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Sleeping your car this winter?

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POWFIEND
Posts: 117 - Karma: 12

post experiences youve had sleeping in your car.

Oct 27 2009 11:36PM
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chazz.
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 23
It gets really cold. Really really cold.
Oct 27 2009 11:39PM
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POWFIEND
Posts: 117 - Karma: 12

I have only car campedas low as  -12 degrees celcius, so it wasnt too bad.  The coleman blackcat propane heater is your best friend!(second to whiskey). 

I find that finding a place where people leave you alone is worst part.

Oct 27 2009 11:47PM
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ILoveOhio
Posts: 1793 - Karma: 253
The heater is toxic if in your car.  You will die.

There's other threads on car camping.  Search.
Oct 27 2009 11:49PM
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POWFIEND
Posts: 117 - Karma: 12
^^^^^no its for tent heating and indoors. I think its safe
Oct 27 2009 11:50PM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
Its cold
Oct 27 2009 11:51PM
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.travis.
Posts: 1737 - Karma: 46
this man knows. finding a place does blow, usually like walmart parking lots are the chillest place to sleep cuz truckers do it all the time any way or motel parking lots. bring some sort of alcohol to get you warm (seriously) and a sleeping bag. get the car nice and warm then shut er down and hit the hay. oh and lock your doors!
Oct 27 2009 11:51PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
do not sleep with your car running!!!!


some girls died up in mammoth i think it was last year, because they left the car running when there was so much snow the exhaust was blocked. the fumes filled the car and they died.
Oct 27 2009 11:52PM
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LadySaGa
Posts: 774 - Karma: 81
over the summer after a party, me and my friend passed out in my convertible...it rained...woke up sopping wet with about 6 inches of water in my car...still smells like mold hahah
Oct 27 2009 11:56PM
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POWFIEND
Posts: 117 - Karma: 12

I parked my car at a university parking lot once and tried sleeping there.  I even bought a parking ticket for 1.50$.  Some parking guys woke me up and and told me to go away.  I left anyhow, just to avoid trouble.

 I still wonder if its legal sleep in someones lot if you pay to park there....

Oct 28 2009 12:06AM
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sanacruzer2006
Posts: 81 - Karma: 10
wet wipes. closest thing you'll get to a shower. and a jetboil. those things effin rock
Oct 28 2009 12:24AM
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GreenHorn
Posts: 4896 - Karma: 1,209
it gets so cold. i slept in a car like a month ago and it was freezing. i could hardly sleep
Oct 28 2009 12:34AM
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
That... It gets cold sleeping in the car in summer... Better than sleeping outside though
bring a sleeping bag.
Oct 28 2009 12:42AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
You're supposed to sleep with the windows cracked a little bit, correct? I actually think my resort would be the perfect place to sleep in my car. No one would bug me because the lot is totally empty, besides RVs, and the bathrooms out in the parking lot have showers! Would I be good with a sleeping bag that can take 0 degrees F when it gets down into the teens or high tens? I've never camped or slept outdoors, so I'm not sure if what it says on the bag is actually true.
Oct 28 2009 12:49AM
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IceCreamer
Posts: 1587 - Karma: 27
It was squaw.
Oct 28 2009 12:50AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
do you have to have the window cracked if you have a big suv? and how does sleeping in the bed of an suv compare to the bed of a pickup truck?
Oct 28 2009 12:51AM
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chazz.
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 23
i sleep in my explorer all the time during a big storm cycle. windows cracked, back of the parking lot, 0 degree sleeping bag, small hiking mattress for comfort, and a few more blankets for good measure. my seats all fold down into plenty of space. only thing to worry about is getting the doors open in the morning with all that fresh snow outside.
Oct 28 2009 12:54AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
are you cold at all because i drive an expedition which is massive and im worried i'll be freezing
Oct 28 2009 12:57AM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,314
i really want to try this some time, i guess the best thing to do is just bring a shit ton of blankets?
Oct 28 2009 1:03AM
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crazy_karl
Posts: 774 - Karma: 5,046
Got an electric blamket and an extension cord, then found a power outlet i could hook up to w/o anyone noticing. That, on top of my sleeping bag, kept me warm alllll night long, and didn't cost me a dime!
Oct 28 2009 1:03AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
stupid question, If im not gonna be running any sort of stove or heater in my car i do i need to crack my windows? i have a massive trunk to
Oct 28 2009 1:20AM
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skibum193
Posts: 3737 - Karma: 33
get a bomb ass sleeping bag. just picked up a -20 down one and am super hyped on it. you don't need to crack your windows unless the car is running. finding a legit spot for the night is the hardest part, ususally sucks. DONT cook in your car, easiest way to get fucked besides leaving the car running with windows up.
Oct 28 2009 1:24AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
thank you +k
Oct 28 2009 1:32AM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
12 volt converter and a electric blanket like said above are key. just make sure you have jumper cables incase your battery dies. i have a dual battery setup so ive never really had to worry about that
Oct 28 2009 1:38AM
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chames
Posts: 2331 - Karma: -33
This thread is sick, definately got some good ideas and am planning on doing it this winter.
Oct 28 2009 1:49AM
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Cant-Er
Posts: 1314 - Karma: 2,244
now that i have a car that i can actually sleep in.... i have slept in it twice so far this summer and im sure it will come in handy once ski season rolls around!
Oct 28 2009 2:03AM
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Hooper
Posts: 341 - Karma: -4
last winter i had a few nights in my subaru (yeahh!!!), what you want is a few blankets for extras, a really good sleeping bag, and wear your ski baselayer to sleep (trust me it gets really really cold)
i also have is this candle lantern, its got this reflective type dish around it so it spreads the candle's warmth and its really safe cause its totally sealed up in case it falls or something. hang that up in the car and it will bring you some extra heat! find a good, private spot to sleep and your golden!
Oct 28 2009 2:29AM
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powday
Posts: 3055 - Karma: 326
slept in the car before shredding snowbird first day of the season last year....got a few hours of sleep, spent most the time listening to instrumentals....
Oct 28 2009 2:40AM
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BodaginRep
Posts: 56 - Karma: 13
Pretty much just repeating whats been said.  Get a warm sleeping bag ( I have a -15 degree bag) but contrary to what Hooper said, don't wear your baselayers in the sleeping bag.  Sleeping bags work best if your not wearing much.  Your body transfers its heat directly to the bag/air and heats the bag/air up.  If you wear a baselayer this is just another layer the heat has to transfer to to get to the insulation in the bag.  You can put loose clothes inside the bag to take up space, just don't where them.  Hope this works out for you.
Oct 28 2009 2:47AM
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J-Wallz
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 54
sounds like fun i kinda wanna try this somtime
Oct 28 2009 3:00AM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
It'll happen a few times.

Warming up in the lodge each morning is a good plan, because ice block boots stay around all day if you aren't hiking.
Oct 28 2009 4:47AM
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cbalkman
Posts: 274 - Karma: 114
In my experience, if you don't crack a window or sunroof, you get condensation on the inside of all your windows. It sucks.

My setup is this:

-Honda Element (the ultimate mini-RV) with seated folded into a bed,
-sunroof cracked (the way mine is, snow and rain doesn't get in)
-clear the snow off of the roof of your car so less snow falls on you when you open the door in the morning
-use the passenger door for the above reason
-0* sleeping bag (or lower, I am always warm so I'm fine with 0)
-Beef Jerky, peanuts, lots of water, nature valley sweet n' salty peanut bars, gogurt kept buried in snow next to you.
-extra car key in your ski pants, coat or your gascap (something that won't be locked in the car)
- Cook under the cover of your open trunk (for me I have a tailgate and rear hatch, so I have a covered place to sit/cook on)

If you're cold:
-wear a beanie and socks. This solves most warmth problems.
-Layer your clothes. I'm usually fine sleeping in long underwear, thin underarmour shirt, ski sock and beanie
-don't wear cotton. At all.
-Tuck your hands in your crotch or armpits.
-breathe into your sleeping bag (until it's warm)

Following all this, I have spent many happy nights in my car.
Oct 28 2009 5:32AM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
Its really not that bad, done it many times. jsut make sure you got a good mat underneath you bc a sleeping bag doesnt insulate when you're laying on top of it.

And a lodge warmup is good too. As logn as you use common sense you'll be ok
Oct 28 2009 5:36AM
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cbalkman
Posts: 274 - Karma: 114
I concur. Sleeping pads are good. Closed-cell foam is the best.
Oct 28 2009 5:56AM
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dbstar
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 20
sleeping in a car is the worst thing ever, i dont know about an SUV, but in a car it is almost impossible to find a good spot to sleep, it is FREEZING, when you wake up there is an inch of ice on the insides of all the windows... oh man its terrible
Oct 28 2009 8:39AM
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urbanjib
Posts: 1801 - Karma: 255
Just goto Walmart... They have a 24 hour safe zone that you can stay in... Like legally sleep there in their parking lot... you just cant stay there permenately haha
Oct 28 2009 8:45AM
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snowfreak14
Posts: 370 - Karma: 209
yeah as long as you think about what your doing before you do it you should be fine, sick ass thread by the way
Oct 28 2009 9:21AM
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T-Holt
Posts: 5020 - Karma: 639
This thread has some really good info in it, I'll probably be doing this sometime soon.
Oct 28 2009 9:29AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,901
Sleeping in a Jeep sucks!  Don't do it. 
Oct 28 2009 9:52AM
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Doss
Posts: 27 - Karma: 11
Best way to stay warm in your car is by body heat! find some hot chick and just bang all night... or guy if thats what your into :S!
Oct 28 2009 10:00AM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111
My friend has a honda element and we were thinking about doing this this year... Good thread
Oct 28 2009 10:02AM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
ive done it one time with my friend in our school parking lot. it sucked because i didnt have a sleeping bag and there were bright fucking lights everywhere. and we both had classes at 8 the next morning
Oct 28 2009 10:18AM
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SNOWPARKCHlLE
Posts: 2047 - Karma: 6,727
it was during the x games....aspen is really cool
Oct 28 2009 10:27AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
mythreads
Oct 28 2009 10:49AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
i would say bring some sort of pad to sleep on. not for comfort but to keep the cold from getting to you. no need for a heater. i would just suggest bringing like 3-4 comforters or a nice sleeping bag. crack windows for sure so you can see out of your windows in the morning. and another person is so nice to have. even if it is another guy but it helps so much.
Oct 28 2009 11:25AM
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kthnxbai.
Posts: 2847 - Karma: 179
just out of curiosity, why would you do that?
Oct 28 2009 11:41AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948

I've done it quite possibly 40 times or so. especially when I had my old volvo wagon and i could just lay down in the back with the thermarest.

here's my pointers:

It always helps if you have a stationwagon. I have an impreza sedan now and I honestly miss having a big ol wagon with a lot of room... so keep this in mind next time you go car shopping.

invest in a 0 degree sleeping bag. or at least a 15 degree bag. find one on sale under 100 bucks and youre fucking GOLDEN.

Before sleeping, drive around for about 10 minutes with the heat on "nuclear bomb omega hot to the maximum" whilst having the fan on 'indoor tornado blast" setting. so you make the inside of the car super toasty to the point where you're allllmost sweating (if you sweat, this will all become quite chilly later on - if you dont have good long underwear or wicking material on at least), just get it hot enough to get everything comfortable, and get your bag preheated.

Then, find a good flat area to lay down and get comfortable, and pass out in your big puffy bag. mmmm.

you might wake up in the morning with a bit of a crimp in your neck, perhaps, but fuck it. you just woke up in your new ski-in-ski-out condominium! go have a blast getting first chair, bitch!

Oct 28 2009 11:53AM
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123ski
Posts: 7374 - Karma: 1,415
Alcohol thins your blood.  Although at first it makes you **feel** warmer, it actually will cause hypothermia quicker.  While alcohol may appear and feel to be the best thing to drink in cold weather, because it creates the **sensation** of warmth, it actually causes your core body temperature to decrease, regardless of what the actual temperature outside it, and it will INCREASE the risk of hypothermia.

Normally, without alcohol, you feel cold because blood flows away from your skin and into your organs, which raises core body temperature.  Although your body is heating up during this process your skin and limbs feel colder because they are further away from your internal organs. Alcohol causes this process to reverse, which increases the blood flow to the skin (because the blood is thinner), which causes your core body temperature to decrease.  Alcohol ingestion often plays a role in hypothermia-related injuries and death.
Oct 28 2009 11:55AM
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BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
Wow I wish I had a car to try this in because it sounds sick as hell...Jay lets go to Jackson Hole and sleep in your car.
Oct 28 2009 12:00PM
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Atypical
Posts: 1339 - Karma: 45
I need to get a setup for the winter. Over the summer I spent probably 3 or 4 nights sleeping in my car after parties or whatever.

Easily the best place to park is at walmart. If there's one anywhere near where you're going to be, use it.
Bring more than you need. The extra set of keys is a really good idea.

I have a plymouth breeze, so the back seat folds down to get into the trunk. The only thing I'm worried about is keeping the trunk insulated.

Gonna get a thermos and a lunch box to stash in the snow. Can't wait to hit up pow days first chiar.
jea.
Oct 28 2009 12:01PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948

the trunk move isnt always a great idea, because tons of heat escapes out of there.. at least in tin-can kinda cars like your breeze or my older impreza.

Just sack up and curl up in the backseat, OR fold down the passenger seat and enjoy.

also. sleeping backwards in the folded down seat seems a bit more comfortable to me...

Oct 28 2009 12:05PM
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