Vandwelling 101- It's Cold Outside...Staying warm

It's been some time since I covered cold weather tips. I'm originally from Michigan. I did a couple of winters in my home state. Cold can kill you. So how do you stay warm and safe?

First hang blankets...blankets are not expensive at thrift stores. Look for wool, quilts, crocheted afgans. Each has a use.

Hang blankets over Windows. I use a bungee and Double the blankets over it. Those side barn doors...hang blankets over them. Hang blanket right behind the front seats and across the rear doors.

Your bed...under the mattress or pad...hang a nice heavy blanket as a bed skirt. This cuts the drafts off.  Hang blankets around your sleeping area like the old medieval castle beds. Castles were cold and drafty...so the four poster curtained bed was a necessity.

Get some nice thick hall runner rugs...put them on the floor. I had 3 layers of thick carpet. It made a world of difference. No need to install wall to wall. Just lay them down on the floor.

Park facing east. That morning sun will quickly warm up the van.

Use windshield cover. Those nice silvery bubble window Sun protectors...keep warmth in.

You'll want a wool hat, torque, warm socks. You lose body heat through your head, hands, and feet.

Many a morning in Michigan I sat in my front seat, with my coffee, upright in a sleeping bag. A fleece blanket tossed over my shoulders like a shawl. Now I have a fleece hooded cape. I love it.

Warm socks...warm socks make a world of difference. Put your socks in a gallon Zip lock bag. When your feet get cold and wet...and you have a nice dry pair of socks...it's good.

Do not leave any heater on overnight. Some have woke up to a fire, or died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just don't. Heaters need at least a foot or two clearance.

You can sleep warmly in sub zero temps. I used nylon sleeping bag inside a bigger Coleman sleeping bag. A fleece blanket for over the head and mouth. Warm socks. I filled 20 ounce pop bottles with hot (not boiling) water and tucked them deep in my bed. Make sure to cap tightly.

You can catch frostbite easily and quickly. Keep several pairs of the 99 cent stretchy gloves in a zip lock bag. If your hands get wet...change gloves immediately. Yes...This one comes from experience too.

You'll want at least a couple of stocking hats. And I still have two of the hats with face masks.

Remember to slightly crack a window...condensation from your breath can make it rain inside.

These are just some of the things I did while living in a van in frigid Michigan winters.

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See ya down the road

Vandwelling 101- What Do You NEED part 1

I see this question over and over in many different formats.

What do you absolutely need?

You need a vehicle. A van, in my opinion, is optimum but any dependable vehicle will work. I have done this in a Pontiac sunfire, I've done it in a 30 foot class A Motorhome. I've done this in vans. Vans blend in, so do small cars. There are advantages to each vehicle.

You need a place to sleep. It can be as simple as plywood laid across a couple of milk crates and padded to a built in bed with a real mattress. There's many good choices out there. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

You need to be able to use the bathroom. I've got a Lugable Loo. That now stays in my travel trailer. I've used plastic coffee cans, and a oil funnel with any available empty bottle. (I'm female, we need help with aiming)

Being able to cook food and make coffee is high on my list. While urban Vandwelling it's not so critical, I really prefer being able to be independent. Stoves-I've used butane, propane, and Coleman fuel ones. I've cooked over a campfire. I've made and used simple alcohol stoves. I'd recommend either a propane stove (as low as $25) or a Coleman fuel stove.

You need a way to clean up your act. I carry a solar shower bag, but I'm also good with a soup pot, Water, kirks castile soap, and a washcloth. Ladies...wash your hair over the pot using a cup our glass to scoop water. Rinse over pot. Use the same water to wash using a washcloth and soap.

UNDER NO Circumstances do you ever use soap or shampoo in any lake, creek, stream, river. Just don't even think about it. You can use sand to scrub your body and get just as clean as if using soap. Don't pollute.

You need a lot less clothes than you think..

I'll continue this in part 2.
This should provoke some thought.

See ya down the road
Lou
#2PupCrew

Vandwelling 101- Meet My Kitchen

No, my conversion van doesn't have a built in kitchen. And it's so much easier to use and clean my kitchen.

Instead of a refrigerator...I've got a 16 at cooler. Cleaning it literally took me 5 minutes.

My stoves
-2 burner ozark trails propane stove with windscreen about $30 at Wal-Mart
-Coleman 440 featherlight gas stove. Uses Coleman fuel.

My sink...a 5 quart soup pan.

Set propane stove on top of cooler. Cook. Folds away to about an inch thick.  When I use my Coleman backpacking stove, I set it in a cast iron skillet on a metal tray for safety.

My pans/Dishes
2 cast iron skillets, a 6 qt aluminum pressure cooker, 2 qt saucepan, 5 qt soup stockpot. 2 enamel camping dishes (look like white pieplates) add a fork, a teaspoon, a serving spoon, a spatula, and chopsticks. A few random sharp knives. I can cook anything almost in the van that I cooked in a house.

I'll be adding a cast iron Dutch oven and I'll be totally set.

This meets all my needs and packs away easily.

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Vandwelling101- Do I Really Need That Much Power?

All the buzz about solar, battery isolators, and generators can leave your head whirling.

I've got a very simple setup that works for me.

Storage - batteries
-One 105 ah marine battery was $110 at AutoZone
-One starter battery, used, pulled from my Ford conversion van when I scrapped it.

Charging
-A Schumacher 10 amp battery charger used on regular house current.
-2 hp homemade generator with 2 120ac outlet
-20 watts solar power
-jumper cables

Using power
-clamps with a female 12v socket (RoadPro $7)
-3 female lighter sockets in van

What do I charge?
-Toshiba laptop.
-Toshiba netbook
-Asus netbook
-kindle e-ink book reader
-Verizon tablet
-Bluetooth keyboard
-Bluetooth speaker
-Bluetooth
-smartphone
12v road pro sandwich maker I rarely use
-Usb fan that can also run on my solar phone chargers

This system works for me. Currently I'm in no rush to further upgrade my system. It's easy to use, more than meets all my needs.

I have a conversion van. When I need lights, I reach up and turn one on.

There is more than one right way to live this lifestyle. Don't be afraid to carve out your own path.

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Thanks

Vandwelling 101 - Pressure Cookers

If you really want to eat well in your van, consider a 6 at pressure cooker. I have an aluminum one.

I can cook on my propane stove or over a campfire.

I've turned out the old fashioned Sunday pork roast dinner sitting on the ground in the desert.

It makes cooking rice or beans a snap. You literally can cook almost as if you have a full kitchen at your disposal.

It takes up little room, is easily stored, easy to clean. Definitely a must have item in my van.

Recipes are easily available on line and it's easy to learn to use effectively.

If you enjoy this blog and find it useful, please consider donating $1 to $2 at PayPal.me/LouBurgesspaypal.me/LouBurgess

Vandwelling 101 - Let's talk accidents

Recently my conversion van was rear ended by a hit and run driver. The vehicle was found quickly but registered owner was in jail at time of the accident. Their insurance was lapsed or canceled.

So what's to be done.

The first thing i did was call 911 and report the accident.

I keep my registration, insurance card, and current licence all in one place. Be prepared to grab that quickly.

I met the police at the police station and gave them my account of what happened. They photo' d my documents and the damage.

Police report comes out in 3-5 business days. There's a small fee for the report. My insurance company pays and picks it up.

Once the officer called me and informed me that they'd found the vehicle and it was uninsured...my next call was to my insurance company. You file a claim on your uninsured motorist.

Then i was instructed to go get estimate. First estimate would total out my vehicle.

I love my van and i don't want to replace it...what are my choices?

Actually i do have choices. I've chosen to get another estimate based on repair rather than replacement of doors and quarter panels. That estimate is scheduled for next week.

So...I've learned you can slow the claims process down and regain control of your van and your life.

No matter how careful you are...there are those out there who aren't. You can lose your home in a matter of moments

U pdate. State farm arbitrarily valued my van at $500 and offered me $299 to total out my vehicle.

I declined their offer.

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Vandwelling 101 - Let's Talk Extreme Temperatures

Everyone's first answer is to travel to cooler weather in this heat...to go north.

That's fine, but exactly how far north...New Mexico was 105 degrees the other day...and North Dakota was 100 degrees...

Sometimes heading north to "cooler weather" doesn't work.

So, let's examine what does work.

If you can, go up in elevation. You get 5 degrees cooler for every thousand feet.

Park in shade, facing west in the morning, east in the afternoon.

Carry twice or three times as much water as you think you need. Lemonade will cool you down much better than a Pepsi. Also wet a wash cloth and rub down with it. You can carry a spray bottle with plain water to mist yourself.

Carry big bags of potato chips...no really...do this. When you're feeling the heat, a handful of potato chips and a cola will replenish your body. I tend to carry a couple of flavors.

Try to park so that any breeze goes across side to side of your van.

Curtains...i have curtains on bungee cord curtain rods where my van doesn't have shades.

I have one O2Cool usb 5 inch fan. It makes a big difference.

I try to park where i can open as many doors of the van as possible. Between parking in shade, a breeze, and ventilation, you can lower interior temperature by a substantial amount.

Siesta...the siesta culture exists for a reason. The hottest part of the day will usually be between 3 pm and 6 pm. So, generally from 2 pm until sunset i rest, relax, watch videos, or nap.

While i was informed someone died in 97 degree temps, both me and my dog were reasonably comfortable at up to 107.

Learn the signs of heat exhaustion. Wear loose comfortable clothes. And that straw hat is not a fashion accessory but a life saver. Try to utilize the buddy system.

Stay safe, hydrate, see ya down the road.

Lou