Going winter camping in snowy weather is very romantic. However, low temperatures can spoil the whole impression of the rest. Several secrets allow you to comfortably spend winter car camping. More about this you can read in my article.
What to pack for winter car camping
If you decide to go winter car camping, be sure to take a few useful things with you.
Warm clothes for the winter camping trip
Be sure to dress well, and warm clothes are suitable for this. Even if you relax in a vehicle and not in a tent, the low temperature causes discomfort.
Choose products that have a fleece or wool lining. The outer part must be waterproof.
Goods from the company Carhartt combine affordable cost and excellent quality. The garment is made from a blend of wool and polyester. It absorbs sweat well, so there is no unpleasant odor. It does not hinder movement. There are options for both women and men.
Sleeping bag for cold weather car camping
To go on winter car camping, you need a quality sleeping bag. Choose the sleeping bag based on what is the temperature in the tent or car.
The best sleeping bag is the Mummy model. There is a possibility of fixing a sleeping bag around the head so that cold air is not blown in.
The sleeping bag can withstand up to 0 °F. The length of sleeping bag fits a height of 6.2 feet. You can store the sleeping bag in a special compression bag.
More ideas on how to insulate yourself during winter camping you can read here.
Thermal mat with reflective inserts for the cold weather car camping
To prevent heat from escaping through the floor, take a special mat with you. You must place it under the mattress or body. It all depends on the chosen model.
A good option is an Aneil model, which is made of aluminum foil. The rug is light and small, however, suitable for 1-2 people.
Headlamp for the car camping
Before going winter camping, you need to prepare not only for low temperatures but also for short daylight hours.
It is important to bring flashlights with you to illuminate the car. Head-mounted models are quite compact, do not take up your hands, and do not require a lot of energy.
Lanterns help you get to the vehicle in the dark, as well as read a book at night. You should also stock up on spare batteries. It is also appropriate to use models that recharge. Visibility is 85 meters. Stop at options that work on 5 modes, and can work up to 25 hours.
Camping lantern for winter camping
Headlamps are not the best option if you plan to play cards or board games with a group. Flashlights blind other people, which ruins the whole experience of the game. Therefore, it is better to take a compact flashlight for a hike.
An excellent option would be the Internova Monster flashlight. It runs on LEDs and can be recharged. Able to withstand various impacts, as it was developed with hurricanes in mind.
One charge is enough for 5 hours. This is the best option so as not to use numerous batteries. If the trip is planned for a long time, it is better to choose the Eveready model.
They can work autonomously for 16 hours. Sold in sets of 2. Operates on batteries only.
Heating pads
This product is appropriate if you are traveling on your own and want to keep warm in a sleeping bag. The most popular heating pads are from Steadmax.
Rubber is used in the manufacture, so this is not the best option for people who suffer from latex allergies.
If you get injured while cold weather camping, these heating pads you can fill with ice to apply a cold compress. There are Nalgene heating pads that can be filled with hot water.
They are placed in a sock to avoid skin burns. In the morning, when the water in the container has cooled, it can be drunk.
Hot water boiler
If you are going to winter car camping, prepare a regular kettle or a cigarette lighter kettle. You can also heat water on gas. The latter option is faster and does not require a lot of energy. If the vehicle has a powerful battery, you can use a regular kettle.
The cigarette lighter option is appropriate for long trips. However, the water boils only after 40 minutes.
It is appropriate to use the Jet Boil SUMO boiler. It differs in small weight and size. In just 4 minutes, you can heat up to 1.8 litres of water. Little to no gas is lost and there is a protected flame.
If you are looking for an option to connect to a battery, use the ultra-thin silicone kettle. Made from food-grade silicone. The device can boil water within 3 minutes.
The most versatile option would be an Uniox cigarette lighter kettle. It takes 15 minutes to boil water. It should be noted that this model is less reliable compared to mains or gas kettles.
Cloth for collecting condensate
In winter, a lot of condensation accumulates inside the vehicle. You can wipe it off with regular rags. To avoid condensation, you can prepare several bags of coal. They absorb moisture and also remove unpleasant odors.
Often, these options are used at home and fit into the refrigerator or laundry basket. However, in nature, they are appropriate.
Battery-powered electric blanket
To save body heat during winter car camping, buy a battery-powered electric blanket in advance. It helps you to save body heat also if you plan to relax in the car rather than in a good sleeping bag.
To stay warm, you can combine a blanket and a sleeping bag. This is the best option for too low temperatures.
It is important to remember that quality electric blankets are quite expensive. If you like to go car camping often, the purchase soon pays for itself.
Eddie Bauer’s electric blanket runs on a rechargeable lithium battery. It is possible to wash it in the washing machine.
The model provides heat for up to 4 hours on a single charge. As soon as you get warm, it is better to turn off the device to save some heat for later.
Winter boots
If you are planning a winter hike, and want to stay warm, prepare warm waterproof boots. It’s best to bring a few pairs with you.
The cheapest option is shoes from Columbia. For girls, Ice Maiden Snow Boot is an appropriate option for cold weather. They have insulation and non-slip soles.
Men’s models differ in design, however, they are created using identical technology. Choose high boots in the winter months so that you can walk through the snowdrifts.
Toiletries for the winter camping
It is not always possible to visit a public toilet at the campsite. That is why you need to prepare special supplies if you go into the bushes.
Bring tissues, toilet paper, and tampons with you. You must package and dispose of all accessories properly.
For the toilet, you need to dig a hole, which is very difficult to do if the ground is frozen. It is recommended to take a shovel with you. It is better to use folding models that do not take up much space.
Quite often, cold weather camping enthusiasts buy a Rhino model. It is made in military style and can replace a pickaxe and a saw. The product has a lifetime warranty.
Warm socks for the car camping
When hiking, be sure to buy socks that keep you warm. They are perfect to wear in bed.
If you wear them during a hike, then your legs may even overheat.
Socks from the brand Heat Holders have excellent quality. The breathable thermal yarn is used in the manufacture, which is very soft and pleasant to the touch.
Power supply for the winter car camping trip
If it’s cold outside, the batteries drain much faster. Therefore, it is recommended to take a spare device for charging. You need to store it in a sock to avoid hypothermia or breakage.
You can use powerful power supplies that allow you to charge energy-intensive devices. Not the best idea would be power supplies that run on solar panels. They are not reliable.
For car camping, devices from PowerAdd are an appropriate option. They can be recharged from the network.
If you are looking for powerful options, pay attention to the electric station from Jackery. It is enough to charge devices at 200 V. Suitable for fans or watching movies on laptops.
More smart ideas on how to charge your phone without electricity you will find in my article.
Emergency supplies
It is very important to bring the essentials with you. This category includes a first aid kit, spare blanket, nutrition bars, etc. To save 90% of heat, it is appropriate to use an Emergency Space Blanket. It helps prevent hypothermia in the winter months.
In the first aid kit, you need to put first aid drugs, as well as medicines that you need. For the vehicle, you need to prepare chains that prevent slipping.
This is a very useful thing that comes in handy if you get stuck in snowdrifts.
However, it is better to practice putting them on in advance so that after that you do not have to be outside for a long time in severe frost. For convenience, it is better to take a friend with you.
Nutritious food
Traveling in the winter months uses up a lot of energy. That is why, to replenish it, you need to prepare delicious food that contains a lot of calories. In addition to healthy food, prepare a lot of sweets.
Today, there is a wide range of sublimated products on the market, which are supplied by different brands. It is appropriate to choose macaroni and cheese from Expedition Foods. They contain about 1005 kcal.
This meal is appropriate if you plan to go skiing or snowshoeing for a long time. It does not require a lot of tools and products to prepare lunch or dinner.
Try to take as many products as possible for everyone. Therefore, you need to collect the bag after the exact number of people who goes hiking is determined.
How cold is the campsite?
Each person handles colds differently. Some can freeze at 40 °F, while others feel comfortable at 30 °F. As already mentioned, it is important to choose sleeping bags and blankets based on how you feel.
Can you sleep in a car in winter weather?
It is appropriate to relax in the car in winter. However, most people prefer to go by car to a special campground where it is convenient to spend the night.
If you plan to spend the night in the car, it is important to prepare it for this.
To begin with, you should isolate the windows using a visor with sun protection. You need to attach it to the inside of the windshield, which keeps the heat in the car.
At the same time, the visors provide privacy because no one can peep through the windows.
Then cover the windows with an insulating film. Choose options that are made of foil. Window coverings with insulation helps retain heat and prevent condensation from forming.
It is important to decide in advance on the place where the bed is placed. For more warmth, try to combine a sleeping bag with a sleeping bag liner. So the night’s sleep is more comfortable.
Where is it colder to sleep: in a car or a tent?
There is no exact opinion as to where it is more convenient to sleep in cold weather. Some people like to fold the seats in their cars and sleep in them. Others are convinced that sleeping bags are the best thing.
It is important to remember that car insulation is better than tents. Inside the car, heat is retained better than in a tent. At the same time, the machine protects you from windy weather and low temperatures.
However, there is less space for heating in tents, so it is much faster to heat them. Often there are two-layer tents on the market that improve thermal insulation.
The tent and car let heat through. However, in the second option, there is built-in insulation that helps a person keep warm.
Regardless of your decision, it is important to have warm clothes and a sleeping bag ready. It is important to have a heating pad and food with you.
FAQ
People who go winter camping by car often have a lot of questions. Especially if they have no experience. Detailed answers to the most popular questions we describe are below.
What is the coldest you can sleep in your car?
It is not recommended to sleep in the car if the air during the winter camping temperature is below -30 °F. If the frost came unexpectedly, you can sleep in the car if you combine it with a tent and a winter sleeping bag.
Do I need to crack a window to sleep in my car?
If you plan to sleep in the car, opening the windows is not recommended. This provokes the circulation of cool air, so it is uncomfortable to sleep.
There is enough air inside the car, which lasts until the morning. This keeps enough heat.
Where can I sleep in my car legally during my winter camping?
It is legal to sleep in a car, however, several conditions must be met for this to happen. First, the car must be privately owned.
Secondly, you can not sleep in cars that are hung with signs. It bans most states.
Can you run out of oxygen while sleeping in a car?
If you sleep in your car, you can run out of oxygen. To ensure sufficient oxygen and reduce condensation, open the windows slightly before going to bed.
If the car has holes for ventilation, it is not necessary to open the windows. After all, the concentration of oxygen does not decrease, threatening your life.
Summary
As you can see, for winter car camping, you need to prepare a lot of practical things. Only this way your rest will be comfortable and safe. And, there will be practically no chance of catching a cold.
Your Turn
How about your experience going winter car camping? Have you had any? Will be happy to hear your story in the comments below.
My name is Olivia Kellison. I have been camping with friends and on my own for a long time. For me, camping is a great way to escape everyday life’s chaos. I started this blog because I have always had a passion for the great outdoors, and here I am gladly sharing what I know with other outdoor enthusiasts. It does not matter whether you are an experienced adventurer, or just planning your first trip, my blog will be of great help to you.