5 Winter Warmth Essentials | 1 Big Mistake | Living In My Car
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- Опубліковано 20 гру 2022
- In today’s video I will share with you five essential items I use on a daily basis to stay warm and cozy in the winter living in my car up north. I will also be sharing with you one of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning of my nomad journey.
Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag... www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUSO4?...
Foamma 3” x 28” x 75” Camper/RV... www.amazon.com/dp/B08NXV83V7?...
WELLAX Sleeping Pad - Foam Camping Mats, Fast Air Self-Inflating Insulated Durable Mattress for Backpacking, Traveling and Hiking - Ultrathick All-Weather Foam Pad with Build in Pillow (Green-3") a.co/d/hwTOjra
I am homeless living in my Jeep near Detroit MI. Donating plasma for gas. Waiting on my public housing unit to be ready...your tips really helped! Stay safe out here
If there’s any way you can relocate down south for winter , I strongly suggest it. I used to live in Michigan and I cannot imagine doing this up there. Im in Georgia now and its working out okay.
Stay safe !
Why are you not able to obtain employment?
@@rubenmejia942why is that your business?
@@rubenmejia942people work and still have to live out of a car......you been living under a rock because tons of people do it because there is no other choice
I spent half of the winter of 16' living out of a borrowed Ford Focus wagon, and that would be an Iowan winter. I learned that you can buy eletric blankets that plug into cigerette lighters, and one of those portable batteries you jump start cars with can run that blanket for about 6 hours. Also, a nice, sub-zero rated sleeping bag helps, too.
One bit of advice though. Don't get out of the car with the motor running 'cause Ford Focus' loves to auto-lock the doors behind you.
Unfortunate. My brother bought the mummy bag & now he has BECOME the mummy. Jokes aside, this is a great video. Better than some guy telling me to move south like a bird.
Sorry about your brother 🤣
To laugh at someone because of their situation isn't funny. But in your case it's worse because it's your brother
@@aprilsmith5591u weird lady
I survive winters in Washington State in my Honda Element. Coleman sleeping bags are recommended. I go into the sleeping bag fully dressed and disrobe as it gets toasty. I put my change of clothes for the next day in an insulated bag. I burn candles. If it gets too bad, I get a room. Hypothermia is no joke.
I put my clothes in my sleeping bag . 😊
This guy has such a chill demeanor would be great to chill with. I’m also very chill
I love that you are filming and talking about winter... so many of my van life and car life videos content peeps are still showing summer/fall adventures. I want to see recent stuff about winter being hard for everyone and how we get through it. Thanks for the great content... keep it up!
Thank you! Wait til the snow storms start rolling in.
Thank you for this tutorial because I think at some point I'll be living out of my truck. I'm scared as a single , small woman. One of my hugest concerns is warmth in the cold and coolness in the summers and obviously safety.
I wish you all the best out there!
Theres nothing wrong with a hairy lady as long as her spirits are high. Awesomest words ever spoken my friend Bless ya.
I admire all those people who live in a vehicle and if they work all the more admiration from me.
I wish I could help this man. I've been homeless before so I can emphasize. God bless you sir. Keeping you in my prayers. ❤
I’m all good, my car is my home!
Dudes got a good attitude. He’s living within his means at the moment. Smart.
Mail him a food gcard.
I would totally help him anytime he needs. He's genuine. And that's rare. 👍
I've got a decent Coleman sleeping bag, I spent the winter of 2017-2018 in my car with it and I'm currently spending 2024 the same way. I had the experience all over again of "okay, maybe I _can_ do this" when I spent my first night with the sleeping bag.
Fellow Rhode Islander here. Very cool, my friend
I am inside a house, and I started sleeping with gloves on years ago. I have arthritis, carpal tunnel, and one hand that just seems to always be cold. Keeping my hands a little extra warm at night can make all the difference between waking up with tight, painful hands, or ones that are flexible. I don't sleep in bulky gloves (though I might if it were really cold!), and I also make certain there is no elastic squeezing around my wrist or hands. I really love those cheap knit gloves to sleep in, but most of them use elastic threads to make the gloves fit tight against your hands. Even worse is how tight they make the part of the glove that goes against your wrist. It kinda defeats the purpose of warming your hands if your circulation is cut off! I will take scissors and literally cut across those threads from the wrists to about the thumbs, and in about 3 to 4 different places down the length of each glove. The gloves may have a hole or two and look bedraggled when I am done, but they aren't comfortable otherwise. They may look wrecked, but they sleep cozy. 😊
My apartment is so drafty I might get one of those mummy sleeping bags and just hang out in it while I'm at home!
I like the mummy bags, but they taper on the bottom and leaves very little wiggle room. Get yourself a liner or another blanket to place inside the sleeping bag and your good
Bubble wrap. Seriously, the tiny size. I STILL have mine on. No one knows !!
I used my car for heat and air for YEARS, especially when I slept (I kept my windows cracked). 🤣 I never once had a problem but for some reason, people think idling your car is going to hurt the car. Maybe that was the truth when cars had carburetors and crap but my Yaris was good. The only thing I ever had to replace, that wasn't routine maintenance, was the clutch after my ex, who didn't know how to drive a stick, stole it. I sold it with almost 300,000 miles and it was running like a dream.
Now I'm in a SUV and I definitely can't afford to run it all night and still do the stuff I want to do. I'll be utilizing a small propane heater surrounded by a fire blanket on the center console when I'm hanging out inside at night and those hot hands in my bed when I'm sleep. Thanks for the tips.
2002 Hyundai Accent over here! Only 68,000 original miles!
Think i just fell in love with you hehe "Hey if you're a lady and can grow a beard...nothing wrong with a bearded lady as long as her spirits are high" Love your energy and humour - got yourself a new sub right here. High fives from NZ stayyyyyy toasty!
really good tips ty
My compliments on your courage and your counsel.
I appreciate that
Great video and information.
i think getting a power box is important as well never now when you need to charge or cook something.
I have a jackery power station. Very handy!
I'm SO with you on running the car USING gas. I appreciate this video. I'm full time in my WRX. Started this year in April (done van life for a few months before) and I'm in a northern state working full time. Looking forward to learning how to drive in this snow and thrive in this cold.
Oh and I'm gonna get that sleeping bag. Hot hands are great too. This should work better than getting a heated blanket (which I haven't tried).
I definitely run my car when it’s super cold, Staying comfortable and warm is very important👍
Thank you for the mummy bag link. I definitely want to get one! I live in a house, but I still get too cold to sleep sometimes and the insomnia is killer. Good for camping, too. Keep it up! You have a good attitude.
Cool video. Stay warm! Days are getting longer beginning tomorrow Dec 22, 2022, so more sunlight and warmer days coming soon.
Ohhh shit elite work ethic pumping out these videos brother! Appreciate the content man fr!
Thank you! I put a lot of time and effort into my videos so I appreciate that. 👊
Thanks for all the great content you give. Best wishes from the UK :)
Great to reach you!
Hang on in there buddy...u can also hang around trucks stops ( Pilot , Flying J) to warm up, a break from ur car, stretch ur legs..etc.) ... continue to save ur $$....and keep God first!!🙏🏾💪🏾💯
I ♥️ you Bren, thank you for all your tips!
Maybe get a later model toyota prius with CVT transmission. You can keep car in ready mode and can have AC and heated climate control. Many videos if prius camping and low cost to do so. It is not "idling" the car. Long story, but if you want to be comfortable in any climate check prius hotel or prius stealth camp living videos on UA-cam.
Excellent video. When I slept in my truck I used a buddy heater. It turned my truck into a sauna 🧖♀️
Hey buddy hope all is well….just started living in my car after a break up…boy it’s scary and tough…thanks for the tips ….1st nigh here we go
All the best out there!
YOU'LL be fine if you follow bren's tips!
Hey Bren, have you also considered one of those low power electric throw blankets? I think Bob Wells mentioned them in one of his videos. You could toss it inside your sleeping bag as a kind of electric blanket on those extra cold nights.
Stay safe buddy. Can't wait for the next vid.
Funny enough someone already asked me that, I don’t have experience with electric blankets but I don’t think my Jackery has enough juice for that, at least not to run it long. I do a pretty good job keeping warm though with what I have
@@brenpgrace awesome mate. Glad you're making what you've got work. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Cheers!
Great video! I went with a Xped MegaMat which has a great r value to conserve heat. I’ll have to check out the Coleman zero degree bag. Kudos to you. I love my Subaru Outback too!
How’s your Xped MegaMat holding up? I’ve heard wonderful things about it. Comfort and quality are top notch I heard. I was deciding between that and the Luno Life Air Mattress for a Crosstrek. Which Xped model do you have?
@@lennygarrison6836 yeah- I’m loving it so far. I got the Xped MegaMat 10 regular-wide from REI. If you have an REI store nearby, they should have one on display to lay on to get a feel. It is very comfortable and well insulated. I debated with the Luno as well and I don’t believe that one is insulated- however it contours wider around the rear door and thinner by the wheel well. Exped makes the Duo as well for two people- and is nice because you can only inflate one side need be and fold down the unused side. Not sure what length you’ll have with the cross trek and pushing the front seat forward- my mattress is 72” length -fits perfect in the Outback. I placed an inexpensive Walmart folding table under the mattress to level it out
@@briantodd4887 So I just checked the Luno site, and it says the mattress for the Crosstrek will fit people up to 6'2" tall. So that's 74". With the seats pushed all the way up to the front, and the seat backs pushed forward as well, I think the Exped will fit. I'm going to stop by REl and check out the Exped. Man I really appreciate the information! Thanks brother!
@@lennygarrison6836 sounds like a good game plan- who knows, if they have it on display, ask if you could test it in your car real quickly with the salesman prior to buying it. I actually keep mine in sleep mode all the time with the back seats down. To save space I took out the rear seat heads. I plan to tint the windows soon to block heat and provide some stealth action. Also got the Weathershield full set of shades- which do wonders. Glad to help out - and all the best with the Crosstrek. Keep me posted !
I have a Coleman 20° sleeping bag. Here in southern Tennessee it get into the teens maybe a few nights during the winter. For the warmer periods it makes a nice co.fortable pallet to sleep on.
So inspiring and interesting, I love your story and how tell it. Sending love and light 💛
Great advice, thanks! 👍👍
Great tips!
Just stumbled upon your channel, looking for advice on staying warm in the vehicle home, and I'm so thankful. I do appreciate your input too. I live in northern MN, and you know it gets pretty cold and usually snowing during the winter season; and I do have a mid sized "car", and know that if I took out my passenger seat, I could have a nice sleeping area. My girlfriend and I live together and have for 19 yrs now. But she's finally wanting to move out of our apartment this coming spring or summer. However, apartmwnts are hard to come by for even myself because of having felonies over 30 yrs ago, combined with credit score under 500. I live on SSDI($1600/mo), and have some health issues, but nothing that would prevent ne from living out of my car. She's insistsnt in moving, so I may not be able to move with her and considered living out if my car, but have to consider needing to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. So anyway, thanks for the advice bro. Btw, I'm 58 this Jan so I'm getting up there. Lol. Bless!
Glad it helped, all the best!
Smart tips, learned something today !
Brightest Blessings of Healing Love and Light surround you and give you a Warrior's Strength to keep you going and bring you peace and joy 💫♥️💫
I want some hand/ feet warmers in my emergency kit!!! I don't intentionally camp in super cold weather but, shit happens! Great product! #5 would be rough on my older suv. She no likey! Lol! And she gets crappie mileage at an idle - I'm looking into that bit! Otherwise I agree! Utilities aren't cheap in a sticks and bricks!
Fantastic video man. Great job overcoming that challenge. Keep doing you man.
Cheers man!
Definitely good information☺
Stay warm, Bren.
Great tips!!!
Thank you! Thanks for stopping in
Saw your comment on Ava's channel recommending this mummy sleeping bag. Great tips for the winter 👍
Helpful info. & your sense of humor = 👍
I appreciate that!
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Great content, you're very personable! Keep up the great work! You're almost to 1k subs!
One year later and he's over 20k!! 🎉
Dude I’m so happy I came across your video! I’m about to try car living myself in the BEGINNING of winter IN New England as well 😮💨and I agree with your thoughts on the “waste” of gas. In a 4 cylinder car at idle you burn roughly a sixth of a gallon an hour so say we pay $3.50/gal. We use what, $0.21 /hr. in fuel? (I’m no mathematician) 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
well it's like 60 cents/hr but still pretty cheap, esp comp'd to sticks n bricks
Great video..
Thanx!
Big like to this video 😊👍
Mummy bags are awesome and the best for winter. Have used them myself.
Good info❤
Glad you think so!
I started watching you , what a great personality you have and you fold better than me , I live in a 6000 square feet house but I want to sell buy a van to live in while I start over it’s out of my comfort zone , I need to see the world and be alone , was never and I need this but are you going to eventually get a place? Great guy ❤
Yep. That is Bren's intention. He plans on getting an apartment in 2025.
Mummy bag! I’m here doing my due diligence. Binging on my new favorite channel. Dropping comments for Al Gorithims. #Brenagains
Let’s get after it! Thanks
Like the chill music you used for intro/ending. Great tips on winter items for the car. Thanks for sharing info on the mattress too.
Definitely agree with the beard trick. I shaved last winter for a skin check and had to keep a scarf wrapped around my face the entire week until my beard grew back in a bit.
Question for you, how do you deal with condensation from your breath and moisture in the car in general while chilling at night?
The couple times I chilled in my car in the back within a couple hours its was super close uncomfortable and the windows were steamed up. Obviously chilling in the front with the car on helps or cracking a window works too.
2 of the times it had rained that day or was lightly raining so figured it was due to outside humidity.
How do you deal with it in your car?
Thanks for sharing your journey and the info on car life Bren. 👍🏻
That could be a humidity issue, not much of that in New England at least not in the summer. I’m pretty much unaffected by condensation, there is a little bit behind my window covers in the mornings and on the windshield but nothing bothersome. I also open the windows every day no matter the temperature just to air out the cabin.
God bless you. U r an inspiration to the USA (or r u Canadian) ?
My CA cousin lives in her truck with two small dogs and buys the Super Body Warmer size by the case. Bright blessings, Bren. 💖
Of course I chose to buy a Camry TRD, the only one in the whole line that does not allow you to fold the back seat down. Sheesh.
Amazon mummy bag $ 71.99
I insulate my underside and have two 50 pound shorthair dogs. I can stay warm under any condition
Europeans >> I'm English don't understand Fahenhight. I even can't remember how to convert lol.
❤❤
I got a Mr. Buddy heater, Sherpa coat blanket that u wear. It goes past my knees, has long sleeves on it and it's as warm as could be. I wear several layers, including five pairs of socks on. I also have two heavy blankets and below zero sleeping bag that my dogs are put inside of. I'm in very cold area with snow at times and stay pretty warm. The only thing that gets really cold is my nose and have not found solution for yet!
Me too!! Nose is always cold. Might get a balaclava
If you place a small blanket or even a bath towel so it drappes over your head somewhat, it really helps. I also keep my head under the blankets for most of the night and just have a small opening for fresh -30 air😊
@@my-carlife
Thanks for the tip of the blanket / towel! 😃👍🏼
What do you do about ventilation in the winter after you turn off the heat/fan?
Turn A/C light off when running heat. N turn on circulation.. great tips bro!! I wanna see you do a cooking video
I make a mean grilled cheese! 😂 I like your user name!
@@brenpgrace hahaha
Subaru??? That is the car I want for my coming venture
Yes. Subaru outback or a forester both great vehicles for car camping.
How can you keep the windshield without getting foggy during cold winter?
Mr buddy heater doesn't work with temperature below 30 degrees
Most butane and propane start to work poorly in those temperatures. They get cold just being used, so it restricting the flow. I can still use my jet boil, but I have a special mix cannister for it.
Engines were built to run, but your engine/battery was not designed to idle for long periods of time, especially from cold. I'm not saying don't do it, I do the same thing sometimes, but any time your engine spends running below operating temp is extra wear on your engine.
Wouldn't "running below operating temp" just mean a lot of turning the car on and off before it could heat up? Bren isn't doing that. He'll have it running for a good 20 mins or more (as far as I know), then turn off after that. Idling is just running at low rpm. I don't think Bren is likely to kill his car in the next 12 months until he gets into an apartment by idling his car when it gets to hot/cold to run the AC/Heat during those periods.
@@nickhayley did I say he's going to "kill his car"? Look it up, it is extraordinarily bad for a combustion engine to idle while engine cold in cold weather. If you're repeatedly cycling it on and off, it is constantly losing heat. For example, I run my engine for 20 minutes to heat my car, engine gets up to 200-205°. I turn it off for 20 minutes, it's back down to 140-150° which is not a healthy operating temp. Oil does not flow properly, parts are not the right size due to temp differences causing heat expansion, damage occurs. When your engine is at temp, all parts are at their usual sizes. Yes, these size differences are more than enough to cause damage over time.
Again, I am not saying don't do this, I do this as someone in the same situation. I am merely advising that it is not good practice for maintaining a combustion engine under normal circumstances, but people like us are not in normal circumstances. I'm just trying to let him know that it puts more wear than you'd think just idling if the engine isn't properly heated.
Also, if you are running the heat it is drawing that heat from the engine, which means it will take even longer to heat up. I've actually tried to time it, my engine will sit at 150-160 for like 40 minutes if I don't move. That is bad for my engine.
Nice video. Why not use the car I always do.
I don’t understand
what about a electric blanket to the jackery
I’ve never used one but I don’t think my jackery would have enough juice to power that for long. I don’t need it.
@@brenpgrace get the 12v one.
Electric blankets are bulky to launder.
I love the Hot Hands tip. I was thinking along those lines. Just enough to get the toes cozy.
~ 🦋
I have a jackery knock-off that is only 155 Watts but I was able to run a 12-volt heated blanket for 8 hours ❤️
I'm not sure if this would be more cost-effective and it would use energy... Have you considered those rechargeable hand warmers?
You are so funny
Any idea How long would a 100ah Lithium battery power a heated blanket? I remember watching a video where someone powered a deep freezer for 24-48hrs with one.
I do not have the answer for that one sry! Deafly gonna need some serious battery power for a deep freezer I’m guessing.
The music must really start when your car breaks down and has to go in for service or you get in an accident.
I mean I’ve been thinking a lot about it, but I just don’t see a path. Sure it would save me about 20 grand a year in rent, minibus the additional costs for using my car a whole lot more…figure I save 15-16K per year, I think getting a second job even if it’s like doing Uber can make up for about half that or more.
I mean it’s very tempting to do because that’s a lot of coin to save without having to do a second job like Uber eats or some crap, but it’s a risky play, man. There could be a violent storm, car could die, car could crash, car could get stolen, people could figure you out and Jack you. Etc etc etc.
I think a lot less risky and costly in a warmer climate. Like I said very tempting and I want to, but I see too much downside.
What’s the point in worrying about every bad thing that “could” happen in life? I don’t live my life that way, what will be will be. I will deal with it as it comes. Nobody is immune to the uncertainties of life, regardless of where you live so live while the livin is good. I am a wise old turtle 😂
@@brenpgrace it’s not about that. It’s about factoring in all the elements when making a decision. I commend you for it. That’s a big fucking decision to make. It’s a huge sacrifice, but it’s definitely a huge risk. Those were legitimate questions. When I said what happens if this and that? By you telling me in response that you can’t worry about everything in life, that means you don’t have answers for the questions.
Anyone have info on using the heated blanket in your car. I have one that plugs into the cigarette lighter 12volt thingy. My concern is will it wear out my car battery if Im keeping that ignition switch in the first “on” stage. Not fully turning the car on but just the battery on.
That will most certainly drain your battery and leave you stuck in the cold. If you must have a heated blanket, I would recommend getting a decent size power station like a jackery explorer 500 or 1000 that should give you enough power as long as you can recharge it.
As per the comment below, yes, you would definitely kill the battery. Place the lithium pack in a cooler to help it stay warm. If it goes below -10°C It will trigger the temperature sensor, so keep it warm. I preferred installing a secondary gel battery with an isolator and 300w inverter. The inverter generates enough heat to keep it warm. This, to me, is still the best way to have power in my car. I have a small goal zero lithium, and it's great when it's warm.
I have an Aimtom power station (jackery knock off) which is only 155 watts. I was able to run a 12-volt heated blanket for 8 hours.
Privacy curtains, covers.
How do you keep things like phones and stuff from dying well sleeping over night in ur car?
Hey! I have a jackery Power Station that charges all my devices.
i live in england uk,weather not as harsh,i have just done a full year now sleeping in my subaru wrx wagon,i just sleep on the back seat with a sleeping bag,,its ok for 3-4 hours then have to sit up lean against the back door and strech the legs out..i eat at cafe's in the mornings,,use drive throughs,kfc,mcdonalds ect,,i take laundry to laundrette when it all piles up.i travel around and work where ever i can..my problem is that the inside car windows always get steamed,fogged up,even if i leave the windows open 1/2 inch,is there a remody to solve that?..apart from that,im getting used to this way of life..FREEEDOM...all the best to you all that are in this situation.
I heard cat litter can absorb some moisture. Don’t know if it works though all the best.
I would recommend leaving a small fan running, even on low, just to keep the air moving.
You can get rechargeable ones, or ones that run off USB.
Why didn't you just run your car engine with the heater on all night for at least one night so you could get some sleep? No way would I have suffered like that. I even asked my mechanic if it was okay to run all night and he said yes. He said just to make sure I was not blocking the exhaust. That would have given you the sleep you needed (spending a little on gas) and then you could have gotten on with a much clearer head. Don't suffer that way. Use what you have at hand for at least a little while and use that car's engine and heater. Also, anything sherpa will keep you toasty warm and Carhartt makes some sherpa-lined caps that are fab. I bought them for my mother who lost all her hair with chemo and they kept her head so warm. Sherpa throws and blankets are awesome for warmth as well. They even make sherpa-lined shirts and gloves. All kinds of ways for you to keep warm out there. My problem is I live in Texas so keeping AC on all the time will be the challenge. And for that I am looking at the Prius hybrid which has the battery that can run heat/AC all the time without much need for the gas engine to run continuously. Take care of yourself and don't be afraid to take advantage of the elements in the vehicle made just for that purpose. Climate control is paramount in very hot and very cold climates.
Trust me, there is no suffering here lol. I sleep like a baby. Thank you tho!
@@brenpgrace You suffered in the beginning though and I wouldn't have done that. My car engine would've been running 24/7. Glad you learned how to deal with it but sorry you had to suffer initially. Happy trails!
@@brenpgrace So it's not just me, I sleep great in these temperatures
The only thing you need is Diesel heater. I've lived in my car for 4 years in Canada. Sleeping bags suck and are restrictive. I sleep warm every night with a light blanket its my home im not sleeping in the cold.
If you work at a regular job you will be warm at their expenses 😊
That makes no sense but ok!
@@brenpgrace ya you will be indoors
@@PEDALSnPROJECTS ya my car has 5 doors if you include the trunk. I sleep comfortably within those doors every night!😄🚙⛺️😴 I am content with what I have, thanks.
Also I have a several jobs 👍
@@brenpgrace was meant as a helpful comment..it's your life 👍
Only on UA-cam can a homeless guy delivering pizzas be considered a "nomad journey"
Whatever you say bud 👍
Only on UA-cam would a guy randomly tell someone they're homeless and make an attempt to insult them.
GET A JOB, GET A VAN, GET INSULATION, GET A HEATER, GET HOTPLATE,
LOUD NOISES!! 🤣
Hairy laides are not good they are nasty 🤢 and this video isn't useful for places where it doesnt get below 40s in the winter
Whatever you say 👍
your gonna destroy your engine running that car in IDLE engines are built to run but not to IDLE
guys a -18 mammut sleeping bag is a passport to evry adventure. i've stay in my car overnight with open window at -12 no problem
god bless
Never heard of those, are they expensive and where can we buy one?
a bit expensive but its black week!!@@brenpgrace