Sleeping in your Truck?? Winter Time??

Okay so since being laid off at work. I got myself two part time jobs.

The hours are wonky and some days I'll have like 6 hour in between shifts.

Anyone else sleep in there truck? What the mostly comfortable position? And more importantly how do you guys stay warm? Winter can get to like -30 here in Canada, so staying warm is my top priority.

Don't wanna idle my truck for those 6 hours.

I'm running a 17 TRD Sport double cab.

 

A winter camping forum might provide you with better advice.

 

Sleeping in a metal box when it’s Uber cold is not the best idea.

 

I'm shorter so laying across the rear seats fits me pretty well. Also, I'd see if you can scrounge up a good sleeping bag to keep you warm

 

how tall are you? i'd get one of those sub zero sleeping bags

 

Insulated sunscreen on windshield and back window. Lay in the back with a few blankets. Run car as necessary to stay warm.

 

I dont sleep in my truck but I do keep sleeping bags in them for emergency situtations incase a vehicle is stranded in a storm. That said I would probably sleep in the back seat or the bed.

A trick I learned while climbing is to boil some water, put it in a nalgene and then put the hot nalgene in the sleeping bag, it warms the bag and will stay warm for a few hours.

Can keep a whisper light or jetboil in the truck to warm some water.

 

How far away is Home from work??

I doubt if you can get reasonable sleep in the truck. But if you must, then get to an outdoor outfitters store. Find a sleeping bag with the coldest rating, buy it.

Before you crawl in for the night, strip down and change into clean dry clothes. When you wake, strip down again, put on clean dry clothes. A very important key to staying warm is to stay dry. Yes, perspiration will make your clothing damp, meaning not dry. The body sweats all the time, especially feet, hands, armpits, crotch...... Last tip, wear a winter cap when sleeping.

Personally, I'd find a better option than sleeping in the truck.

 

I know a couple 'survivalist' types who will go into the Forests of Northern Ontario/Quebec for weeks at a time just for 'fun' -- Sleeping in a 'metal box' can be done in comfort and provide more protection [if needed] than sleeping on the ground -- Engine does not need to run.

As others have suggested, start with a heavy duty sleeping bag and go from there. It may be all you need. Build your kit from there.
Definitely check out winter camping guides/forums though.

And here's to a better '21 for you. Wishing you good fortune and many monies for many moons.

 

Get a cheap CO2 monitor to put in your truck to be extra safe in the event you do turn it on for warmth and fall asleep

 

Good practice is to open opposing windows about 25 mm to allow fresh air to circulate and vent out moisture.

 

I’ve done that with piss one time, it was so amazing. Woke up in my hammock and it was high 20s and my feet were freezing. I had to piss and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Peed in a water bottle, put it at my feet, and voila. Warm feet for the rest of the morning.

 

Love this trick. Did it every night during my recent Death Valley trip as the nighttime temps reached a low of 26F and I only had a 40 degree bag + extra blanket (+ slept in fleece pants and down jacket...). Some mornings the bottle was still warm.

 

So mildly off topic. In general terms yes being dry will help you stay warm but as one of those climbers that goes into the back country for weeks at a time. One of the best tricks is to go to sleep with wet clothes in your sleeping bag because they dry out by the morning. granted you don't dip yourself into a lake beforehand but the best way to keep your socks dry is to sleep with them.

 

These are worth their weight in gold for me in the winter in the Northeast, as I have been known to sleep/live in below-freezing conditions:

Genuine Issue Thermal Bottom, Polypro, Brown, Size X-Small

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Issu...SNPGG/ref=pd_lpo_236_t_0/144-2658358-9625021?
_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07J2MMKPQ&pd_rd_r=a5c43932-c36f-470e-8759-30099de971f4&pd_rd_w=Gzt7B&pd_rd_wg=bHiPq&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=CX2T82NT46K6ZA5D5QS5&psc=1&refRID=CX2T82NT46K6ZA5D5QS5

$15 GENUINE MILITARY SURPLUS Thermal Top, Polypro, Zip, Brown, Size X-Small

https://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Poly...6K6ZA5D5QS5&psc=1&refRID=CX2T82NT46K6ZA5D5QS5

https://www.amazon.com/Carhartt-Arctic-Heavy-Socks-Heather/dp/B0051U182S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=ITR0GRT8Q07E&dchild=1&keywords=carhartt+winter+socks&qid=1609264121&s=apparel&sprefix=carhart+winter+socks%2Cfashion%2C270&sr=1-3

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Pair-Red-Wing-Mens-Black-Polypropylene-Sock-Liners-13-15/313283085627?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

...and a good attitude helps too.

 

Insolate your windows with reflective foil - mylar or the insolated type you can find at home depot. That'll help with privacy and keeping the heat in. There's a lot of YouTube videos on how to make your own using cheap simple to find materials that'll wedge in without clips or magnets.

If not running the truck or using an external heat source. Your goal is to maximize the heat your body produces - it's free and reliable. So like others said, good clothes and a good bag will keep you warm. Also stay dry - evaporative cooling due to moisture is a big one. Change out your clothes often even though it's tough in the cold, as you'll likely sweat during sleep.

When sleeping in the back, try to use some cushions to have you lay more upright using more diagonal cab space, it'll be more comfortable than trying to spoon yourself to get your head down towards the seat cushion.

 

Buddy heater and a cot in the bed of the truck, IF you have a truck cap.

 

Buddy heater in the bed with a cap is impressive. I haven’t slept back there in the cold yet, but was impressed by how much it warmed it up watching some of my daughters unseasonably cold rainy soccer games. It was nice sitting back there with wife and son, sipping coffee/coco. It was like VIP seating while everyone else froze with their umbrellas in their lawn chairs.

 

I have slept in my truck overnight, after ice fishing. It gets pretty damned cold.
I go with long underwear, clothes, wool socks, winter hat and a sleeping bag. Even with that, I have had to wake up and run the truck at times. It can be very cold and is not ideal.

Now if I am that tired at the end of the day, I just sleep in my frabill ice hut with my buddy heater on low. Much more comfortable.

 

Do you have a topper/pappy cap/whatever regional term they are called up in Canadia? If so it's easy-ish... reflectix in windows, get yourself some thick closed cell foam/sleeping pad, and a little buddy heater you can turn on when you need a little warmth. If you have to sleep in the cab, I've seen people pull the passenger seat and build a little platform to sleep on. Would be a pain if you have to haul a passenger around much though.