This Car Camping Tip Sounds Odd But Will Keep You Warmer During Winter

On a cold morning, waiting for the heater to turn on in a freezing car can feel like an eternity. After warming your vehicle, it would be wild and counterproductive to keep your windows open while driving, as cold air would rush in, cooling the cabin's internal temperature. However, while sleeping or camping in your car during the winter, it's a different story. Before you drift off to sleep in a genius wearable blanket perfect for car camping, slightly crack open one of your windows to allow outside air into the vehicle, or, better yet, open two to create a draft and allow fresh air to flow naturally throughout the night. 

Although allowing outside cold air in the vehicle will lower the inside temperature, it will also (more importantly) minimize condensation that forms inside your vehicle from breathing, making you feel warmer. Since our breath is full of warm water vapor droplets, and colder air has a higher relative humidity, the water vapor will collect as condensation on colder surfaces – such as your car's windows, metal objects, and the outside of your clothing – once the relative humidity reaches 100%. According to the the Montreal Science Centre, "If those droplets come into contact with our clothes or our skin, they create a conduit that our body heat can use to escape. ... [I]t's not the amount of humidity in the air making us feel cold in this case, but the humidity turning into water droplets and creating the dampness that body heat uses to escape." When this humidity lingers inside your vehicle, it will not only make you feel colder due to the damp air, but over time, it can also cause your car's interior to rust or become a future breeding ground for mold. 

While sleeping in your car might save you a few dollars on a hotel, it can be a miserable experience if you haven't adequately prepared yourself or your vehicle for the night. One of the easiest ways to minimize major heat loss inside your vehicle is to insulate your windows. While you're preparing for your trip, head to your local Lowe's and pick up this affordable insulation, then cut out your own DIY window coverings. During the trip, instead of putting on your PJs to sleep, layer up your clothing with a moisture-wicking base layer and comfy mid layer, and consider investing in a high-quality winter sleeping bag to stay toasty throughout the night.

No matter how cold or how tired you are, don't fall asleep with your vehicle's ignition running and the heater on in your car. Odorless, deadly carbon monoxide gas can seep into the vehicle if your exhaust system is faulty or blocked, or you've popped down the tailgate to set up a tent in the back of your truck or SUV while the vehicle is running. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands of Americans end up in the hospital every year due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and nearly 400 lose their lives. Many savvy travelers are now adding a portable carbon monoxide detector to their travel kits, which, for a few dollars, can be a literal lifesaver.