Sleeping in the car in the winter?

**LukeS** · 10-01-2009, 08:06 PM

This is my first year of college and I am planning on taking advantage of some time off this year....
I want to get to several ski areas this year, Jackson, Targhee(college season pass for 199?? hell yea)Maybe big sky.
I am no noob to sleeping in the car during the summer, but during the winter I have had some bad experiences using my old half inflatable therma and my 35* sleeping bag during colder late fall and early spring trips. I am also a pretty wild sleeper so the typical mummy bag sucks for me.

I was thinking instead of spending money on lodging, I just sleep in the car.
Now down to the actual questions:
I have an isuzu rodeo and I can lay comfortably comfortably but the flooring is uncomfy as hell. I was thinking about getting one of those suv inflatable mattresses to sleep on. Will this lose a bunch of heat though??
I was thinking about getting one of those big canvas sleeping bags. It is rated to 0* so i know I won't get too cold in it, i will throw some other sleeping bags in too for extra warmth.

What is the maggots collective thoughts on this???

Or you could just make this easy and somebody in jackson, Driggs and bozeman could offer up some floor space.

**ectreeskier11** · 10-01-2009, 08:09 PM

just dont run the car with the windows up/when it's snowing and you're fine as long as you're warm enough.

**LukeS** · 10-01-2009, 08:12 PM

I knew that.... The big thing for me is some tips on staying warm.

Oh and some places that I could park around those areas??

gunit130 · 10-01-2009, 08:16 PM

Double bag it.

**snowranger** · 10-01-2009, 08:34 PM

The problem will be moisture control. Sweaty and wet ski clothes won't dry without heat. Consider getting a safe heater (i.e. a zodi) and cracking the windows.

**splat** · 10-01-2009, 08:40 PM

Waterbed with a 12 volt heater.j/k

I always thought it'd be cool to do a thin tank made of thick metal on the floor of a van for thermal storage for sleeping in your rig at night. It would circulate radiator coolant.

**KillingCokes** · 10-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Did it one winter and it sucked. So cold in Crested Butte.

Suggest going to bar and picking up hotties for warmth. Though staying at their place is preferred.

**backcountryben** · 10-01-2009, 09:08 PM

i know you might not like them, but mummy bags are pretty sweet if it's really cold out, regardless of the rating of your bag

but as others have said, wet gear is one of the main issues, if you're skiing hard day after day it starts to get really, really unappealing to sleep out in the cold/put on frozen-wet gear in the morning (or sleep with all your wet stuff in your bag)...

**haydukelives** · 10-01-2009, 09:14 PM

even a -40 synthetic is not much $

a $100 mr heater will keep you warm......but you dont need it. i mostly use it to dry shells in wet snow

a dog is your best friend

a 100ft long extention cord will run your espresso machine

**Eleventy** · 10-01-2009, 09:16 PM

I camped for way, way too long in the parking lot at Big Sky in my Exploder a few winters ago while I tried to find someplace affordable to rent.

I had a roll up mattress that I got at Wal-Mart that cost around 50 bucks. I still use it when I need to sleep in the truck for whatever reason. Then I just had a 0 deg sleeping bag that I slept in unzipped. I think I also got it at Wal-Mart. I covered that with one of those thick goose-down blankets. Maybe I had two blankets.. I don't remember. Either way, I made it through more than one sub-zero week with at least a few 35 below nights totally comfortably.

**iscariot** · 10-01-2009, 09:18 PM

I sleep in my Pathfinder all the time and in the winter. I use my negative 25 (celcius) mummy sleeping bag and throw a nylon tarp over me as well. The problem when it's really cold is heating up a relatively large volume (the entire truck) with only your body heat. Throwin the tarp over you means you only have to heat up the volume under the tarp = toasty warm (make sure you don't tuck in the tarp to allow venting of the condensation).

You may get a little condensation on the tarp usin this method, but it's never been that big a problem for me. I use a thermarest inflatable sleeping mat (3/4" thick) on top of a blue foam mat (1/2" thick) so I don't lose too much heat throught loss, as you would from a thicker air mattress.

I usually run the truck heater for a bit to dry out my gear before sleep and in the morning to warm things up a bit (crack the windows and go for a coffee while doing this).

A bottle of Crown always helps too.

**Deep Days** · 10-01-2009, 09:21 PM

On a somewhat related note, can anyone suggest a place to park/camp in the back of a car in the Snowmass area? Trying to put together a plan for a late-December safari that I hope will include some time there.

I know that RFTA lot has some weird restrictions on times to be parked. Any oldies-but-goodies?

And good luck, Luke. Sounds like a good time...

**Sinfield** · 10-01-2009, 09:24 PM

Has anybody used the coleman black cat propane tent heater inside a van? I've been piecing together my van camping setup in preparation for the winter.

I've got a wooden platform that i put foam pads on, then an inflatable thermarest matress. I've got a 15 degree big agnes down bag that the thermarest slides into but I figure that when it gets really cold, a heater is a good idea. I just don't know if they are safe to use in a van (I assume maybe since they are made for tents)

Home sweet home...

**iscariot** · 10-01-2009, 09:28 PM

^^^ DANG! That's nicer than my apartment... bigger too...

**JayPowHound** · 10-01-2009, 09:29 PM

I would definitely recommend buying a real winter bag. Down and synthetic each have their pros and cons, but a "big canvas" 0* bag just isn't going to cut it IMO. If you get a -20 to -40 bag you will sleep warm no matter what, and a good night's sleep is key before a long day on the hill!

**LukeS** · 10-01-2009, 09:31 PM

I never thought about cold wet gear.... Damn. Almost makes me want to figure out a hot box for gear that will just recirc warm air for the clothes. I think I can stay warm enough with some of the tips.
brings me back to the offer of anybody in jackson and targhee have some floor space for a a fellow jong maggot? I'll even share some smoke and hand tied flies for it.
OR I will trade anybody a (off the charts) Guided fishing trip on the N. Platte for a couple of nights lodging....

I sure wish I could just go bar hoppin and find some hunnies. Other than being 18....

**splat** · 10-01-2009, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Sinfield

Home sweet home...

I assume the flatscreen is built into the sliding door...

**single** · 10-01-2009, 09:36 PM

I am in bozeman. Close to bridger. PM me if you need a place to crash. I exchange couch space for food.

**Lone Star** · 10-01-2009, 09:45 PM

see "heating truck bed" thread.

or, layer up and quit being a pussy

**stuckathuntermtn** · 10-01-2009, 09:47 PM

It seems like only in AK can you get these $14 pieces of think foam that work well for bedding. Everywhere else has these lumpy things for $50 at WalMart. My bro calls his Snuffy 'cause it's big and brown (and lumpy). I've not slept on it. No, I mean I tried, but it was so lumpy I just tossed and turned.

**Sinfield** · 10-01-2009, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by splat

I assume the flatscreen is built into the sliding door...

Its actually in the roof. I needed room in the door for the wine rack/ cigar humidor.

**carlobee** · 10-01-2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Sinfield

I was absolutely wowed at this!

Very nice!

**fish** · 10-01-2009, 10:52 PM

i want one of these

**daver** · 10-01-2009, 10:54 PM

get a heavy -20 bag from walmart for cheap, two thermarests, a pillow, a down blanket, a bottle of whiskey, and a piss nalgene and you'll be set.

dont forget to crack your windows, dont fall asleep with your heat running, dont camp outside of your car and get snowplowed over.

walmart parking lots are good

G · 10-01-2009, 10:59 PM

You'll be fine.

Double bag it with the sleeping bags. And bring an extra beanie and thick socks for sleeping.

Avoid the inflatable mattress, you'll lose heat. Get some sort of thick foam pad, or look around for a real mattress that you can fit back there.

Before you climb in for the night, do your best to dry your gear under the bathroom hand dryers in the lodge or in town.