Christie Free

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November 23 2020

How to Survive a Long Road Trip with a Baby

Traveling long distances with an infant can be a challenge. Planning ahead and packing well can save you a lot of stress and anxiety. Life with a new baby can be complicated. Once upon a time you could pack a bag and just leave, but now you have to plan and pack several bags of clothes, toys and other accessories just for a few days trip. It is easy to get overwhelmed thinking about everything you might possibly need and you can easily overpack which can cause stress of its own.

We created a list of things that will help you survive a long road trip with a baby. We’ve also included a few hacks that will help make for a wonderful memory rather than a horror story that ends with you and your baby crying and covered in poop.

A road trip is as much, or more, about the journey than just the destination, now matter how you travel or who you travel with. Don’t waist the journey. You only have a baby for 1 year, and you only have an infant for 6 months, every moment, whether you are snuggling or pulling your hair out, is a precious memory. It is the journey that teaches you the most, about yourself, your partner and about parenting. Savor it!

Whether you are going to visit Grandma or taking a much needed family vacation away from the couch, your office chair or whatever has your butt hostage these days, you will need a good plan and lots of supplies if you want to enjoy a long drive with your infant. That little soft bundle of energy and incomprehensible opinions will keep you on your toes the whole drive.

10 Tips for a Successful Road Trip with a Baby

1. Leave Early

If Waze says it will take 6 hours, plan for 8 and leave early. Everything takes longer with a baby. It will probably take longer just to get on the road, you will likely need to stop a few more times than expected and you might be driving slower than Waze expects you to. Do everyone a favor and add an extra 1 hour for every 4 hours of expected travel time, then round up!

2. Pack the night before

Do what you can to make your travel day as easy as possible. There will be surprises along the way; things you remember to pack last minute, travel anxiety tantrums and other last minute pit stops. Make the day of as easy as possible.

3. Time it with Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule

If you have the opportunity to drive during your baby’s normal sleep times, than take advantage of it. If you have a long drive than you wont be able to make it the whole way during nap time, but for short trips this could work. At least try to arrive a few hours before bedtime, to give your baby the necessary amount of awake time before going to sleep for the night.

4. Take frequent breaks

Take breaks as often as you can. A good rule of thumb is to take a break every 2 hours for 15 minutes. Allow your baby to stretch her legs, get a fresh diaper and a meal or just some time to snuggle. Every baby is different so more than likely you will be needing to feed or change a diaper after 2 hours, for those of you who’s baby sleeps like a champ in her car seat, maybe set a timer to remind yourself to pull over and give her a break from being scrunched up.

There can be negative effects to leaving your baby in a car seat for prolonged periods of time such airway restriction and risks to spinal development. Do your research! Make sure you have your seat installed correctly and that you don’t have any recalled car seat accessories.

5. Get in a Feeding Before You Hit the Road

Try to get in a meal or at least a good snack for your little one before you hit the road. At least a small meal will delay the hunger until you can give baby a bigger meal. Full tummies make for happy babies.

6. Sit in Back with Your Baby

If possible, try sitting in the back with your baby for stretches. You don’t have to sit in the back the whole ride. Heaven knows you don’t want to sit in the back seat if you don’t have to. At least make sure you have an open seat available next to the baby in case you need to hop in the back.

7. Bring Favorite Toys and Books

Bring all of your baby’s favorite toys. It is good to have a lot of options for when he gets bored, so keep a stash of toys handy for when that happens you can quickly and easily swap in something new.

8. Shield her from the Sun

Baby’s have very sensitive skin and eyes so it important to keep the glaring sun off of her. See below for some Sun Screens that easily attach to your car windows. They block most of the light and UV rays and are still see through so you can safely change lanes.

9. Dress Casual in Everyday Clothes

Don’t dress your baby for the destination, dress for him the car ride. The easiest option is to dress in normal everyday clothes that can easily be removed or layers added if needed. Avoid bundling him in pram suits or really warm pajamas and leave the accessories like headbands or bowties off until you are no longer in the car.

10. Keep the Car Slightly Cool

Baby’s need help regulating their body temperature. If your baby is too cool she will cry and let you know, you can add a blanket or a layer of clothes. If she is too hot she might not complain and she might just fall asleep and overheating can be very dangerous. Keep your car slightly cooler than comfortable. Reach back and feel her ears to check her temperature. If she feels cold you can add a layer or put a blanket on her.

Road Trip Baby Pack List

It can be easy to forget little things when packing for a long road trip, but don’t sweat it, any necessities you forget at home can easily be purchased along the way. Still, it can be inconvenient to make extra unnecessary side trip for things you already own. We’ve got a list here compiling a whole lot of things that are easy to forget. Keep in mind there are some basics we may not have listed like baby wipes and butt butter. Don’t forget the butt butter!

Mirror

Keep an eye on those wiggly little toes from your rear view mirror. Babies need to ride in a rear facing seat until they are 2 years old or up to 40 lbs. This mirror is a clever solution to keeping an eye on your baby to check if she is sleeping, awake or if she has sun on her face.

Baby Car Seat Mirror for Rear Facing Infant

Window Shade

Using a window shade will keep the sun out of those sweet little peeps and help your baby snooze better, as well as keeping your baby from getting overheated or too much sun exposure on his skin.

Kinder Fluff Sunshade

Best Baby Toys for a Long Drive!

Pack your baby’s favorite toys and back a variety. Keeping your little one distracted and happy will make your road trip go much more smoothly. Here are a few of our favorites.

Mombella Mimi The Mushroom Super Soft Silicone Baby Soothing Teether Toy

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

Cute Animal Soft Baby Socks Toys Wrist Rattles and Foot Finders for Fun

Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas

Rainmaker Toy for Babies

Nuby Ice Gel Teething Keys

Keep Toys From Falling out of Reach

Buy these pacifier holders by the dozen and attach them to everything! They are handy for car rides, restaurants, church, everything!

Diaper Bag Pack List

Packing your diaper bag, just like packing for any trip, depends on the destination and duration of your trip. For the most part a few basics will be the same no matter where you are going.

Diaper Bag

Choose a diaper bag with a lot of compartments and pockets. You want something where everything has its place so that when you precious bundle of joy eventually blows out of her diaper, you know right where to go for everything you need.

Travel Back Pack Diaper Bag; Waterproof

Diapers

This seems pretty obvious but as far as how many to pack, we figured how many diapers we use on a typical day, plus 5 extras. Don’t pack too many diapers, they take up a lot of space and you can always buy more.

Extra Clothes

Keep two extra changes of close in your diaper bag in case of a blow out. We suggest one set of footie jammies and one extra onesie.

Portable Waterproof Changing Pads

These changing pads are machine washable, waterproof and absorbent. And they add a little cushion for that cute little tushy.

BlueSnail Bamboo Quilted Thick Waterproof Changing Pad Liners

Disposable Waterproof Changing Pad Liners

Keeping a few disposable changing pads on hand will be a God send for those times you know you are about to unwrap a landslide of a biohazard in your kids shorts. Puppies or babies, these will keep the mess contained.

AmazonBasics Puppy Potty Training Pads

Diaper Garbage Bags

Keep a role of these in your diaper bag at all times. They will keep the smell to a minimum in case you have to hang on to a stinky diaper for a few miles.

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Bag Refills; 72 count

Baby Basic Grooming Kit

You will mostly likely get at least one grooming kit before you have your baby. These things come in handy and are worth packing on a trip. At least bring the booger sucker, thermometer and fingernail clippers

Safety 1st Deluxe Healthcare & Grooming Kit

Stay Positive and Savor the Time Together

It can be easy to rush the drive, trying to maximize the time you have at the place you are headed, but don’t be too quick to dismiss the value of the journey. You’re baby is only a baby for 12 months. Even if it ends up taking you twice as long to get there and you are throwing baby clothes away because of a diaper blow out and your kid has to wear your under shirt because you forgot to put extra baby clothes in the diaper bag before you went into the rest-stop bathroom… it will be a story for the ages and a bonding experiencing that none of you (except the baby) will ever forget.

F.A.Q.

How soon can a newborn travel long distance by car?

Every baby has his own story by the time they are born, so be sure to ask your doctor for the best time to travel with your newborn baby. There are restrictions around how long a baby should be in a car seat and a newborn is no exception. Another thing to consider is that your baby’s immune system is still undeveloped in the first few weeks of his life. If possible wait as long as you can for a long road trip.

November 8 2020

Tips for Car Camping in the Winter

Christie Free How-To Articles, Reviews

Camping isn’t just about sandals, swimming and sunburns, it’s about getting away to find some peace. It’s about being in the fresh air and filling your senses with nature. It’s about finding the perfect spot, setting a small fire and burning things. Camping is about holding a warm cup of coffee and sitting in perfect silence as you watch elk graze in the distance. Whatever your reason, camping doesn’t need to be confined to the 3 or 4 months of summer. Cold weather car camping can be rewarding.

The very best option, if you have the budget, time and a van for converting, is to insulate the walls, ceiling and floors. If not, that doesn’t rule out cold weather car camping by any means.

Winter camping doesn’t need to be an extreme experience. Whether you are camping in your car, van, truck or tent, we’ve got a few things here that will make the night much more comfortable and possibly get you a few extra hours of sleep.

The biggest difference between camping in the summer versus the winter, is how you prepare and the supplies you bring. As my very wise and learned father always says “make a list”. So that is what we did. Though this is not comprehensive, this is our winter car camping essentials list.

Winter Car Camping Essentials

1.) Two Person Sleeping Bag

If you plan to do a few cold weather camping trips a year with your significant other, invest in a two person sleeping bag. Body heat is the best way to keep both of you warm and is better than just using blankets which always get uneven and leave someone’s toes out in the cold.

Sleepingo Two Person Sleeping Bag

Two person sleeping bag - Amazon Best Seller — XL, Cold Weather, Queen sized, Waterproof

2.) Pee Bucket

There is nothing worse than climbing out of your warm sleeping bag to go outside in the cold and pitch black, where there are probably bears. Put a few scoops of kitty litter in a lined 5 gallon bucket and you’ve got yourself a toilet! Also, you can add foam to the rim of the bucket to make a seat.

Clamp On Foam Noodles for Padding

3.) Touchscreen Gloves

You will want to have your fingers covered at all times. Make sure you have warm gloves that are touchscreen enabled. Use these gloves under your heavy duty Gor-Tex gloves or mittens to keep your hands extra warm.

Winter Gloves; Upgraded Touch Screen Anti-Slip Silicone Gel

4.) Coffee

There is a decent chance this won’t be the best night of sleep you’ve ever had, so make sure you have a way to make coffee in the morning. If you don’t want pack a french press coffee maker with you, though it is totally worth it if you do, than at least bring a french press attachment for your jet boil.

Jetboil French Press Coffee Maker for 2020

You can also make cowboy coffee – add boiling water to coffee grounds. If you have a thermos with a tight lid, than swinging it around like a windmill and the grounds will settle from the centrifugal force.

5.) Portable Heater

First and foremost, always read product directions and take all safety measures when using heaters in your vehicle. That being said, a heater will come in very handy while you are hanging out in the car and don’t want to keep the engine running to stay warm.

Mr Heater Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable RV Radiant Heater

6.) Slip on Winter Boots

Make things easy for yourself when it comes to taking your shoes on and off. Shoe laces are a winter nemesis. You never tie them all the way for a quick trip outside and so they will inevitably become loose and then drag in the snow and dirt and possibly trip you up! Save yourself a huge mess and headache and find some slip on winter boots.

KEEN Men’s Brixen Low Waterproof Insulated Shoe

Women’s Winter Snow Boots, Fur Lined Warm Ankle Slip-On Waterproof Booties

7.) Lightweight Puffer Jacket

A puffy jack is a very lightweight and highly insulative layer that takes up very little space. In a pinch, if you need an extra layer a puffy jack is perfect.

Amazon Essentials Men’s Long-Sleeve, Full-Zip Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Puffer Jacket

Winter Car Camping Hacks

Crack a window

This one might seem counterintuitive to staying warm, but if you are camping below freezing temperatures, the condensation from your breath will collect and freeze during the night. Windows don’t insulate, so cracking it wont really make much of a difference temperatures wise, but it will prevent you from waking up under a thin layer of morning breath ice.

Survey the Area Before Dark

Hopefully you have an opportunity to arrive at your campsite before dark. If you do, check out the site well enough to know how far you are from the road, the river or lake if there is one near by and any tripping hazards in case you have to stroll out of your vehicle in the night.

Put Your Keys Near the Driver’s Seat

This might be a no brainer, but we have experience digging around pockets in the middle of the night trying to find keys. As a rule, make sure you know where your key are before you go to sleep.

Cover All the Windows in Reflective Bubble Wrap or Other Insulative Material

You’ll need to prep this ahead of time, but the time spent will be worth it. Trace each window out onto pieces of Reflectix or Thinsulate. Cut each piece a tiny bit larger than traced so that the window frame will keep them in place. Label each piece so you know which goes to which window. You can still crack a window with the insulation stuffed in.

Learn to Make Cowboy Coffee

If you don’t have a french press, or don’t want to spare the space to bring one, learn to make cowboy coffee. You can mix boiled water and coffee grounds in a thermos, then using centrifugal force, swing it in a windmill motion which will make the grounds settle to the bottom of the thermos. Then you can enjoy mostly grounds free coffee without having to bring a coffee maker.

Bring Entertainment

There is something magical about watching your favorite movie or reading a good book while being in the woods. Its a little like sweet and salty blended perfectly together. So bring a book, bring a couple books. Download some audiobooks. Also, bring a tablet and download movies and TV show episodes ahead of time.

Winter Car Camping with a Baby

Camping with babies can be a challenge, but just like anything else, how you prepare can make it a wonderful experience. We just took a camping trip with our 7 month old daughter. It was a perfect age to car camp because she is old enough to sleep through the night and young enough that she is easy to entertain.

Here are just a few things that will help keep baby nice and warm and sleep well while car camping in the winter.

Best Winter Sleep Sack/Sleeping Bag

Baby DeeDee Sleep Nest Sleeping Sack. TOG 2.5

Baby Sleeping Bag with Feet and Sleeves. TOG 2.5

Best Baby Hat for Winter

Durio Soft Warm Knitted Baby Beanies

Best Baby Mittens for Sleeping

N’Ice Caps Little Kids and Baby Easy-On Sherpa Lined Mittens – 2 Pair Pack

Best Baby Winter Booties

Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Fleece Sherpa Lined Booties

Best Baby Warm Fleece Footie Pajamas for Winter

Simple Joys by Carter’s Baby Fleece Footed Zipper Jumpsuit Pram Suit

Best Travel Sound machine

MyBaby Soundspa On-The-Go Portable White Noise Machine

Camping with a baby is like playing the lotto; you might get lucky, but probably not. Either way, it can be fun to play if you don’t take it too seriously.

Whether you are winter car camping with your kid, your dog or going it solo, it is worth the trip. You never know what you might see.

September 12 2020

Best Wall Paneling for Van Interior Design

Christie Free Reviews

This post serves two purposes, to look at practically at paneling for lining your cargo van’s interior and to give van interior design inspiration. We will look at options from a practical standpoint, as well as some fantastic ones.

Van interior design is very important. Imagine that your van is a blank page for you to write the story of your journey on. You may be on the road alone or with a furry companion, or you might be riding shot-gun to your ride or die partner with a little one in the back. Design your van for your fellowship.

Its a dangerous business, follower, pulling your van out of your driveway. You roll onto the road, and if you don’t keep your wheels, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.

Van interior design is an opportunity to make your dreams come true. If your dream van design is inspired by the Shire, than you are my kind of van designer, so please, please send pictures!

Your choice is up to you. We have listed our favorites but you will likely choose a combination. Again, please send pictures!

After you have installed your insulation you should be able to install wall paneling to cover the length of your walls from just behind the cabin to the back doors. That is, the insulation fills up to the rib joins of your van and this paneling will cover all.

Some important things to consider are material thickness, weight, pliability and texture.

Material thickness is important to consider because adding layers of material means losing living space. For example, if you are sleeping width ways in your van, that is with your head at feet at either wall, and you choose material that is very thick, you could lose inches of space. If you are over 6 feet tall it will meet that you have to sleep at an angle rather than being able to stretch out.

Choosing a heavy material might mean reinforcing your panels after every venture down a bumpy road. It also adds weight to your van which will sacrifice fuel efficiency.

Pliability is important as it will determine how you mount your material. Texture is simply important to consider for personal preference. You don’t want to choose a prickly carpet or a cold tin mold to mount right next to your bed. Or maybe you do, it’s up to you, but still important to consider!

Best Overall

1/4″ Plywood

Plywood is very thin slices of wood that are compressed and glued together. It doesn’t absorb moisture like MDF or particle board. It is relatively thin, pliable and easy to work with. It makes for a smooth surface that can be covered with wallpaper, vinyl or paint, or it can be sanded and stained for a beautiful wood finish.

For faux shiplap, cut a sheet of plywood into 48″ by 3.5″, stain and sand each piece and then secure them to the van wall horizontally, spacing each row using spacers or pennies. Be sure to rearrange the pieces when you are putting them back together on your van wall.

1/4″ (6MM) 24″ x 48″ Baltic Birch Plywood b/bb Grade one Clear face. (Box of 4). $89.99

Runner Up

Cedar planks or shiplap

Cedar planks will look fantastic and smell great in your van which, would come in handy if you are camping off a hard sweaty day on the slopes.

You can buy cedar fence pickets from Home Depot or Lowe’s and they typically come 5/8″ thick.

Be sure to secure your panels well. As with anything else that comes in sections that you use to panel your walls, it will take a hit during the normal bumps of traveling. Paneling can become loose. Walling up your van will not be the same as walling up your house. You paneling will experience a wide variety of climate conditions as well as a mobile environment. You could be starting from scratch after a few trips up a pothole ridden forest service road.

5/8 in. x 3-1/2 in. x 6 ft. Western Red Cedar Flat-Top Fence Picket. $1.97/piece

Inspiration Make your van the home of your dreams

Deciding what to put on your walls will be one of the biggest design aspects of remodeling your van. The paneling you choose will give you the homey feel you are looking for, and there are hundreds of options. You have an opportunity to design your van to look and feel like your dream home. Personally, I have always wanted an English cottage in the woods, something that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. I want a brick chimney, ivy covered archways and leaded glass windows with flower boxes full of begonias. Ok, so none of that is really possible in a van, but taking from the idea, I can create my English cottage away from home.

Wallpaper and Decals

Your van has two walls, a back door and a ceiling that are perfect canvases to let your imagination go wild! Below are a handful of ideas that, if we had a dozen vans to convert, we would use them all. You can bring in the moon and sleep under the stars. You could create your sun soaked botanical windowsill with potted herb decals. If you have kids they might want to curl up next to a few friendly woodland creatures at bed time.

Title Wallpaper

We don’t recommend using real tile in your van for obvious reasons, however these peel and stick decals are a very convincing option.

Mediterranian Tile Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Glow in the dark moon and stars

There are a lot of moon decal options, this one had great ratings and a high quality image. Also, if you want the moon, you have to take the stars as well.

Glow in The Dark Moon Wall Decals 30cm Luminous Sticker

String of Pearls

If you have a hard time keeping real living plants alive while living on the road, you are not alone. It is hard enough to do at home! These would reach from floor to ceiling in a standard height van and they require no water or sunlight.

Woodland Animals

We bought these decals and stuck them just above the flooring for our daughter. Above them we used chalkboard paint above the animals and installed a short and shallow bench just below their chins.

Watercolor Woodland Critters Peel And Stick Wall Decals

Potted Herbs

Watercolor Forest Decals

These are very large, so be sure to measure before hand. You may have to install these before you put your bed in. These tree tops would look great poking out from behind your bedding.

Watercolor Pine Tree Peel and Stick Giant Wall Decals

Watercolor Birch Tree Decals

Another forest tree option for bringing the woods into your van.

Birch Trees Peel And Stick Giant Wall Decals

Grass Decal

Brick Wall Decal

You could cover a whole wall with these sections, or just cover the wall behind a sink or kitchen area and bring old world style into your van.

Self-Adhesive Brick Wallpaper Rust Red Brown Paper Fireplace Backdrop Peel and Stick Wall Decor

Open Window to Garden Decal

Ok, I’ll admit that this is a little cheese, but who can resist waking up to this face every morning. There are a dozen other versions of the open window decal, but this one really embraces the heart of the concept.

Creative Wall Sticker – A Curious Giraffe Sticking Its Head into an Open Window

Stained Glass Window Decal

This one will go on your window, so if you have one to spare and don’t plan on looking out of it, you could class up the place with a beautiful piece of stained glass art.

Peony Wall Decal

This is a beautiful decal that would take up a whole wall in your van, but it might just be exactly what you are looking for.

Murwall Pink Peonies Wall Decals Floral Wall Decal Peel and Stick

Paint

Start with sanded plywood walls and a couple of coats of primer and you will have a fresh blank canvas for anything you like. Paint your walls solid, stencil or hire your favorite artist to give your interior some character. You can use chalkboard paint to create a canvas you can change up daily.

Chalkboard paint

Stencils

Real or Faux Tin and Copper Panels

Whether you use real tin, copper or faux (made of PVC), these panels are a great option for either a wall or ceiling to add depth and character to your van’s interior.

Copper (PVC) Tile

Milan PVC 2′ x 2′ Glue-up or Lay-in Ceiling Tile

Black faux tin panels

Tin Panels

Wainscoting or Beadboard

Wainscoting is a traditional type of wall paneling that can introduce a classic and clean look to your van. It can be used in a variety of ways, but typically it is installed at the base of a wall with baseboard trip at the bottom and it stops about two or three feet up the wall.

Ekena Millwork WPKP56X04DS Deluxe Shaker 8′ Length PVC Wainscoting Kit, Heights up to 56″ (12″ – 15″ Adjustable Wall Panels), White

Markerboard

Markerboard is clean looking, white and bright and handy if you need to take notes in a pinch.

Whiteboard Sticker Paper Sheets, Easy Peel and Stick Dry Erase Contact Paper Upgrade 11 Ft Extra Wide, Self Adhesive Wall Paper Roll for Classroom, Planning, Office, Kid Painting, 3 Dry Erase Markers

Vinyl

Vinyl comes in patterns to resemble brick, tile, old barn wood and just about anything else you can image. It is very thin and easy to install.

Modin Rigid Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

camper van insulation for winter and summer

September 2 2020

5 Best Cargo Van Insulation Options

Christie Free Reviews

Comfort is key to thriving on the road, so whether you will be camping in warm or cold climates, you need to insulate your van. Cargo vans do not come insulated, so that the metal body is the only thing between you and the elements, so it makes your van a great oven in the summer and a freezer in the winter. Think about anytime your car has been sitting out in the hot sun all day; you don’t want your skin to touch that metal. If you do one thing to prepare your van for camping, besides throwing in shag carpet and a bed down, you need to add insulation.

The best way to insulate your camping van will involve a variety of materials, although you can make your van insulation process as involved as you like. Understanding how insulation and how heat flow works will help you choose the right type of insulation, because you will better understand the purpose of the materials you will be working with.

Insulation works by providing resistance for heat flow. Heat flow works in 3 ways: conduction, convection and radiation.

Conduction is how heat moves from one object to another, like when your hot car seat burns the back of your legs.
Convection is how heat moves through air or liquid, like how warm air rises and cooler more dense air falls towards the floor.
Radiation is heat traveling in a straight line from an object, like how you warm yourself standing by a fire. Insulation acts as a barrier or a boundary for these types of heat flow. The better you insulate the more control you will have over the maintained temperature in your van.

R-Value: How well a material prevents heat flow is measured by an R-Value (the R stands for resistance). The higher the R-Value the more effective the insulation will be. R-Values are displayed at a certain value per thickness.

Best Overall Van Insulation

THINSULATE

R-Value 3.1 for 1 inch thickness | $2.25 per square foot (1 3/4″ thick) | $787.50 for 350 square feet

Thinsulate is a brand of insulation manufactured by 3M. It is a synthetic insulation that is hydrophobic, which means it is resistant to moisture and therefore resistant to mold and mildew. It was originally used in clothing; gloves, coats, boots, and other winter wear. It can be pricier than some other options, but it is worth it for the high R-Value, ease of installation, resistance to mildew, and it is also great for sound proofing your van.

Pros:

Easy Insulation
Can be used for walls, ceiling, floors and windows
Hydrophobic; resistant to mold and mildew
High R-Value for thickness
Good for sound proofing

Cons:

Expensive

Additional Supplies needed for installation:

Best Natural Van Insulation

Havelock Wool

R-Value 3.5 for 1 inch thickness | $1.20 per square foot (2″ thick) | $420.00 for 350 square feet

Havelock Wool is great option for insulation and by far the best natural option. It has a high R-Value, it is water/moisture resistant, and it easily fits into the nooks and crannies of your van. The only drawback to wool is that it can be difficult to install as you can’t use spray adhesive with it.

Not considering the ease of installation, wool would be our first choice, so consider it a close runner up to Thinsulate. As for the difficulties with insulation, you will need to get creative. There are plenty of example of people simply taping their insulation in place until they install their wall paneling, or weaving twine or fishing line over the wool like a web to hold it in place. It might be tricky but once you get it in place, it will serve you well, winter and summer.

Pros:

Can be used for walls, ceiling, floors and windows
Easy to stuff into nooks and crannies
Hydrophobic; resistant to mold and mildew
High R-Value for thickness
Good for sound proofing

Cons:

Difficult to install

Additional Supplies needed for installation:

Best Insulation for Floors

Polyiso Rigid Foam Board

R-Value 5 for 1 inch thickness | $1.53 per square foot (1″ thick) | $534 for 350 square feet

Rmax Thermasheath-3 1 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-6 Polyisocyanurate Rigid Foam Insulation Board — Polyiso “Polyisocyanurate” Rigid Foam Insulation Board, best for van floor insulation

You might not realize it, but heat can be lost through the floor of your van. You will loose a little bit of height but you need to insulate your floor as well. In addition to providing heat flow resistance, insulating your van floor will level out the floor and make it more comfortable to walk on or kneel on if you have a low ceiling.

There are three types of rigid foam board insulation; EPS, Polyiso and XPS. The Polyiso foam board will give you the highest R-Value per ft. XPS is a close second but for roughly the same price, you should go with the top performing product, the polyiso foam board.

As you probably have noticed, the floor of your van is not flat and smooth, you will want to fill in the gaps with a malleable insulation like Thinsulate or wool and then put your polyiso rigid foam board insulation on top. You can secure it using foam board adhesive, so it is easy to install. To finish the look of your van, add plywood and vinyl on top for a nice finish.

Pros:

Completely water proof
High R-Value
Easy to install

Cons:

Not suitable for all surfaces

Additional Supplies needed for installation:

Best Insulation for Windows

EZ-Cool

R-Value 8 for 1/4 inch thickness | $0.84 per square foot (1/4″ thick) | $295.54 for 350 square feet

Don’t forget to insulate your windows! You will also want to make your windows lightproof, especially if you plan on doing any stealth camping, so insulating all your windows and windshield will solve a couple of problems. The best insulation for windows is Ez-Cool, which is a multi-layered synthetic foam insulation with reflective foil on either side. It is only a ¼ inch thick, but despite being thin, it has a great R-Value.

Use Ez-Cool to make window covers. Cut pieces of Ez-Cool out in the shape of each window. You can Thinsulate to the back (van facing side) of each cover for added insulation and then add fabric on top of that to dress it up. The Ez-Cool does have enough structure to it that if you cut the sections to be just slightly larger than each window, they should stay tucked into place. If they do not, you can always get magnetic clips that will hold it into place.

Pros:

Great for insulating windows
High R-Value for being very thin
Reflective side helps keep radiant heat away
Easy to install
Cheap

Cons:

R-Value diminishes in cold
Not a great insulator for the whole van.

Additional Supplies needed for installation:

Best Budget Van Insulation: insulate your whole van for less than $100

Reflectix Double Reflective Insulation

R-Value 3.5 for 3/10″ thickness | $0.27 per square foot (3/10″ thick) | $108.44 for 400 square feet

reflectix is the cheapest way to insulate your van — Reflectix BP48050 48-Inch-by-50-Feet Square Edge Bubble-Pack Insulation

Reflectix is your best option for a budget insulation. It is thin but flexible so it will fit into crevasses of your van. It is easy to install; you could use double sided tape, adhesive or even a heavy magnet will hold it to the van wall. It wont keep your van completely warm or cool, but it will take the edge off. If you are in a hurry to get some insulation in, reflectix is a fast and cheap option.

Pros:

Cheap
Easy to install
Great for insulating windows

Cons:

R-Value diminishes in cold
Additional layers doesn’t add the same R-Value
Adding layers is difficult to install
Not good for sound proofing as it makes a crinkly foil sound as it heats up

Additional Supplies needed for installation:

Best Performing Insulation

Spray Foam

R-Value 6.2 for 1 inch thickness | $1.65 per square foot (1″ thick) | $577.20 for 350 square feet

Spray foam has a high R-Value and will fill every square inch of your van and will serve as your insulation for floor, ceiling and walls. It is resistant to mold and mildew and it will not settle, meaning you won’t have to reapply it after it dries.

We rated the Thinsulate above spray foam for two main reasons; ease of installation and level of permanence. Spray foam gets everywhere! It is very messy and it will take a great deal of planning before you spray to make sure that you do not cover anything you will need access to one day. It is also permanent, so if you do cover a wire bundle or a vent that you will one day need to fix or open, you will be cutting through insulation to do it.

It is also a very expensive option. The cost for applying a 1 inch layer to 350 square feet is about $577, however, you will likely be applying twice that thickness which will run you over $1000.

Pros:

Highest R-Value
Completely moisture proof
Great for sound proofing
Will not settle

Cons:

Difficult, complicated and time consuming to install
Improper install can bow the sides of your van
Expensive
Permanent and could be detrimental to doing repairs later on

Additional Supplies Needed for Installation:

F.A.Q.

Does R-Value Double if you add another layer of insulation?

It depends on the insulation. With most types of insulation, adding additional layers also adds air space in between each layer, so each additional layer would not add the same R-Value. With spray foam insulation, however, adding additional thickness, say another inch for two inches total, would double the R-Value for one inch of thickness.

Do you need to insulate a campervan?

You do not need to insulate a campervan, but keep in mind where you will be camping and what the climate might be like. Another factor to consider is how long you will be living in your van. Insulation will increase your comfort level over time.

Do I need to be careful of moisture absorbing insulation?

Yes. Moisture breeds mildew and mold which, prolonged exposure to, can be bad for your health and it can be detrimental to your van conversion. You might loose all your work to rot! Choose an insulation that is moisture resistant and be sure to seal everything up well.

What other materials will I need to install installation?

It depends on the type of installation. Below each type above there is a list of additional supplies you will need to install that particular type of installation.

Should I insulate my floor?

You can get away with throwing down a nice plush run in your van for a little while. If you plan to make vanlife a long term arrangement, than yes, you should insulate the floor of your van. In addition to preventing heat flow (in and out of your van), it will also make a big difference in sound proofing your van and will provide you with a much quieter ride.

How much does it cost to insulate your van?

For the best insulation job money can buy, plan on spending about $1000. You will likely be using multiple forms of insulation and that will also including final external paneling like plywood or vinyl.

You can, however, easily insulate your van on the low end and save yourself a few degrees with only a few hundred dollars.

Ford-Transit-VS-Mercedes-Sprinter-VS-Ram-Promaster-VS-Nissan-NV-Choosing-Van-Heading-1920px-1024x480

September 2 2020

How to Buy a Van for a Camping Conversion.

Christie Free How-To Articles

The first thing you need to know about choosing the right van for your camping conversion, is that the van chooses the wizard Harry…. I mean, the van chooses the camper. Ok joking aside, in a way this is true. Your van will be a representation of your personality and your style of adventure. Some vans will take you over rough roads and climb mountains, other vans will keep you safe and help you stay invisible in a bustling metropolis. Think about what you would like to do, where you would like to go, and what you hope to get out of your adventures.

Below are 8 questions designed to help you narrow down the right camping van for you. Take notes, make a list, ask your friends, test drive a lot of vans and have fun!

What is your total budget?

This might seem really obvious, but the most important part of your camper van…. is your van! The majority of your budget, that is at least 50%, needs to go towards your vehicle. You can put a mattress and some curtains up in a van and have a pretty good time, but if you spend $20,000 on a camping conversion for a vehicle that breaks down in 6 months, you just wasted $20,000 and a significant amount of time and energy. Buy something reliable, that you can get years out of!

Everyone’s budget is different, but the van models we recommend in this article span a wide financial spectrum. If you have the money to buy new, you will easily spend $40,000 or more. If you are looking for something under $10,000, please keep reading. Every model of van we recommend can be found for under $10k.

Will you be stealth camping?

Stealth camping is a style of camping usually done for one or two nights at most, and it is typically done between long haul trips. It is very useful for driving long distances and it will save money by avoiding expensive campgrounds that you wont be around long enough to enjoy anyway. Stealth camping in a van can also keep you safe, or safer than a tent or trailer that is. You can easily park for the night, lock up, and go to bed without anyone realizing you are alone in your van.

If you plan on stealth camping, buy a standard cargo, sprinter or utility van. Keep it simple, the more it looks like a basic work utility vehicle the better. Don’t cover your van in stickers or flashy paint jobs. You may want to reconsider any upgrades that are externally visible like air conditioners. Check out this article on how to be successful at stealth camping.

Do you want to stand up in your van?

A Sprinter van is technical a model of van by Mercedes Benz, but the term is become the name for a class of vans that are taller than a standard utility van. Typically if someone says Sprinter van, they mean a van with a high ceiling. Depending on how tall you are, you may be able to stand in a Sprinter van after the conversion. The typical interior high range for this class of van is 72″ to 82″. You will loose a few inches to insulation, paneling and flooring.

How many people?

Will you be traveling alone or with your spouse and a couple of rugrats? The solution to this condition is very simple, the more people, the bigger you want your van. An extended sprinter van has enough height for two stacked queen beds, or bunk beds.

There are options as well if you mostly plan to travel alone or as a couple, but would like the option to add a rugrat or two. Even a standard length (non-sprinter) van has enough space for a queen sized bed in it and an optional twin size pull out.

How about this? Try a sprinter van with a queen bed in the back and two hammocks hung side by side from the roof. It would be a kids dream to sleep at such a height!

Will you need 4 wheel drive?

There are two things to consider with 4WD vans; cost and availability. You will spend more money on a 4WD van as well as the fuel for it. It can also be difficult to find used 4WD vehicles, they are less common in almost all brands, but you can always have your van converted to a 4×4 after-market.

A 2 wheel drive vehicle will get you most places if you plan well, buy good tires and bring chains. Do a little research, but you will find a lot of off-road van owners have 2WD vans. (Check out this article by EXPLORIST.life)

Diesel or Gaseline?

Diesel rigs have their pros and cons. They can go up to 30% further on a gallon of fuel and will drive for longer than a typical gasoline engine, meaning you will get more miles out of your vehicle. The drawbacks are primarily money related. Diesel vehicles will cost more and any repairs will be significantly more money.

V6 or V8?

The difference between a V6 and a V8 engine is in the number of fuel injected cylinders. A V8 is more powerful than a V6 engine, so the advantage is you can haul more weight. The disadvantage will be a decrease in fuel economy. Depending on your rig, with a V8 engine, you might loose up to 5 mpg.

For a standard van conversion and even some light towing, a V6 engine should be sufficient. If you do plan to tow heavy equipment or have a very heavy van conversion (like concrete counter tops or something), look into a V8.

Towing capacity?

Dodge Promasters come in 1500, 2500 and 3500 (the old adage calls them 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton). Ford Transit and Econolines come in 150, 250 and 350. The higher the number the more weight you can tow.

The heavier your conversion and the heaver the weight you will tow, the higher tow rating you want. Typically a 1500 (or 150) only comes in a standard; non-sprinter, non-extended, cargo van. If you want standing room and are looking for a sprinter, go with the 2500/250. For a sprinter van with an extended cargo, you might only find it in a 3500/350 model.

Different Body Styles

Standard Cargo Van

A standard cargo van is a great option for stealth camping. They are very common and are typically used as work utility vehicles. You will also get better gas mileage driving a smaller cargo van around, though you will sacrifice living area for fuel efficiency. You also trade head room out for a lower clearance, but you will be able to take it through almost every drive-through and any parking garage with low clearance.

Sprinter and Extended Cargo

Most van manufacturers have a sprinter and extended cargo versions of their most popular models. Sprinters have interior heights from 72 to 82 inches. If standing up in your van is a must-have, take a look at models with interior heights that are at least 3 or 4 inches taller than your height. You want to account for the loss of spaced to flooring, insulation and roof paneling.

Box Trucks

A used moving box truck is another great stealth camping option that will give you a ton of height and living space. You can shop Penske and U-Haul used trucks and find a handful of good options. Light duty box trucks are easy to drive, park and maneuver. You can for a medium or heavy duty box truck if you want the space and are open to the challenge of finding parking and being contentious of clearance.

This option is really only for one or two travelers. It is illegal to ride in the back of a box truck and most of them only have two seats up front.

Class B RV

Jumping into a van conversion is not a project to be taken lightly, it is hard work. You could throw down a rug and a cot and call it good, but if you want comfort and some basic amenities, than your options are to do a full conversion, or you can shop Class B RVs. There are three basic classes of RVs and fully converted camper vans are considered Class B RVs. They are not for stealth camping if you are trying to get away with camping illegally, but they are still great for a quick get away and are more nimble and easy to drive than a big RV or a trailer.

4X4

Are you interested in overlanding? Do you know what overlanding is? Well it is pretty bad-ass for one thing. For another, it is the ultimate in stealth, off-radar, self-reliant camping. Overlanding is a combination of camping, off-roading and self-reliant travel. In a nut-shell, it is everything involved in driving to remote a distant placed in nature that, without an off-road vehicle, would otherwise only be reachable by foot.

Pop Top

The pop top camper van has a few different versions. Some pop-tops are simply to add extra head room, while others have a penthouse bed up top. The advantages to a pop-top are obvious; extra space, standing room, lower clearance for parking garages and added ventilation. The disadvantages are that they are not good for stealth camping, the canvas doesn’t do well in wet climates and will eventually leak, you loose heat from the pop-top and you can’t store anything on the roof.

Another draw back is they are a mostly after-market install, with the exception of Volkswagen Vanagons and Westfalias. These vans are very expensive and do not have a good reputation for reliability, so we do not recommend you choose this van for your adventures.

The Best Vans for a Camping Conversion under $20,000.

By now, you should have a good idea of what style of van or truck you want to purchase. If you are looking for some headroom the Ford, Dodge, Nissan and Mercedes vans come with a high ceiling model. If you want something for overlanding and want to camp in isolated, hard to get to places, the Mercedes-Benz sprinter is your best bet, and the only one that offers a factory built 4WD model.

If you are working with a very small budget, check out the Chevy Express/GMC Savana. Lastly if you are looking for something more like a small apartment on wheels, consider a light duty box truck.

Shop local classified ads and dealerships for great deals. You might get a better deal buying direct from an owner, but always get a vin check before you do. Below are the sites we use to research prices and they have vehicles all over the country. If you get a great deal on a van in Texas but you live in New York, you could always there and drive it back.

Light Duty Box Trucks (Ford E-Series, Chevy Express/GMC Savana)

The most common box trucks are made by Ford and Chevy/GMC and they come in the same model names as the cargo vans (Ford E350 and GMC Savana). They mostly come in a 1 ton, V8 model. They will be a little more money than a standard cargo van, but worth it for the extra space. Pricing wise, they are about the same between the different makes and models. You can find used moving trucks for sale at PenskeUsedTrucks.com and CommercialTruckTrader.com.

Ford E-350 / GMC Savana Box Trucks: $10,000 to $25,000

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The term sprinter actually came from the model of Mercedes-Benz van that had a higher roof. The Sprinter is the industry standard for camping van conversions. Maybe because it is the only van available in a factory built 4×4 version. If you are into overlanding, this would be the rig for you. The drawback to the sprinter is the sticker price and the cost of maintenance seems to be significantly higher than the Ford and Dodge vans.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: 2010-2016: $12,000 – $26,000 (not for the 4×4 option)

Ford Cargo Vans

Ford Cargo vans built after 2014 are called Ford Transits, prior, they are Ford Econolines (or E-Series). Econolines have a long history of being great camping conversion vans and the Transits have the same reputation. The E-Series has three models; E-150 is a half ton, E-250 is a 3/4 ton and the E-350 is a full ton van.

Ford Transit has the highest roof and the longest extension (though be careful, the long extension can cause you to scrape the back end) and you can also get an after-market 4×4 conversion.

Ford Transit 2014 – 2017: $16,000 – $24,000
Ford Econoline 2001 – 2014: $7,000 – $15,000

Dodge Ram Vans

The Dodge Ram Promaster 1500 (half ton) and 2500 (3/4 ton) are very popular models for van conversion. You can get the Promaster in a one ton (3500) but that will likely be overkill, unless you know for sure that is what you want.

The Promaster and the Ram Van (prior to 2014) have the widest van available, but unfortunately you can’t convert these vans to 4×4.

Promaster 2014-2017: $8,000 to $20,000
Ram Van 2001-2013: $2,500 to $15,000

Nissan NV

The Nissan NV are relatively new model for Nissan, made since 2011. It has a nose like a truck, which takes away a small amount of cargo space, though it has the second highest roof. They come as NV1500, NV2500 and NV3500, the numbers pertaining to their towing capacity. The NV2500 and NV3500 come with high roof options. The NV3500 comes only in a V8.

They are harder to find used, though they are more affordable than the other cargo vans listed here.

Nissan NV: 2011 – 2018: $11,000 – $22,000

Chevy Express

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! The Chevy Express (GMC Savana) hasn’t changed since 1996, for the most part. The downfall is they don’t have an option for a high roof, but they are the most affordable option available. They also come in an AWD model. You could buy a ten year old Chevy Express with low miles for about $5,000. Throw a rug down and a mattress in the back and head for the mountains, all for less than $6,000!

Chevy Express: 1996 – 2019: $3,000 – $20,000

August 19 2020

How To Get Amazing Sleep While Stealth Camping

Christie Free How-To Articles

The best sleep you've ever gotten in a van...post.

Stealth camping is when you sleep in your vehicle or tent and go unnoticed; arriving, staying and leaving without a trace. Check out this article on how to stealth camp. It is a great strategy while making a long haul on an epic road trip and will help you maximize driving time and save money because it is also free. Stealth camping locations are everywhere, but not just any spot will do. In a pinch, look for free camping at 24-hour casinos, Walmarts, Cabellas or Bass Pro Shops. This skill will be your best camping hack when done successfully and will allow you to make longer road trips and spend more time in your favorite locations.

It can be challenging to get a great night sleep when you are trying to be stealthy and camping incognito. Set your van or car up so that it is comfortable and the bed is clear, when you have all your belongings inside.

Make your van (car, truck, SUV, or unicycle seat) a home away from home. The cozier your van is better you will sleep and the better you will handle inevitable drama (like flat tires and getting stuck in the mud) that is coming your way.

The Bed

When we were building out our van for camping, we did a lot of research and trial testing on our mattress. There are a lot of factors that can prevent you from having a good night sleep on the road, but there is no reason why your bed should be one of them.

We have a Dodge Ram 2500 Standard Utility Van with a simple but functional layout. Our bed takes up the majority of the space available and fills about 70% of the back of the van. This article isn’t about how to build a bed in your van, but that will come later. This article is about creating a really nice place to sleep after you have your rig built out.

We will talk briefly about the mattress. For 2 people, we wanted a queen sized place to sleep and we ended up with something slightly bigger. Our bed is the width of the van (72″) and about 80″ long, so it is closer to a king sized bed, which actually makes buying sheets and blankets easier.

We bought a highly rated, low profile, memory foam mattress and cut it to fit our van (we could have fit the queen size in without cutting it at all). It is slightly under 5″ thick. Our bed is 12″ off the ground for storage and with this mattress, we can still sit up in bed without hitting our heads on the roof. It is firm and if we wanted we could put a 3 inch memory foam topper on it to soften it up, but it is perfect as is.

Linenspa Firm Support 5" Gel Mattress, King, White. $173.99 — Linenspa Firm Support 5″ Gel Mattress, King, White. $173.99

Bedding

Choose your bedding carefully and take into consideration where you will be traveling and how cold or warm it will be. Also, consider the bedding you have on your bed at home. If you like heavy blankets and flannel sheets put that in your rig. If you like thin blankets and microfiber sheets, pack those, but maybe pack a few extra blankets because you do not want to run out!

A good practice is to have a lot options; a heavier blanket like a down comforter, a lighter quilt, flannel sheets, microfiber sheets and lots of throw blankets for layering.

Down Comforters

Down or down alternative comforters are perfect for van/RV bedding. They are heavy to keep you extra warm in the winter, but are also breathable for the summer. Also, you will need a duvet cover for it, which will make keeping it clean simple and easy.

Down Alternative Comforter

Goose Down Comforter

Real goose down has a nice weight and it breaths very well. If you prefer real goose down, this one is a great option.

Royal Hotel Down Comforter, Hypoallergenic Down Comforters, Light and Buffy, 100% Cotton Solid Shell, Medium Warmth, Duvet Insert, Full/Queen $129.99

Duvets

It doesn’t matter a ton what kind of duvet you get, as long as you have one. Down and down alternative comforters are difficult to wash would ideally need to be dry cleaned, so you won’t want to have to do that very often. A good duvet will mean you wont have to wash your comforter for years. Buy something that closes with a zipper and is a dark color, because white will be a disappointing stained mess.

Kotton Culture Premium Duvet Cover 100% Egyptian Cotton 600 Thread Count with Zipper & Corner Ties Luxurious. Starting $69.99

Quilts

Quilts are great blankets, slightly lighter than a down comforter but still very warm. Some nights you will want only a quilt, others you will want both the comforter and a quilt! It is also a good way to dress up you interior. We found two beautiful, durable quilts in at an affordable price.

Woolrich Winter Hills Quilt Mini Set. $78.76

Classic Geometric Spots Stitched Pattern, Pre-Washed Microfiber Chic Rustic Look, Ultra Soft Lightweight Quilted Bedspread for All Season, 3 Pieces. Starting $37.99

Sheets

You need sheets. Somedays you will not be able to shower after a 10 mile hike and future you will be grateful that just the sheets need washing. Also, for nights where you feel like you are living in a tin oven, you will be glad to have them. Here are flannel and microfiber sheets we like.

AmazonBasics Lightweight Super Soft Easy Care Microfiber Sheet Set with 16" Deep Pockets - Queen, Navy Blue. Starting $19.99 — AmazonBasics Lightweight Super Soft Easy Care Microfiber Sheet Set with 16″ Deep Pockets – Queen, Navy Blue. Starting $19.99

Pillows

Buy 2 of your favorite pillow and bring one of them with you! Whatever you use at home, use in your van. Buy what you love. If you aren’t sure what your favorite pillow is, than you can try my pillow.

Sleep Accessories

Another huge difference maker for sleeping well while camping is your accessories. Earplugs and an eye mask will keep you from waking up at sunrise or every time someone shuts a car door. Go with a pair of reusable earplugs and an eye mask that is soft and breathable.

Light Blocking Sleep Mask, Soft and Comfortable. $9.98

Reusable Silicone Ear Plugs - Waterproof Noise Reduction Earplugs 32dB Highest NRR, 3 Pairs with Bonus Travel Pouch. $9.79 — Reusable Silicone Ear Plugs – Waterproof Noise Reduction Earplugs 32dB Highest NRR, 3 Pairs with Bonus Travel Pouch. $9.79

August 18 2020

5 Must Have Subscription Service for Life on the Road

Christie Free Reviews

Life on the road has a glamorous ring to it. Picture yourself arm out the window, wind in your hair, going 80 MPH with your best friend (human or not) sitting likewise, riding shot-gun. Maybe you have tunes blazing, maybe you have a podcast bumping, or maybe you are deep in the weeds in conversation on topics only the road can open up. Its a picture of carefree living.

What this picture doesn’t show, is that you’ve been on the road for 6 hours already today and this is your third day in a row of driving. It doesn’t show that you have listened to this playlist or this podcast start to finish 5 times already and that you are driving 80 MPH because your sick of the road and you just want to get there already!

Take a deep breath. Its all very normal. Still, we don’t want you going 80 MPH or taking your hands off the wheel to search your phone for a new playlist, so these are 7 memberships and subscription services that will make your life much easier help you stay safe and sane on the road.

AAA Emergency Services

AAA offers 5 levels of service; Classic, Plus, Premier, RV Plus and RV Premier. Pricing will depend on what state you purchase your membership in. We live in Washington and pay $99 for AAA Plus service. We have had to be towed over 30 miles before and were very gratefully we had the Plus package. We recommend at least the Plus level of service. They cover running out of gas, locking yourself out of your car, dead batteries, flat tires, getting stuck in ditches, plus hundreds of discounts. No brainer!

America the Beautiful National Park Pass

This pass pays for itself after 2 visits to any National Parks in the US. Yellowstone, for example, is $35 a day to enter, this pass is $80 and is good for a full year from the month of purchase to enter all National Parks in the US an unlimited number of times. Buy the pass, go crazy, try and visit all 62 of them!

Audible

Trust us you will get sick of your favorite music, especially if you are travelling solo. Sign up for Audible. Even free podcasts will get dry. There is no substitution for a good audiobook. Benefits include; staying awake on the road, its an adventure within an adventure, it will keep you company, learn something new, finish a book finally. Cons include; none.

Movie and TV Streaming Services

Netflix | Hulu | Amazon Prime

Did you know you can download movies from your preferred video streaming app? Well you can! Not all titles are available for download, but a good deal of them are.

Just look for this symbol near TV episodes and movies. Still confused? Here are some instructions for Netflix downloading.

Download new movies and TV episodes when you have wifi and enjoy a night in or a movie before bed from the comfort of your home away from home.

Google One

Google’s storage plans start with 15 GB for free and go up to $19.99/year for 100 GB. Its worth the peace of mind of having your photos and videos backed up.

August 16 2020

12 Best Coolers for Van Camping

Christie Free Reviews

Top products in hard coolers, soft cooler, rolling coolers, large and small coolers Prices range from $27 to $399

Camping doesn’t mean you have to live on granola bars and peanut butter sandwiches alone. It is very rewarding to eat a delicious meal while you watch bison graze in grasslands in the valley below your epic camping location. A solid and reliable cooler will make the difference between surviving and thriving while camping.

Buying a cooler doesn’t need to be a hand-wringing, hair-pulling, painful experience, but it is important to do a little research. We are here to help with a few ideas on how to buy the right cooler for your freestyle camping needs.

The answer to keeping food cold while you are camping is dependent on a few of factors;

How big of a cooler do you need?

Even if you are camping in a smart car and have very little room to spare, you will be glad to have even a small cooler for essentials like meat, milk or eggs.

How long you want your ice to last?

Will you need ice for 3 days or 10 days? Typically the longer you want ice to last the more expensive your cooler will be. If you are camping at Walmart parking lots along your journey, you can easily change ice every few days. On the other hand, if you will be away from services for weeks at a time, it is worth getting a cooler with a high insulation rating. A solid well insulated cooler will also keep the smell of your food from wafting up the nose of a hungry curious grizzly bear. Have you seen a bear try to break into a yeti cooler?

How much of your budget will you spend?

A really good cooler is a big game changer for having a relaxing and luxurious camping experience. We recommend spending at the top of your budget for two reasons; premium ice retention and long-lasting product life. There are other places where you can save a dime. Since every budget is different, we will show coolers in a range of prices.

Best Coolers for Ice Retention

We are starting with the best performing coolers on the market, so we will also start this section with the best of the best performer. The YETI Tundra cooler is top of the line, boasts 10 day ice retention and bear proof design. This cooler will last you for decades of adventures. Put stickers all over it and let it remind you of great times.

Yeti Tundra 65. Shone in Coral, comes in White, Tan, Sea-foam Green and Midnight Blue. Starting $349.98.

The Orca Hard Cooler is another top of the line cooler for performance and durability. It may be less well known than Yeti, but its performance just as strong.

Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler White 58 Quart. Starting $339.99.

The Lifetime hard cooler has a similar style build to the popular high end brands like YETI and Pelican, but it is far more affordable. Ice retention is still very high at 8 days. This cooler has excellent reviews and is a great option if your budget is tight.

Lifetime Durable Performance Cooler (77-Quart), Grey. $186.25

Best Small Coolers

For those of you camping in a smart car or traveling by bicycle, we will take a look at the best small coolers. Small is in the eye of the beholder, but 14 to 20 quarts is a nice size for a picnic. You can fit about 6 cans and sandwich fixings in a 14 quart cooler.

Igloo Playmate The Boss Cooler. 14.8 QT. $28.99

ENGEL Cooler/Dry Box 19 Qt - Tan. $64.95 — ENGEL Cooler/Dry Box 19 Qt – Tan. $64.95

Pelican 20 Quart Elite Cooler in Seafoam. Starting $149.99

Best Soft Coolers

Soft coolers are perfect for day trips or short overnight trips. They wont keep ice frozen for days at a time, but they are lighter than hard coolers and much easier to handle. We use our soft cooler for boating trips, picnics and bringing cold beer and ice cream to our friends for BBQs.

The AO cooler has fantastic ice retention and is at a great price point. It is light weight and comes in four sizes; 12 cans, 24 cans, 36 cans and 48 cans.

AO Coolers Original Soft Cooler with High-Density Insulation. 24 cans. Charcoal. $69.99

The RTIC soft coolers have a handful of advantages; they promise leak proof, lightweight, high quality performance. They also have anti-microbial lining to prevent bacteria and odor.

RTIC Insulated Soft Cooler Bag, Leak Proof Zipper, Keeps Ice Cold for Days, 30. Starting $99.99

This is not a Yeti commercial I swear. This is the cooler we own, so we are giving it a quick shout out. It is waterproof so its perfect for boating.

YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler. Navy $299.98

Best Rolling Coolers

Just about every well known cooler brand has a version with wheels. If you come to the conclusion you want a Pelican or an Ora or a Yeti, but also want a cooler with wheels, chances are you will find one. If you are not concerned with brand, these are three coolers in different price points we have read great things about.

Coleman is a name you can trust in affordable camping supplies, but can you trust its quality? In the case for this cooler, you can. It boasts, keeping ice for 5 days in 90 degree weather. It doubles as a table and a bench. It is also the cooler my dad has used for the last 10 years.

Coleman 100-Quart Xtreme 5-Day Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels, Blue. $99.99

Igloo is another great name in affordable camping gear. Same question… same answer! It boasts 5 days of ice retention and indestructible stainless steel handles.

Igloo Glide Pro 110 Roller, White. $136.75

If you are determined to spend money on a high quality rolling cooler, check out the Pelican Elite Cooler on Wheels. It has a 360 degree freezer-grade insulating gasket and can keep ice for up to 10 days.

Pelican Elite Coolers with Wheels, White. $390.95

July 29 2020

5 Tips on Successful Stealth Camping

Christie Free How-To Articles

Making it look like no one is home

You might find it necessary to channel your inner owl and stay hidden. Coming and going from your vehicle is a dead givaway that someone is sticking around for the night.

1. Cover the windows with light proof material like foil insulation. Cut the foil into the shape for each window. You can glue fabric to the outside to dress it up a bit. It will keep the vehicle insulated and keep light from escaping through the windows at night.

2. Park with your door opening towards the woods or away from the road. If you have a van with sliding door or you exit your rv from the back, park so your entrance is off the main road. If you are car camping, not much you can do here, but try and come and go from the off-road side of the vehicle.

3. Bring everything in at night. This might seem obvious, but before you head out on the road, make sure that all your stuff fits in your rig and that you are able to clear your bed area and fit on it with everything inside. You will be able to stay off-the-radar while free camping and prevent camp bandits from stealing your stuff. Good storage solutions will help with this. We use the “under the bed” storage solutions and the rubbermaid heavy duty stackable bins.

4. Be a homebody. Entertain yourself inside at night. If you have Amazon prime you can download movies and TV episodes for free and keep them on your devices for camping in areas without service. A recipe for a nice night in are some good headphones and a tablet or maybe few good books. We have a pair of the Bose headphones but when we camp as a family we use our JBL speaker. It is waterproof so you can take it out on the boat as well!

5. Bathroom inside your rig. Free camping has its disadvantages and the biggest will be no facilities. You don’t want to go outside in the dead of night hunting for a spot. Having an option for a bathroom in your rig will be a welcome solution, whether you are camping incognito or are scared of bumping into bears in the night. You can buy a port-a-potty if you have the money, the space, and the energy to keep it clean. Better option; just use a 5 gallon bucket lined with a biodegradable garbage bag and filled with natural cedar kitty litter. You can put a cut foam noodle around the rim for a more comfortable seat.

July 25 2020

Route Review #1: Seattle to Chicago – The Very Best Kayaking, Hiking and Huckleberry Picking

Christie Free Route Review

Sandpoint ID, Yellowstone NP, Badlands NP

There is a little bit of everything that nature has to offer on the drive from Seattle and Chicago. You will make your way through the Cascade mountain range and pass Mount Rainier, then drive through the famous Rocky Mountains into one of the worlds most famous and traveled National Parks, Yellowstone. You will drive through one of the strangest natural landscapes; the badlands, where you can see Bison roaming in the valleys from the multicolored cliffs above. You will drive a stretch of road so straight and flat that you can literally see for miles. It is an estimated 36 hours of driving and 2,230 miles one way. We recommend taking at least 10 days for the whole trip.

1st Leg – Sandpoint, ID. (3 hours 55 minutes, 321 miles): Sandpoint is a beautiful mountain town that sits between Mount Schweitzer ski resort and Lake Pend Oreille. If you come in the summer or the winter there are a lot of activities to enjoy. In the summer you can take the chairlift up Schweitzer Mountain and bike or hike down while picking huckleberries. Or you can take a kayak or stand up paddleboard (check out the one we found for under $300 below) out on Lake Pend Oreille, which has 144 miles of shoreline. Fishing is incredibly diverse and you can catch trout, mackinaw, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch, bullhead (catfish) and dozens of other types of fish. In the winter, Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort offers world renowned skiing on almost 3,000 acres. The city of Sandpoint has a great nightlife, shopping and fantastic dinning.

Camping options: 48.173677, -116.231985; Driftwood Yard Road. 3 night stay max. 48.13896, -116.228624; Johnson Creek, NFDR 278, 3 night stay max.

MaxKare Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP). $278.88

2nd Leg – Yellowstone, NP. (9 hours 26 minutes, 530 miles): Not including the full Yellowstone loop. The full loop(s) is about 142 miles.

Camping options: 44.669074, -111.315755; Near West Yellowstone, MT. Targhee Creek TH, BLM land, max 16 days. 44.69385, -111.2635; Near West Yellowstone, MT. Max stay 14 days.

3rd Leg – The Badlands, SD. (7 hours 48 minutes, 485 miles): The Badlands are like nothing you’ve ever seen before; multicolored spires, lush valleys, roaming giants, there is nothing else on earth like them. Do not forget to bring binoculars!

Binoculars for Adults with New Smartphone Photograph Adapter. $78.86

Camping options: 43.890031, -102.226789, Right out side the entrance to the badlands and camping spots overlooking the valley. The very best of free camping!

Last stretch – Blue Earth, MN. (6 hours 3 minutes, 428 miles). The giant friendly green giant in Blue Earth Minnesota isn’t much of a destination, but its a nice place to camp half way to Chicago from the Badlands.

Camping options; 43.651081, -94.095619 .Free for the first 24 hours. The fairgrounds camping has power hookup and showers. 6 hours east of the Badlands.

Bonus Option – La Farge, WI (3 hours, 10 minutes, 194 miles from Blue Earth, MN) Go easy on yourself and take a pit stop in beautiful Wisconsin and check out the Wildcat Mountain State Park and Kickapoo Valley Reserve State Natural Area. Both parks have hiking trails and beautiful views to offer and if you bring your kayak or dragon shaped inner tube, you will love to cruise down a lazy river with lush overreaching trees along the bank. Don’t forget aqua shoes for those sharp river rocks.

Camping Options; 43.598904, -90.779177. The West Fork Sportsman’s Club is not a free place to camp. It is $10/night for a non-electricity site and $20/night for electricity.

GoFloats Dragon Party Tube Inflatable Rafts. Chose Fire Dragon or Ice Dragon. Starting $19.99

Women's Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes. Starting $19.99 — Women’s Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes. Starting $19.99

Men's Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes. Starting $19.99 — Men’s Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes. Starting $19.99

Arrive Chicago (6 hours 25 minutes, 437 miles from Blue Earth, MN – or – 4 hours 8 minutes, 240 miles from La Farge, WI). Camping for free near major cities is complicated. If you don’t mind being an hour outside of town you will find better spots. Near the city center, your best bet is Walmart, Cabella’s or Cracker Barrel parking lots. Below is a casino that allows camping.

Camping options: 42.201079, -86.213755. Four Winds Casino.