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How to sleep in your car

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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
Sleeping in less than ideal situations isn't out of the norm for most skiers -- whether it be on a couch, in your car, curled up in a closet or sprawled out on the floor.

Line Traveling Circus / Ethan Stone Photo.



Over the years I've read and heard some pretty awesome tips on making the most of the situations, and I figured I'd share a handful of them with you guys. Feel free to add your own to the mix though!



Rob Heule's Terry




Choosing your vehicle
Pimped out vans work best (see Line TC or Rob Heule for good examples ). Note that bigger options generally get colder because your body has more space to heat -- a big tarp draped over your sleeping can be a simple solution for this though. Obviously newish is better than old-as-shit, but if you do have an old car keep in mind it's bound to break down at some point if you don't stay on top of maintenance.

Bedding
This really depends on how easy you can be "comfortable". If you have the space, definitely bring something that will stay dry and keep your warm throughout the night. A quality cold-weather sleeping bag (or two) and pad are ideal. Check weather and plan accordingly. Do your best to keep your gear dry so that you can use it as well -- I use a rolled up Columbia liner for the perfect pillow wherever I go. Wear a hat!

Location
Make sure it allows extended or overnight parking, and ideally it is also far away from traffic. Parking lots, back roads, a friend's driveway are all options -- just do your best to make sure you aren't going to be getting surprised in the middle of the night. Check weather and plan accordingly.

Hygiene
Unscented baby wipes generally do the trick in terms of washing up. A change of boxers/socks and a fresh t-shirt always does wonders, and please, do everyone a favour and brush your teeth. Also, if you can find a way to poach a hot tub, do it.

Other tips
- Always attempt to find someone to go home with before resorting to your car
- Don't run the car with the windows up/when it's snowing. Stay warm
- Take a leak before you call it a night and have an empty bottle just in case
- Multiple pairs of warm, dry socks are a must. As are decent boots
- Get a flashlight, and a lighter, some hand warmers, and a couple of candles.
- Make sure you have water, a pee bottle, and enough fuel
- Lock your doors.
- Have fun.

Up next... How to couchsurf like a gentleman

**This thread was edited on Jul 15th 2014 at 5:14:28pm
11 years ago
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KravtZ
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Hygiene part was pretty nasty...pay a guest fee and go to a local gym. You get a workout and can shower / swim whatever.
11 years ago
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milk_man
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OP:



But that actually looks quite comfortable
11 years ago
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TheDoughAbides
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Slept in the outback for the first time last night...pretty life changing but a sleeping platform has been added to the never ending list of shit i need to build/buy.
11 years ago
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LOLZfajitas
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this is why i bought a jeep cherokee lol go anywhere snow trips
11 years ago
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rballs_
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This is actually amazingly useful.
11 years ago
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BWalmer
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TheDoughAbidesSlept in the outback for the first time last night...pretty life changing but a sleeping platform has been added to the never ending list of shit i need to build/buy.


I found an inflatable air mattress that fits perfectly in the back of my outback...life changing as far as sleeping in a car goes.
11 years ago
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whackhouse
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TheDoughAbidesSlept in the outback for the first time last night...pretty life changing but a sleeping platform has been added to the never ending list of shit i need to build/buy.


aren't you afraid of bushbabys and unruly kangaroos
11 years ago
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J.D.
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Yeah I use a foam pad, takes up more space but way more comfortable. I sleep in one of these, which is rated to -25F / -31C:

It takes up the entire trunk of my car when it's spread out and is generally awesome, and totally worth the fact that it's pretty bulky even bagged up and weighs about 20lbs.

The main thing missing from the OP is condensation control. This is probably the biggest issue with car camping in the winter. You're obviously not going to have a very well ventilated space, so condensation will end up getting you wet and cold and all your windows frozen over with a layer of ice.

Best solutions are to partition off your sleeping space - a tarp or other divider between the front seats and back (assuming you're in the trunk). Similarly, tarp over your sleeping space; as stated this minimizes the area you have to keep warm but also forms a bit of a vapor barrier. You should also cut some inserts for the back windows. People recommend using reflectex, which I gather is easier to find in the US because it ain't at home depot here apparently.

Some people swear by portable propane heaters, but if you use them be careful that you're just using it to heat the car before going to sleep and shut it off before doing so. Other tips... bring a bunch of bags, including drybags, to keep things organized and separate any wet stuff from the rest of the environment until it can be dried off.
11 years ago
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milk_man
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The referenced post has been removed.


Go die. Mousseau is the bomb
11 years ago
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toastyteenagers
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Put the back seats down and sleep thru the trunk.

get a sleeping airbag.
11 years ago
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rememberscott
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condensation lovers.
11 years ago
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.FRY.
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HP123condensation lovers.


I missed you
11 years ago
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Turd.Ferguson
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has anyone ever tried sleeping in a pickup?i have a 4 door if anyone else has the same question/situation
11 years ago
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~Gotama~
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I keep this huge wool blanket in the car and throw it over my sleeping bag on the really cold nights. Having a bungee cargo net to hang across the ceiling makes a prime place for storing bulky items out of the way. Be prepared for ice-block boots in the morning. I recommend waking up 15 minutes earlier than you need to so you can put them near a heater or fireplace in the lodge to loosen them up before putting them on.
11 years ago
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.Hugo.
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Turd.Fergusonhas anyone ever tried sleeping in a pickup?i have a 4 door if anyone else has the same question/situation


Get a topper and make a bed in the bed of the truck
11 years ago
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Rusticles
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Turd.Fergusonhas anyone ever tried sleeping in a pickup?i have a 4 door if anyone else has the same question/situation


I've slept in my truck multiple times, not very comfortable, I recline the drivers seat all the way and use a sleeping bag. I guess you're. Saving a tank of gas everytime you sleep in it though haha
11 years ago
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NH_OPERATOR
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Anyone who reads my blog knows I did multiple nights this season in my car. Sure a van is ideal, but if youve got a hatchback you are good to go too! I used a Mazda 3 hatch and it was pretty great. I took it down to -15f. My setup was two yoga mats on the floor for comfort, a 0deg sleeping bag and 7 blankets from my house. The cold was no problem but if you want to avoid some of the condensation and its not snowing out just leave a window cracked. If you are looking for places to sleep in VT, Mount Snow doesn't care if you sleep in their lots, there is an AMC trail head between Killy and Pico that works great and Bolton Valley will let you stay in their lots as well. The hardest part about doing multiple days in your car is finding a place to dry out your gear between days. Boot dryers are easy, finding a place to dry your snowpants is a bit harder.

11 years ago
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00000000
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Or you can always do this --

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/782298/Hank-Bought-a-Bus

**This post was edited on Jul 16th 2014 at 9:40:49am
11 years ago
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BWalmer
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MousseauOr you can always do this


Oh shit. I want that bus...the ultimate ski bum home.

**This post was edited on Jul 16th 2014 at 9:44:13am
11 years ago
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malonius_funk
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the perfect thread to post photos of my van and show my hard work off... i will be back
11 years ago
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.Asain-Skiier
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Hotboxing your car also helps retain heat and keeps it from getting to damp in there.
11 years ago
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Download-My-Apps
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If you're car isn't a hatch back and you push the seats down to put your feet in the trunk like I do. Make sure you have an extra blanket or something to layer around the cracks in the trunk to stop cold air from getting in.

Also if you're a frequent bummer in a ski town, limit staying at friends to the really bad weather days, that way you dont piss them off by over staying your welcome
11 years ago
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Huck_Norris
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Man, I have thought of this so many times- the best vehicle I have come up with so far though is one of those Chevy Express high top conversion vans- they have a 350ci V8 and AWD/towing package which is plenty to pull a sled or drive at high elevations with no problems but not obnoxiously big enough to be hard to drive or a super gas hog.

They have two rows of captions' chairs, and the third row is a full bench that electronically lays down into a full size bed at the touch of a button. You can stand up fully in the main cabin and there is AV inpuys for a game console, DVD player etc and a Tv situated perfectly in front of the cabin.


With a little ingenuity and a little custom cabinetry, I feel like it would make literally THE perfect clandestine ski bum vehicle, as it really has it all in spades. They even ride really nice too, so on long trips someone can be sleeping in the back, stretching and watching movies etc.

I went car camping in one and it was amazing. Remote starter to warm 'er up/cool er down without even getting up? Watching TV from your full, awesome comfy bed complete with fuckton of pillows and down comforter? Fuck yeah. Talk about perfection!
11 years ago
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board2skis
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Here's my short-bed (5 ft) Tacoma setup. I sleep in here just about every weekend, most of the time with my girlfriend.

Some tips/notes:

1. Buy a quality, well-insulated camper shell. For those of you with vans, hatchbacks, etc this isn't a problem. But for trucks, this is super clutch. I've slept in trucks with less quality shells that insulated about as well as a tent -- not so nice in the winter. I've slept under this shell in
11 years ago
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board2skis
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Ah shit it got cut off:

Some tips/notes:

1. Buy a quality, well-insulated camper shell. For those of you with vans, hatchbacks, etc this isn't a problem. But for trucks, this is super clutch. I've slept in trucks with less quality shells that insulated about as well as a tent -- not so nice in the winter. I've slept under this shell in negative F and have never been cold. Also building a platform out of wood and carpet keeps you off of the truck bed and allows for better gear organization and storage.

2. Buy a quality synthetic bag. I use a 0 degree synthetic Mountain Hardwear bag that I scored used for $100. 0 degree seems to be a good rating for car camping in the winter. I'll usually just wear long underwear, a t-shirt, and a beanie and am nice and cozy. You could probably get away with something rated around 15, but you'll need to bundle up more.

3. Crack a window just slightly if possible (but not if its snowing obviously). This helps keep condensation down. This goes back to why a synthetic bag is a much better idea than a down bag because synthetic bags can be wet but still keep you warm. Just in general, any time you're anywhere near snow a synthetic bag is a much much better idea.

4. Some type of sleeping pad is essential -- not just for comfort but for insulation. Although you'll be off the ground, you will still be much warmer if you have something to keep you off the car. Some options are memory foam mattress toppers (my favorite -- expensive, purchased on craigslist and then trimmed to fit into my camper shell), inflatable pads, and foam camping pads. For car camping I'd probably avoid inflatable pads (more useful for backpacking, touring, etc where weight is an issue) and just go with foam pads or lots of blankets/bedding. Don't forget a pillow too. Sleeping on a rolled up jacket sucks.
5. When done skiing for the day, dry your wet clothes. Drive around town with the heat blasting. Dry your boots by putting your heat on feet-mode and put your boots under the fan.
6. Sleep close to things that are temperature-sensitive. I always make sure to keep my boots in the camper shell with me (where I am emitting heat) instead of inside of the cold cab. iPhones stop working if too cold, put it in your sleeping bag with you if you have set an alarm and need your phone to work overnight. Saline solution in your contact lens case will freeze, put that in your sleeping bag too if it's extra cold.
7. Get roof racks for the skis. Makes more room for you in the back.
8. Find places to park near 24-hour bathrooms. Or bring an emergency bottle. Pee beforehand.
9. Get black curtains for your windows and you can park anywhere! Or a windowless van. Or no one usually cares that much unless you park like an idiot somewhere. Find your favorite spots and don't tell anyone where they are (except the Copper Mountain Alpine lots....everyone should know about these).
10. Put yogurt in your car...sleep in freezing temps...wake up in the morning...BOOM FROZEN YOGURT

I've probably got more info, ask me if you want
11 years ago
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board2skis
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Oh last thing -- buy Smartwool socks. Putting on a dry pair of Smartwool socks before getting into your sleeping bag will make a world of difference.

I may have repeated a lot of stuff above, but yeah, that's about it.
11 years ago
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00000000
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Also note, most stuff can be purchased for pretty cheap at Walmart or Army Surplus. You definitely get what you pay for -- but a few smart buys can save you tons.
11 years ago
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ndye
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Buy this, buy that, you guys are missing the point of living in your car.. Ya need a good sleeping bag and a pillow, everything else is optional.

Source: Living in my car for 3 months
11 years ago
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Brule.
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MousseauOr you can always do this --

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/782298/Hank-Bought-a-Bus

**This post was edited on Jul 16th 2014 at 9:40:49am


But the GBP bus tho...


11 years ago
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Brocka_Flocka
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If you can get your hands on a Sprinter....you are set for life
11 years ago
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.MASSHOLE.
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Warner Nickerson has the BEST one

11 years ago
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GrahamGould
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I have a toyota land cruiser with all the sleeping space you could need if you put the back seats down. It's nice, because I have had to sleep in my friends old volkswagon bug before, and I could barely move when I woke up.
11 years ago
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KingTaco
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The bed i built with a hand saw for my old subie. Oddly enough i sold the car 2 days ago. Hopefully it fits in the outback xt im looking to get.


11 years ago
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PimpHands
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some awesome ideas in here.
I've just done 4 weekends in a row at our local hill- bout to notch up my 5th & 6th (it is dumping in Australia!)

So far I have slept in;
1993 merc E320 (just the rear seats)
Land rover Defender (dunno if you have them in the states/ Can- it is similar to a Jeep Wrangler i guess)
Subaru Liberty (AWD station wagon)
Skoda Yeti (AWD small SUV)


The best has been the Subaru- rear seats fold completely flat (A huge plus to comfort)and AWD means not carrying Chains.
Currently I have my eye on a second hand Audi A6- awesome fuel economy (its a 1000km round trip to the snow for me- bout 620miles i think) so Fuel is a big expense (it's around $5 per gallon in Aus), also it is AWD and big comfy seats.

There are some important things to do when sleeping in car- Keep your shit neat- pack up your sleepign bag every morning to stop it from getting accidentally wet/ dirty.
Wear the thermals & socks for the following days skiing to bed that night- this way you don't have to get naked/ change clothes in the morning when its fucking freezing.
A silk/ cotton sleeping bag liner makes a huge difference to warmth.

Always crack a window just 1cm or less- you don't want to asphyxiate yourself. Also condensation build up sucks wang- it gets your shit wet.

Another good tip- after skiing if your gear is wet, hang out at the pub until all your shit is dry, then go to your car/camper/van.
11 years ago
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PimpHands
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this chick made a pretty epic defender
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Landy-Like-Around-the-World-2014.html
11 years ago
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.lencon
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One time I slept in my outback and I just cranked the heat form like 10-15 minutes. Condensation was terribly bad that time when I cranked the heat but it was a super cold night. Just thought id let ya know you can do this but it gets pretty condensated.

Also is there a way too keep your stuff warm (boots, iPhone, contacts, etc.,) without the things in your sleeping bag? I mean a iPhone and contacts isn't too bad but of I want to keep other things warm what should I do?
11 years ago
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~Gotama~
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I've got a buddy who swears by sleeping with his boot liners on to help them stay warm and dry. Makes for a bitch getting them back in the morning but its not impossible and is more comfortable than ice brick boots.
11 years ago
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appa
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threads omg threads. must start thinking about ledge designs for my rav4
11 years ago
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eddy9
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Threads.
11 years ago
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board2skis
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Grizzly.ButtahOne time I slept in my outback and I just cranked the heat form like 10-15 minutes. Condensation was terribly bad that time when I cranked the heat but it was a super cold night. Just thought id let ya know you can do this but it gets pretty condensated.

Also is there a way too keep your stuff warm (boots, iPhone, contacts, etc.,) without the things in your sleeping bag? I mean a iPhone and contacts isn't too bad but of I want to keep other things warm what should I do?


I put boots under my platform (see below) so that I can use all of the sleeping surface area.

Like it was mentioned before, it's all about drying your stuff (jackets, pants, gloves) after skiing by driving around blasting the heat or hanging out indoors somewhere. In the morning blast the heat in your car, put gloves in front of the vents -- but it's most important to dry the night before.

You can also stuff stuff by your feet at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Or use it as a pilow. Both are ways to keep your stuff close to you and warm.

Putting on tomorrow's fresh pair of ski socks before going to bed is clutch.

Also more people per car equals more warmth. You just need to be pretty comfortable with each other because spooning may happen.

11 years ago
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malonius_funk
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This is my baby. The Craggin' Wagon aka The Shaggin' Waggon aka The Pasty Chode.


11 years ago
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Turkelton
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Th de la reads
11 years ago
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balzach
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i love this here thread
11 years ago
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GrahamGould
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The referenced post has been removed.


see ya
11 years ago
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GrahamGould
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The referenced post has been removed.


Im pretty impressed that you posted this on a moderators thread
11 years ago
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rememberscott
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The referenced post has been removed.


quality material right here
11 years ago
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JOTTO
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Anyone have any advice as where to park? And what happens if you get caught parking at an area youre not supposed to be in?(Any consequences with the police or do they just ask you to leave?)
11 years ago
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ThaLorax
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Dammit, I have to clean all this drool off my keyboard after seeing all this camper van porn.
11 years ago
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theabortionator
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I was looking at buying a new car and sleepability was near the top of the list. Tall people and small cars sucks.
11 years ago
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GILLSKI
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anyone have any ideas on how to insalate a hard top jeep wrangler?
11 years ago
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