
Car camping is a different type of camping experience. Sometimes, it seems to be more bothersome than other camping methods. But it can be safer than other methods. Whatever, it does not matter where you camp or how you camp; the only thing that you must consider is the experience you gain from it. However, a night of comfortable sleep is a key to happiness during camping. You have to give priority to your sleep because good sleep can make you more energetic. So, how do you stay warm sleeping during car camping?
Usually, when camping, nights will be colder. So, you have to prepare yourselves to stay warm during the camping. This is applicable for car camping too. You have to make appropriate preparations to stay warm sleeping during car camping. Following are some tips to stay warm during your sleep while car camping.
- Camp in a better place with a better weather condition
- Layer up yourself
- Have warm meals and drinks
- Make your bed warm
- Relieve Yourself
- Insulate the car
- Boil water
- Invest in warming gears
Following these tips will make you enlightened, not disappointed. You can have a clear idea about not only car camping but also about other camping. These tips can be followed in other camping trips too. So, try to follow them as much as you can and have a good sleep during your camping.
Camp in a better place with a better weather condition
If you intend to go car camping, first and foremost you have to consider the place and the weather. Weather can be changed from time to time and place to place. So, before visiting a place make sure to check the weather forecast of the specific place. Moreover, be sure to choose a safe place that avoids too much cold. You can choose a campsite for car camping that is 50 feet above the valley floor. Because it keeps you warmer during your sleep.
Also, most people forget to pay attention to the weather. But, what if the place you have been chosen pours the whole day? Your all efforts go in vain due to this. So, you have to consider more about the weather condition.
When you car camp, you have to choose a place with a fair-weather condition that makes it easy to stay warm. If you choose a colder environment for camping, it will be hard to bear the cold. Also, if you choose a warm place, it will be more difficult to camp in the car due to the high temperature.
In winter, it will be more difficult to camp in a car. You have to layer up yourself to stay warm. At night, when the temperature increases, most of you will not be able to bear it.
So, you have to choose a better place that will keep you warm during your sleep without any disturbances.
Layer up yourself
Using layers depends on what type of sleeper you are. Do you usually like to sleep in warm or cold? If you typically sleep warm, you have to layer up yourself when you car camp.
You can use a base layer that comfortably attaches to your skin. Synthetic and wool fabrics are ideal for keeping yourself warm. You can use pairs of socks to keep your legs warm. As the temperature drops at night, you have to wear a maximum of three layers to stay warm sleeping during car camping.
Have warm meals and drinks
Do not go to bed hungry when car camping. Spicy and hot meals are best for building your body heat. Your body stays heated by burning calories. So, you have to have appropriate meals. Drinking hot drinks helps you to prevent dehydration and helps you to warm up the body against the cold. You can place these hot liquids in a heated mug or flask.
Make your bed warm
There is no difference between camping in a tent or a car. Though both of them protect you from wind or snow, you still can get cold. So, as a solution for getting a cold, you can make your bed warm. Most of you use sleeping bags as your bed when camping. There are so many sleeping bag brands available in the market. Make sure to buy the best and most affordable one for your use. It is better to invest in a temperature-rated sleeping bag.
Also, using a sleeping bag liner will be more effective to stay warm sleeping during car camping. When the temperature drops, you can rely on your sleeping bag liner because some sleeping bag liners can add up to 14 degrees Celsius of warmth to your sleeping bag at night.
You can also use sleeping pads to stay warm sleeping during car camping. It provides insulation for us to stay warm from the cold ground at night.
Moreover, you can invest in a thicker air mattress when you car camp. It also plays a vital role in providing insulation. It is better to purchase a 6 to an 8-inch thick foam mattress. So, you can also use it as a way of staying warm during camping.
Relieve Yourself
You have to follow this during any camping. You always should pee before you go to sleep because a full bladder will lead to additional heat loss and relieving yourself will help you to conserve your body heat. So, if you want to stay warm sleeping during car camping, you have to follow this as a daily routine.
Insulate the car
Windows insulation is a must when you car camp for several days. Then you have to spend more time on insulation. But, if you are planning to camp for one night; you do not need a lot of insulation.
So, for one-night insulation; you can use curtains for your car. Blankets can be used as curtains too. You can hang your curtains in front of all your windows by using binder clips or clothespins. These blankets can make you warm a little, but they will not help you during the lowest temperatures.
There are several ways available to insulate your car. But, you want to prepare your car ahead.
Most people prefer Reflectix to insulate. This is a bubble pack insulator that can be used anywhere. The Reflectix is made of aluminum foil and polythene. As it comes in a roll, it will be easy to fit any car window. Measure the size of windows and cut them into pieces. Reflectix material has one reflective side and one plain black side. So, if you want to keep your car cool; when placing them, you have to place a reflective side facing outside. If you want to keep your car warmer, you have to turn the reflective side inwards.
By using these methods, you can stay warm sleeping during car camping.
Boil water
As a way of staying warm sleeping during the car sleeping, you can boil some water and put it into tightly closed water bottles. Then you can wrap the bottle with a towel and place them under your blankets or sleeping bag to heat yourself. The warmth of the bottle will not last for more time but, it helps you to fall asleep warm. If you put hot water into a vacuum-sealed heat-resistant bottle, it will not allow heat to pass through. So, try to use plastic bottles.
Invest in warming gear to Stay Warm Sleeping During Car Camping

It will be more difficult to stay warm sleeping during car camping. So, you have to invest in some gear to make yourself warm during camping. Portable heaters, hand warmers, electric blankets, and space blankets are some examples of warming gear.
Portable heaters
You can use a heater to stay warm. Your sleeping bag is not enough to provide you with warmth. By using a heater, you can stay warmer than before. There are so many portable heaters available in the market with various functions. Propane heaters and electric heaters are mostly used during camping.
Hand warmers
There are several types of hand warmers following chemical hand warmers, hand warmers that burn charcoal or lighter fuel, and battery-operated hand warmers. Hand warmers provide a comfy glow of finger-warming heat to cold hands. On colder nights you can use two hand warmers and can place them inside your sleeping bag. It remains inside your sleeping bag and keeps you warm throughout the night.
Electric blankets
Electric blankets differ from other electric blankets for one reason. These blankets have an electric current running through them. You have to plug it in and adjust the temperature of it according to your choice. Electric blankets provide you with comfort to keep yourself warm. Also, when you choose an electric blanket, you have to consider its power source and material.
Space blankets
These are the best blankets that help you to retain your body heat up to 90% even in the worst weather conditions. Space blankets are designed to reflect body heat back towards you. You can keep this blanket underneath your sleeping pad.
Every single tip will be more helpful during your camping. Do not leave these things behind, try to consider if you are willing to have an excellent camping experience.
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