm - OK, I hate you now… Ha!!!
Good on you man - Live the feakin’ dream for me… Post some pics for Chip’s sake!!!
Are You going in a car like a combi or a proper van? If in a van You MIGHT get by…IF its well insulated/ventilated/heated. If You have a van without heating etc You can install a boat heater. Make sure You get one that takes AIR from outside of the van and runs without electric fan.Maybe You should consider getting hold of an insulated caravan. If so make sure You’ve got a car to tow it up to Vald’Isère…the road is winding serpentine road and it’s steep. Problems with staying in a van is moisture which will bring mold and eventually illness.
I reckon You’re better off trying to find a room to rent. There will be lots of other skibums in the area. Put up notes on board, ask around in pubs etc etc. Vald’Isère is mindblowingly nice…
lived in my car and van for a year and found the catalytic heaters are perfect for car camping. just make sure you can’t knock it over or that it would be near anything flammable.
http://camping.about.com/od/campinggearreviews/gr/sportcat.htm
hmmm ever considered couchsurfing.com ? check it out
cheers,
Here's the mantra from the people who taught me to snow camp. Cotton kills, cotton kills, cotton kills... Synthetic cloths or wool are good. You do not want to be wet whe the temperature drops. Think about that when your through surfing and getting ready for the evening. You HAVE to be dry. So does your sleeping bag and anything else near your body. Or, you may die. Sounds like quite an adventure. Good look. Mike
I did this for MANY years. I did this in a International Travelall (a suburban type rig). I have a very nice down sleeping bag and some poly under garments. One guy here was obviously hip to this gig, as he mentioned to get a pisser! I would buy a 1gal water in the morning with my coffee and drink it throughout the day then use it that night and start over the next. Your memory foam mattress will be perfect for this. Be careful not to draw attention to yourself with covering up windows. Maybe put up some nice curtains to be a bit subtle. Change your parking regularly and try to NOT be noticed. Have fun, these were some of the best times of my life!