This was by far the chilliest night that I've ever spent sleeping in a vehicle. Join along for the adventure. IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL ❤️ / jyentch FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM @jonathanyentch
Hi Jonathan. I have some tips for staying warm. First of all, avoid alcohol. It does not keep you warm. In fact, it causes you to lose body heat. Tip- hot chocolate is better. Old trapper's trick- eat oatmeal if you become chilled. Why? It will warm you and helps your body to retain heat. Better than soup. Buy a flannel or micro fiber blanket for a liner. They warn quicker from your body heat. Sleep in minimal clothing inside sleeping items. Let your natural heat work for you. People tend to over dress in the cold. Layers are best and that includes how you sleep. You want to avoid sweating to help minimize the risk of hypothermia. Try to keep your sleeping area the size of your body. I prefer thermal blankets to a sleeping bag Here is why. Wrap yourself inside the blankets so your body is not trying to heat wasted space. You'd be surprised how much dead space is in a sleeping bag. If using a sleeping bag, get one rated for at least -25-40. Remember wind chill adds a degree of cold for every mile-per-hour of wind.. Pay attention to the wind too, not just the temperature. Also, humidity can make it colder. Often it's the wind and humidity that give you the bone-chilling cold. Eat dense foods in the cold like stews, chilli, higher protein foods help your body by burning calorie's slower in cold weather. Keep some fire wood and kindling handy. Do not under estimate a camp fire in the cold especially if there is a risk of being snowed in. Also ,carry tin foil and a few long sticks or old ski poles work great too. You want to make 4 reflectors by securing the foil between the sticks and placing them in front of and behind your camp fire in order to reflect the heat back on you .In short, prepare for the worst. Fancy fueled base heaters are fine until the fuel runs out. Carry a hatchet, fire starter ( small candles work great), and enough kindling to start a fire if need be. Happy camping. p.s I live in a remote northern town in Canada about 450 miles north of Minneapolis . Temperatures here drop to -40 and stay there most of the winter; -50 below is not unheard of, in fact it's common. Remember to always adapt to your surroundings because they won't adapt to you. I hope these tips help you.
Wow, I think I'll copy this post and save it. Thank you. BTW, I lived in Minnesota and Upper Michigan most of my life. Those below zero temperatures are no joke. Add in wind chill and you don't know why you live in such a place that gets that cold.
I’ve seen people with far more “sophisticated” builds but your video was so raw and real not discrediting the other guys whatsoever, big fan of them as well, but as someone who is planning on starting to truck camp, your video was awesome! Good luck!
I'm 73 years old. Back in the early '80's, when hunting for fur by calling coyotes into rifle range, I slept in the open bed of my pickup in temps as low as -15. This was in the divide basin in Wyoming. Some of my fondest memories of my outdoor life. It was always a bit scary wondering if my truck would start in the cold mornings.
@@haggaisimon7748 Yup...myh wifge wants the window open in the bedroom when it's -10 outside. I definitely can't handle the heat anymore. Day or night.
Just fyi, alcohol doesn’t *actually* make you warmer. It gives you a false sense of warmth but instead causes you to lose heat faster. Maybe you already know this tho 🙃 Thanks for taking us camping with you!
If you are serious about staying warm in winter. The foods to avoid are coffee, tea, chocolate, and alcohol. These foods all move your core heat to your outer extremities where you dump your body's heat faster. These foods also cause you to pee more, thus again getting rid of your core body heat.
I knew somebody was going to say that. He just had a couple sips to take the edge off. It's not like he was half in the bag drunk. (Where your statement would have merit)
I used to sleep in my Ford ranger pickup truck with a camper in Flagstaff Arizona. I had a thick mattress in the bed of my truck. Also lots of blankets. I survived the cold nights at Walmart parking lot. My greatest fear was cops knocking on my window. In Flagstaff the police do racial profiling. I am Native American. I was working construction jobs and hotels were expensive. It wasn't so bad sleeping in the bed of my truck. I wore Bennie cap and jacket, I would pee in a 32 oz Gatorade bottle. I've seen ladies park besides me in their cars... I supposed they felt I could protect them. I packed some heat yeah in case someone tried to break in or was trying to assault those female stealth campers. I could have had those electric heater blanket for warmth but I didn't want to drain my truck battery. In the morning I hurry up and start my truck and warm it up and I would be at work very early. One night I camped in the forest and I heard gunshots.... I had my pistol but I feared that the cops would come and search My truck possibly charge me for unlawful firearm discharge although It wasn't me, after that I never wanted to camp in the forest. Some youngsters were staying in a tent about 300 feet away maybe they discharged a firearm just because some people were drinking and laughing. My next stint I'll consider buying an electric blanket with an extra car battery with solar panel atop my camper. Watching these videos Im getting lots of ideas. 👍 And put Some metal security mesh on my camper widows on the inside for extra security from an intruder. There's Alot of crazy people out there in the night.
With the uninsulated aluminium truck topper, be aware of radiative cooling- it can actually be colder inside the metal box than the outside temperature. The moving blanket was an excellent idea- perhaps put eyelets along the edges, then bungee cords can help you tie it down. Don't bet your life on the pilot light on the Mr Buddy heater saving your life- get a battery powered carbon monoxide detector, and keep the batteries warm.
Catalytic heaters do not produce CO with normal amounts of oxygen. The real problem is actually oxygen depletion which can cause the heater to run inefficiently. CO production can then be a byproduct. Look it up. What is actually needed more is a low oxygen alarm which will protect you from hypoxia even without using a heater.
I like everything you did. When you insulate the cap, keep in mind air infiltration around the tailgate gaps. I've never seen gaskets there as there are on cab doors. Get a low oxygen alarm. It will protect you from hypoxia since the heater will deplete oxygen. The heater itself is CO safe as long as there is sufficient oxygen for it to burn fuel efficiently. The low oxygen alarm will help there too.
I slept in my minivan camper at 5 degree-felt like i was in a cold refrigerator. My minus 35 degree sleeping bag kept me & my cat warm all night no problems. Was in parker az in dec 2021 & it got really cold there at night w the strong winds. Really happy w the -35° s.bag.
I've got exactly the same truck but with an ARE camper shell with carpet lining. I floored the truck with plywood rubber sealant and the same space foam insulation you uses. I line the sides of the truck with it and built a raised bed with drawers. Coldest I did was 26 f Very comfortable using a 100 watt heater and a 350 watt battary.
My first 4 or 5 hunting trips as a kid we did in an aluminum camper shell. We were at about 10,000ft elevation in Colorado and temps in December got down to -30. We only had a Coleman gas lantern for heat. In the morning the frozen condensation from our breath would rain down on up as we dressed with the heat of the lantern lol
Hi Johnathan. Some more tips for keeping yourself and gear in topper warm. I've used these in back country cabins in AK for years. TO KEEP CHEMICAL WARMERS LASTING LONGER PLACING IN DOUBLE SMALL ZIPLOCS and place IN small oval Rubbermaid containers. 1. Warming compressed gas fuels. Other than sleeping w a small gas canister, put a baggie or veggie bag around the gas canister. Activate a 12(or 24) hr body warmer and wrap w rubber band around the gas canister You can also use a hand warmer OR toe warmer Under the canister and use them in gloves/boots later. 2. Place boots on a piece of foam, not directly on floor. Drop in hand warmers(for use later) and put dry socks into boot top 3. Once you have warm water in pan on the gas stove IF you have a deeper pot lid pour some warm water into lid and set canister/stove in the water to get more gas pressure. I recently bought one of the MSR pressure regulating stoves that works to keep regular flame no matter what the.gas canister temp. Not sure What the lowest temp this stove works but need to try our at home. STAY WARM.
I had that exact same model tundra and I found a guy with a leer camper top, matched my paint perfectly, insulated and carpeting, it was immaculate. I offered the guy $250 and he gladly accepted. By far the best deal I’ve ever made on Craigslist.
Love watching you go on your adventures.... I can live vicariously through you. This looks like really roughing it....insulation seems like it should be an asap kinda thing..especially if you're gonna be camping in the mountains.
Wow! Well you’ve done it! Glad you were able to test your limits and your equipments limits. I work for REI in Florida and we sell the Sea to Summit liners. I’ve never been able to tell customers about any firsthand experiences with those liners. I’m glad they worked. My camping has been limited to the south eastern side of the country which doesn’t get near as cold as where you’re at. I’ll be sure to mention your video to anybody curious customers about how the liners worked for you. On another note I’m glad to see that you’re doing better since your last video. As always I’ve enjoyed this video.
When temperature that low, better to sleep in the cab of the truck. Better insulated, less area to heat. And you can run the truck motor and heater if necessary, not needing to exit the sleeping bag. Next time, use the moving blanket INSIDE as a truck bed liner. And good grief, don't use buddy heater before bed! NO NO NO!!! Now you learned (hopefully) that burning propane units creates water vapor by the gallon. Should have as a minimum, cracked/vented at a side window. Better to open/fluff/loft sleeping bag while driving. Eat good carbs before bed. And urinate before bed. Body burning carbs will keep you naturally warm. Empty bladder, less body energy required to keep water warm. Some simple spring clamps, holding the moving blanket to the interior ceiling frame, like an interior tent, might have helped more. (Unitil the heater made everything wet.) Always carry hand warmers. They can be used in socks to keep your feet warm. Use the hot water bottle by your side, keep body core safely warm. You certainly are a unique character to observe experiencing simple situations that become challenging.
Thank you man sweet dreams I understand I've been there too it's nice to have the freedom to go camping to pick up I live in a school bus for 16 years man it's just cool see somebody starting new at it God bless you man I love camping too
Funny I just picked up one of those bag liners too! But I plan to use it as a stand alone for summer camping :) I like the idea of you trying to insulate the top of the truck with a moving blanket - but that prob would have been better served underneath you or overtop. Insulate you from the cold underneath (because you’ll be compressing the sleeping bag and mat under you), or warm a smaller space by keeping it in the cabin with you.
I live in a very cold ❄️🥶 climate. Always sleep with a really warm insulated cap on, Always wear mittens never gloves, Always keep feet covered with loose socks, never tight 🧦 socks, and yes guys, you are allowed to wear a pair of pantyhose or better yet a pair of tights which are like pantyhose only made more dense and these are worn in cold weather under long underwear and Carhartts or jeans, this will all help protect you from super cold weather. Stay warm and stay safe
Good job in testing your limits in winter camping. I probably would have said look dude I cant drive at night can you make an exception. You weren't mad at all. I was like oops when you fell snow boarding at the end.
You should just use a 12v electric blanket inside the sleeping bag, put it on low or medium and you'll be super comfy. I slept in my RTT with that and it was warm all night! P.S. don't drink alcohol, it actually lowers your body temperature on the long run. Only drink it as a last resort to give yourself a little boost, just know that shortly after your body will cool down even more.
@@herrp8765 so that depends on a few things. Jackery is a great all in one unit, but it's a bit pricey. You'd need at least 400wh-500wh to make a heating blanket through the night on low-medium setting. They usually use around 100w on max, so do the math and see which one you need, and how cold it's gonna be. There are plenty of videos on how to build your own system. You just have to be a little handy. You could easily build a system at half of the cost of a Jackery, or twice the capacity at the same price. Your call
I know this will sound crazy, my experience has shown me that if you strip down to your underwear you will be a lot warmer inside your sleeping bag. Your bag will reflect your body heat around you. One could perspire with all the layers of clothing. I used to just put all my clothing in the sleeping bag so when I put them on in the morning they were warm and toasty. Great video.
That was crazy cold! I have to admit, I was concerned. You are certainly good natured about having to move after being all set up. See you next time.🙋♀️😊
When it's that dangerously cold they should have either told him earlier or let him stay since he had himself pretty set for the night. You can die in those temperatures. Sounds like maybe the employee just didn't have any personal power anywhere else in his life.
Another great video! I use a bag liner too for hunting camp every year, it isn’t a ton warmer, but it allows me to not have to wear socks to bed. It’s the little things you know?! Again, great video, keep it up! Cheers from 🇨🇦 eh!
Someone probably ran and told. It’s the new thing to do in this country anymore with most people. Sadly, at times some people worry about the wrong neighbor.
Hi Jonathan! Another great video. If you get time, pick up those interlocking foam pads for the floor of your truck bed. They work great for adding some insulation and they're fairly cheap. I can't wait for the next video!
Good job challenging yourself. We love camping but not in the cold weather we do our winter camping vicariously through you. Thank you for sharing. Mary 💕Fred
Bro. In the twin cities. I walk outside for many minutes in slip on hard bottom slippers basket ball shorts and a hoodie to let my pup out. He's a chihuahua. We're both fine. Above 30 is considered a nice day during the winter months. Hell, I personally consider it free AC season.
You are brave, good challenge. Backpackers camp outdoors, a camper canopy protects you from the wind plus holds in warmth. Mr. Heater even on the lowest setting gets almost too warm, it's great imo. I learn something each time camping in the cold. It adds up.
Would have been better to use the moving blanket inside- use it to tent over you. Trap in your body temperature, prevent condensation, keep your face warm etc.
Make sure you check the washing care label on the moving blankets ,I have 2 from harbor freight and it says not to wash . I just hang them to dry . I use them on top of my air mattress .
Awesome ! Hey I survived -14 in a Walmart parking lot. I slept in a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit. Those cars are made so well. Even though it was windy as Hell, I was fine so long as the windows were up and I stayed in my sleeping bag. When I woke up there was 1/2 inch of ice on the inside of the windows but I was good !
Well Jonathan congratulations you did it! I apologize in advance because this might be a little long and I'm sure when you get to the end of your going to say a lot of long. That was a pretty cool trick with that sleeping bag liner I wish they would have had those when I was doing most of my cold-weather camping. I did-2 degrees but I did it in nothing but a hand-built survival shelter in the woods. I did have a fire which I was so lucky that next morning that I had enough coals to restart another fire but I didn't think it was going to even get started. I was also lucky enough to have a good foot of snow on top of the shelter that surely did help. I had two 30° sleeping bags one inside of the other and I used a military Poncho to lay across the top with two of those blue roll up pads you can get to lay down on the ground and believe it or not I was actually toasty that is until I got out and it was cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cold and I mean baby it was cold outside. That is just from a song don't think I'm calling you baby, sir. I'm pretty sure that I told you before that I used to live in Forest Grove and Hillsboro and if you live in Portland you surely know where those are. When I wasn't working I spent a lot of time in the mountains between the coast and Forest Grove and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the creek that we stayed at or name of the road but I loved it out there. I also climb to the top of Mount Hood and my guide was 16 years old. I think I told you that I left the January before Saint Helens blew I think that was in 80 and I never went back mainly because of the fault lines that go up through there and the volcanoes I told myself no no never. I still live in the mountains but it's the mountains of West Virginia in the Appalachian chain. I'm a whole lot disappointed this winter so far we have not had enough snow to measure and only twice was there a dusting, about every other winner we have at least a foot and a half. I know this was 11 months ago or so I hope you read this I'm pretty sure I didn't get an answer from my last one but hey you're busy I understand. So how is the new camper going? The last that I saw of it you was having to start over on your insulation I believe. Okay it's time for an update. One of these days I may get back out to Oregon and maybe look up a few friends that I made out there and who knows I made it look you up also. One of the friends that I made out there just happened to pass away about 10 years ago so I won't be able to look him up but he used to do some beautiful tables out of that mapleboro. Well I guess this is been long enough. I'm looking forward to you doing another super cold night in that new RV you have. Knock it out Jonathan I'm talkin about the cold but you do the RV too, yeah. All right see you in the next one I hope you do read this maybe you'll answer maybe not doesn't matter like I said I know you're busy. Stay vigilant my friend stay vigilant! PS you need to put your girlfriend in a few of those videos unless she don't like to be filmed and I don't know why she wouldn't.
Hi Jonathan, Great video. I hope you learned a lot from the adventure. I would have looked for a used fiberglass carpeted topper. For your trip, I would have also done something on the floor and sides of the truck bed (a piece of plywood with some carpet. Suggestions for the future. Save up for a "BedRug" bed liner (they are amazing). Insulate the topper, don't have the reflectx contact the topper shell or windows, it wont work well because of conduction (leave some air space) Also for emergencies in the winter we keep 2 (one for me & one for the better half) military ECWSS (Extreme Cold Weather Sleep System 3 layer sleeping bags) With proper layering they are rated to minus 40 degrees). Without the buddy heater you will stay warm.. Keep up the videos.
I have a double buddy heater , & it saved my bacon last yr in texas during the ice storm. Kept my 2 bedroom house warm for 4 days , no broken pipes!! You have to buy one. There super
--5?!? Lol.....That's Ohio weather. I slept in my Honda Civic in Talkeetna, Alaska, 2021 (--37). All I had was a 0 degree sleeping bag and a few jackets. Made it to Church the next morning.
I was out at the coast at the same time and it was freezing there as well. Oregon was cold all over those couple of days. Just scored a canopy last week and can’t wait to build it out
I believe there are three different temp ratings for sleeping bags so you have to be very careful which one they use because one they like to quote is a survival rating, which means you'll probably live.... maybe.
Love your videos. I lived off grid in central Virginia for 5 years. I never had much luck with the medium or large Mr. Buddys. They are too finicky. I came to rely on the small one though. That’s the one with a round burner that screws onto the top of a small propane canister. That one never failed me.
A zero degree bag is more like a 20 degree bag. I think the temp rating is for survival, not comfort. So a zero degree bag means you won’t die, but you might be miserable. I’ve found the liners add about 5-10 degrees of warmth.
Just stick a couple wool surplus blankets inside the bag, instantly adds another 20+ degrees to that. Done as low as -45F with a +20 rated bag and 2 heavy wool blankets
Been truck camping for years. Open the windows to keep the humidity out and have the correct gear. The heater negates the true temps but you need to be prepped if it fails. Test your gear at home in the cold without a heater to make sure it doesn't fail you...
I’ve truck camped in Colorado Springs in a -10 degree ice storm. With just a 0 degree mummy bag. Nothing special or extra just doubled up on socks and had wore a pair of long Johns under my pants. And I made it through just fine.
Hey bud ,Like u said if we don't jump the gun we don't know if we succeed. Great view and get you some insulation for your camper Shell.Love watching u snow boarding.Love you brother 👍 😀
Hi Jonathan, what a mid week treat to watch a vid of yours. TY. I can't believe that ski resort owner made you change spots after dark. Wowzer. :( I hope things are going better since last vid. Been thinking about you. Man, you're tougher than me. 20 F is my limit. LOL. Take care bud.
He was just an employee doing what the owners probably told him to enforce, couldn’t be mad at him! It was quite nippy but we survived ha. Take care! ✌️
You have the CAP style on your truck as I did yrs ago. I insulated mine with foam 1"inch panels. Put up a sheet of thin plywood toward the top to hold things in place. Its just a thought.... And put a rug on the floor.
You differently need to insulate your freezer. My shell is fiberglass and has carpet on the inside works good. Never been in that cold weather but in the mid to upper 20's worked good.👍😁
Here's something fun to try out. Ok you have a jackery power pack. you can buy electric sleeping bag liners, or... an electric heated matress pad. put that inside the sleeping bag, sheet over it, set it on low, and.... the thing will keep a low heat in your bag all night... now depending on how cold it is, you can up the temp but the higher the power the more battery it drains. But for bed camping like that, it should do you down to -20 territory.
Take it from a old time winter camper from Norther Minnesota, where it gets very cold. My sleeping bag is rated for -30F. Canvas tents, not nylon tents like your camper condense moisture. Moisture from cooking, your gas heater and your breathing all this moisture can cause it to rain in your camper, be absorbed into your bedding, which is not good news in freezing temp. Leave the booze at home it will not keep you warn, its the opposite effect. Insulate, ventilate to keep RH under control. Keep up winter camping is very enjoyable when you are set for it.
2018 July 2 and 3 I was camping in yellow stone sleeping in the back of my truck it was 30degrees. My poor wife was a trooper especially having to walk 60 yards to the hooter at 3am. Them mountains is cold, lol. We were in cody Wyoming for the rodeo the next day and it was probably 85.
I like your style, basic and very functional. It’s BS they will not let you stay overnight. You made it work any way… thx ! Keep on camping. Bring a plastic bottle next time, for #2. Lol. Good luck!
Hahaha, this is very entertaining. Ya done good! Now get that thing insulated. My freezer can't get to minus anything. And me being 74, don't wrap me up then freeze me! Korea, 1993, windchill -19 and a 2 holder pooper was some 50 feet out the barracks. The barracks were just like a shed, no insulation and a drip kerosene heater was it. Right brisk too. Be safe.
