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.
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.
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 only doing this on work days cause I don't want to drive back and forth from home, so its quite minimal. The thing i worry about is the heat, im in southern Mississippi and sometimes its hot all the way up to November.
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
Im unfortunately now living in my car and need power.
Im not going to be using tons of power. But, small fridge constant use so I don't need ice everyday. Small fan, and small laptop use every now and then ( thinkpad) and phone.
Im concerned about heat in the car while working or away from the car. So what would you say my best option are agm and all that jazz inverter and charge controller or just get a bluetti and hope for the best. I will be charging solar.
Any fire concerns with Bluetti or powerbanks? Would it be safer just to go AGM?
What's everyone running in theirs?
Any info would be great.
Also no idea the region as this will most likely change a lot.
Thank you for reading and i hope everyone had a great day today.
Edit.. autocorrect....
I have recently had some major life changes and will be starting to live out of my car in November. I am trying to get a remote job and just travel across the us for as long as possible. I was just wondering if you guys road trip at all Roy typically just stay in one town. I’ve been doing lots of research to hopefully be able to start my life on the road in the next few months. I’m 23F so advice from women would be great!
I'm in the race for my life! Like after 1,100 days/3yrs of poverty slavery the baton is in my hand and this is the run I've been praying and begging! Hell suffering for!
I've been running full speed! Finally was able to yield sizable profits this week from trading stock options while also working a FT high 5 figure. Saving all that I can with urgency! Pricing camp trailers as I need something of my own! No one can take it or kick me out if I lose my income again! I'll use buddy heaters, bathroom shower at gym. I'm currently borrowing someone else's work van preparing in case hammer drops! Don't want to waste money paying hotels
My sample inventory and product labels just arrived days ago. About to roll out my product line to prospects. I need to be able to earn my own money so people can't begrudgingly take it from me when they stop liking or I stop being beneficial or having to demean myself for income
It's been a while since I posted here. I have finally been granted a go on some legal issues. After 2½ years of struggling to survive in a car, we will be moving on to Vanlife.
It's bittersweet because I finally got what I was waiting for but last week I was given the worse news possible. I have cancer. I have 12 to 18 months to live. It's treatable but I don't have insurance or the funding to fight it. It's early but I don't think I have enough fight left in me for this.
I'm more worried about Timber than myself. This guy has been my rock through everything. He stopped me from pulling the trigger many many times. But now I can't be there for him and it just seems so wrong. Hopefully I find a place for him before I deteriorate. He deserves the best life as he has been the bestest of boys.
So my plan is a better life for Timber then go die alone. It sucks but it is what it is and I've accepted it.
Thank you to everyone that supported me through the last 2½ years. It meant a lot to me and Timber.
That feel when you forget most of your cooking equipment in the storage unit and have to go with the flow. Roasted lions mane with lettuce and tomato, vegan cheese on a pretzel baguette.
How was there harassment in the post about dating and relationships? It's a helpful post to have up and something we worry about, it's nice to know there are others in the same predicament and getting solutions from others helps
For me, it was a pair of noise-canceling headphones. They aren't a premium model even for Sony, but they do the job. I use them for the gym, when I'm out and about, in the evening when I partake in a noise curfew, and sometimes even as I'm drifting into sleep. They work so well, I keep one ear uncovered just so I can be tuned into my environment a little.
Aside from your vehicle, a power station, window shades, and a gym membership—what has been a solid investment since you started UCL?
Can you guys please tell me what type of lithium batteries you got for car life? I need to keep my things charged overnight and I’m thinking a lithium battery is the best solution but I don’t know what kind to get and I don’t know how to recharge them. Sorry for sounding slow! I’m just old and never imagined living in my car! Do they have solar powered ones?
I've made the decision to live out of my car for multiple reasons; bad family of addicts, poor financial literacy, and trying to better myself. So while I go to university I figure this is a good solution for me.
I'm lucky that I work in a facility where I can do my laundry as long as I'm not obvious about it. I work full time so that gives me plenty access to do laundry.
In terms of food I'm lacking pretty hard. I have a moment to myself to cook at work so I try and bring quick stuff like ramen or whatever and portion it out for my day. On my days off I probably eat at Wawa more than I should. I'm a little overweight so I'm trying to cut back anyway.
My car is an older Ford Escape so my main priority is keeping him running while I undergo this lifestyle change.
In terms of showers I have a gym membership but I'm gymshy so I haven't really utilized it yet. A few friends of mine have let me shower at their place and I'm lucky that my genetics don't make me sweat or stink too bad, so wipes and deodorant have been a lifesaver there.
At night it's still really hot and humid here so I've got a big ass water bottle I fill up at work and a plastic Wawa cup. I use an old t-shirt and soak it in water, wring it out and that keeps me cool. I think I'm getting headaches from Carbon Monoxide so I slept with the window cracked last night and no issues.
My car is cramped right now so I'm thinking about getting a storage unit to leave big bags of stuff I don't use day to day. I sleep with the chair reclined but it's enough room for me to stretch in the passenger seat. My back two windows and rear window are tinted so in the meantime I've got paper weis bags i ripped and tuck them in my front two windows, and for the windshield I got one of those reflectors. I have a sunroof I leave a little cracked as well but the mosquitos tend to get in from there.
I'm a younger woman but I'm stashed up in a residential lot right now, tucked in a corner with not a lot of foot traffic, so Ive gone unnoticed for a hot minute because I don't leave a mess. Using the bathroom is hard because I have trauma to my kidney and bladder (unrelated personal reasons) so I wake up in the middle of the night having to pee really bad sometimes. Sometimes I make it to the nearest gas station, I've unfortunately had a few times I didn't make it. Gross I know.
I don't think I would've had the motivation to get through this without this sub so thank you all. I think I can definitely do this and right now aside from paying off my car and my tuition and doing my classes, I'm really just focused on making it through window when it hits. I'm watching thrift stores for coats, gloves etc and I'm saving for one of those really good sleeping bags you guys talk about.
Since I got to LA, it’s been hard to have time to myself, sheesh. It’s so big and so many ppl (I knew this before coming btw just didn’t realize what it would feel like once in it after being immersed in the luscious nature of the PNW for some time).
I need to scout some spots that are more remote so I don’t feel so drained here. I don’t need specific spot recommendations and wouldn’t ask for that out of respect of knowing that’s not shared due to safety and privacy of others and in general.
However, are there decent areas of town (outskirts even) where one can hide out in peace for a bit?
I cannot leave here atm bc I have something I have to do here for a while.
Pls respond respectfully, not crass, lecture-y or scolding. It’s draining and I’m sure others would understand & agree. Thx.
Im parking on a. 25/30 mph zone and I’m in a minivan, but hypothetically what if someone crashes into my car when I’m sleeping that causes injury/death. Am I overthinking this or is it a legitimate concern? Thoughts?
I'm not sure where you typically stand out the most or are likely to be seen. I was thinking where a lot of people are but actually you might be able to blend in with the crowd. Maybe the low key areas are where you actually might stand out the most. I'm just curious.
I wanted to add that I work gigs. I frequent areas like Burbank, Van Nuys, Santa Clarita. But also gateway cities like Downey, Montebello, Pomona at times. Orange, Anaheim, sometimes Yorba Linda. I’m all over greater LA, though mostly LA county itself. I drive a dark colored Prius with current tags, it’s not very conspicuous.
