By Rachel Puryear

As we head into Fall again, the temperatures will soon start dropping, and another Summer travel season for many people will wrap up.

However, the more stalwart travelers and van lifers will not stop their road adventures just because it’s getting colder outside – instead, they will simply adapt.

If you’d like to keep up going places throughout the season but are intimidated by how you might adjust for cooler weather, have no fear – here are some easy ways you can warm up your van during the cool, but not freezing Autumn months, including some options that don’t necessarily require electricity or that don’t require using propane:

Insulation

Placing insulation materials on the walls of your van or RV will help you keep the heat inside, and also prevent the cold from getting in. Plus, it can also help keep noises outside to a minimum.

Here’s a great, easy, peel-and-stick option for insulation – no messy glue gun, or finger-pricking staples are required.

Of course, you’ll want to be able to cover the windows, too – that is a big source of heat loss in travel vehicles.

Here are window covers that you can cut to size, and that are easy to install with no special tools required. These will help keep the window areas warmer, and you cozier.

Blankets

You’ll need nice, warm blankets for van life in cool and cold weather.

Also, in general, make sure you’re never directly on the ground or floor when camping – you will never get warm this way. Use a mattress instead, or thick pads.

Here is a nice, thick down comforter that you can wrap yourself in, burrito style – and with plenty of room to share it if you have a companion.

Here’s also a 12v heated blanket – you can plug it into a cigarette lighter, or into a jackery.

Heaters

If you want to use a space heater, there are electric and propane options.

If you’ll either have hookups, or plenty of solar power, electric heaters are a great option that eliminate the risks of propane. Here’s a small but effective electric space heater.

If you won’t have hookups, or you’ll have limited off the grid power, propane heaters are another inexpensive option. Just be cautious about allowing for adequate ventilation with these, though – and be sure to always use a carbon monoxide detector – in order to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, note that these heaters produce condensation. Here’s a good propane heater with a carbon monoxide detector.

Clothing

Of course, dress warmly. Keep hats, gloves, scarves, warm shoes, and thick jackets with you. You may also want to wear some thermal underwear at night, if it’s especially chilly out.

Hot Liquids

Warm drinks like coffee or cocoa, and hot food like soup or stew or chili can help keep you warm from the inside. This makes a huge difference in cold weather. In planning your meals, incorporate more hot food and drinks during chillier weather days.

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Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to staying warm while on the road.

Check out my other blog, too – World Class Hugs, at https://worldclasshugs.com. It’s about celebrating empathic and HSS/HSP people, balanced versus toxic relationships, loving spiritual and spiritualism without religious dogma, and visiting gorgeous natural places.

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Road Trips Uncategorized Van RV life