Snow, ice, and bitter cold are the trademarks of winter. When you’re cozy by a fire and sipping hot cocoa, it’s lovely to watch the white flakes blanket the world. It’s a much different experience when you’re living in a car.
Whether by choice or out of necessity, thousands of people live in their cars in major cities across America. As winter hits, the situation can be dangerous for the unprepared, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re living in your car, or considering a change of residence, learn how to survive winter in a vehicle.
Reasons People Live in Their Cars
Living in a car can be a temporary situation or a long-term solution. Some people choose life in a car for seasonal adventures while others opt to cut the mortgage payment and adopt life as a nomad. In America, there are three main reasons people make a move to their vehicles.
Battling Homelessness
For some, living in their cars is not a choice. Homelessness affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. Almost half of all homeless people live in cars, on the streets, or in abandoned buildings.
Cut Rental Costs by Living in a Vehicle
Freedom is a fundamental right, but it’s hard to feel free under the weight of debt, mortgage payments, and full-time, soul-sucking day jobs. What if you could leave all of that behind and explore your passion in life?
When housing costs are too steep of a price to pay without sacrificing a dream, some people take to living in their cars. When rental or mortgage payments, utilities, and taxes make it impossible to pursue a passion, it’s sometimes easier to move into your vehicle to cut costs and make a run at that dream.
Living in your car can save you thousands of dollars each year by cutting rent and utility bills. It opens the door to adventure and a minimalist lifestyle.
Seasonal Exploration and Adventures
Living in a car temporarily opens many doors for adventure. Whether you want to cruise the mountains during the snowy season or travel the country on a festival circuit during summer, living in your car is cheaper than a hotel or resort hopping. In many cases, it also gives you a lot more freedom.
Is it Legal to Live in Your Car?
It is actually legal to live in your car in most places, but you need to research the regulations for your locality. You can research loitering and vagrancy laws in your state and city to ascertain whether or not it’s prohibited.
There are other legal matters to consider if you’re living in your car, even temporarily. Save yourself a lot of trouble by learning the regulations for any place you decide to stay.
Watch Where You Park
Many municipalities restrict how long you can park in certain places. You need to obey all parking laws to avoid parking tickets. It’s a good idea to park in different locations to avoid drawing attention to your car.
Avoid private drives unless you have permission to park there. Property owners can have you arrested for trespassing if you park without their consent.
Dress with Caution
If you live in your car, then it stands to reason that you may change your clothes in your car. It is possible to receive a citation for indecent exposure if you expose too much while changing in your vehicle. To avoid this issue, you may want to research the level of exposure necessary in your location.
Mind Your Manners
Locals may never notice that you’re living in your car on their street if you respect the space. Leaving behind trash or making excessive noise at all hours will likely draw attention from residents, followed by complaints and the attention of law enforcement.
How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Living
It doesn’t matter what type of car you have; it’s necessary to prepare the vehicle for winter weather. Even if you can’t manage every suggestion, it’s in your best interest to do as much as possible to protect yourself and your belongings.
Pick a Suitable Vehicle
If you have a choice in the matter, some cars are better than others. Vans are ideal because they are more spacious and you can renovate them. You need a vehicle that works because repairs are costly, and you don’t want to break down in the middle of a snowstorm.
Test Your Systems
Have a service check done before you prep your vehicle for winter living. Make sure the sensors, fluids, battery, and brakes are all functioning. Don’t forget the antifreeze to ensure your car’s fluids don’t freeze. Pack extra antifreeze and engine oil, just in case.
Have Proper Tires
Good tires are a must if winter in your neck of the woods involves snow and ice. You should also have chains that you can easily take on and off. Practice in good weather to prepare for storm season.
Even with proper tires and chains, you may still want a shovel in case you end up stuck in a drift. Consider keeping a bag of sand in your trunk because it could provide traction on icy roads.
Prepare Your Car to Retain Warmth
Insulate the floor, ceiling, and walls of your vehicle to keep the warmth in since you won’t be able to keep your car running all night long. Make your insulation choices based on how much time and money you can invest. You may also want to consider how extreme the weather will be because not all methods are equal.
- Either apply a spray-on insulator to your floors, lay carpeting, or plug holes with plywood panels.
- Carpet the inside of the roof to protect against frost in extreme cold. Use thicker insulation because a lot of heat is lost through the ceiling.
- Reflective foam insulation works well on the windows and walls of your vehicle. Fiberglass and Thinsulate materials work, as well.
- Car and truck toppers can add storage space and hold the cold at bay.
- Use a windshield cover. Not only will it keep snow and ice off your windshield, it serves as an insulator. Curtains on your windows are also helpful for additional warmth and a little privacy.
What Does Your Storage Look Like?
Put thought into how you will store your belongings. Organization is crucial because you have less space and may need to locate certain items quickly. Plastic bins are excellent options because they come in various shapes and sizes.
Using a car or truck topper for items you don’t need to access regularly is a good idea. They also help with heat, but be careful about what you store in them. You don’t want to keep your extra batteries on top of your car and end up with dead flashlights when you need them most.
How to Heat Your Car
Even if your car is insulated, you still need to generate heat to avoid running your car all night. There are a few heating choices available to you, each with its benefits and drawbacks. You should assess your situation and decide which works best with your vehicle and set up.
- Electric heating is clean, simple, and safe. The downside is that electric heaters rely on a power source. If you power your heater with your car battery, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to start your car in the morning.
- Propane heating is popular for van campers. You can use one fuel for heat and cooking, which is nice. However, you need to refill the canisters, which are awkward to move around, and you require a ventilation system to avoid a buildup of excess moisture.
- Butane heaters are similar to propane, but they cost a lot more.
- Wood burners can smell great and keep you warm, but there are several cons to using them for heat. Not only do you require an excellent ventilation system, but you also need a chimney to release the smoke, and they leave behind a lot of dust. You would need to keep a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector close.
- Electric blankets are easy and efficient. You’re probably packing blankets anyway, so throwing in an electric one shouldn’t be too much trouble. The only downside is the need for a power source to keep the electric blanket operational.
If none of these options appeals to you or your budget, consider some lower budget options. Carry hot water bottles with you and boil water for them before bed. Or, you can heat up rocks or bricks in a fire and place them in your car, but don’t let them touch the floor.
What Other Supplies Do You Need to Live in Your Car?
Once you prep your car, you need to consider your gear. It’s going to take more than a duffel of clothes to live in your vehicle during winter months for any reason. You don’t want to freeze or starve, so it’s time to get creative.
Choose Your Clothing Wisely
Layers are the best idea for several reasons, but in winter it means warmth. Even when you sleep, you want to skip the urge to strip down because you want to retain heat. Make sure you have hats, gloves, and socks to wear day and night. Don’t forget duplicates of everything in case something gets soaked, destroyed, or lost.
Create a Proper Bed
You can get by with a cold-weather sleeping bag in some cases, but if you want to stay warm and get comfy, you’ll need to up your game. For added warmth, include insulation or a foam mattress. Wool blankets are an excellent choice for covers and cushion, so be sure to pack extras.
Remember, heat rises, which means it’s warmer the higher you get from the ground. You may want to build a makeshift bed with plywood or your storage containers. If you’re using the backseat for your bed, fill the spaces along the door and between the seats to level your surface and give you more sprawl space.
Make Your Car Safe
Before attempting to live in your car, establish safety measures. It’s not just about locking your doors, because windows can break. Purchase a steering column lock and use it to keep your car and belongings secure. You don’t want somebody driving off with your whole world!
Other helpful safety measures are car alarms, door deadbolts, and GPS systems. Don’t forget a lockbox of some sort for your important documents and money.
In Case of Emergency
Being prepared for anything is the surest way to make it through the winter successfully. Even though you have limited space, you should have enough gear to handle emergency situations.
- Pack an ice scraper for your windows, even if you use a cover on your windshield. You could end up with ice on the insides of your windows, so a scraper could come in handy.
- First aid kits are necessary to address minor injuries like cuts and burns.
- One flashlight is good, but a few flashlights ensure you’re never stuck in the dark.
- Invest in a fan. It will help when you need to clear out your vehicle and adds ventilation when you need it.
- Keep hand warmers with you at all times. If something fails, you can crack open hand warmers for instant heat.
Tips for a Successful Winter in Your Car
It takes preparation to live in your car at any point, but during the harsh winter months, you need to take extra care. The cold, wind, and bad weather can derail your plans if you don’t know how to work with them.
Shop in the Summer
If you plan, you can take advantage of deals during the summer months. Clothes and other winter gear is often discounted during the months when most people are basking in the sun and swimming.
Store Clothes Efficiently
Efficient storage is key when working with a small space, but when it comes to clothes, you need to be extra savvy. You don’t want to do laundry constantly, and you’ll need a lot of layers for warmth, so learn to store your clothes as efficiently as possible. Rolling them before packing or use them as extra padding for your bed.
Don’t forget to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes. The same goes for shoes, towels, and blankets. If you have wet items and don’t have the time or means to dry them, pack them in sealed storage containers to prevent the moisture from making your car uncomfortable.
Stay Dry
Once you’re wet, you’re on your way toward a chill. Dampness seeps into your bones and prevents you from getting warm, no matter how many layers you pile on top of the wet clothes. There are a few ways to combat humidity in your car, but a combination of methods is best.
- Crack a window, even at night. This method seems counterintuitive, especially in extreme cold, but it lets moisture escape.
- Install a fan. Not only will the fan serve as an exhaust, it suppresses moisture levels in your car.
- Travel or tent dehumidifiers can save you a lot of discomfort. There are several styles on the market, depending on how much you can afford and your specific needs.
- Consider investing in boot heaters to dry shoes out overnight.
- Don’t seal your sleeping bag all of the way to prevent condensation buildup.
Hydration is Critical
Dehydration is always dangerous, but during the winter, it’s a critical part of staying warm. When you’re hydrated, you circulate more blood, which keeps you warmer. Try to keep several water bottles in your car at all times and even set reminders to make sure you’re drinking.
There’s more to hydration than drinking enough water. It may sound crazy, but holding in your pee is a bad idea because it takes a lot of energy. Instead, carry a container so you can relieve yourself as needed and let your body use the energy to keep warm.
Vary Your Diet
You can’t survive on convenience food. Granola bars and sandwiches are short-term solutions to hunger, but they won’t sustain you all winter. You need to figure out ways to prepare fresh meals and create a balanced diet that includes warm foods and beverages. Work in foods and beverages with Vitamin C to stay healthy.
Campfires and camping stoves are portable, efficient ways to prepare soups, oatmeal, and other warm dishes. Remember to pack food storage containers because leftovers can help you through periods when you can’t cook. Make room for a cooler to store your leftovers and toss in extra water whenever possible.
Don’t leave out cooking and eating gear. Pots, pans, plates, bowls, and utensils don’t have to be extravagant or large, especially if you’re on your own. Make sure you have dish soap to clean them thoroughly.
Additional Considerations for Living in Your Car
Committing to living in a car is a considerable undertaking under any circumstances. You can prep your car and insulate against the cold of winter, but there are other issues to address from hygiene to parking.
Where to Take Bathroom Breaks
You know it’s bad to put off bathroom breaks, but other than relieving yourself in a bottle, what can you do? There are plenty of public restrooms available if you know where to look. Libraries, rest areas, and truck stops are free to use. You can also purchase a cup of coffee or a small meal at a restaurant or coffee shop to use their restroom.
When you’re really roughing it, and there’s little civilization around, you can resort to portable options. Stores that carry camping and wilderness gear sell portable toilets and funnel-like devices that allow women to urinate standing up.
Keeping Clean
You do not want to develop an odor that seeps into your car and never leaves. Keeping yourself, your car, and your belongings clean is critical to surviving a winter in your vehicle.
- Secure a monthly gym membership. You can shower there and get in a good workout!
- Air out your car and gear as much as you can.
- Carry wet wipes and antibacterial gels for makeshift sponge baths.
- Keep plenty of disposable bags available to store trash instead of letting it accumulate all over your vehicle.
- Store dirty clothes together and make time to do laundry. Don’t forget to keep a collection of quarters, detergent, and dryer sheets.
- Pay to stay at a campsite with showers.
- Solar showers are an option if you have a private space. They are better for rural and remote settings than the urban environment.
Fill Your Free Time
You may find that you have a lot of extra time on your hands, especially in the middle of a storm. Factor in some room for games, books, and hobby supplies. If you’re a musician, bring along your instrument. Don’t forget to journal about your experiences; it’s a wonderful way to track time and experiences.
When the weather is nice enough, get out of your vehicle as much as possible. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and playing in the snow are fun ways to kill time and be active. If you purchased a gym membership to use their shower, why not take advantage of classes and exercise equipment as well.
Park Smart
To avoid legal issues, park in acceptable places. There are plenty of options that won’t result in a citation or hassle from law enforcement. Always look for signage that prohibits parking overnight, but generally, you are safe at a campground, church parking lot, hospital parking lot, and some big box stores, like Walmart.
Some locations have cameras and additional security measures. You may want to do some research before deciding where to park and consider paying a fee for a secure site.
Power Up
Living in your car requires plenty of power. Whether you’re powering electric blankets, portable heaters, or charging your devices, you need sources of power. At some point, you may even need to recharge or jump your car battery. Invest in a solar-powered generator and jump starter to keep moving under any circumstances.
Stay Connected with Family and Friends
Make sure people know what you’re doing and where you’re going before making a move to your car. You don’t want anybody to worry about you, so check in regularly to let them know you’re okay.
The best ways to keep in touch are via phone, computer, and snail-mail. Each option offers something different, but some are more accessible than others.
Cell phones are convenient for keeping in touch or calling ahead for reservations. Having a phone number is helpful under a lot of circumstances. Pay as you go phones are functional, inexpensive, and easy to replace. Smartphones with regular plans open up more options like driving directions and games.
Communicating by computer can be done by email, messaging systems, or social media. If you have your own laptop, there are plenty of places that offer free wifi. You can also visit public libraries for free, and many have computers with internet access.
Snail mail takes the longest and involves carrying paper, writing instruments, envelopes, and postage. If you hope to receive responses, you need to establish an address to receive mail. A post office (P.O.) box is useful for people staying in one location for some time, but they cost money.
Keep an Emergency Fund
You never know what to expect when living on the road in winter. From tolls to laundry facilities, incidental charges add up fast. At some point, you may need to pay for a room at a hotel or repairs to your car (like a new battery!), and that means having money available.
What’s Your Address?
Another consideration before taking up residence in your car is a permanent address. Having an address opens a lot of doors and gives you a regular method of contact. You can ask a friend or relative to use their address or rent a mailbox at your post office or a package service. Consider renting a storage unit for any extra possessions that don’t fit in your car.
Do a Test Run
Before jumping into life in your vehicle, it’s an excellent idea to do a test run. You want to make sure everything works, and you know how to use your gear. Create a safe test space, like a friend’s backyard, so you have a safety net in case something goes wrong.
Living the Nomad’s Life
People live in vehicles for many reasons, some by choice and others because they lack other options. The winter months can be especially challenging because of extreme weather and difficulty staying warm and dry. You can improve your chances of success with a little preparation.
There are plenty of wild, beautiful places to see in the world, and living in your car is the perfect opportunity to explore them. You can even brave the bitter cold of winter if you follow these tips and tricks.