This post and thread aims to answer lots of questions people new to this subreddit ask. Not that we mind people asking, because that's what this subreddit is for, but hey, here's some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I'm new to car living I need ALL the information about living in cars. Where can I find it?
Build a blanket tent to make a small space in your car to keep warm.
Run the car engine for a while then run the heater.
Drive to warmer locations.
Put insulation (plastic foam, cardboard?) between the sleeping bag and floor surface. Cover the windows on the inside.
Buy and use a heated mattress topper if you have the power to run it.
Use two sleeping bags, one inside the other
Sleep with a hat on and don't sleep in wet or damp socks -- even if your socks are just a little damp with sweat, take them off and put on fresh dry socks or sleep barefoot.
Park in an underground parking lots because they're protected from cold breezes and often the concrete retains heat. Sometimes they're purposely even heated.
Use a misting squeese bottle. Use it in conjunction with your fan.
Drink plenty of cool water.
Soak a cloth in cold water and wipe yourself down.
Buy ice for your cooler.
Cool drinks in your fridge.
Q: Is it scary? I am scared? Does it get better?
A: Yes at first living in a car is scary because it is so far out of most people's comfort zone. It is not uncommon to be hyper-vigilant at first. The first nights then days then weeks can be scary, emotional, confronting. But then you get used to it. You adapt. Your body and mind get use to living in your car. It becomes the new norm.
Most people say the first month of living in their car is the hardest. Bob Wells of https://cheaprvliving.com/ fame wrote that the first night he slept in his box truck he cried. I also tared up the first night of living in my bus because I thought I was a failure, then I realised I actually had a pretty comfortable home with a lot of things many people would dream of having. If you have a safe place to sleep, access to electricity, access to water and access to public toilets you're doing okay.
Q: Where can I shower? Where can I go to the toilet?
A: In the USA joining a gym gets you access to showers. People on this subreddit often advocate using Planet Fitness. We also have a member, Nico, who is a manger at LA Fitness and posts an offer now and then with a promo code that will let you join without the $99 annual fee.
In Australia the National Toilet Map app has locations of toilets and some free showers. There are also often free showers at beaches. Caravan parks will usually let you use their showers for a small fee.
Q: I have pets, how do I look after them?
A: Pets are family. You need to put their needs first. You have to ensure that they have a safe place that is climate controlled, so look at the information on keeping cool and keeping warm. Heat and cold can kill yourself and your pets.
I found the Home to Home Facebook group They also have a web site https://www.instagram.com/hometohomepet They describe themselves as "an interactive web platform created to help families, people, and pets with the difficult task of transitioning pets from one home to another."
Q: What stuff do I need?
A: A lot of the stuff you have already such as bedding, clothes, dishware, cutlery. But probably not as much as you have in a home. Your basic needs are a safe, comfortable place to sleep, clothing storage, bedding storage, food storage, a way to eat (which may involve buying food from external sources, or preparing and storing food in your car), a way to wash, a way to go to the toilet.
A flat car bed or air mattress. Get one with a rubber bung in the hole, not a screw in stopper as those leak. Lots of people also build a flat sleeping surface from wood.
Some way to access wifi, like a modern laptop or phone.
You should also NOT sleep upright. Lots of people in this sub have reported health issues from doing so, such as swollen legs, leg pain, Deep Vein Thrombosis and more.
Q How do I find parking?
A:
You should have multiple places you can park so if one is "burned" you can choose another.
Find places where you can blend in.
Arrive late and leave early if sleeping in urban streets.
Highway rest stops may be good for parking.
In the USA, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands allow parking for extended periods.
In Australia State Parks and National Parks often have camping spots which allow you to camp for one cheap fee ($6 in 2025) no matter how long you stay but with a maximum stay of 7 days.
If parking on a residential street, park where your car is against a blank fence, like on the off side of a corner, away from the house front.
Industrial estates are often quiet at night.
Libraries and sports grounds may be good places to park.
Some people advocate parking near hospitals or churches.
People also use the iOverlander app for Android or Apple.
Q: How do I use Google Earth to find parking?
A: I love Google Earth. It lets me explore the world without leaving my seat. It is also incredibly useful for finding parking spots and making maps to mark them. It is linked to Google Street view so you can check street signs for parking restrictions.
A: It starts by having situational awareness, being aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut and avoid places or situations that look or feel dangerous.
Generally you don't need a self defence weapon. You're in a car, you can drive away if someone is threatening you, or trying to break into your car. Try to avoid parking on the edge of a car park where someone can block you in. Park where you can drive forward to escape.
Usually carrying weapons can be illegal. You are better off having some wasp spray, but don't get it in your eyes, because that stuff hurts like hell and can cause temporary blindness. Also, you're going to need a good heavy duty torch / flashlight. Be careful with it though, those long metal ones would really hurt if you accidentally hit some one with them, and also could cause short term vision problems if you shone it in someone's eyes. But they are genuinely useful in a car for fixing issues at night. And be aware that blowing our horn might startle people and frighten them away.
Understand situational awareness and use it. Tend toward privacy, don't tell unnecessary things to strangers. Have a (BRIEF! don't oversell) made-up story you can tell comfortably that constructs lots of people - some very nearby - who know where you are and would know instantly if you were in trouble.
Carry a cheap ring to put on as a wedding band, and always know the name of the nearest military base to where you are, because that's where your husband/fiancé is right now, and know enough about where you are that you know what kind of business your (enormous, scary, whole-family-loves-you-like-a-daughter) boss is in an hour or two away where nobody's likely to know him.
Know that everything about how you look is telling people things about you, and construct a look that doesn't give anything away. Don't trust people just because they seem to like or be attracted to you.
Men and scammers of all kinds are looking for people like you. Don't fall for their lines, and do what you can to spot them before they spot you. A smaller percentage of those people are looking for you specifically in order to hurt you. Always know where your exits are, do not get boxed in anytime you park for an hour or the night. There's some especially vulnerable places those people wait for people like you - laundromats, gyms, parking lots of same, can/bottle redemption centers. But I've seen men just look over at a stoplight and figure out a woman is living in her car and follow her from there. Head on a swivel, skepticism around your heart, stay out of dead-ends.
I don't live in my van except to travel and camp in it, and I don't get messed with much because my van could be full of large husbands, dogs, and sons even if I look alone, but I have seen women in trouble in the same places I get left alone. Do EVERYTHING you can to keep your car from looking lived-in from outside it - disguise your bedding, hide your trash, hide your food supplies. Get some black sheets and blankets to keep everything inside your car covered. Consider storing your supplies in a (beat up) extra-large dog crate from a thrift store or curb-diving or Buy Nothing group. Because of seeing men being skeevy around women, I have a sign I can hold up or prop up in my windshield that says MY CAMERAS ARE ON. You should carry the same, even if you don't have cameras, just tape a small black box to your dash or windshield near your rearview mirror.
You'll blend in better if you tend to stick to tourist areas - it's not that unusual to seem like you might be sleeping in your car if you're near campgrounds, national parks, and other big outdoorsy tourist attractions. Consider a sticker about your love for your Belgian Malinois or German Shepherd dogs. Anything you can do to give the impression that you're just there for a budget vacation rather than being homeless will raise your status in most people's eyes.
Join any subreddits and facebook groups you can find about each area you're going to. You'll figure out a system over time for using the info you get there to find places you're more likely to go unnoticed. Definitely research every area for cheap campgrounds and "day use" and recreational areas.
Q: How do I make window covers for my car?
A: For covering windows cheaply, you can use cardboard, black cloth or black rubbish bags, and glue, sticky tape or a stapler, and scissors. You basically cut the cardboard to the size of your windows, and then cover them with cloth or black bin liners, then glue, stick or staple the cloth or bin liners in place. That's dirt cheap.
I'd probably use some insulation and black cloth along with duct tape. This video explains it well. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/el_fP-P87yc but it is a good idea to cut the insulation wrap / bubble insulation a little bigger than needed.
Here are some pictures of the two sides blackout and silver reflectix. These made a HUGE difference. Literal life saver! It pretty hot out right now at 1:40 here and I'm parked in the shade not running with these in and a door open and the hatch open for air, and it's honestly not bad in here now. And, no more people looking in too!
I'm in southern Mississippi and I have to sleep with all the windows open, i wake up with terrible itching bites all over my body, but its super hot so I have no choice. I don't want to run the ac cause it uses gas and I'd have to run it all night since it never cools down enough to close the windows.
I’d love to hear anybody’s experience from moving out of their home state, what to expect, and tips or things someone might forget to think about, costs for registration and new plates, etc.
For some context, I’m in my early 30s, single, no kids. I grew up in northern CA for the entirety of my life. I love the cloudy, dark, rainy weather. I know the snow is something I’d have to get adjusted to especially driving in it.
My first choice is Washington state, second Oregon. My biggest question is WHERE? What are some affordable cities (I know everywhere is getting expensive) considering someone like me move to. Preferably no college towns but I’m open minded. I still plan on car living so an exact destination doesn’t have to be a thing, but general areas. I know I’ll still have to do some research on my own.
I like to go to the movies, farmers markets, music events, love to eat good food. I’d like to get into hiking or something outdoors. I am more introverted and reserved but that’s something I’m hoping I can work on.
For work I’ve experienced retail, grocery, hospitality. I’d like to break into working in hotels or even the airports.
How much should I realistically save until I can find a job?
I’m open to every and any ideas or input you may have. I don’t have family or a lot of friends to talk to about this. So I appreciate this group.
First night sleeping in my car. Starting in my parents drive way and than tmrw going to Bloomington Indiana who knows what this journey will bring. It helps that my Honda element has a sunroof I can crack open while I sleep. But because I have a Honda element as you can see I have to get creative with the privacy shades.
Why am I doing this? I want to not live with my parents at the age of 24, I’m in bad medical debt and can’t get an apartment cuz I have bad credit. Oh well I love travel!! My goal is to get the the upper peninsula of Michigan maybe New Mexico too.
I sustain myself with DoorDash and my astrology business.
Good morning everyone, I'm a long time lurker of this sub. It's strange what some people, like myself,can be jealous of. What am I going to do with the second half of my life? I tell you what I'm not going to do is continue being unfulfilled and living how society expects one to live.
I'm a 48 yr old female, have a good career (sometimes I do gig work), both my children are in college, I reside in a nice area (Gwinnett County, Ga), etc. My entire life I've always focused on others. The thing that I envy about you all is your freedom.
Yes, I take vacations but I want to be free!! I know that car dwelling isn't all glitz and glam but I'm literally craving the lifestyle. In the next 2 yrs I want to be on the road, visiting new places, see new things, eat new cuisine, wake up by the ocean, hike and relax.
I'm currently in the process of looking for a van to purchase. I think I can have a good setup if I have 2 years to work on it. I'm finally ready to take the leap.See you all out in the wild. Have a great day
I finally got around to hooking up the charger and everything is working perfectly. I still have to figure out where to permanently mount the charger. Simple set up, just connect the positive and the negative to the battery and waalllaahh. Now I can charge while driving. Just need to figure out my layout.
Hey again everyone. I'm moving into my car in two weeks hopefully and I've been dealing with a dilemma about window covers. Everyone seems to be using them for privacy and to be more incognito but I've noticed since they are all silver it's fairly obvious what's going on and I'm just nervous that someone will mess around with my car overnight because of this. Would anyone know where I can find these window cover or even better if they know how to buy or make black ones
I can't thank yall enough.. the help with information and nice words has definitely given me some hope.
I made a lot of progress today, got my windows almost done with the reflectixs or whatever is call from Lowes and some black cloth and spray adhesive like the person suggested on a post I saw here! Man, that works great!
Im almost done. I just got to do 4 more to have two layers but I got the first ones done today and will finish the rest in the morning. I have settled on the battery bank (bluetti AC180) as the newest one is just a bit out of reach right now considering I have to get a panel and charging stuff and a new refrigerator too all in one day.
I hope it all goes well. Im planning on. The bluetti AC180, the 21qt bougeRV refrigerator and the BougeRV 200w panel that was suggested. And i am DEFINITELY getting some fans! Haha 94° today... and humidity was crazy here too! Here are some pictures of my progress today.
Forgive my cheap pattern material. It was stuff from my robotics and mechatronics apprentice class and ladder logic... i did NOT expect to be using that for THIS! Haha
Funny how things work huh? I hope everyone had a great day today and thank you very much again!
Hey again everyone. I'm moving into my car soon hopefully but I'm extremely nervous about mold. I have wind deflectors and fans for ventilation but how do ye fully prevent mold. I'm planning on staying in the car for about 2 years if all goes well. I'm in Ireland and it's very wet here so any advice is more than welcome.
This is a simple thing that most people may or may not know.
One of the things a lot of cars have is fog lights or running lights.on some models the lights never turn off or doesn’t have a switch .
Well actually if you activate or pull your e brake , most cars will in fact shut off all exterior lights.
Not sure if this is helpful but maybe it is !
Hi I briefly lived in a van for a summer, and I currently sleep/ camp when I travel in my Kia soul. I currently stay with family, but I’m so behind on starting my life and can’t afford rent and frankly don’t know where I want to be in the world so don’t really want to. I think my kia is getting to the end of the road, and the repairs are starting to cost more than the vehicle. I want to get something spacious, but I need something easily and preferably somewhat cheap to fix. I’ve started googling stuff, but I’m getting lots of conflicting opinions which I’m sure may happen here too. I just wanted to know if there’s a reliable vehicle you guys would recommend. I have also thought about getting the early ford transit van, but I’m worried I might stick out and won’t be able to blend in as easy. If anyone thinks differently, I’d also love your opinion on that. Thanks for any help in advance!
I will soon need to sleep in my car (a ford fusion 2016) for only one night. I figured that I would be better off sleeping with my head in my trunk while the backseats are lowered because I would have more leg space. The only thing bothering me is that I'm scared that I would suffocate from a lack of oxygen or some kind of fumes from the exhaust or whatever. Would I be good if I leave a crack in the window or will I die?
I removed the recent post about sex, dating, and finding partners while living in vehicles because the discussion quickly devolved into women being called “bitches,” being referred to as “pussy,” and people being talked about as disposable.
Talking about dating, sex, relationships, and finding partners while vehicle-living is completely fine. What is not fine is turning those discussions into degrading or excessively vulgar threads that other members have to wade through.
We can talk about adult topics like adults. I’m also not going to sit and sort through hundreds of comments once a thread has descended into harassment, objectification, and crude nonsense.
Keep it respectful, keep it relevant, and remember that people of all genders use this community.
In July I left a DV situation and had to sleep in my car. It's a tiny Hyundai i10 and I've been lying in the back seat. This sub has been really helpful with me adjusting.
I've been able to afford hotels for the odd night and from today (it's after midnight!!) I've got four nights in a camping pod (4 nights for £83). From Friday I've got a static caravan sorted for 7 nights (£191) and I can't wait to have a kitchen and be able to prepare my own food.
The hardest things for me were having no place to go and access to toilets. I've also had to deal with both legs aching from spending so much time just sat down. I genuinely don't know how some of you are managing to do this long term, but I wish you luck, wealth and hope.
The photo is tonight's view. I'm going to rest in the front seat for a few hours and then go for a walk once the sun comes up and find some coffee.
EDIT: people mentioned dog daycares for my 24 hour shifts! Idk why I forgot this was a thing! This is what I will be doing while I’m working and I will keep my dog with me!
TLDR; I work 48 hours a week, 2 12 hour shifts and a 24 hour shift, would it be crazy to keep my dog in my car if he got bathroom breaks?
I will be moving into my car at the end of September to get ahead of my debt and oddly enough I genuinely think it will be better for my mental health for the time being, I have a Tesla model 3 with a good sleeping situation and my work is open 24/7 with free charging and showers and bathrooms.
I don’t want to keep my dog in my car for space sake and his quality of life sake, I work 12-24 hour shifts, on my 24s atleast my dog could be let out for bathroom breaks over the course of my shift. My 12s would run partially over the time where he would be normally be asleep. and I’d have one 24 a week and two 12s. I have a friend willing to take him into his home but it’s in the next state over. My dog is ten and I’m dreading being apart from him. I’m hoping to find a local option before times up but so far I’m not seeing much. I’m trying to reason that while I’m not on shift he would always get to be outside now and spend his time doing a lot more than with us in the apartment. Does this sound reasonable? Am I being crazy and grasping at straws?
I work out of state for 2 months at a time. I sleep in my truck to save on money. It's a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. I've seen plenty of people setup sleepers in the bed under a camper shell, but haven't seen many people sleeping in the cab. I took the passenger seat out and built a platform that stretches the entire length of the passenger side. I'm 6'0" and I sleep comfortably with my feet in the passenger foot well. I sleep on a klymit static v wrapped in a blanket and cover up with a sleeping bag. I made custom window shades from reflectix and black fabric (they are on laying on top of my bed in the photo). I also made bug proof window vents for the back windows from some $3 gutter guards from Lowes that I cut in half and painted one side black. I have one of those vents for each of the rear window. I hang a fan at each vent with one blowing in and one blowing out. I slept in a Prius v before I got this truck. The Prius had more room so I'm still getting used to it. I may end up building a sleeper in the truck bed and get a camper shell. Does anyone else sleep in a truck cab?
I'm in freezing cold Canada and I'm worried about when summer ends. I have a small SUV and no seats in the back. I also have a storage unit. And my setup is a tri-fold mattress, a pillow blankets and a couple bags full of stuff. That's it. How does anyone survive the cold winters if they don't have heaters or solar
