sleeping in a 02 Tahoe at -10ºC

[SYT_Shadowfax]

Hi y'all!!

I've been planning to go skiing for a few days, but as I'm a student (dad's car) I can't afford to pay for a hotel at the resort.

At first I thougth about sleeping in the car with blankets and sleeping bags, but later on decided on keeping the engine running all night so I can use the heating and not freeze to death.

Has anyone done this? Any idea of how much a Tahoe uses when idling?

I'd really appreciate any insight!

Regards,

Daniel

[goinbig]

I'm not sure I would leave it running all night. It's tough on vehicles to idle for really long periods. Mostly because oil is not getting pumped fast enough to lubricate everything as well.

What I usually do when I sleep in my truck (which is quite often), is I crank the heat up really high, let it stay on for a while, then shut it off. You'll wake up when it gets too cold again and simply turn on the heat again. If you have lots of blankets and a good sleeping bag, you shouldn't get TOO cold.

Good luck in however you do it!!!

[SYT_Shadowfax]

Originally Posted by goinbig

I'm not sure I would leave it running all night. It's tough on vehicles to idle for really long periods. Mostly because oil is not getting pumped fast enough to lubricate everything as well.

What I usually do when I sleep in my truck (which is quite often), is I crank the heat up really high, let it stay on for a while, then shut it off. You'll wake up when it gets too cold again and simply turn on the heat again. If you have lots of blankets and a good sleeping bag, you shouldn't get TOO cold.

Good luck in however you do it!!!

Thanks a lot for answering!! Actually, I've been reading some horror stories about ppl dying inside cars cuz of the CO2 and thought that maybe I should buy one of 'em big -12ºC sleeping bags and take that along with some extra blankets in case if it gets really bad.

Thanks again

[C-DUBYA]

I'd be more worried about the exhaust fumes killing you! they will seep into the interior and well they could kill you, you,d go to sleep and never wake up.

[SYT_Shadowfax]

i was thinking about leaving the car in a position for the wind to take the fumes away.

Now I think I'll get on of 'em good sleeping bags and leave the engine off ;-)


thanks for the replies guys

[sub006]

I am an independent manufacturer's rep traveling 11 Western states, about 30,000 milews a year and approaching 400,000 miles on my Suburban.

Inspired by the late Ed Roth, who drove coast-to-coast to car shows in his Caddy hearse, I decided to try living in my SUV. It worked, and I only stay in hotels about 15% of the time. In fact I find hotels really inconvenient; check-in, carry luggage, hang it up, carry it out, forget and leave things behind, etc.

By removing the armrests from the third seat I can just about stretch out across it. The factory windows are quite dark but I double-tinted the rear to limo specs (this also lets you use carpool lanes when driving alone!).

I travel with coolers of food, which can be wrapped in aluminum foil and warmed on the intake manifold in 20-30 mionutes of driving. Be sure to carry a Big Gulp cup so you have something to pee in in the middle of the night. An alarm clock is a nice touch, and don't forget your pillow(s).

What about showers? I have the top level of membership in 24 Hour Fitness so I can work out, shave and shower every morning in multiple locations in most of the cities I visit. Their parking lots are well lighted and secure.

As far as cold nights, I was in Las Vegas at about 35 degrees. I put on thermal socks, two sets of sweat shirts and pants, ski gloves and snuggled under two acrylic knit blankets. In the morning I could see my breath inside the truck, but felt fine. Did spend a little more time stretching out the kinks in the gym. I recently acquired a thin, lightweight fleece bag for $10 at Wal-Mart which eliminates the need for wearing heavy sweats.

With a cell 'phone, laptop, gym membership, Kinko's, Auto Club card, tools, snow chains, cruise control, satellite radio, coffee and Red Bull, you can travel, live and work ANYWHERE!!!

[ECVcrawltoy711]

just ge a nice 0 degree bag and call it a day. i camp and snow wheel all the time in weather way below -10C. i have been in -30 F. just get a nice bag and sleep well

Drew

[goinbig]

I've got a friend that sleeps/lives in the bed of his Toyota pickup now, so yes it certainly is possible.


As for peeing in a cup...why not just open up the door real quick and go outside?

[Franko914]

Originally Posted by goinbig

I've got a friend that sleeps/lives in the bed of his Toyota pickup now, so yes it certainly is possible.


As for peeing in a cup...why not just open up the door real quick and go outside?

My buddies and I sleep in our trucks and vans often when we go hunting.

Shut off engine after warming up interior. If sleeping on a bench or fully reclining seat, place a thick woollen blanket on top of the bench/seat, place an aluminized mylar "emergency" blanket (shiny side up) on top of blanket, place sub-zero rated hooded sleeping bag on top of mylar blanket, wrap mylar blanket around sleeping bag, crack one left window and one right window 1/4" each (minimizes fogging/freezing on interior glass). We each use a wide-mouth 1-litre Gatorade plastic bottle with a little soapy water in it for peeing -- one buddy says with a little practice, you can do it in the sleeping bag if you don't want to get up and get it out (it's gotta be really cold out there if you're willing to try this).

If sleeping on the floor of a van, pickup or cargo space of SUV, use a layer or two or three of rubberized mat (the stuff that floats) before laying down the woollen blanket.

Avoid alcohol as it will numb your senses (dangerous in frigid weather) and acts as a diuretic (makes you pee often).

Hint: fold clothes to be worn in the morning and place inside sleeping bag while sleeping -- nice and warm when you put them on.

Hint: avoid beans at least a day before and during the "sleep-in" at all costs -- it can kill you in the confines of the sleeping bag...

Use wheel chocks or rocks to stop the vehicle from rolling should someone accidentally disengage "Park/gear" and/or the emergency/parking brake.

[ECVcrawltoy711]

i really dont think all that is needed i was snow campin in feburary and it snowed 3 feet over night i was sleepin in a tent with a tarp below us and i laid a sleeping bag down and then i slept in my mummy bag half unzipped in shorts and a t shirt and i was fine. sleepign isnt the hard part is wakin up in the morining and gettin goin that sucks

Drew

[sub006]

Dear Goinbig,

I'm usually parked in urban areas rather than a nice, private forest, so you have the hassle of getting dressed to get out of your vehicle. Plus you can't pee just anyplace in such a populated environment!

Easier to use the cup, put it securely in a cupholder, and dump it under a grateful tree or shrub after you've dressed in the morning.

[wetchicken]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadowfax

Hi y'all!!

I've been planning to go skiing for a few days, but as I'm a student (dad's car) I can't afford to pay for a hotel at the resort.

At first I thougth about sleeping in the car with blankets and sleeping bags, but later on decided on keeping the engine running all night so I can use the heating and not freeze to death.

Has anyone done this? Any idea of how much a Tahoe uses when idling?

I'd really appreciate any insight!

Regards,

Daniel

While I have slept in vehicles before, I would like to offer the realization that you can't afford to go skiiing at this time.


Jason

[SYT_Shadowfax]

Originally Posted by wetchicken

While I have slept in vehicles before, I would like to offer the realization that you can't afford to go skiiing at this time.


Jason

Good insight

I go many weekends but never spend the night. This time I was going to go to a resort called Baqueira, which is really nice and also like 6 hours away, so I wanted to save the hotels costs.

I didn't go at the end but am still curious. I have slept in a car before, while in Ibiza raving and after deciding it was much nicer sleeping there than in a crummy "camping". The difference was the temperature, so that's what worried me this time.


Thanks a lot to everyone for their replies!


Daniel

[wetchicken]

I had my 30 below bag out last May when I went camping and it got down to 35 or so, and I was toasty. I was on a sleeping bag on an Aero bed and the bag was over me.

Last winter when it was around zero, I gave the bag a try outside. I had socks on, but my feet were still cold after a couple of hours. I guess I will have to try sweats or long johns next time rather than shorts and a t-shirt. I had a pad under me and the bag zipped up. Maybe it shouldn't have been zipped up...

BTW I also have an '02 Yukon and I love it (I like the GMC body lines better). I had to change the left front bearing today, though. I had to do the right front last February, and it's only got 107k on it.


Jason