Is Sleeping in a Car Warmer Than Sleeping in a Tent?

The question of whether sleeping in a car is warmer than sleeping in a tent is a controversial one. It depends on the weather and your personal preferences. There are several tips for choosing a car that will keep you comfortable while you sleep, however. Here are a few of them:

Insulate Your Sleeping Bag

When sleeping in a car, you will need to keep warm. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do so. Besides the traditional methods of wearing a jacket and wearing a warm pair of socks, you can also try insulating your sleeping bag.

Having a sleeping bag that is insulated is one of the best ways to stay warm while camping. If you are camping in a cold climate, you may even want to buy a sleeping bag with an extra layer of down filling.

The most common way to insulate a sleeping bag is by using a sleeping pad. This type of pad can be filled with air or foam. However, the pad will only be able to provide a certain amount of insulation.

Another option is to get a vapor barrier liner. Using a liner on your sleeping bag will increase its warmth by 30 degrees. You will still need to wear a lot of clothing to avoid getting cold, but this will help to keep the body warm.

Keep the Moisture Out of the Car

If you are going to spend the night in a car, you will want to know how to keep the moisture out of your ride. While it may be tempting to rely on your car's antifreeze or air conditioning to keep you toasty, it is best to leave the nitty gritty to the pros. To do this, you will need to pack a few essentials.

The car's best defense is to protect itself from the elements, and this can be achieved by installing a tarp and making sure the rain fly is extended to the ground. This will ensure that any water in the flimsy tent will be sucked off of your windshield before it can find its way onto your bed.

You should also bring a couple of portable heaters. These are a must if you are planning on spending the night in a cold climate. And of course, you will need to take note of the weather forecast as well.

Keep the Lights on to Drain the Battery

If you are leaving your car overnight you may want to consider some of these tips. In fact, leaving your lights on in your car for an extended period of time is one of the most common reasons for battery drain. The main reason is that the battery gets drained from the electrical current.

One way to prevent this is by using a timer or a remote controlled device to turn off your interior lights when you are not in the vehicle. Another useful tip is to park in well lit areas to reduce your chances of break ins. Also, be sure to keep the interior lights off while your engine is warm to avoid overheating your bulbs.

You may be surprised to learn that your car's LED lights are the most energy efficient you will find. So, if you are planning to leave your vehicle parked for an extended period of time, you should get a new set of LED bulbs.

Critters Can't Climb Into a Tent

If you plan on camping in a tent, it is important to make sure that the area where you will be camping is free of dangerous critters. Snakes, for example, are a major problem at campsites. They can bite unwary campers and even slither into their sleeping bags. To help prevent this, it is a good idea to look around for holes and cracks in the ground where snakes can enter. As well, you should always take care to seal all open holes and zip your tent tightly before you leave.

In order to be safe, you should also make sure that you have adequate bedding and extra clothing. You should also pack extra fluids and calories in order to keep yourself warm. It is also a good idea to drink alcohol-free beverages.