Winter Camping from a Vehicle

This topic has 45 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by gnarlycharlie.

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October 12, 2014 at 6:45 am #580195
Jackschranz
Participant
Hey Guys
I plan to do a lot of Splitting using my vehicle as my base this winter and wondered if you have any tips/feedback/ideas to make it that much easier. I’ve got a panel van which is big enough for a double matters in the back. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Will be the first time I’ve used a vehicle for this purpose.
Thanks
Martin
October 12, 2014 at 8:02 am #677785
ieism
Participant
I’m a newbie at this too, although I’ve spend a few nights in cars snowboarding before. But I’ve started building a small car a few weeks ago and have tested it a bit. I’ve used losts of Armacell insulation. You can probably find a similar closed cell insulation cheap in the US. Covered all the bare metal inside the car with it, floor, and the insides of doors too. Panel vans have thin walls, so to me this was essential. It also helps with making the car less noisy. Turns out this stuff is really a lot like the camping matress material, but thicker and more comfortable. So I’ve used it for the beds too, it’s really warm to sleep on! I think a regular matress will get wet and is not rellly suited for camping.
My car doesn’t have a heating system or anything in it, so insulated everything instead. A bigger van will also be harder to stay warm in than a small hatchback or something.
Get some kind of curtain to close of the cargo space from the cabin, or you’ll be scraping ice of the inside of your windows in the morning. Crack a window open to get a bit of ventilation. I use a small strip of waterproof tent cotton to prevent snow and wind blowing in, attach with magnets.
I’ll post a picture of the inside as soon as I can find my camera again…
http://flatlandsplitfest.com/
October 12, 2014 at 8:32 am #677786
ozsnowbum
Participant
2 months in japan and a week in iceland last winter from a rental hatchback.
its basically luxury winter camping.
slept on my exped downmat every day, sleeping bag, stove.
pee bottle is probably the most important piece of kit.
hot water ready to go in a thermos is pretty good idea to get your morning meal/coffee going.
remember to park on a flat hill so you sleep well.
theres not much to it.
October 13, 2014 at 12:04 am #677787
swanny
Participant
Try cutting cardboard to fit in the windows. Look for double wall closed cell like from a refrigerator packing box. And I found a heater blanket that plugs into the car 12v socket.
October 16, 2014 at 4:08 am #677788
BobGnarly
Participant
To set up properly for a whole season you want to add a second battery that is isolated through a VSR. Google it. Its a must have.
Run all your accessories off the second battery, even if you run it dead flat your car will still start.
Carry jumper leads, shovel and a recovery strap.
Buy a nice big gas burner for cooking, dont rely on jetboils etc, they are too small to rely on for a season. Cook real meals 😉
Take a bucket with your toiletries in it, a whores bath can make you feel like a human again 😉
A cheap synthietic chamois is good for wiping away condensation in the morning.
A hot engine is good for drying stuff out
Keep a full tank of fuel, it could save your life in a massive blizzard.
Antifreeze!!!
Keep a window cracked when you are inside, a bit of 2″ tape in the door frame can stop snow blowing straight in the window
October 28, 2014 at 5:32 am #677789
ACheateaux
Participant
@swanny wrote:
Try cutting cardboard to fit in the windows. Look for double wall closed cell like from a refrigerator packing box. And I found a heater blanket that plugs into the car 12v socket.
Even better is reflextix, a tin foil bubble wrap kinda insulation found at Lowes.
October 28, 2014 at 6:52 am #677790
ieism
Participant
First trip of the season is done, few nights in the car at blow freezing temperatures. It doesn’t get that cold if the car is somewhat insulated.
It’s not so bad. I can go from driving to sleeping in about 5 minutes, without even getting out of the car. the bed rests on the front seat and half of it comes out when driving.
I was in an old thin summer sleeping bag, and typically woke up at 4:30 because of the cold. Start the engine (diesel) and heater and 15 minutes later the car is completey hot inside again. May have to fabricate a remote start button though.. Also nice to wake up and get dressed in a warm car.
I bet with any kind of cheap winterbag it would be very warm indeed. Also not much moisture because of the heater being on, this works pretty well.
You’ll lose most of your heat through the windows, so a simple curtain or some bubblewrap will go a long way.
http://flatlandsplitfest.com/
October 28, 2014 at 5:34 pm #677791
Jefe009
Participant
Roof box goes a long way for me, just throw all your riding stuff up there then you don’t have it floating around your car in a mess at night when you’re trying to sleep in there.
+1 for big dual burner stove.
Yeah for the mobile splitting lifestyle it doesn’t get any better or easier than sleeping in your rig.
www.splitlife.net
October 28, 2014 at 6:21 pm #677792
HikeforTurns
Participant
http://www.nationalmarineproducts.com/DRI_Z_AIR_Dehumidifier_Unit_p/16133.htm
Used this stuff in the camper.
October 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm #677793
splitn2
Participant
@Jefe009 wrote:
Roof box goes a long way for me, just throw all your riding stuff up there then you don’t have it floating around your car in a mess at night when you’re trying to sleep in there.
+1 for big dual burner stove.
Yeah for the mobile splitting lifestyle it doesn’t get any better or easier than sleeping in your rig.
Re “big dual burner stove” just be careful cooking or trying to heat with gas in a confined space that you have heaps of ventilation, otherwise it can be a pretty nasty outcome if the CO gets you….. there have been plenty of cases where people have just nodded off when the CO gas got to them and nailed them…….. I’m really not sure if I would do that at all without all windows and doors open. I’d go with the warm sleeping bag !
Richard Harcourt
WWW.SPLITN2.COM
New Zealand Splitboard Equipment Specialist
Spark R&D | Fitwell Backcountry / Freeride | SPLITN2 Custom Splitboards
e: sales@splitn2.com
p: +64 3 3266585
October 28, 2014 at 9:46 pm #677794
Jefe009
Participant
Good point! I would never use a stove in an enclosed space, I use mine on the tailgate when I’m standing out back.
Yeah don’t kill yourself by using the stove in your car with no ventilation. 😆 :scratch:
Also, better to have a sleeping bag that’s too warm than not warm enough. You can always open it up to cool down, but it’s a long long night when you’re not sleeping cuz it’s too cold.
@splitn2 wrote:
@Jefe009 wrote:
Roof box goes a long way for me, just throw all your riding stuff up there then you don’t have it floating around your car in a mess at night when you’re trying to sleep in there.
+1 for big dual burner stove.
Yeah for the mobile splitting lifestyle it doesn’t get any better or easier than sleeping in your rig.
Re “big dual burner stove” just be careful cooking or trying to heat with gas in a confined space that you have heaps of ventilation, otherwise it can be a pretty nasty outcome if the CO gets you….. there have been plenty of cases where people have just nodded off when the CO gas got to them and nailed them…….. I’m really not sure if I would do that at all without all windows and doors open. I’d go with the warm sleeping bag !
www.splitlife.net
October 29, 2014 at 3:38 pm #677795
sdmarkus
Participant
Sweet rig ieism!
Combo of the reflectix and a buddy or catalytic propane heater work pretty well in my camper all winter. Just make sure you vent well as I believe they typically deplete the o2 and/or produce co2 as a byproduct as has been said. This also helps minimize condensation inside the rig which can be typical in an enclosed space.
A quality pee jug is of course critical 😆
October 30, 2014 at 12:47 pm #677796
TEX
Participant
Great timing! Setting up my new rig this month for winter. I keep a truck for 10 years and then go get a new one. Last July I traded in the old horse ( 2003 Sierra) for the new mount ( 2014 Silverado) . Now Im getting tires, camper shell, rack ect.
Im trying to figure out the bed situation. My previous rig had a full size mattress. Nice for sleeping but only left 2 feet to get dressed in. Thinking about only using half the bed this season with a twin matress. That will allow for my legs to hang down which should be much easier to get dressed in.
Will have a rooftop thule box on it to so when its time to go from Town to trail I can carry four with gear in complete comfort.
Mark, what heater do you use? I guess you keep the windows cracked eh?
October 31, 2014 at 7:16 am #677797
H.R. Flufnstuf
Participant
Reflectix is a great suggestion as are many listed above. Baby wipes are great in a pinch for hygiene when you can’t pull the whore’s bath. A space blanket atop the mattress pad will also keep you warmer in a car. I’ve been using this 21′ Class B+ for overnights and long trip; currently in it FT.
October 31, 2014 at 4:53 pm #677798
sdmarkus
Participant
@TEX wrote:
Mark, what heater do you use? I guess you keep the windows cracked eh?
I have one of these, could be overkill in a smaller space(?)
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-57331-Olympian-Wave-3-Catalytic/dp/B000BUV1RK
Something like this may be more your speed:
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F215100-3800-BTU-Indoor-Safe/dp/B001CFRF7I/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1414773993&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=buddy+heater
I leave one of my turnbuckle doors and a roof vent cracked, please be careful. I’ll also carry a cheapo electric heater and extension cord in the event I can poach shore power…
Congrats on the new rig dude, I’ll bet you can dial that thing in sweet!
October 31, 2014 at 8:13 pm #677799
Skijor AK
Participant
My wife, my german shorthair, and I sleep in my 2001 Subaru Outback during Chugach winters. We just follow the snow in Alaska for x-mas and spring break, so a week at a time in-between Anchorage stops. The car-top storage is a must for our skis and boards (and gas cans incase of blizzards!). I also have a bunch of tarps to set up a canopy type system for cooking with the hatch open. A battery powered car starter/jumper is also a must. So is a smartphone. We were sleeping at Thompson Pass during the “Damalanche” but fortunately checked the forecast in time and got out of there.
We don’t use extra insulation but bring multiple sleeping bags, blankets, and fury friends. Towels are a must in the mornings as the inside of our windows are usually soaked. We have an insulated kennel for the days where the pooch can’t come (moderate avalanche, or powder).
The nice thing about this system is that skinning up a sketchy mountain is more comfortable than our camp!
November 1, 2014 at 6:11 pm #677800
powslash
Participant
@TEX wrote:
Im trying to figure out the bed situation. My previous rig had a full size mattress. Nice for sleeping but only left 2 feet to get dressed in. Thinking about only using half the bed this season with a twin matress. That will allow for my legs to hang down which should be much easier to get dressed in.
A cot. Get a cot. Cabelas has some burly ones. I’ve tried a few different set-ups for a truck and a cot is my current favorite. Put some sleeping pads on it for cush and warmth. It’s lightweight(mpg’s) and lets you sit sideways to use the other half of the truck bed. A plastic tote works as a nightstand. I especially like a cot on hunting trips because the bed can be packed away small when it’s time to put a deer in the truck bed.
My 2nd favorite set-up is a futon frame. I put a 3-section futon frame in my Tacoma, make cut-outs in the frame for the wheel wells and the fit is perfect. The bed can be folded into a tailgate couch, sweet, or it folds up forward toward the cab which leaves a good amount of space near the tailgate for getting dressed etc. Assuming a hi-rise cap for headroom….
November 2, 2014 at 1:15 am #677801
boardrider247
Participant
My :twocents: worth
1. Ventilation is more important then heat when sleeping. Buy a bomber winter bag and keep the windows cracked while sleeping. Better yet have a vent fan. This is the only way to keep from developing your own personal rain forest. Have a buddy heater along to warmup in the mornings and evenings after riding but don’t run it while sleeping.
2.Ditch the jet boil. Buy a proper white gas camp stove. They work soooooooo much better in cold weather. And don’t cook in your vehicle keep it outdoors. Eat real food! Freeze dried meals should only be a emergency last resort.
3. Boil water with your evening meal and put it in a quality thermos for the morning. Much easier to get up knowing the coffee is ready to go.
4. .??????
5. Profit
6. A couple :guinness: :guinness: :guinness: and a little :doobie: makes for good sleeping no matter the temperature
November 2, 2014 at 4:02 pm #677802
sdmarkus
Participant
Tex!..along with the reflectix, you can get rigid foam insulation at the big box stores. Throwing some of that down and around the bed of your truck bed will be huge. My old camper shell had a headliner of sorts, so some insulation up top could be nice as well.
I like the idea of a custom platform or carpet kit back there with storage underneath, but the cot and/or futon sounds pretty money too!
November 2, 2014 at 10:53 pm #677803
powslash
Participant
@sdmarkus wrote:
I like the idea of a custom platform or carpet kit back there with storage underneath, but the cot and/or futon sounds pretty money too!
I liked the custom platform idea for awhile too but moved away from it because the cot is turnkey and flexible, if you need to use the truck to haul anything you can just pack the bed away and boom you’re a truck. And carpet in the WA climate will start growing mushrooms quick.
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