4Runner Camping in -9 Degrees (no heater) 

Were you as surprised as I was that the water in the small water bottle didn't freeze?!

Doing this is how I learned years ago don’t bring a 0 deg sleeping bag when it’s 0 deg. You will survive but that’s it. You will not be warm. Now I bring a -35 for anything under 20 deg.

When the snow squeaks when you walk on it, you know it's cold!!

When I was a kid, I used to love sleeping in down to about 10 F degree night with the window open. We didn't have any heat to the upstairs so even with it closed, it would be maybe 40 F. As long as I had 4 or 5 regular blankets, it was great. On the other hand, getting up in the morning was pretty tough.

This stuff always looks bizarrely cozy. I did this stuff as a kid in weather I pretended was colder than it was. Dude, I was a total hero. Hero of the suburbs.

I love how us ladies could be sleeping in arctic cold air, but we still make sure to tone and moisturize isn’t forgotten. 🤣

If you can have an extra door key made (easily😂) you can get a hide a key magnetic holder or put a key behind your liscense plate. Just put it on a hey ring and run the liscense plate screw through it. I used a screw that could be turned w a straight screwdriver so it can be accessed w just a coin or knife if you can’t get to a screwdriver. My dad taught me that and it helped SOO MUCH! I’m the worst for getting locked out😂😂😂

Please always check if it snowed in the night while you were sleeping. If snow dumped and covered your exhaust you could end up unliving yourself.

I am 72 years and been doing the camping car small suv without heat for 40 years. Stop at the truck stops for the nite and move on to the west coast from Indiana. Makes me feel like a kid again. The lowest it ever got was 7 degrees. You wake up several times but its like a bear in hibernation.. Motel, hotels ever once in a while but somebodies else bed, creeps me out........Little noisy sometimes but the snow is like a blanket. It simply fun and adventurous. Be careful, it can be addictive.

I am eager to watch. One I got stranded on a county road in Wisconsin in sub-zero temps. Before age of cell phones. A police office didn’t come by until 5 in the morning. Farm houses were too far away. It was a horrible night and not one I would ever repeat.

Always keep a second car key in your left pocket. No way to ever get locked out that way.

I sleep like that every night in the winter INSIDE MY HOUSE in New Jersey because I cannot afford to put heat on. Granted, it’s not 9 degrees below zero, but it’s damn sure COLD!

Great info! I’m in Minnesota, and have really been wanting to try this. Thanks for the ideas! I know my ancestors were Blackfeet and Swedish and they survived, before indoor heating. It still amazes me, how people come up with ways to do this. ❤

Right clothing. Right bedding. No problem. Did -18 last winter in my MDX. A #110 Rottweiler helped keep me warm I have to admit. And it's the first and only time she wanted under the covers. Nothing like waking up to inside of all windows frosted solid. Nice being able to turn a key, and have toasty heat in the mornings. Getting dressed and stepping out is the COLDEST time

i have slept in my van in Chicago FEBURARY in 0 degree weather just 3 quilts and 2 hot water bottles , joggers and a benie hat. Slept no problem perfectly comfortable. In the morning i remote start my van and i keep a thermostat in the van once it warms up cozy I'm good. READY TO START THE DAY

This is obviously much colder but there's no better feeling than climbing into bed when your room is freezing.

I have a lot of respect for this gal. She's doing what most people want do. ❤️💗💞💕

My first new car was a 2.4-liter, 4-cyl '88 4Runner and I had it 15+ years. That car would go about anywhere and with some sleeping pads/blankets was very comfortable to overnight in. Enough room for a stove and box of food for a 2-3 day trip away. and so many great trips! Put the motel-fee in the gas tank and keep driving :-) 2+ years of Corona-stuck-at-home and the itch is on and I'm looking forward to getting out and exploring again. Keep travelling and sharing--good inspiration!

Either shipping the front passenger seat off to a trusted storage spot or folding it into a rooftop cargo box will triple the amount of available interior space and provide unlimited options for setting up work areas. Having ample room to stretch out for changing and crawling out of bed is an absolute game changer! Comfort is key. When living the detached, nomadic, minimalist, self-reliant life, if the mental health gets strained, the physical health quickly becomes unsustainable. Just have to resist temptation to fill that extra space with wasteful clutter.

I've lived in Tennessee my whole life and am so thankful it doesn't get this cold. I don't remember it ever getting below zero here. If it gets below freezing we are all panicking lol

Consider getting a wabaso diesel heater you can mount in the rear side wells and exhaust out the back via a hole you drill in the floor. Don’t forget to use auto move seam sealer top and bottom. Did this in my 4runner and now you have zero issues and you will actually need to crack the windows do to it being too hot😂. Cool vid and good luck in your future adventures.

Wow, way to go. Some folks use sleeping bags that are good to -30°. You really did this, that took courage, intelligence and creativity. Thank you for sharing this with the public, it may save lives by getting folks prepared for a stranded vehicle or who knows what life situation. Hats off to you.

I had a old car with a big back seat I used to camp out in. A flashlight ,a roll of potty paper ,a couple of PBandJ Sammie’s and a book , I was in hog heaven

I was going thru an issue with probation. I wasn't allowed to live in certain places which included staying with my mom. I slept in my car for about a week in February in Wisconsin. I think the coldest night was into the single digits. The biggest saver is to cover your face and use all the heat you are breathing out to keep your body warm.

This is high adventure I can do without.

I live in Denver and have a somewhat similar setup in my 4Runner, although I don't live in it. I sleep on a 3" trifold memory foam matress with my Dometic 45 fridge in the back and camping gear bins. There is a massive difference when I use Reflectix vs when I don't -that stuff is incredible for blocking the heat loss from all that glass. Stay warm!

I live in Alaska, outside of Anchorage, and plan on living in my Tacoma this winter. Enjoyed your video and gave me inspiration. Continued blessing to you ;)

the coldest i slept while camping was 32F. I felt like I was actually not going to wake up in the AM, nothing felt warmth. I *thought* I dressed layered enough but wow the bitter cold breaks through everything.

As a much younger guy, I had stayed 2 winters in my van I converted to a camper, here in AK. You are correct, the experiences you live now, will be great memories in your mind ! 💕😘😘👍👍

Good video, I'm impressed 👍 My wife and I were renting a trailer for a short time. During a freezing 28 degree windy night our furnace went out. I did everything I could to get it working and called the landlord over 10 times. I found a small space heater and held my wife tighter than ever before. Absolutely no, I didn't sleep lol, at all and froze all night listening to my wife snore. I remember thinking how people are able to sleep being that cold plus not sleeping in your normal environment. I have trouble sleeping in motels and most places that aren't my bed to be honest. Anyways I believe it is a talent Edit: I wanted to clarify we were only renting the trailer for a few months while our apartment was being updated. We went to a Cracker barrell at 6am waiting for the landlord to call us. He was remorseful and fixed same day.

I recommend you get the roof cargo box so that you can lower your bed platform. That’s way more comfortable to move around

Your a real trooper! I admire you tremendously. ❤️

Just stumbled upon your channel & this video.& I am amazed ,& shocked how well you managed with negative nine degree temps. And being able to remain so positive!! I myself am from Michigan , so we get pretty cold winters usually ,& it can drop down to negative temperatures,& I personally dread every winter living in Michigan & because I rather have 60-70° temps all year long ! But holy crap this is so amazing to me ! You are amazing !

When walking on Snow sounds like walking on Styrofoam, yep it's freaking cold.

Do this all the time during snowboarding season.. well except I have a diesel heater to keep my Land Rover 70 degrees. Even with the canvas top up. You are a champ lady! Keep at it.

I’m impressed that you was able to camp in such cold weather!

Wow!!! Can't believe you did that. Im glad everything went ok. You're Amazing!!!

You are so lovely. Thank you for this video. I moved from Northern Michigan to Denver 11 years ago. That crunching sound of snow and cold almost made me homesick. I love what you're doing. I wonder where you are now.

Absolutely, you got spectacular view along the way! Thank you for sharing this video with us.

Thank you for sharing this video. Way to go! We should always be prepared in our vehicles. Water, tea, protein bars, portable water boiler like yours, and window shades, and heavy blankets. You even told someone where you were. Good planning. Thank you for sharing.

Back in 2011, we were the second vehicle (a 4Runner) in a convoy of three 4Runners and one Ford Ranger. We were travelling from one river valley to another but instead of taking the longer valley route, we took a backcountry track across the mountains because our guide (in the lead car - the Ford Ranger) insisted it was shorter and that he had taken it several times. Unfortunately, we were gradually enveloped in a thickening fog and I think we ended up going in circles on the top of the mountain. So, we stopped for a while, while the lead car went ahead to scout for the route. That is when the snow blizzard started! Soon, it became clear that we would be stuck there the night, and to top it all, we had no idea where the two other 4Runners were. All vehicles were fitted with walkie-talkies, i.e., 2-way radio transceivers, but under those weather conditions, there was only static. Finally, we got through to the lead vehicle, whose occupants informed us that they too were stuck and were bedding down for what was to be a long, cold, dreary night. We all wore winter gear and had two quilts in our 4Runner that we shared among the 5 of us. By 2 a.m., the outside temperature was -15 degrees celsius and our extremities were beginning to feel bitterly cold. By 4 a.m., the outside temperature was -20 degrees celsius. We could have switched on the powerful 4Runner heater but we didn't want to run out of power in the middle of nowhere. It was around that time that horsemen came from a nearby village to offer us warm food and tea. Unfortunately, chilled and worried as we were, we took them to be thieves and lay as still as possible till they left. They returned at the crack of dawn, but this time we could see better who was approaching. It is then we found out the 4Runner was submerged in a thick layer of snow. It took us nearly two hours to dig ourselves out of it, which we took by turns. With the others taking their turn to dig, I went looking for the lead vehicle and found them submerged in even deeper snow. We helped them out too. Unfortunately, we were unable to find out the other two 4Runners. But the horsemen assured us that they would keep looking for them and insisted we go on our way, lest the weather turn bad again. Even so, the track was awful and it took us several more hours before we reached the first point of civilization in the river valley we were headed to. Then, we sent a rescue vehicle up the mountain to look for the remaining two vehicles. Unfortunately, that rescue vehicle broke down somewhere along the way, owing to the steepness of the track. In fact village folk had a tough time believing we drove across the mountain, apparently nobody had attempted it in a motorized vehicle in 20 years! ... don't know what our guide had been smoking when he assured us he knew the way and that the track was well travelled....finally, it was the very same horsemen who had so kindly brought us warm refreshments who rescued both the two remaining 4Runners and their occupants as well as the rescue vehicle and its trapped driver! It turned out that one of the two 4Runners had unknowingly parked half in a ditch in the foggy night, as the snow was thick and compacted. In the morning, the snow had thawed and the vehicle fell totally to one side! The ditch being lower than the track, the vehicle lying to one side had failed to be spotted the first time the horsemen passed near it....anyway, they were finally found and rescued!

"Time to motivate myself" that's alot.of motivation so cold

Great video, nice spot and you are a natural at describing what's going on! Love it, thanks.

I take three leaks per night, no way I'd survive in this weather.

She's the female version of Maverick keep on truckin kid on RU-vid 👍 both of them are adorable.

I loved living in Colorado at 8,000 ft. That being said, Im glad I lived there in my thirties. Im only 50 now, but extreme cold like that isn't fun.

Colorado looks spectacular. The mountain are amazing. Great vlog💗

My only issue sleeping when it is cold is that my nose gets cold. I just cannot wrap up like a full burrito bc I get claustrophobic. I love this life.

I have a subzero sleeping bag and a big huge down blanket . I use half the blanket on the bottom and flip the top over and I’ve never gotten cold overnight . Excited to watch this video .

Beautiful camping experience in that lonely snowy town! Loved watching it.

oh good old Silverton!! woohoo! can’t believe you drove there in winter without snow tires. I was just there in August and we got a little bit of snow and an epic rain and light night storm that made the million dollar highway up to Ouray impassable for a brief while. Silverton is over 9,000 feet. If it gets too cold you can always go down to Durango which is a great town, way warmer as it’s a few thousand feet lower.

Wow... that sleeping bag kept you warm. I'm saving to buy a van and I cannot wait to sleep in areas like that. I am buying the things I need right now. Thanks for all your tips on sleeping in your truck.

I did an '04 4runner for 2 years before buying a Transit 350. Can't say I miss it🤣. Still have the 4runner and still do weekend trips to the mountains in it, but the 350 for work is hands down the way to go when you're a traveling musician.

I love my 4runner. I love camping in my 4runner but, I despise the cold. :) Still, that 6:00am view of the mountains. Gorgeous! More power to ya'!

I only have respect and admiration for you girl , good luck going forward.😊

Now that's what I call living life 👊🏼

I was and am worried for you. I also am happy that you are so confident and happy with your trip.

Thanks for sharing. Totally shocked that the water was not frozen. Loved how well your insulation panels worked! Definitely going to make those up for mine.

That scenery is beautiful

Purchased my first 4runner and this was very inspiring.

Enjoy the journey! I remember when this kind of thing was fun. You will have fond memories looking back if you decide one day that sleeping in an icebox no longer suits you 😉

I’m actually getting cold just watching this. It’s 91 degrees in Colorado right now!

Cool set up! Love cold camping

Putting up the reflective stuff, automatically made it more , well, cozy ❤ ☀️

Beautiful scenery... love Colorado

Loved this vid....while watching this- rain was falling here in the caribbean an i was snuggle up under my blanket enjoying the content🌧🌩🇹🇹

Woo! Wash U, St. Lou!!!! Nice part of the vid seeing my hometown represented even in a small way. I live in San Antonio now, but always get excited when I see "St. Louis" anywhere. Great braving the frigid weather in an unheated car. Brave and VERY brave.

I like watching these random camping videos, but the one question that burns inside my soul is WHERE/HOW DO YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM???? Because I KNOW you do, we all do! Dang it, WHERE?

I did Sub-Zero temp in DE, AZ, UT and MT. Everything was solid ice inside and outside and Good sleep bag is a big MUST!!!!

I live in florida, I couldn’t imagine doing this lol 😅I freeze at anything below 70

I admire your courage!

This video made me went and bought a 4R 🤩

If you're out in the Utah area Matt's off road recovery can pull you out in a pinch! I've followed him and its pretty neat all the stuff him and his crew have recovered. Also I own a rav4 and Toyota is honestly the best in Colorado. Good choice!

Wool blankets are the best for warmth. Lay one over yourself and the comforter

I'm so jealous of your 4runner it's the exact same one that I always wanted and still want haha! anyways just found your channel and love it! brand new sub here👍

Silverton Colorado is my home town! We lived there from kindergarten to Junior year in high school! No school buses and walked back and forth to school and late night practices! It was cold all the time!!! Brrrrrr!

Thanks for sharing your experiment. How much water was released when the frost melted and how did you deal with that?

Cold all right, I always like to wait till the sun comes out before I get up.

Great video, beautiful landscapes!

Let’s go girl!!! Girls can do anything 😂

love your videos. Can't wait to see what you have in store for cold weather camping.

I subscribed!! ♥️ I think you inspired me to do solo camping. I don't have friends so this might be a great alternative on the weekends for me.

Thanks entertaining me, this was super cool

Good stuff. Heat Holders socks are excellent for winter too.

The human spirit n desire n will always keep ur adventures going..no fear...it's all about planning....

Nice video, and very helpful. You are brave to light up that stove in such tight quarters! I'm paranoid about air, I guess; I would probably also have cracked the moonroof in the night just a smidge or something. Be aware that, if you had had real wind and/or snowfall, the situation would be considerably more hazardous. I've lived near Fargo, ND for forty years; the wind will kill you. All in all, a great experiment. I haven't yet seen a car camping show where someone was so restricted to just the space in the car. Very helpful.

Grace use some petroleum jelly (lip balm) and apply it to the weatherstripping for it wont get stuck shut in this kind of weather

Such a beautiful area

Colorado is the most amazing place I've ever been. Going to come visit the Poudre and Roosevelt this summer. Can't wait. Family has a cabin on the canyon, but I'm going to go camp the wild up high this time. Have been longing for it.

Good for you. I’ve always wanted to car camp. Have not tried it yet.

Insulating the windows and windshield are a good idea to keep heat in and cold out. Good luck, I subbed. Stay safe.

Just subbed. I sleep in my 2018 runner all winter and the reflective window screens make a Big difference with the interior comfort at night. Also I try to keep at least one window cracked for venting humidity. Happy trails

Good to seeing your vlogs 💚💚

I converted my Jeep Renegade into a little car camper and I too slept in it at -8 degrees one night without a heater. It was my first night trying out what my limits were for winter camping and what to modify if necessary. The next morning there was frost everywhere, but my water bottles were frozen. It sounds awful but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I found, oddly enough I enjoyed sleeping in the colder weather.

A beanie or a hood is a great value to sleep in freezing conditions

This likeable young lady has a "Quiet determination" about her and Imho she will go far in life.Good luck and Gods speed to you young lady.

I like winter camping, even no winter in my country. However, I like camping in the rain 👍

Just found your channel and no way I could do that! Beautiful country where you are.

Lol. This was recommended to me over morning tea. I hammock camped at 22° f last night.

Bring a heated underblanket and ecoflow power station with you. Job done, no more cold !