Tinted windows and having something to cover the windows at night will prevent people knowing you are sleeping in the car.

Always remember, your car is your bestfriend. Only your car will save you when family and friends fall out. You can trust a car because it doesn't change moods, people however are erratic and switch up. That includes family. Best solution is to trade/buy a big car and pay it like your paying an apartment [invest in a big car] and make sure the car you have *Always has a sunroof/moonroof for fresh air and have rain guards so you can roll your window down enough to get air in. As well as 3 fans and possibly an air purifier. Also dark window tint if you have to.

Having the legs down in relationship to the body increases the risk of a blot clot. Sitting too much is really bad, but brisk walking is very beneficial. If one can find a way to elevate the legs and feet part of the time, ideally higher than the heart, it can be helpful.

I would add....don’t sleep in the drivers seat area because as you move about at night while asleep, you could accidentally hit the gear shift, tge horn or lights, etc.

Shit no it's not safe but better than a tent on a sidewalk

Good idea is to keep 2 wallets. Your personal wallet & a fake wallet stuff with old used up gift cards💳. That way if someone tries to rob you, you can hand over your fake wallet(just make sure nothing with your name is on it).

That’s why you park at a 24 hour Walmart that allows overnight parking with good lighting. Or a Pilot gas station, also 24 hours with bright lights and most likely other people sleeping in there car for the night also

It is terrible to live in a car but thank goodness there are technologies that allows people to work from a space. At least there is a roof, smartphone, KZfaq, and WIFI.

Solutions to your problems. 1. Sleep next to park area, always move to different side everynight to cover all 4 corners or parameters. 2. Take BJJ, Submission Wrestling or MMA class. 3. Dont flash your car to stranger, put most houswhole items in storage or your parents house. 3. Reduce or minimize accidents: Search, Evaulate, and Execute . Never sleep in the opened parking lots, sleep next to the Public Parks is safer. 4. Be a warrior, Samurai, Ankorian, or Gladiators we dont give a rat rear end what yall think. Life is survival. 5. Small car solutions remove passenger and rear two seats, built flat platform with form so you could lay full body. I have minivan , remove 2nd and 3rd row seats put in twin bed lay fully down and sleep comfortably. Crack open windows alittle is fine with me. Shower at the gym, shit, shave, and shower.

I have seen trees fall during storms, so if the weather is bad just check your surroundings also.

I am obsessed with “van Life”. I recently came across this channel and my oh my....without a doubt one of the best. You’re very young yet very wise. Thank you for sharing so much good information...this is all stuff I would have not thought of or have seen from other youtubers. Yes indeed, well done you! Much love from Austin, Texas!

I have been living in my car for two weeks now. So far I am very happy with the decision, Though I must admit, I am very lucky to live in a city that I can genuinely trust. There is a tourist attraction type place nearby with twenty four hour shower and bathroom access. To me that is crucial. It may seem offensive to say, but if you don't look homeless, using a shower like this every 3 days or so isn't going to be a problem. For safety, this is what i do. I created my own custom window covers. Two ways to do this are to use double sided velcro tape and position the pieces so that you can still crack your windows...or just make the cutout slightly larger than the window. This can be achieved by adding layers of duct tape to the corners of the panels until they require you to apply pressure to get them to fit. My covers consist of a layer of amazon cardboard in the middle, 2 outer layers of black duct tape (wrapped around the outer edges to keep out rain when windows are cracked), and an inside layer of carpet. This helps a bit with insulation and temperature management. For the rear window, you can save money by buying a large table cloth (i got one for $1.50 at a discount store) and cutting it out to fit the cardboard. For all of this i use a staple gun to combine the layers. For larger window pieces, goto dollar tree and find flat metal or plastic rulers and use duct tape to apply them across the cardboard to prevent bending, specifically targeting creases in the cardboard to prevent having to rebuild your covers. For the outer edges of windows, you can use about 1/2 inch of duct tape to reduce light bleeding through. Further on the subject of safety, here's my technique. The covers are medium distance security. They will be noticed when a potential thief gets 20 feet or so from your vehicle. For long distance prevention, I use a dummy anti theft led at the front of my car up by the center rear view mirror. This deters potential thieves from over 50 feet away. The next step is motion detection. There are proximity detectors for cheap on temu and amazon that will make a loud noise or bright light when motion is captured at close proximity. If someone still tries to break in, I feel most comfortable with this method: Step one: get loud immediately and threaten physical harm in self defense. Step two: grab a taser with a loud siren and activate the siren immediately. Step three: if the opponent is engaged directly, use pepper spray with a 20ft range, and try to spray from outside the vehicle. Step four, pull out a real looking gun, or an actual gun, once again be loud and scary. At this point, you should be ready to drive away as soon as possible. Most of this should never happen if you layer up as many preventative solutions as you can. But it never hurts to be ready. If you are prepared enough, you should never have to physically defend yourself, but should always be prepared to do so just in case. I think the biggest concern though, apart from safety, and one you didn't cover much, is temperature. Some areas have more extreme weather than others. The number ONE must have for living in your car for more than just a night is a portable power generator. Something with 250wh to 500wh is plenty for temperature regulation. I got the bailibatt 300w for $110 and am more than happy. I use a 12v to 110v car inverter to reliably charger it during the day while i'm driving. For summer time, Target has the honey well ht-900 fan for under $20. Amazon also has these rechargeable lithium battery powered fans that do a great job when you combine a few of them together, but that only works if its under 85 degrees. This is why I recommend the generator. It is harder to stay cool in a car when it's hot outside than to stay warm when it's cold outside. This being said, i recommend a sleeping bag rated for 0 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is perfect for temperature regulation all year round and easier to stash away so your car doesn't look like a bedroom in the day time. The generator will also let you run a space heater, I just recommend sticking to a 35W power rating on any temperature regulation device, so you can sleep comfortably through the entire night. Solid sleep is crucial to moving forward to a better living situation. This being said, I have tried out different sleeping pads and this is what i recommend: 75" length, 24" to 30" width (go with 30" if it will fit in your vehicle), 6" thickness (at least 1 inch of memory foam towards the top. 1 inch cotton max. The other 3 to 4 inches of thickness should be SUPPORT foam and nothing less. Expect to pay $75 to $150 for a long term viable portable bed setup. Amazon has your back (literally). Just take your time when picking what's right for you. If you don't have the money for a comfortable portable bed, this is a reason to borrow money, donate plasma, use an app based lending service, etc. It will absolutely make living in your car a step forward in a better direction! Hope my ranting helps someone out 😊

If you have a panic button on your key fob and you wake up to steps or come one trying to open your door smash that alarm button! It'll scare the shit out of them

You should keep your keys IN the ignition, with a black t shirt covering them. I just got to the part where you mentioned blood clots. Wow, I know a woman who slept in her backseat for YEARS -- literally bent over. And she recently died from a blood clot.

Best places to sleep 1. Truck stops ( it's legal and there are bathrooms / showers and lots of light ) 2. Rest areas again ... Bathrooms ,it's legal and you have lots of lighting 3. Cracker Barrels ... It's legal lots of lighting and great food in the morning / bathrooms . Usually they are in an area with gas stations and hotels so you can use the bathrooms . Note: I wouldn't ever sleep at a Walmart . I don't know why I just don't . Never felt right about it . I'm sure you can find camping spots and other places but for my own personal experiences these three places have done me well . God bless you .

As for parking, you can always sleep at the gym parking lot that only works if its a 24 hour open gym. Instead of pepper spray get a stun gun of course you have to charge it, but its much easier then pepper spray also you can keep a bat under your seat or a cast iron pan under your seat whichever you feel is best. As for internet libraries have free wifi.

I got a blood clot from sitting at a conference for 8 hrs on a padded folding chair. I am tall and the clot formed right where my long leg hung over the seat edge and when I was developing my vehicle "bed" (reclining the front seat in my sedan) I noticed where the front edge of the seat falls is the "clot" area and it reminded me of discomfort there after the clot when driving long ways. Even though it is comfortable enough massaging*, some stretching and staying properly hydrated is VERY important. I am also adding support from seat edge to the natural bend at my knees (using a soft clothing container that I would normally use for storage so double use) *I have a mix of essential oils to disperse the tendency to clot : Helichrysum Cistus Clove Lavender Lemon, 4 drops each in an ounce of carrier oil. Use at your own risk but this video IS about knowing the risks and how you might deal with them.

Excellent Video!! Things that van lifers dont talk abt. Like i have not heard anyone saying this things that are very important!!! THANK YOU!!!

Coming from a guy who sleeps in his car alot this was still helpful and caring information. I hope all is well with you this is the first video I ever saw with you.

Well I’ll tell ya, I would rather sleep in a vehicle, than on the street, park bench or viaduct.

Keep your doors locked. I had several cases where people walk by and feel the doors to see if can get in and steal.

I should have thought nothing sends out a message of "Someone is sleeping here" more, than covered windows.

Om gosh, Ty for mentioning getting rear ended. I'll be living in an old mustang and was thinking of sleeping the same way you mentioned. I don't want to sleep in the driver's seat because I have scoliosis. I'm almost 70 and want to travel a little. I have no other way to travel, no van. And, I really believe I'll be in better health if I do. I just stay inside and only nuke junk to eat. Living in my car, I'll HAVE to get out and walk. I've gotten myself in such bad shape by just staying in bed being depressed. Tyvm for your video. Safe travels and God bless. 🌷🙏🙏

There are many risk factors I can think of not being able to take a clean bath anywhere, brush your teeth, and wash your clothes you would have to find somewhere to do all of these. This is what makes it difficult not only that u have to think about your safety also. I live in Houston and people break in people's cars all the time.

THANK YOU!!!! Important highlights of car-sleeping that is helpful with preparing for roadtrips with better caution.

Good to know I'm sleeping in my car 3 night in a week because my job moved so i didn’t know about the clot, very important to know, i wouldn't suggest anybody to sleep in a car, unless is temporary and if you gonna do get a van a make it comfortable

Using pepper spray while you are IN your car means YOU are also getting sprayed and it is no joke! Not saying it won't be a benefit but you had better know exactly HOW you will protect YOUR eyes if you deploy it.

I am glad that you made this video because these topics are important when living in a car.

Excellent. This is the first time I've seen this topic covered in detail.

Very excellent video. You talk about issues I haven’t heard before. Like health. Family relations. I’m going female soli in about a week. I am much older than you. My family actually had an intervention interrogating me about my decision to travel to see the USA. I could understand concern and them not understanding yet the negativity is more stressful than anything. Even one of my friends wants to micromanage me and know where I’m going to be every step. Asking where I’m going to sleep. I sense it’s just something to gossip about. I can’t wait even more to get away. I feel oppressed and smoothered. Thank you for the point you brought. It helped me to me mindful of important factors. The best to you in the future.

Option 1 If you are sleeping in a residential area Don't let it be known you are sleeping in your car. Option 2 If you are in a parking lot, that is safe Don't hide too much because a thief will not try to rob your car if they know you are in it.

During the Irag war, a reporter embedded with troops who slept in a military vehicle with his knees bent, died from a blood clot. I think his last name was Allen. I heard a story like this from Afghanistan too.

Great content, comprehensive and with humor.

Thank you for keeping it real. You hit on all the "really" important stuff except you missed the "where to go potty" chapter...lol. Some things are better left unexplained. You were very logical in your presentation. I appreciated that. So thanks again for keeping it real.

Just found your channel! Have also lived in my car for a period of time and started making videos. Thank you for sharing. Solid information!

Biggest health issue I have had from sleeping in car is bacteria buildup on pillow sleeves that feeds on small pieces of skin shed from your head. Causes ear and eye infections. Have to change your pillow sleeves often and I also used sanitizing wipes for face, eyes and ears.

When I was homeless I picked up stalkers. These people stalked me day and night. I sleep at night. They don’t. I ran two states away. They are still with me. Now I discovered where those tall security lights are in parking lots cuz when they get tripped they began talking very loud . this wakes me up in the middle of the night. Once that security thing is breached it begins filming, also. I don’t think my stalkers know that. On the first night I slept under one, it was breached. I woke up in my car yanking the window coverings down and starting my car quickly. I was so alarmed because next to my drivers door, parked way too close was a windowless van! 😳 yikes I was driving before I was awake. I was located by the reservation and as soon as my tires hit the street I was lit up and pulled over by the tribal police. He said ma’am u dint use your turn signal. As I was telling him to take me somewhere safe. Now I always park under that security. Cuz I will know when it is breached. Whoever it is that s stalking me still comes with his windowless van however, he no longer breaches the motion detector. On top of mt Shasta they tried shooting my tires out 5 different times. One time they missed me and shot the poor guy in a white van that had windows and flattened his tire! I’m sorry to him but I couldn’t stop. He was traveling on the drivers side of my car. Stalker was on the passenger side. I heard the bang.. stalker did not have his drivers window open. I don’t know how he was doing it! This guy followed me from Tehachapi Ca. To Washington. The other day I just found two GPS in my car. Can’t call police! The retaliation is brutal when I do that. Plus cops say do you have a prescription you need to get filled? Are you on drugs? They won’t hear you when you’re homeless! They think you’re crazy,!

Have a hotel fund for dates. At 68 my wife and I lived for 10 days just in the civic seat reclined never felt bad. We oversleep when we put the jackets over our heads. I'm getting a Prius.

When I lived in my car, I rented a Rav4 for space and ability to plow through snow. I always opened one window just a bit to let fresh air in. I had my favorite spot in 24-hour supermarket plaza opposite a 24-hour Planet Fitness in a good neighborhood. However, people got to know I was there (I snore) and I got unwelcome attention (nails in tires, people knocking on window at night). Fortunately, I got pay increase and moved into apartment just in time. Now there are signs everywhere there saying no parking or idling etc.

I rotate too. I keep doors locked. I sleep in my seat just put sear back. Usually at a all night laundry mat or a late fast food place.

See. In England, even if you were parked illegally. They worst they'd do is move you along, and so long as you moved when asked/told to do so. You're ok. No ticket, nothing.

When Katie Carney is in her car traveling/living.. she says at truck stops like flying j

You do have to be safe .

It is very tough thing to do hard to do for long term times be careful watch your situations know your areas well avoid high crime areas stay safe be watchful and stay safe please stay safe watch your situations carefully

Depends on where you live I’ve slept in my car all over Cali la the worst I think and Stockton lol 😆

Hey Brandon, Be safe out there Man ✌

i sleep in a mini-van. i bought covers for all the windows (i can't think of the website but they make them for many different types of cars.).....For safety....if I leave my van to go food shopping or hiking, i put all the covers in the windows and i turn on a small but loud transistor radio and i leave it on super loud). That way, if someone approaches my car, they cannot see in but they can hear the loud radio playing so they think someone is in there.).....also....for my very expensive valuables in my van ($1,800 satelite phone, smith and wesson revolver, cash) i bought a very serious safe that has a big azz steel cable so I can lock the safe to the front seat. few people carry bolt cutters so the cable and the safe help keep my stuff safe. ......the website to buy car window covers is weathertech.com and the safe i got was from amazon....it is the size of two shoe boxes...it comes with a steel cable and it unlocks either with a key, combination, or finger prints. the company that makes the safe is.....Vaultek. Not cheap but my stuff doesn't get ripped off.

In West Seattle I just park by where I used to live on Alki Beach. A lot of ppl come in summer and hang around the beach. There's RVs on the main street to Alki - and a 7-11 right by where they all park. It's a really beautiful area. Ive been making some videos just go to my channel in like a week I'll be starting to post them. There's a lot of sunset etc videos on my channel now if anyone wants to see what it looks like. The only bummer lately is because of the virus my gym is closed. They are normally open from 5 a.m to 11 p.m and have the HOTTEST biggest showers with benches. They are called West Seattle Fitness Club

I had a drunk dude smash int my car from behind once. It woke me up felt like another car hit me. But it was just a man that was so drunk that he used my car as a crutch to stop him from falling over.

You missed the # 1 way to keep your car safe from theft! My car looks like a piece of crap. It's old. it's dented, it's full of junk. Anyone who saw it would never guess that I had anything in it worth more than 2 cents. When, in fact, I cary a lot of cash with me. Lol!

Exactly indeed Thank you

Thank you for sharing!! This is helpful !great video !

if you dont feel safe living in a car it means your living in the wrong city

We use black bedding it helps us blend in st night. We never park in the last parking spot cars might hit your car coming across the street if your car is the first car they come too..

Thanks!

Thank you so much for your information.

About to move into my Jeep Renegade ..took the back seats out, getting black out side window covers, got a north face sleeping bag( for extreme cold) ready, and a memory foam pad ready to bare the TX winter, ive just been constantly thinking where to park. My jeep is pretty stealthy, dark grey, dark windows. I'm thinking of parking around cameras, hospitals or higher end hotels ( but in the right spot if that makes sense) ... id also suggest having a storage room. Keeping valuables at the home base or stuff you dont want stolen. A gym membership so your clean at all times, all about minimizing the risk and attention. Id also suggest if you have a sound system to not have it bumping where you might be resting. I have a good job with family ... and not sure how they would take the news lol. But, im trying to get my life back on track and with the money I make ...livng in my jeep would save me loads of money... I might stay at a hotel a few nights just to decompress. But, living in the jeep 60-70% of the time. Id also suggest considering where to park in case of a hail /extreme storm... that would be terrifying. Not because of what could happen to you. But also the damage to the vehicle. Theres only so many places to go. Also, having snacks/hydration or maybe a power station to keep cool/warm. Id say try to be as comfortable as you can and have the necessary gear to get you through the seasons.

Take a dirt road to a dirt path to a weed patch drive into the brush. .. tape reflectors sleep tight..😅

I fell on hard times a few months ago and slept out my car for a while I drove out of town found a spot on a country lane where you'd be unlucky to see one person let alone someone that wants to mug you

My uncle slept in his car for a while and he used those bumper cushion things in the front and back of the car to lessen damage to self or car in an accident.

blood clots are related to eating animal products and meat. if living in the car, it would probably be smart to try to eat vegan or vegetarian for the most part. I feel like a lot of people eat fast food a ton when car camping, and thats not good for the body

A can of Wasp spray is ALWAYS within reach for me! You can spray a looonngg steam with a slightly cracked window!

Right on man, great video!

You are a nice guy!

Highway Rest/break stop would be the best place.

Benzene build-up is a concern if you DON’T crack the windows.

This is my first time enjoying your KZfaq channel. Great work! I’m looking forward to more great content from you. Thank you so much for this informative video! I got so much out of it. ************************************ If you don’t mind sharing, why exactly are you living out of your car? Do you have student loans to pay off? Between jobs? Are you in it for the adventure? All the above? Just curious…

Great Video. . Good Content

Fact: Car and van life is so much easier in the current year because of the Internet.

Thank you 🙏

Very smart!

hope you're doing okay! great videos dude

Excellent points.

I camp a lot in my sprinter van conversion and in my country pepper spray is not legal without a weapon permit (which one never gets for pepper spray btw) but I carry on me always a small container (5ml with some added air to bump up the pressure a bit and a drilled out nozzle) to act as a de-facto pepper spray, it works, believe me I know and so does my one time assailant...Also next to my drivers seat or on my dash is a steering wheel lock, which is not only a functioning steering wheel lock but also can be used to swing and crack some bones if need be. I never had to use that one and even though I was stopped several times by law enforcement, they never regarded the lock as being a non belonging item next to a drivers seat and left it alone. Many people chose to get a smaller size baseball bat or a crowbar to do similar jobs but a cop could then start to argue that the item has nothing to do with driving a vehicle and should be considered an assault weapon making it possibly subject of a criminal case. My advice: loose the baseball bat to the trunk or the sporting clothes bag in the trunk, leave tools also in the trunk but get a weapon looking/acting item which belongs next to a driver seat like steering wheel locks, a large book of maps (always good to hit a loud mouth with some knowledge) or a small fire extinguisher (you never know when you need to put out a heated argument) One safety thing: I recommend you leave the car keys in or very near the ignition switch in case you need to make a quick get away. If you leave the keys in the ignition you can drape a t shirt or the like over the steering coulomb to conceal the fact that the keys are there...make sure the t-shirt can not get caught in the works when you turn the wheel...would be bad if you had to get away quick and you have to deal with a caught up solid t shirt stuck in the steering mechanics... Also many people leave some items in the front seat(s) related to work but I realize this is not very viable for a honda civic or worse: a prius passenger car.

how about plastic panel emitting toxic fumes especially during warmer months?

blm land, hospitals, hotel parkibg lot , walmart, rest stops, free camping sites

Do you ever watch Katie Carnie? She is staying at a friend's because of covid-19 right now. But she's been doing it for years

Also how do you take the seats out so you can make the trunk into a bed.

Good air filter! I keep my windows up, ac on circulating inside air. Toyota Prius Prime can run AC all night on EV.

It's illegal in Canada to use Pepper Spray on people :(

All but #1 are legit concerns I have living in my house 😆

6:54 this happened to my friend Eric once

Near the outskirts of a walmart parking lot? Or in a walmart parking lot?

Well, someone intelligent as you maybe move to Vegas and get a room-mate paying 300 bucks a month. What you will save on buying food outside and the cost of dating girls (or having ugly ones) is worth it. And just one thing--you did not mention showers which is a huge issue. 10 bucks Planet Fitness covers that part which is essential.

I sleep in my Self Driving car while puttimg on the miles😅

Not sure if you're even still in your car this was a couple of years ago that you did these videos or if you even follow your own channel anymore but I just wonder why aren't you camping out more or like parking your car in the more rural area instead of in the city? I know the last time I tried to park on the beach in California there was cops on me faster than there would have been in the city so I guess that might be the reason but it seems like since you have such a nice new car why don't you just go to the Mojave Desert or just go to a KOA Campground?

Also there are chemicals in the foams, leathers, and fabrics such as flame retardants that you breath in as they are slowly released into the air by sun exposure. Its called offgassing.

Pepper spray to much? I always have a 9mm

if you want to live in a car, you should have a larger car or mini-van.

I have a ford focus and the backseat doesn't go back in the trunk. Any other good sleeping methods?

i think a van will be more comfortable than a sedan

I have no choice but to live in my car because I'm homeless

Blood clots... Damn, thats scary.

plenty safe ,, if you know were to park ,I have a dash cam that records front and back 24 seven... im going on 3 years... i never park on streets ever.. also Be aware you need to have a residential address of some kind to carry insurance and registration. i use my storage unit rental place..or you could use a Ups Box (u cant use a post office box in my state) And be aware your drivers license Needs to be updated they can sight u for it.. Subscribe and join my channel like my videos

Is it safe to live in your car if u are a girl alone?

co positioning???

You moved back home?

I had a gas can wiith a couple gallons of gas in my SUV, which I kept for emergencies, i didn’t have the spout covered and I got a really bad headache which was very unusual for me, so im thinking the gas caused it. So of course now I keep it sealed or empty.

I wish it was a choice 😢

Get street smarts.