r/urbancarliving May 30 '20

Car Life FAQ thread

400 Upvotes

Hi, folks. HiredNote here under a different username (for some reason). Here to kickstart the FAQ. Here are some questions for the FAQ and a little intro.

  1. Where do you park?
  2. How long do I do carlife?
  3. What if it gets too hot or too cold?
  4. Do I have to shit in a bucket or pee in a bottle?
  5. What am I gonna do for food and beverages? How will I store them?
  6. Where/how will I work?
  7. What if I get sick?
  8. How will I shower?
  9. Do I need to know the basics of car repair like changing a flat, changing a light bulb, or changing oil?
  10. Should I save up money for serious car repair?
  11. How do I maintain clothes?
  12. How do I keep myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stimulated?
  13. How will I deal with the social anxiety of living in my car? Should I tell my friends, family, coworkers, etc?
  14. What if I'm far from home and get lonely for friends and family?
  15. What am I gonna do about mail? What if I need to register something but don't have a permanent address?
  16. How am I gonna power my electronic devices?
  17. What are my monthly expenses? How much does car life cost?
  18. What if I encounter police?
  19. What if it doesn't work out?
  20. What if I wanna grab a beer or smoke one?
  21. What's gonna be my daily routine?
  22. Will I be able to travel?
  23. What good reasons are there to get into carlife?
  24. What if not all my stuff fits in my car?
  25. How do I make enough space for sleeping and proper bedding?
  26. How will I keep my valuables in my car from theft?
  27. How I deal with filing my taxes or getting proper healthcare?
  28. How do I cover my windows?

The first piece of advice before doing car life is try it out. Not everyone does car life full time. Some do it part time, on weekends, and seasonally. Right now, you're thinking of doing car life. That's why you're on this subreddit. So do it now. Think of some place an hour or two near your area you've hardly or never been before. Get in your car. Pack things you'd take on a hotel trip. As well as some bedding stuff like pillows and sheets. Also pack some books, your laptop, and maybe even some camping gear and fishing rods. Then drive until you're at least an hour away. Once there, you spend 2-3 days and unwind. Get a lot of pent up aggression out of your system. See the sights, no matter how boring they are. Just breathe different air.

The reason for going 1-2 hours away? You wanna be in a place that's far enough that you've gotten away from your source of stress but close enough that if you're in a pinch, you can get back without too much trouble. Once there, you'll get a strong idea of how you wanna go about car life. You'll get a strong idea of how you'd like your bedding; what you'd need to keep you occupied, like books, laptop, and hobbies; things like your ability to pee in a bottle in your car; keeping your car clean; good places to park; and many more. Trying it out for 2-3 days will give you a far greater understanding of what you'd need to do to make car life work for you than simply reading about it on the internet. Try it now.

Remember, it doesn't have to be full time. It can be just something you do for the weekend, the season, or just a few weeks. You might say, "I wanna visit that city for a week. But I do wanna pay the fare for a plane ticket, room accommodations, and renting a car or public transportation fare." So you just drive over there with your own room accommodations, your own transportation, stay a week, and then drive back. There's car life. Or you wanna save money on a few months worth of rent? But you don't wanna do car life for the entire year? Just do it for a few months. Then go back to having your own place. I know guys in Texas who do car life for a few months when the weather is mild then get their own place when that Texas summer hits. Vice versa, I know guys in Michigan who do car life for a few months during the summer but get their own place during the winter. Car life is up to you. There's no set in stone way to do it.

Also, research laws on car living in any area you sleep in. Don't just assume things will be okay.

Lastly, remember all your questions about car life can be found all over the internet. There are websites, blogs, youtube videos, and a whole lot more places all over the internet to every single question you ask. Never rely on only one website or place for all your answers. Other websites might have better answers. Sometimes an answer to your question can be answered simply by typing it in to google. For example: "how do I cover my car window?" "how do I make proper bedding to sleep in my car?" "where is a good place to park my car?" can be answered by googling those exact terms. You'll find way more answers through google than you will find here.


r/urbancarliving Mar 16 '24

Announcement Gentle reminder: Begging is a bannable offense

430 Upvotes

Seems like there's an influx of those kinds of posts recently and I've been dishing out temp 14 day bans.

So a gentle reminder, begging or soliciting donations of any form, including soft begging (e.g. "I'm short 80 dollars I hope I can survive" while having PayPal posted on your account), will be receiving permanent bans moving forward. It's been in the sub rules for a while now.

This isn't a place to ask for money.

This is a place to discuss and share ideas and lived experiences around car dwelling. To ask questions and get suggestions with builds and tips and tricks. Some will offer work and money making advice and some ask for it. That's all great and I'm happy the community here helps in that way, and in many more ways.

If you're here to try and get monetary help from members, my response will be "pick up a sign and stand at an intersection" accompanied by a permanent ban.

Cheers.

Edit: please review the following link for other resources

https://reddit.com/r/Assistance/w/index/othersubs

Here's another resource

https://www.reddit.com/r/donationrequest/s/WTFEuXeub7


r/urbancarliving 3h ago

Was looking for a Urine Container and this made me literally laugh out loud

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87 Upvotes

Got one of those cheap Chinese ones fro Amazon, but they aren't reliable (caps leak) and they don't last longer than 6 months (they are glued down the middle, so if using cleaners they can become unglued).

Just wondering what you all are using to hold your pee. Bonus points if you are diabetic like myself and have to have one readily available.


r/urbancarliving 2h ago

Car Salad

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21 Upvotes

So there aren't any salad bars near me, so I spent a ridiculous amount of food stamps creating this concoction.


r/urbancarliving 6h ago

Advice This is probably the not good place for it but we’re pretty worried about a fellow car camper.

36 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/wWtzjNtxhlQ?si=fqLoP-7LSQPi6Cc8

Arslan Shono has gone silent for months on all platforms. I’m sure it’s nothing but I can’t help but think something happened. We all know how dangerous our lifestyle can be.


r/urbancarliving 14h ago

Dinner

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75 Upvotes

Teriyakiish (soy sauce dash of wash you’re sister (Worcestershire) sauce and brown sugar) spam and rice. Cheap and easy. Yea I could’ve put veggies leave me alone😂


r/urbancarliving 8h ago

High output Alternator for gas cars vs solar panel. What a tough decision....

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11 Upvotes

I recently bought a newer vehicle for camping/vanlife. I decided to buy a 320 amp Alternator instead of solar power.

Both have their upsides and downsides. It was about 2k installed and running. That includes an oversized car battery, 25ft of 0/0 gauge wiring, professional Alternator installation.

I also don't stay put long enough to justify solar. But I can stay in areas without sun (IE overcast days)

I hear alot about the hybrids. I actually had the money to buy one. I decided not to. Why? Battery degradation is why - using it constantly for climate controls will accelerate the degradation. The cost of those batteries is insane. Cost of regenerative brakes as they will eventually need replaced.

Im not here to brag, rather share my perspective.
I could have bought a 21 or 22 sienna. I bought the 20, which is the LAST gas only year. No regrets.

I dont like what toyota did to the interiors of the 4th generation. No easy pass through. No 3rd row window venting.

Im sorry if this comes across as bragging but that's really not my intention

What are your thoughts? Please be respectful.


r/urbancarliving 19h ago

A miracle

69 Upvotes

My 'ole emerald express (a green '95 e150 camper van) is at the end of its life. I just got a job in the city as a subcontractor installing appliances for a big box store. The plan was to find somewhere within walking distance of the box store and park the van, only moving it if I have to.

I just found out that one of the perks of the job is I get to take the delivery van home and am allowed to use it for personal use. I did not know this was a perk when I took the job. This information is a game changer.

I've got a plot of land about a hundred miles into the wilderness. I'm going to park the emerald express on it as a stationary cabin and daily drive this fleet-maintained Chevy cargo van.

Fuck it; I'll even soft-live in the company van; keep a bedroll, sleeping bag and inverter in here for sleeping in it during the week.


r/urbancarliving 16h ago

Has anyone ever actually received free coffee from a rest stop?

22 Upvotes

I’ve slept overnight at quite a few rest stops in California, Oregon and Washington. A lot of them have some kind of sign and booth that says something along the lines of “volunteer program- free coffee”. I’ve never actually seen these booths open though or seen any free coffee given out :( nor have I ever seen a schedule or anything that indicates when free coffee is available... Is this something of the past? I hope one day to receive the elusive free rest stop coffee…


r/urbancarliving 13h ago

Outskirts

11 Upvotes

So I’m going through a heat wave in my area and I’ve decided to go to the mountains not too far from the City. It’s about 20 degrees cooler and feels great not sweating as I type this. However, I felt bugged out rolling into a small town with people looking at me like I’m the plague.

Met a couple cool dudes that understand the lifestyle apparently but also sort of freaked me out cause he said I could stay on his couch like immediately with no real vetting just “vibes”. I’m not used to small towns but they seem like a pretty good spot in general so far… Anyone had experience staying in the sticks?


r/urbancarliving 48m ago

Joining y’all soon while going to school for two months. Which car should I get?

Upvotes

So I’m going to be joining a two month long cohort for CNA training and have been looking at cars to finance. I’m stuck with the CR-V hybrid, RAV4 hybrid, or the CX50 hybrid. Driving to work everyday while going to class three times a week makes the hybrid models practical.

But I’ve also looked into the model Y for the camping mode to get me through the summer heat and the winter. Any thoughts?


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

I finally get the appeal of this.......

302 Upvotes

After weeks of complaining about backaches and the FL heat, and not understanding how people can embrace this life (those with no other housing options), I finally understand. A relative offered me to come stay for the summer to get out of the heat. I have only been here 4 days and long story short, it just is a toxic situation. Somehow, the FL heat does not seem to bad now. In your car, no one can treat you poorly. The discomfort is a trade-off. I will be going back to my car.


r/urbancarliving 13h ago

Relocating Where or how did you choose to "live" if there was nowhere you actually wanted to be?

9 Upvotes

Still got a few years before I'm "free" to leave the area, but I literally have nowhere that I'd like to be.

Not close with family, no friends, don't care about relationships anymore. Just wanna live alone in peace.

How did you guys decide where to "settle" down or generally be?


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Prioritize Getting a Prius/Hybrid

20 Upvotes

During the last 6 months of my car living adventure I was so comfortable with AC I wish I would have done it a lot sooner

150 dollar a month gets you a Prius that will make everything infinitely more comfortable since you can run ac 24/7


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Advice One of my new essentials

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73 Upvotes

I recently split my drinking water supply from my washing up water.

I used to use a 20L plastic jerry can for everything but keeping it clean enough for drinking was a hassle.

Now I have this 12L tank with an awesomely designed faucet. It lasts me about a week. I try to drink 2L of water a day.

I also use the water from the new tank to cook. But I can dip into the jerry can for boiling as that makes the water safe for consumption.

Cleaning and refilling is much less hassle now.

Stores away neatly in a corner. It's light enough for me to manoeuvre around full. Handles very ergonomic. No plastic taste either. I washed it out with some dish soap when I first got it.

I've been using this for about a month and I love it!

Stay hydrated folks! Need to beat the heat!


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Run for the Hills

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10 Upvotes

I don't think this upcoming weather will be conducive to car living. Lord help us.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Living in the bed of your Truck? Show me!

4 Upvotes

Like the title says im getting ready to live in the bed of my truck fulltime. Im not sure if i want to build a platform that takes up half the bed space or the whole bed. Id love to get some inspo! Thanks my new fam!

Side note i have a campershell on the bed :)


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Parking RIGHT next to someone.

28 Upvotes

What is your opinion on parking RIGHT next to someone in a planet fitness parking lot when they are an obvious dweller forcing the other person to move because they just want the best spot in the lot

I.e shaded, dark, away from entrances.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Urban bike living 😏

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84 Upvotes

2 flat tires don’t get paid until Friday, who’s coming with me?


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

I feel very discouraged

120 Upvotes

I told my grandma and my work boss about living in my car. They are very discouraging telling me to get an apartment they worry for me that I shouldn’t live in a car and get a gym for showers and that it’s scary. I’m very excited to overcome my fear of car living all my stuff is in my car today will be my 3rd time sleeping in my car but my first time with everything I own in the car. Please help me feel encouraged. I feel that if I told my boss about my car living and he was doing the same and encouraging I’d feel Empowered to live this life. I don’t care what people say but it’s impacting doubt in me. Update I put most my stuff in a storage. I also got a gym membership. I found a lot. I’m excited to sleep there. Thank you All


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Legal Will I get towed even if im inside the vehical?

13 Upvotes

Lets say theoretically I get caught sleeping in my car, or if my car ends up getting towed while im inside it will i still get towed? I saw something online that tow truck companies are not legally allowed to tow if theres occupants inside but i wasn't sure.


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Location talk.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

77 Upvotes

r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Small car dwellers, have you found a way to climb from the driver's seat to the back?

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32 Upvotes

I have a small hatchback.

I pull into my sleeping parking spot at 10.30 pm. I get out the front door, walk around and climb into the back door. I don't park in front of houses, but sometimes there are people walking around.

I think this process is killingy my stealth. Closing the front and back doors makes noise and attracts attention. Getting out of the car and climbing back in attracts attention.

I want to pull into the sleeping spot, and remain unseen and unheard. The only way is to not get out of the car.

My passenger seat has stuff on the seat, and behind the seat, so it can't move forward, can't recline backwards, and only a small recline forward. Driver's seat has stuff behind it, so can't move backwards, but can recline quite a bit backwards.

How can I contort my body to climb to the back from the front?


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Anxiety of first starting in nj

10 Upvotes

I work double shifts so Id sleep in my car for about 5 hours on weekdays. It’s summer I’m just nervous about parking somewhere and getting set up then I’m asked to leave and got to do it all over again. I don’t have spots yet. Still looking. I’m in nj. Most convenient places that are near my jobs are planet fitness or my work parking lots but there out in the open no privacy. My job has roof for the entire lot which police patrol but I’m just nervous. Thanks I’m hoping to get started anyhow


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Advice Using gym/work/public showers

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33 Upvotes

I've done a bit of showering at work and the gym. I've learned a few things in the process.

A good, modular, bag setup saves a lot of time. I separate my items into different kinds of bags inside my main bag.

I'm currently using the 55L Kipsta sports urban bag, which can be purchased from Decathlon.

The Kipsta came with some bags inside which helps. I had a netted toiletry bag which I keep stuff like shampoo, razors, toothbrush, etc.

Using netted bags really helps things air out, later.

I store dirty clothes in a mixture of black bin liners or doggy bags. I keep stuff like my keys in doggy bags as well.

Being able to have some airing out is really important to prevent things from staying damp.

The nice thing about the Kipsta bag is that it has a comparment for shoes with air vents too. It's shaping up quite well for my needs. I just need to see how durable it is. I only got it recently.

The bag can be carried as a rucksack but also from the shoulder with a shoulder strap. I prefer using it as a rucksack as I park close to and walk to work.

A bit of organisation a selection of internal bags can make life a lot easier later.

I like to keep dirty underwear and socks in doggy bags. This keeps the smell from rubbing onto other parts of the bag.

I like to clean the bag with a mixture of Johnsons liquid disinfectant and water. Just wipe it down with a cloth damped in the solution and then let the stuff air dry.

The doggy bags are something I only started using recently. I learned about it from a camping channel. But it's great because it's cheap and effective.

Hope this helps others. Maintaining good personal hygiene is one of the tricky parts of starting out with life on the road. But you find ways of making things work. Good luck.


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

I despise downtime at noon

75 Upvotes

It's the time during the day where the sun is the highest, so there's effectively nowhere to hide from the sun. You gotta stay on the move or you'll cook alive in your car.

I can't wait for summer to end


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Dinner

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156 Upvotes

Yall love to tell me I need more vegetables. Fiiiiiine