SOLO FEMALE  

From one Okie girl to another (I was born and raised in Lawton) - I have a tip for you. Go to an Army surplus store and purchase two wool Army blankets. Put one under your fitted sheet and one on top of your top sheet and you should sleep as snug as a bug in a rug. I vote for how you stay safe in a van.

who randomly found this in their recommended?

It made me feel so cozy when you closed that white curtain around yourself.

We had the same issue with our heater only blowing one direction so we place a recharge/USB fan in front of the heat output ( the fan was about 4 to 5 feet's away) an we had it tilting about 45 degrees, so we could send some air to back of the van. We have the other brand of heater, but we have 2 friends that their heater failed at 15k altitude.

PLEASE DO NOT USE A USB anything to power anything with heat. Notice your 12v cig lighter is 25 amps, there is a reason its can, it's typically a nice decently thick 14 or 12 gauge wire. You will not get that from a USB which is rated for 5v - 7 amps typically and running on a 20+ gauge wire. Anything past that and you're going to be risking an electrical fire! Anything rated for USB would not be adequate. Also why did you run the exhaust on your heater down (risking it getting buried and having CO in the cabin) vs running it above the roofline? EDIT: I see you didn't have enough exhaust piping. When you get more run it above the roofline instead. This is a partial reason why semitrucks with sleepers have their exhaust running above the cab. The other perks being safety, noise and temperature control. Also, consider getting a skirt that blocks the sides bottom of the van when parked. This will keep the bottom of the van much warmer. since it's one less side/surface area for heat to escape from the underdraft.

hello Liz . im a long hall truck driver i have the same bunk heater in my truck. if you have soda box you can heat up cans of soup and water just by having the blower blow threw the box it takes a bit but that is what i use to have hot meals in my truck and hot water to shave with. you just have to think out of the box and you can use it for lots of things. P.S. you will have to either open the can or just keep an eye on it . if it get to hot with no vent the presser it the can with make it explode take my word on this .be safe

get a carbom monoxide alarm

You should use -32 mummy sleeping bag. I keep one in my apartment whenever I lose power failure. I used it once believe me it kept me warm

You're back!! Id like to know how you stay safe in the van. Im sure there are a lot of solo female travellers out there who would want some tips on this aspect. xx

Maybe just for safety a carbon monoxide detector. Just in case :) love the videos.

Flannel sheets will not only keep you warm in the winter but they also keep you cool in the summer because they are 100% cotton. I live in Minnesota and used to both extreme cold and heat and use them all year long 😊

If you're looking for electric, remember most blankets don't run off an inverter (unless it's pure seine wave) so look for a SoftHeat Low Voltage Electric Blanket , it has a regular house plug but it runs off an inverter at less than 180 watts. Mine is a single / twin and it heats all my blankets and me on the coldest night

I'm so glad you're back! I use a giant 12V Marine battery and 2 12v electric blankets. Runs for days at any altitude. The van's engine charges the additional battery but the blankets don't run down the starter battery (automatic charging relay). That's for sleeping. To heat the interior while I'm awake either just use the engine or a small propane ceramic heater... For hot water you can always use an aqua cube. Cheap and easy.

Try to keep electrical usage as minimal as possible in the winter time...Leaving electrical items on for long periods is costly and dangerous. Use thermal rated insulation in your vehicle for pipes and hoses to prevent freeze up....And a large good down sleeping bag rated for freezing temps...Cuts down on all that excessive sheets and blankets. Check out military outlet stores. Army navy stores and military gear stores online..Military items are great for surviving freezing winters. Best to ya! Stay safe!

Instead of a heated blanket, consider a heated mattress pad. That way the warmth is under you and that will also soften your memory foam mattress. The adapters (elec) others spoke of are spot on, Love your story and your presentation style. Shows your professional background.

Also if you plug it up an hour or so before you plan on going to bed it helps a lot. Getting your bed prewamed makes a big difference.

I’m planning my van / short skoolie build, my daughter and I are planning on living in it full time while looking and saving for property here in Alaska and then for visiting family in the lower 48! My biggest worry so far has been the bed situation, I want us both to be comfortable and have space, she’s 22 and needs her space ya know 😉 and of course the heat situation as we will be in it during the long Alaskan winter as well... a mini wood stove would be perfect but would make it hard for stealth camping as well. I’m so looking forward to getting out of this rent trap and back into the woods! My kids and I have lived off grid before, for 8 yrs until we had to come back to town for my brain surgery... this is exactly what I need to heal my body and my soul~ Thank you for the informative video, and to all the other comments for their awesome advice as well! Lots of great info in the community!

Attaching additional exhaust pipe will likely result in the heater needing maintenance sooner, and more often. I will have trouble exhausting the gasses and cause it to produce more soot, fouling the glow plug sooner. There are some really good videos on here demonstrating this.

Brandon had one of the best vans I've ever seen and I think Jared Tocci of Ghost Van drew a lot of inspiration from it when he built his new van.

bubble wrap will stick to windows if you spray a thin film of water on it and press it against the window. you can even use two layers of bubble wrap....you may need to tape the corners a little.... in the day time the light will still come thru. This is good insulation as it is trapped air. you can buy it by the roll at wal mart in the office section .

tip-drive to Florida in the winter!

In the winter, don't put anything on top of your down comforter. You want the comforter to be as fluffy as possible (the space is what is insulating you)... if you squish it down, you are less insulated. If anything, get a good wool blanket and some flannel sheets to put under that comforter, and you'll be good to go. Also, not sure if you could get an insulated mattress pad?

I want radiant floor heated mats in my build! Low watts and not that expensive

Instead of cotton PJs you should get either silk or polypropylene long johns. As mentioned by others get a nice 0 rated down mummy sleeping bag with a bag liner. You won’t need socks because you’ll be as snug as a bug in a rug. P.S. The bag liner is easier to launder than the the bag and helps to prevent getting a stinky sleeping bag. You may also want to try a Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D mattress pad on top of your memory foam mattress. With these items you can shelve the sheets, blankets and comforter saving space and time.

A good old Kerosene heater will keep you toasty on the winter nights. You can cook some things on it and warm water. Be sure to crack a window or 2 and use a CO detector. I know they use a bit more fuel than the Webasto, but for the realy cold nights you will be comfortable.

Get a military sleep system you can get one for under 200 dollars no more cold nights. Go to a garage or place where they install speaker systems they can replace your plugins with cigar lighter plugs since the are both 12 volt.

Welcome back!! It seems you are wearing warm sheepskin boots per pic they keep your pinky warm right! GBo a step further and lay on top of large sheepskin when sleeping it will retain your body heat, will not drain your batteries and no plug is required. Take care. Mattress-Cover-Deluxe/dp/B000GB31AO/ref=sr_1_15/145-4504695-6453522?ie=UTF8&qid=1547527732&sr=8-15&keywords=sheepskin+bed+pad

Swap out your USB outlet for a combination USB/12V cigarette lighter outlet. They're about $15 on Amazon and should fit in the same space as your current USB outlet. There's only two wires to hook up, so it's an easy fix. Also good to see a new video!

To help save fuel from using your heater, how about install solar panels on the roof and run the wiring to a few deep cycle batteries and into a inverter and use a small electrical heater but only use the heater that uses fuel during snow fall.

Y not just use a flexible dryer duct to put over the heater outlet. Then you can focus the air wherever you want. Just an idea for thought

A heater brand I never heard anyone talk about in van videos: Wallas. They are highly regarded in the boating world. Runs off of kerosene, which isn't as weird as it sounds. The great thing is that they are thermostat-controlled. As in set a digital exact number and it will do its thing 24/7. Also very quiet. I'm having one installed in my Promaster in January and hoping it functions well in my Ontario winter!

Top tip on the cammo pyjamas. I’m assuming you disappear to the naked eye... so they have security benefits in the event of a break in? If so... will you be putting this in your “how to stay safe” segment?! Silliness aside... lovely to have you back and vlogging. Hope you had a lovely break. Happy New Year!

You've gotten so much fame for this channel and its videos. But you still don't monetize your videos since the channel was created. You're doing this with the genuine intent to share knowledge. Respect. I wish you well for your next endeavor, Liz. ❤

You make me really love my house 🤣

I put a feather mattress topper on top of my memory foam mattress, and it was a game-changer. I also found my memory foam pillow conducted the cold straight to my neck, so I stuffed a down sleeping bag in a pillowcase and never looked back! Down and feathers are worth the cost. They work flawlessly. Mind you, I did buy a Sealy synthetic duvet and it is a wonderful thing!

Good to see you back! Here’s all you need for sleeping warm when all else fails, it’s tried and true. Get a Military Modular Sleep System it’s a 4 piece light weight sleeping bag system. It’s kept me warm in sub zero temps while sleeping in a canvas tent on deployments. Great for a back up even.

Many female nomads stated that they stay safe by being aware and trusting their instincts. Some put out extra chairs and a pair of men's boots to not look like they're traveling alone. I would be really interesting in seeing how you stay safe, i.e., if you carry weapons, etc. I'm also very interesting in learning how much money you spend on maintenance. Most of us struggle with the savings part, and it helps to understand how much cushion is really needed to maintain this lifestyle and if we have enough. Great video, and welcome back! We missed you!

WINTER WORRY: Most Van People just winterize their vans and park them in storage. But not you. We would like to know all the details, the issues, as to staying in the van during the winter. Maybe you can do another video on this topic. This video was great, btw...lots of helpful info. These are important issues. I like how you chose to stay in a hotel room on snow nights. No one wants to get trapped in their vans during a blizzard. You also mentioned that exhaust system--we'd like to learn more about that system and how it was installed. Most people winterize their toilets and water tanks. Others have insulated their water tanks. Some use Portable Potty instead. We'd like to know how the new WaterHeater works out. How did you keep warm last year WITHOUT A HEATER? Did you use your engine heater? Just start the van up when you were cold? Remote Start-Up Key would be helpful in that case. But you can only keep the engine running for so long before you run out of gas. How did you do it? What type of insulation did you use for the Walls? Floors? Ceiling? That Curtain is a Great Idea !! Can you provide more info about it? Material, How it's installed, etc... Can you use a regular Heated Blanket with AC plug in to you outlets/inverter? Or would that use up too much energy? Would a small space heater work? (As long as it's 3FEET away from combustibles) Some people use the little Buddy Heater with a small can of propane. Do you have a Propane Leak Alarm and a CO Detector? Can you elaborate more on your Exhaust System Pipe...how did they install it, from which part of the van did they set it up? etc... What type of snow tires do you have? Is it FWD or AWD? (Sorry if you already mentioned this in a previous video) Can you provide links above in your intro summary section for the Window Inserts, Curtain, WaterHeater, etc. And any other Must-Have Products? THANK-YOU !!! :)

Another thing you can do is buy a cast iron pot put aluminum foil in the pot and put large candles in the pot. The aluminum will collect the heat and get hot and the heat will move up the aluminum funnel like a chute and keep you warm multiple nights. I used aluminum foil on a steel platter from the dollar store and was able to keep warm in cold weather around 5 to 10 degrees above 0. I was homeless and was able to do this through trial and error.

You’re killing it, Liz! I love the attitude in this video, you seem refreshed and your *intensity* is truly coming through. I’ll see you on FaceTime soon xoxo 😘 🚐💕

IF you wanting hot water and hot air? Look up "Truma" The one you might like is the Diesel/electric one I noticed them the other month. The one guy does talk about it here on YT. Has 10L of hot water..... nice!!!! See if you like it?

Thanks for another helpful topic! I'm voting for maintenance

Hi, Liz: The only heating pad with a USB plug, that Amazon offers, is a wrap that can be worn around the shoulders. Just a thought since, you have your heater and it is directing hot air toward the floor, why not try leaving your gel pads on the floor long enough for the heater, to warm them up. As a living historian, events that I attend, often are directed by the weather; it can get very cold, at night during the cooler months. I often, sleep in a canvas tent, with no heat. During an event, I attended years ago, it was very, very cold. Even though, I wore wool clothing made from heavy wool broad cloth; from head to toe, with fifteen heavy wool blankets piled, on top; including wearing heavy wool socks, I still froze. My father suggested to me, to consider putting a blanket on my cot, laying my gel pad on top and putting another blanket, on top of my gel pad and the rest of my blankets piled on top, it worked great. I stayed warm and comfortable and slept well. If, your still cold, then I would suggest looking for a sleeping bag that is good, for up to fifty below with a padded hood, this should help to keep you much warmer. I have been researching, affordable alternatives for living cheaply, Van life is for me. I still need to save my money, for about a year and a half; to purchase and complete my van conversion, then I will be able to start getting out of debt, live frugally and experience more traveling like I have wanted to do; for a while and get my business up and going. Best of luck, to you on your journey.

So many helpful hints. Thank you for all the good ideas :)

The trucking industry has been using those heaters for years. How ever they are great depending on how the fuel line is run they will jell up if it gets extremely cold and when that happens they don't work. Instead of an electric blanket get a good sleeping bag best way to go for warmth in the wee winter

I enjoy listening to how you improve your van. You really keep an open mind and learn as you go. Cool stuff.

Real cold on the floor in my Santana Van of ole, even running electric heat at a site. Keep cold ones on floor, or extra firewood. A bunk up high and run heat on low, or set to keep cookies from freezing in the pantry is efficient. And where your memory foam will flex and you'll be warmest.

Would a temporary hose over the heater “opening/duct” work,to channel it over the bed? You would have to figure out how to secure or position it. Just a thought. Best of luck, Tim

Glad you're back. I'm voting for Maintenance Costs since many people are interested in Van Living. As for Safety, I like how you DON'T MENTION WHERE YOU ARE IN ORDER TO PROTECT YOURSELF. No one needs details as to your locations. Safety First. I remember a video you advise people to reverse into a parking space, so if you have to move the vehicle quickly you can just start it up and drive forward. Maybe you can do both videos, but I'd like to see the Maintenance Video next time. I think most people who are viewing your channel are interested in doing this, so any info is helpful when it comes to maintenance. I like that your videos are to the point and focused on the build of the van, the insulation, the heat, the water, the issues, the storage, etc. Very important info to consider before purchasing a camper van or converting a van. This is why we watch your videos. You have been a great help to everyone.

My van is on vacation during the winter time.....and my wife HATES the memory foam!!! It molds to her sleeping position and then stays in that mold.

Tips: Get 2 wool surplus blankets, one for topper under sheet & the other on top, make yourself a wool blanket sandwich. Put a adjustable elbow on your heater to blow the air upwards.

Please do a how I stay safe episode, I think everyone will love that!

A suggestion for the heater vent... Get a clothes dryer exhaust pipe. They're flexible. You can put it over the vent and run it up to a higher level so you can feel it. Just take it off when you dont need it.

The "Best" way to stay warm in a van in Winter (or anytime really), is to share it with a partner. Of course, you will have to worry more about the windows steaming up.

I would connect a small length of dryer exhaust pipe to the heater so I could direct the heat to where I wanted. It can be connected w Velcro so it’s removable. The pipe is flexible so you can move it around according you your needs ! 💁🏻☀️💕

Staying warm while sleeping in winter is a matter of insulation, coupled with reducing drafts. Insulation provides the resistance to heat transfer. Heat flows from hot to cold, so keeping your body heat from escaping is paramount. I've camped since childhood, even bivouacking in winter, and have a lightweight rectangular sleeping bag for warmer weather, and a thicker mummy bag for colder weather. In winter, I use the mummy bag inside the lightweight bag. This combines the insulation value, creates an air gap between the two bags and doubles resistance to drafts. To further reduce air movement, I either cinch the mummy bag around my head/face, or tuck a lightweight throw around the top of the bag. Of course, the first air gap in a good base layer for pajamas and socks. This is essential. Addition measures include a good old-fashioned water bottle, as well as foot warmers. The single-use type are great for frigid temperatures; providing 97°F heat for up to 8 hours. I actually really like sleeping in the cold and don't even use my propane-fueled, thermostatically controlled forced air heater overnight. I turn it on for 10 minutes as I awake just to heat up the box to comfortably shower, dress, cook and eat breakfast. Great video Liz. Keep up the great work.

You need a one of those chimney exhausts that run up the height of your van , that way no worries from snow etc , you could also tape as a temp measure the hose from a house dryer so you can place over the nozzle of the heat source and direct where you want it best . You could also use plastic tubing drill holes randomly on its side(s) for multi direction heat , just a few temporary ideas.

I’m surprised you didn’t go with a sleeping bag. One thing I am concerned about is how to keep the water pipes from freezing and bursting. Did you have to drain everything?

I just got a feather bed topper from Amazon & it has saved me during renovations & sleeping on my double bed size sofa. Might keep you warmer too! Love the videos❣️❣️❣️

Welcome back! I am curious to know how you stay safe in your van. 😉

Great insights. Thanks so much. @4:30 A suggestion I've resorted to is a 1 inch thick regular foam pad (which wouldn't freeze) plus a 13 tog duvet (not down so still retains some loft when weight goes on) which makes a very cosy and warmer underlayer. In warmer months, both the foam pad and under duvet could migrate under the memory foam. Though.. you might like to retain the duvet for the wrap around feeling. Stay safe and warm.

What about a heated mattress pad? We have one for our home and it’s amazing. Better then a heated blanket.

Great to have you back! (Even if it is infrequently) Thanks for the fantastic advice!

I think, a pup would be a great cuddle bug!

Probably the most useful video for anyone building a van to go ski hopping. Winter proof with altitude adjusted heater! Thanks so much! How did you keep the water from freezing?

I love my feather mattress pad. It will work without power!

Hm, now I’m even more grateful for my kick ass propane wall heater in my 15’ restored 1957 Shasta travel trailer. Am always warm within, whether cooking, eating, sleeping or just hangin out. Wimpy me won’t even change clothes unless it’s toasty. Got snowed on while camping on my Scottsdale, AZ (yes, snow in Scottsdale) horse property two weekends ago but I actually had to get up to turn the heater down ❤️ Now, let me ask, have you tried the tea candle with the inverted terra-cotta pot system? The DIY is on YT and people swear by it. Say the one tea candle lasts for hours. Something I will try in the near future, just in case.

Safety in the van would be interesting but, I'd love to see another Style by the Mile. You always look so current but effortless--I love your style.

I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this content. Thank you

I’m curious if your diet and meals change much from summer to winter and how you prepare them! Do you eat with the seasons? Summer salads and winter soups and stews?

Suggestion: get a poncho liner for warmth while sleeping. It’s what the military use to stay warm inside their sleeping bags. It is super thin and doesn’t take up much room. You use it under your covers to keep in your body heat.

Get you a sleeping bag good for below-freezing temperatures, they work great that's what I use.

I want to see the maintenance cost! To me it's more important to see how much money goes into maintaining the van after the build. Staying safe is mostly common sense... Don't park in sketchy places, pick spots that have easy getaways, use apps like iOverlander, keep a weapon (and know how to use it), and check in your location with someone but don't post it on social media until you're long gone.

Love the vid .. thanks for the heater tips .. I am still 10 months out from van life but only 4 to 7 months out on the build and I need all the recommendation possible

Heat rises, so don't worry about that. You can extend the exhaust to roof height and not worry about snow depth. USB runs around 5 volts so a heated blanket is not likely. there is no temp on the dial as cubic feet and temperature are unknown to the heater dial

I vote MAINTENANCE COST, please. Great tips, by the way. Thanks!

i love her white curtans iv seen them all drawn in other vids and it just makes her van look bigger , clean and airy ..love the van xx

That beeping your inverter was doing was not, repeat NOT because it was too cold. As an electronics engineer Inverters can only be to hot, cold does not effect them. We're talking temperatures your going to experience. in your van. It was beeping because at lower temperatures the amount of power (amps) a battery can put out is reduced. Temperatures in the 30's and below will greatly reduce how much of a load a battery can power. When an inverter senses low voltage they will beep. Even a fully charged battery in negative temperatures will not power what it will in warmer temperatures. Whatever you were trying to power , the battery could not keep up with and your inverter was experiencing a "low voltage" condition because the battery could not keep up, causing it to beep. Not knowing these factors caused you to misconstrue why it was beeping. Now you know. Cheers.

I drove a Taxi 20 yrs,,,,, i drove on black ice 1 time in my life,,,, I cannot drive on ice and Snow,,,,, I am from the Coastal South, the Swamplands!!!! If I was up North and winter arrived I would have to find a permanent place in an RV park and next door to the main street of town!!! Lol!! I wouldnt move till the ice melted!!

Cost of maintenance is my vote. I nerd out over the numbers.

Buy an adapter for your plug choice. For your heater problem get a dryer vent hose and aim it wherever you want it. Also go to an RV store and check on portable underpinning. It may Velcro to your van and wrap it all the way around the bottom on the outside to stop cold air from blowing under your van.

SAFE I'd love to hear about the Pacific Crest more too!

Mister heater it’s portable and it heats up fast with a temperature and tip over shut off. It runs on propane. Down side you have to keep the vents open or window cracked for ventilation.

U could get a wood stove heater too..."Suzi Cruz" has one ... Nd she's warm in winter

Definitely how you stay safe. Welcome back! Love from Australia 🇦🇺💙

You are such an inspiration ! This is what i call REAL WOMEN. Much love for you and for your courage and your achievements so far ! Keep it up ❤️

Ive been told that before you turn off your heater each time you can run it on high for 20ish minutes to clear it off the carbon and keeps the heater in good form

After seeing this I love my house so much more😍😍😍😍

regarding the exhaust pipe that can be blocked from the snow, maybe you can just have an extension that u can connect it to that extends upward past the level the snow will fall to. and the heater inside, you can also cannot a pvc pipe that you can fabricate easily to redirect the heat

How do you stay safe in the van? What type of protection do you have?

Yes, wouldn't consider staying more than a few minutes without a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Love to hear how you stay safe, I drove over the road in a truck alone and that was a bug concern of mine, but video is older so I'll look and see if you've done that.

Memory foam pillow, like resting your head on a bag of cement.

You're not gonna find a USB powered heated blanked. USB ports usually can't provide more than 10-15W of power. Most 12V heated blankets run about 60W. Best option would be to add a 12V outlet somewhere in the rear of the van, running off of your house battery.

A rumple blanket is about $200 but has a portable battery.

Sweetie once you get some winter flannel sheets you will never want to go through a winter without them ever again !! Do yourself a favour and go buy a set, they are worth the money.

So glad to see you back!!! I'd like to know how you stay safe in the van.

Great to see you. I want to know how you stay safe in the van. Don’t tell everything , because anyone bothering you should have a surprise. Stay warm. It is 33 degrees in NYC.

I'd love to hear about safety since I'm planning my first solo trip to start in a few months!

When I build my van, I will have wood or hard flooring, but I will also have an area rug cut in the shape of the floor because I have a dog. You can easily roll it up and for cleaning, just hang it an hit it with a broom old school style.

How about this adapter? $8 on Amazon ARECORD USB A Male to 12V Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Female Converter