Winter Storm in a Van and my Heater DIED!! | Living the Van Life 

I've been Van Camping for over 20 years in 48 States & half of Canada, and I have NEVER needed a heater during winter... I have a Military Surplus Excavation Bag Rated -60F, but I also have 2 extra regular sleeping bags mainly for cushion layered on top of the inflatable mattress & two 4 inch thick =8 inch foam cushions, and I have 3 comforter Blankets & 5 pillows.... What's funny is when I wake up in the morning and see ICE on the "inside" windows with of course lots of snow & ice on the outside too.

The cold killed my vans battery but I’m thankful that Walmart honored the free replacement

Use a broom to clean your van off. Tube sock to protect wipers.

Glad you got your onboard heat working. I can't stand day after day of cold, grey skies either....it's really depressing. Good luck and safe travels.👍

Make sure your van is topped off with antifreeze, if it’s low it will not blow heat until you start driving

You will not get warm air out of the van's heater vents until the engine gets warm. Diesel fuel can freeze at 32 degrees F. Should add cetane additive to the diesel fuel tank.

If you can lower your window (Driver or passenger) all the way down, so that the glass no longer protrudes above the metal, you can stand on the edge of your door and look above the roof of your van at half height, (Tip: Put a pair of thick socks over your shoes, this way you have more grip on the metal and it seems safer to me, and you also don't damage the paint on the door) Take a long broom handle (for example, the extra long extendable model is handy if you have to reach far) and mount a window squeegee with a sponge on it. Immerse the sponge with antifreeze (the same thing you have in the water tank of your windshield washers). With that squeegee you can wipe off most of the snow and ice, and Use the sponge to thaw these frozen parts and wash off the stubborn leftovers.) As far as the poorly functioning heating of your car itself is concerned, it is best to have it checked in a garage. This could be a blockage in your interior radiator (That small radiator under your dashboard), or the coolant level is too low, leakage, or a thermostat that no longer closes properly when the engine is cold, which means that the engine cannot warm up sufficiently and continues to run cold or lukewarm, and therefore remains at an insufficient temperature. also have greater fuel consumption www.amazon.nl/DERPOL-Telescopische-telescoopsteel-sponsbreedte-ruitenreiniger/dp/B0BR4FZZSZ/ref=sr_1_40?__mk_nl_NL=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=Q965YNNVN5AA&keywords=Trekker+met+spons&qid=1706132490&sprefix=trekker+met+spons%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-40

So glad you are safe and the heaters can be fixed. Stay safe and we will see you in the next video. ❤

Sure hope you can stay warm and get your heater fixed sending prayers.. 🙏 🙏 🙏

Hello Allison and everyone. Happiest Wenesday. Keep Enjoying the great outdoors. Glad all worked out for you with heat . We are all feeling this terrible chill. Like your white Coat. I could feel the cold as you were walking ......it was so crunchy. Blessings always beautiful😘

This was an insane storm for much of the country. I’m glad you’ve survived it and it looks like things are getting corrected. ✌️❤️🙏

I watched you going through what is a daily ritual here. I highly recommend you get a DC-DC charger, if you don’t already have one. They’re inexpensive, reliable, easy to install, and far more effective than solar panels are, especially at this time of year. The charger can deliver more power in 15 minutes than the solar panels could deliver in a whole afternoon during the winter. BTW, my panels are removable. I don’t have them on the van during the winter because they don’t deliver enough power, and because I don’t want to risk damaging them when removing ice and snow. Hope this helps.

Oh girl I'm glad you got your van heater fixed 🙏❤️ I cant handle cold weather at all! Lol 😳

Tip : crack a window when you first turn on your heater. Toxins blow out first from sediment 🤗. Ventilation always wins.

I live an hour north of Dallas and have lived in Texas most of my life (a couple years in SF and a couple in Phx) but I do NOT live here because I love the cold weather!! I am all about the warmth!! I am so thankful that here in Tx the freezes are few and far between!😊

Sorry hun, but I'm kinda glad me heading southwest got pushed back lol I watched the news and how the cold is everywhere this winter 😂

There are many recipes but water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle will melt the frozen iced glass and locks on vehicles fairly quickly. You could ck if that's an option on solar panels.

Texas weather is crazy. I love it here, but the weather is crazy.

Ooo girl...I know this is rough...take care, looks like you've made some preparation... Just stay warm, be safe

Your rig needs a list of upgrades and improvements before you winter it out in a van or any type of rv, trailer, etc. better insulation, 2 or 3 different options for heat. Tire chains, a pioneer kit. The list goes on.

so glad they were able to fix the problem, stay safe

It’s either to hot or to cold for me here in the panhandle of Texas but I deal with it every year

Maybe one of the heaters that plug in the cigarette lighter thing, they are made to defrost but it would be a source of heat in emergency situations

Stay safe & warm! 🌷

Well, a stack of power stations and a ceramic space heater are on my van build list.

Girl I hear yeah!!! The RV heater broke three times. Lol, the Rv company wanted to charge 300 for the motherboard went to another store 2hrs away I paid 50.00 dollars. Crooked RV shops.

Hello Addison. Is always a treat to see your videos. I often bench watching tons of them and I don't sleep advertising 😊

Allison, as a Nomad; is there anyway you can avoid the severe Cold? God bless you...

I forgot to mention I’m so happy the mechanic was able to fix your heat! I think all nomads need to learn about heating & cooling systems & what type of fluids are needed to keep them rolling… 🙂🙃

Hi Alison....glad to see your channel! Hope things get better

Though I've never been a smoker, I used to always keep 3-4 lighters in my bag so that when my car door and even apartment door locks were frozen, I would hold the key over the lighter flame for 10 seconds, insert the key in the lock wait a couple of seconds, then the door would unlock.

Can you get the Buddy heater as backup? I pray for you

Hi Allison I'm so glad you weren't on the road in a cold state thank god. Also glad you got it repaired god is good Allison.

Cold weather is rough. Keep your chin up Allison Things will get better I pray for God's hand on you! In Jesus' name

Hey I pray God directs you Walmart have plug in heaters and portable heaters God Bless you

It’s good to have a small backup heater… Those little ceramic heaters are really good and getting up fast

Please stay safe.

Where are you that you’ve got so much snow? I’m glad you’re not in your van in cold weather any more right now anyhow. When I lived in Colorsdo you learn how quickly it gets dangerous in snow. You have to have a good car and good set ups when it’s cold. It gets so dangerous so fast in cold and snow.

You're a tough cookie, makes me sad seeing you cold. Come back to Vegas.

Hi I'm new but did want to give my 2cents . You really should not be brushing all the snow off with your keys and the fob,it absolutely will get wet inside and you will have another big issues on topofno heat . Good luck

what did the mechanic say about heater core cuz it doesnt sound like they fixed it right…also dont brush off van with keys in hand cuz if any of that water gets inside your ignition then it will either short it out or rust will form inside it then you will have another problem..lithium batteries dont do well in cold temps..there should be a temp shut off eigther on battery or in manual..did you get thermostat replaced?..hope this info helps u fixing your heat problems 🙏

I have been homeless after DV and a crooked court my Ex is related to. Lost my housing, kids, money, credit. It was tough 2013-2018. Homeless alone in a van without heat and full of stuff. I should have put a bed in the back and put everything into storage. I was afraid that I’d lose precious pictures and court papers, clothes etc if I couldn’t afford the storage costs. I stayed several weeks at a time under a casino in CT. At least I could walk inside, got food and 2 nights a week free at hotel casino for free. I lost a lot to get the perks. I don’t recommend that life though the bells and whistles, pools, showers, food and people.. did help save my life. I would have been more depressed and froze to death alone. What state are you in? What happened to your apartment? Those memories are many. Only I remember. It was sad and hard times. Love Won eventually! I got a home, my kids back. They became old enough to escape and speak in court for themselves.

❤

Drive south!

Hello from NC.

I have a question about an old video you made. My husband and I are going To Myrtle Beach for a 3 week vacation the end of Feb. What was the name of the condo you stayed at?

Well that’s dangerous at least your not traveling

Allison ❤❤

I wish you could park in a covered garage parking structure.

LiPo batteries are terrible in the cold, the cold is when you need them the most. SEE THE ISSUE! Get rid of the JUNK and get some AGM batteries, be nice and warm like I am.

So sorry you are going through this mess. I know this isn't funny, but you so look like me when I get frustrated my eyes look dilated! BTW my mom always bought dry ice for the refrigerator when we lost power. It works like a charm and doesn't melt for days. Keeps everything really cold. Hot water bottles work like a charm under clothing if you have propane left to heat water. Hope this helps. 🩷 From Northern California

GET YOU SOME smokeless candles at the dollar store... Warm as toast.

Might be heater coil gone bad. Check coolant level. May be empty.

Do you have a trickle charger? Maybe that would help.

Why aren't you in Quartzite or Florida ?

Head South to Florida

Why do you go where it is snowing?

Winter .. buddy heater back up .. one heater breaks fix it or replace it .. cheap Chinese heater .. better have a another .. they break down .. can't run low they carbonize to rich .. add clean flow in the fuel ..

It's risky when your caught in a storm.You must have an emergency strategy. 😢

What kind of van do you have?

You should have moved farther south part of texas. It is more like California weather.

Cant you go back to your apartment?

Why kind, year and mileage is your van? I knew once but can't remember. I'm looking at a 1997 GMC Savanna with 92,000 miles. They want $19,000. Have no idea if it's a good deal or not. Stay warm, dear lady!

Thermostat? Stay safe!

What did I miss? Why are you in the snow?

Stay in a hotel a few nights

Did you make it to where your son in Texas lives?

Where were you sleeping?

Please find work.

Maybe she covers this, but why not just drive south for the winter?

E V E R Y ..... Y E A R ..... she deals with the SAME thing. Maybe next year will be different. WHY continue to go through the stress (EVERY YEAR) ?? FOR CONTENT ?? MAKES NOOOOO SENSE. GO SEE YOUR SON A DIFFERENT TIME OF YEAR. Like mid Feb/March?!? Just RIDICULOUS.

Praised the Lord 🙏🏽👍🏽

Why choose a white van? With all the ‘creep in a white van’ stories I would choose any color but white