Van Life Essentials How to Stay Cool Living in a Van or Car

In this series, we've mainly focused on how to be comfortable in a car, van or RV while boondocking in nature, but offered nothing for those in a city stealth parking--in today's video we fix that. There isn't much you can do to stay cool in a van while stealth parking because you don't have power and making too much noise will give you away, but I give as many tips as I can.

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Thanks for watching!

[deniseduggins]

Don't forget about theaters....always cool and dark...and if the $3 movie isn't that good, take a nap!

[brianhawk]

Rigid at home depo has a great fan shares same battery as their impact . I have both

[ralphmartinet]

I havw a portable room AC/HTR powered by a 3500w predator generator..100+ outside..70 inside..were under the blankets

[rondunn]

Don't forget about Barnes & Noble, you can go in get a coffee, sit down to read a book or browse the internet. Same goes for the Public Library! Just move from place to place within the venue so as not to draw attention to yourself!

[gwendolynfloccari]

I spend 3 to 4 hours a day working in my yard. I'd miss it being a nomad but trade-off being out in nature. Sadly house is rental and my husband has health problems, so I may end up living in my small car alone because can't afford rent with one social security check. That's why I watch all these videos to prepare for that life. I'm 74 and have no other options.

[TheSprenkleATwatkins]

If you live in a big enough city one of the newer things you can look into is getting a cowork space. It's like renting an office but it's a space people share and it's way cheaper. Prices change per city but where I am I pay 147 per month and I get 24 hour access to the building. So I can literally chill there all day. And they have a little break area with a fridge and microwave. I stay in a mini van so no space for a microwave and don't have the setup to run one anyway so its nice to have access to that. They also have a shower in the bathroom. Pretty posh.

[rustyscrib]

I like putting a wet towel in the freezing area of my refrigerator and putting it on my legs and feet at night with a fan running. For some reason, if my feet are cooled off my entire body cools off.

[penelope-oevr]

I want my van to have windows all the way around with one way tint. I want to be able to see. If you're severely overheating, put an ice pack on the back of your neck. I was a welder and on the super hot days I would make 6 frozen solid smoothies in bottles and put them on the back if my neck against my skin to stay cool. It helped immensely!

You could always save every year to stay in a monthly hotel for the worst month of the summer and winter, or 2. Budget that in, and do all maintenance on the van during that time.

[PalisBee]

If ur city is near a lake (like Toronto) it usually feels way cooler by the water and gives a nice cool breeze. ✌

[lamarrharding]

You didn't mention the color of your vehicle. My white commercial van reflects heat better than chrome. In the direct sun the surface temperature is within ten degrees of ambient air temperature.

I park in the sun for my roof top photo voltaics, a quiet fan helps.

With no windows in the back I park with the windshield away from the the sun. I also have a white windshield cover to keep the heat out, and in the winter keeps the frost off of the windows. (No scraping)

Winter parking the windshield into the sun for heat. 12 volt electric blanket for sleeping.

[johnwren]

Windows - tinted limo tint
add black foamboard inside cut to fit (Walmart, $2:40/ sheet) eliminates light, cuts heat transfer. 👍 pop-in/out

[lynettebrinkman]

What about a mall. Just walk around in it or find a seat for a short while. Also maybe a church.

[rebeccatreeseed]

I lived off grid in Texas... I used a plain old air mattress covered with a cotton sheet, it sucks heat away from you. I also used a spritzer and fan.

[debbiepotter]

When I was homeless the library was my second home. Winter summer. Spent a lot of time there

[carolinesroadhouse]

At the end of the month I'm moving into my SUV due to eviction (Texas is ignoring the Covid moratorium) so I'm getting things ready. I've built a bed and have ordered a 3" self-inflating mattress, plus another 3" pad to go on top. As a 64 year old woman with severe back pain, that and surviving the heat here in the DFW area are my priorities. I just bought the fan you recommended, so thanks for the tip! It's fortunate that I'm still working, which means I'll be tied to this location while I save for a larger vehicle. Your suggestions of different rest and sleeping places to choose from really gives me major peace of mind, as being employed at a 'sticks and bricks' store limits my range of choices. Plenty around here to choose from though. Love ya Bob and I can't wait to see Nomadland!

[PalisBee]

Thanks for thinking of us city folk! 😊

[rubberdwellers]

The library idea Bob mentioned was the best idea. Usually free WIFI. Usually internet access. Some libraries have free classes. Oh, by the way, libraries have books. So long as you don't sleep and be obnoxious you could hang out all day with no issue. One thing that I add to this video. No matter where you choose to hang out do not look like a bum be clean take a shower don't be overwhelming with the smelly good stuff. You want to be a stealth person. If you choose to hang out at parks or areas with kids do not be creepy and look like you're staring at them all day, you could have the cops called on you. Good luck Happy Hunting. Thank you Bob for another good video, I never thought I'd see you out of the woods or desert. 😉

[preachersdtr]

I loved this vid, Bob - especially your admonitions at the end. I'm still living in the 'burbs, but as you were saying, it's okay to be a little bit uncomfortable - it makes one appreciate and savor the iced tea & lemonade, the chilled macaroni salad or potato salad, the incomparable crispy sweet, thirst-quenching, joy of red-ripe watermelon chunks & slices
, the donning of one's oldest & softest cotton shirt & baggy shorts, after a thorough head-to-toe soaking from the garden hose. Ahhhh--mazing! And, yes, I'm a way big fan of fans! Absolutely.

[BillSias-opxw]

Good one Bob! Join the YMCA, have lunch at the hospital (not during Covid!), large hospitals generally have a parking garage it's a good stealth sleeping spot.

[gogogg]

Bob... u give such basic ideas that some domt think to do, so Jah bless (God Bless) u for doing this!! So many times a lot of us think, oh they know that or I'm sure no one wants to hear this because they already know, but u do it anyway and I know it helps many!!
Tk u for being you !!