From one Okie girl to another (I was born and raised in Lawton) - I have a tip for you. Go to an Army surplus store and purchase two wool Army blankets. Put one under your fitted sheet and one on top of your top sheet and you should sleep as snug as a bug in a rug. I vote for how you stay safe in a van.

who randomly found this in their recommended?

omg. I had no idea those memory foams harden up when cold!

You should use -32 mummy sleeping bag. I keep one in my apartment whenever I lose power failure. I used it once believe me it kept me warm

It made me feel so cozy when you closed that white curtain around yourself.

get a carbom monoxide alarm

tip-drive to Florida in the winter!

So many helpful hints. Thank you for all the good ideas :)

I enjoy listening to how you improve your van. You really keep an open mind and learn as you go. Cool stuff.

PLEASE DO NOT USE A USB anything to power anything with heat. Notice your 12v cig lighter is 25 amps, there is a reason its can, it's typically a nice decently thick 14 or 12 gauge wire. You will not get that from a USB which is rated for 5v - 7 amps typically and running on a 20+ gauge wire. Anything past that and you're going to be risking an electrical fire! Anything rated for USB would not be adequate. Also why did you run the exhaust on your heater down (risking it getting buried and having CO in the cabin) vs running it above the roofline? EDIT: I see you didn't have enough exhaust piping. When you get more run it above the roofline instead. This is a partial reason why semitrucks with sleepers have their exhaust running above the cab. The other perks being safety, noise and temperature control. Also, consider getting a skirt that blocks the sides bottom of the van when parked. This will keep the bottom of the van much warmer. since it's one less side/surface area for heat to escape from the underdraft.

Thank you so much for this advise. I'm in a pre van state right now and you have answered several questions I had before starting my build. Great clip!

Brandon had one of the best vans I've ever seen and I think Jared Tocci of Ghost Van drew a lot of inspiration from it when he built his new van.

Flannel sheets will not only keep you warm in the winter but they also keep you cool in the summer because they are 100% cotton. I live in Minnesota and used to both extreme cold and heat and use them all year long 😊

Maybe just for safety a carbon monoxide detector. Just in case :) love the videos.

Instead of cotton PJs you should get either silk or polypropylene long johns. As mentioned by others get a nice 0 rated down mummy sleeping bag with a bag liner. You won’t need socks because you’ll be as snug as a bug in a rug. P.S. The bag liner is easier to launder than the the bag and helps to prevent getting a stinky sleeping bag. You may also want to try a Therm-a-rest MondoKing 3D mattress pad on top of your memory foam mattress. With these items you can shelve the sheets, blankets and comforter saving space and time.

I’m planning my van / short skoolie build, my daughter and I are planning on living in it full time while looking and saving for property here in Alaska and then for visiting family in the lower 48! My biggest worry so far has been the bed situation, I want us both to be comfortable and have space, she’s 22 and needs her space ya know 😉 and of course the heat situation as we will be in it during the long Alaskan winter as well... a mini wood stove would be perfect but would make it hard for stealth camping as well. I’m so looking forward to getting out of this rent trap and back into the woods! My kids and I have lived off grid before, for 8 yrs until we had to come back to town for my brain surgery... this is exactly what I need to heal my body and my soul~ Thank you for the informative video, and to all the other comments for their awesome advice as well! Lots of great info in the community!

You're back!! Id like to know how you stay safe in the van. Im sure there are a lot of solo female travellers out there who would want some tips on this aspect. xx

Thanks for another helpful topic! I'm voting for maintenance

So glad you're back, can't wait for the next episode!

Definitely how you stay safe. Welcome back! Love from Australia 🇦🇺💙

Glad you’re back!!! I’d like to see how you stay safe

Instead of a heated blanket, consider a heated mattress pad. That way the warmth is under you and that will also soften your memory foam mattress. The adapters (elec) others spoke of are spot on, Love your story and your presentation style. Shows your professional background.

Great to have you back! (Even if it is infrequently) Thanks for the fantastic advice!

Thank you for all your help!!!! 🤓

Also if you plug it up an hour or so before you plan on going to bed it helps a lot. Getting your bed prewamed makes a big difference.

I'm so glad you're back! I use a giant 12V Marine battery and 2 12v electric blankets. Runs for days at any altitude. The van's engine charges the additional battery but the blankets don't run down the starter battery (automatic charging relay). That's for sleeping. To heat the interior while I'm awake either just use the engine or a small propane ceramic heater... For hot water you can always use an aqua cube. Cheap and easy.

Yay your back & sometimes a break is needed & nexts week videos like to see how you stay safe xx

I love watching you!! I admire your spirit and your style!!!

Great cold weather tips. Especially the part about keeping your feet, hands, and head warm to help the rest of your body be warm. My build will be done some time in March, so I'll soon be starting my own adventure. I'd love to know how you stay safe while traveling. I keep trying to reassure my family, but I think it'll just take me being on the road for a while for them to feel better about my level of safety.

Try to keep electrical usage as minimal as possible in the winter time...Leaving electrical items on for long periods is costly and dangerous. Use thermal rated insulation in your vehicle for pipes and hoses to prevent freeze up....And a large good down sleeping bag rated for freezing temps...Cuts down on all that excessive sheets and blankets. Check out military outlet stores. Army navy stores and military gear stores online..Military items are great for surviving freezing winters. Best to ya! Stay safe!

Love your vids good to see you back, beautiful as ever....stay warm, safe and free....much love!!

You make me really love my house 🤣

You’re killing it, Liz! I love the attitude in this video, you seem refreshed and your *intensity* is truly coming through. I’ll see you on FaceTime soon xoxo 😘 🚐💕

I just got a feather bed topper from Amazon & it has saved me during renovations & sleeping on my double bed size sofa. Might keep you warmer too! Love the videos❣️❣️❣️

Many female nomads stated that they stay safe by being aware and trusting their instincts. Some put out extra chairs and a pair of men's boots to not look like they're traveling alone. I would be really interesting in seeing how you stay safe, i.e., if you carry weapons, etc. I'm also very interesting in learning how much money you spend on maintenance. Most of us struggle with the savings part, and it helps to understand how much cushion is really needed to maintain this lifestyle and if we have enough. Great video, and welcome back! We missed you!

Please do a how I stay safe episode, I think everyone will love that!

I love my feather mattress pad. It will work without power!

To help save fuel from using your heater, how about install solar panels on the roof and run the wiring to a few deep cycle batteries and into a inverter and use a small electrical heater but only use the heater that uses fuel during snow fall.

Liz Your Back! Yay! ☺️ I’ve missed your videos.This was a great video. It was very informative and interesting. I vote on the cost of maintenance for next week video. God Bless!

SAFE I'd love to hear about the Pacific Crest more too!

A good old Kerosene heater will keep you toasty on the winter nights. You can cook some things on it and warm water. Be sure to crack a window or 2 and use a CO detector. I know they use a bit more fuel than the Webasto, but for the realy cold nights you will be comfortable.

Omg! What a beautiful view. Thankyou

Yay, you're back!!!!

Welcome back! I am curious to know how you stay safe in your van. 😉

Good to see you back! Here’s all you need for sleeping warm when all else fails, it’s tried and true. Get a Military Modular Sleep System it’s a 4 piece light weight sleeping bag system. It’s kept me warm in sub zero temps while sleeping in a canvas tent on deployments. Great for a back up even.

I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this content. Thank you

You have a loveable personality. I been binge watching your videos. So addicting! 🤗

You are such an inspiration ! This is what i call REAL WOMEN. Much love for you and for your courage and your achievements so far ! Keep it up ❤️

Get you a sleeping bag good for below-freezing temperatures, they work great that's what I use.

Glad you're back. I'm voting for Maintenance Costs since many people are interested in Van Living. As for Safety, I like how you DON'T MENTION WHERE YOU ARE IN ORDER TO PROTECT YOURSELF. No one needs details as to your locations. Safety First. I remember a video you advise people to reverse into a parking space, so if you have to move the vehicle quickly you can just start it up and drive forward. Maybe you can do both videos, but I'd like to see the Maintenance Video next time. I think most people who are viewing your channel are interested in doing this, so any info is helpful when it comes to maintenance. I like that your videos are to the point and focused on the build of the van, the insulation, the heat, the water, the issues, the storage, etc. Very important info to consider before purchasing a camper van or converting a van. This is why we watch your videos. You have been a great help to everyone.

Welcome back you was missed

Love the vid .. thanks for the heater tips .. I am still 10 months out from van life but only 4 to 7 months out on the build and I need all the recommendation possible

Top tip on the cammo pyjamas. I’m assuming you disappear to the naked eye... so they have security benefits in the event of a break in? If so... will you be putting this in your “how to stay safe” segment?! Silliness aside... lovely to have you back and vlogging. Hope you had a lovely break. Happy New Year!

How you stay safe. I'm so happy I found your channel - you're one smart cookie.

Staying warm while sleeping in winter is a matter of insulation, coupled with reducing drafts. Insulation provides the resistance to heat transfer. Heat flows from hot to cold, so keeping your body heat from escaping is paramount. I've camped since childhood, even bivouacking in winter, and have a lightweight rectangular sleeping bag for warmer weather, and a thicker mummy bag for colder weather. In winter, I use the mummy bag inside the lightweight bag. This combines the insulation value, creates an air gap between the two bags and doubles resistance to drafts. To further reduce air movement, I either cinch the mummy bag around my head/face, or tuck a lightweight throw around the top of the bag. Of course, the first air gap in a good base layer for pajamas and socks. This is essential. Addition measures include a good old-fashioned water bottle, as well as foot warmers. The single-use type are great for frigid temperatures; providing 97°F heat for up to 8 hours. I actually really like sleeping in the cold and don't even use my propane-fueled, thermostatically controlled forced air heater overnight. I turn it on for 10 minutes as I awake just to heat up the box to comfortably shower, dress, cook and eat breakfast. Great video Liz. Keep up the great work.

I vote MAINTENANCE COST, please. Great tips, by the way. Thanks!

Well I tell ya. You sound like you know your stuff. Your giving some of the better advice and experience ive read. Thanks for sharing your experience and your good help.

For this Sunday I would love to watch how you stay safe!

Safety in the van would be interesting but, I'd love to see another Style by the Mile. You always look so current but effortless--I love your style.

U could get a wood stove heater too..."Suzi Cruz" has one ... Nd she's warm in winter

Your Van is so cozy and 👌🏽 perfect. Great job at staying and keeping warm in the winter ❄️ months. Happy 😊 Holidays! 🙏🏽🎄💌😉

i LOVE your videos! so happy your'e back

i‘m so glad to have my 2 cute dogs always with me-they do not only keep my body warm at night,but also my ❤️ heart. They love to travel by RV🐕🐩

After seeing this I love my house so much more😍😍😍😍

Happy you're back!

Great insights. Thanks so much. @4:30 A suggestion I've resorted to is a 1 inch thick regular foam pad (which wouldn't freeze) plus a 13 tog duvet (not down so still retains some loft when weight goes on) which makes a very cosy and warmer underlayer. In warmer months, both the foam pad and under duvet could migrate under the memory foam. Though.. you might like to retain the duvet for the wrap around feeling. Stay safe and warm.

My van is on vacation during the winter time.....and my wife HATES the memory foam!!! It molds to her sleeping position and then stays in that mold.

I think, a pup would be a great cuddle bug!

Interesting heater setup. Definitely agree with you on ducting the heat and getting the hot water heater also

i love her white curtans iv seen them all drawn in other vids and it just makes her van look bigger , clean and airy ..love the van xx

I want radiant floor heated mats in my build! Low watts and not that expensive

Swap out your USB outlet for a combination USB/12V cigarette lighter outlet. They're about $15 on Amazon and should fit in the same space as your current USB outlet. There's only two wires to hook up, so it's an easy fix. Also good to see a new video!

Welcome back Liz good to see You / love your pink beanie I vote safety in van, for nxt wks video ☃️

A heater brand I never heard anyone talk about in van videos: Wallas. They are highly regarded in the boating world. Runs off of kerosene, which isn't as weird as it sounds. The great thing is that they are thermostat-controlled. As in set a digital exact number and it will do its thing 24/7. Also very quiet. I'm having one installed in my Promaster in January and hoping it functions well in my Ontario winter!

I'd love to hear about safety since I'm planning my first solo trip to start in a few months!

Would a temporary hose over the heater “opening/duct” work,to channel it over the bed? You would have to figure out how to secure or position it. Just a thought. Best of luck, Tim

Great information Liz....thank you!

T-Town represent!! born and raised here too!! looking to go full time with my kidz and love your channel!!

Cost of maintenance is my vote. I nerd out over the numbers.

The "Best" way to stay warm in a van in Winter (or anytime really), is to share it with a partner. Of course, you will have to worry more about the windows steaming up.

Little marine "fireplace". Yours is big enough to handle it too. I would definitely invest in warm flannel or fleece sheets. Down slippers are great to keep your feet warm and toasty. If I lived in a van I would definitely need it to be warm, comfortable you know, after all it is my house. :) Glad to see you are doing good and having fun skiing. :) Stay safe. Happy New Year!!!!

If you're looking for electric, remember most blankets don't run off an inverter (unless it's pure seine wave) so look for a SoftHeat Low Voltage Electric Blanket , it has a regular house plug but it runs off an inverter at less than 180 watts. Mine is a single / twin and it heats all my blankets and me on the coldest night

Memory foam pillow, like resting your head on a bag of cement.

Y not just use a flexible dryer duct to put over the heater outlet. Then you can focus the air wherever you want. Just an idea for thought

Awesome! Tulsa van fan here only i just live the van life vicariously through youtube!

Great Info!! Thanks!! Happy Travels

Its a van, you drive south to the warm. ;-) Love your vids, Keep sharing, and best of luck.

WINTER WORRY: Most Van People just winterize their vans and park them in storage. But not you. We would like to know all the details, the issues, as to staying in the van during the winter. Maybe you can do another video on this topic. This video was great, btw...lots of helpful info. These are important issues. I like how you chose to stay in a hotel room on snow nights. No one wants to get trapped in their vans during a blizzard. You also mentioned that exhaust system--we'd like to learn more about that system and how it was installed. Most people winterize their toilets and water tanks. Others have insulated their water tanks. Some use Portable Potty instead. We'd like to know how the new WaterHeater works out. How did you keep warm last year WITHOUT A HEATER? Did you use your engine heater? Just start the van up when you were cold? Remote Start-Up Key would be helpful in that case. But you can only keep the engine running for so long before you run out of gas. How did you do it? What type of insulation did you use for the Walls? Floors? Ceiling? That Curtain is a Great Idea !! Can you provide more info about it? Material, How it's installed, etc... Can you use a regular Heated Blanket with AC plug in to you outlets/inverter? Or would that use up too much energy? Would a small space heater work? (As long as it's 3FEET away from combustibles) Some people use the little Buddy Heater with a small can of propane. Do you have a Propane Leak Alarm and a CO Detector? Can you elaborate more on your Exhaust System Pipe...how did they install it, from which part of the van did they set it up? etc... What type of snow tires do you have? Is it FWD or AWD? (Sorry if you already mentioned this in a previous video) Can you provide links above in your intro summary section for the Window Inserts, Curtain, WaterHeater, etc. And any other Must-Have Products? THANK-YOU !!! :)

I love your channel. You have great VanLife tips!

So glad to see you back!!! I'd like to know how you stay safe in the van.

I’m curious if your diet and meals change much from summer to winter and how you prepare them! Do you eat with the seasons? Summer salads and winter soups and stews?

Just starting to build mine. Your advice is brilliant. Thankyou so much. Rob from UK...

great video...thanks! How to stay safe in the van is my vote!

A rumple blanket is about $200 but has a portable battery.

How do you stay safe in the van? What type of protection do you have?

Top class as always love your vids keep up the good work and a big hello from Ireland xx

Yay!! We missed you!! Love the tips!! Would love to know about safety!!

I’d love to know how you stay safe in the van x

Let's hear how you stay safe.

You've gotten so much fame for this channel and its videos. But you still don't monetize your videos since the channel was created. You're doing this with the genuine intent to share knowledge. Respect. I wish you well for your next endeavor, Liz. ❤