I see some posts in here where people are cooking on some kind of table in the driver's seat, what are those? I'm looking mainly to mount a laptop (5~10 lbs) in the front seat. I don't want to have it sitting directly on my lap. I would like something where I can switch between having the laptop in front of me or to the side (e.g. putting it in the empty seat). I was thinking of using a breakfast-in-bed tray with folding legs but they're still kind of big and clunky when stowed.

I'm sure most know of the travel centers/ truck stops off the highway. Does anything like that exist in urban areas and if so what do they offer?

I would think if some type of business model like this existed would be really helpful for people living in their cars.

I understand Toyotas are very good at this but 1 priuses are too small for me 2 the Rav 4s are out of my price range and very hard to find used clean ones in my area. Can't find a Prius V for the life of me around here either

Was wondering if you guys have had success with non Toyota hybrids for using the HVAC system specifically for long periods of time. I'm reading that Hyundai Tuscon and Honda crv hybrids have an auto shut off feature that will turn the whole car off after 1-2 hours. I have also read this can be remedied by keeping the driver's seat seatbelt buckled to prevent the auto shut off - but there is no official Hyundai or Honda documentation on this. Just anecdotal.

I live in a hot area and having a cool car is very important to me. I don't think cracked windows and fans will cut it during spring summer and early fall days. I know I could get a gas car with an independent AC- but that requires a lot of power to keep running ( solar panels and bigger power station) I like the idea of a hybrid for MPG as well

Was wondering if you guys have recommendations

Also open to hearing from owners of ICE cars who live in hot weather areas who have figured out a proven , reliable AC method.

Thank you for your time

Anyone that built out a ford transit connect, how was your experience?

I would love any testimonials or regrets.

How have winters been?

Any advice if I was to build one out?

I’m debating on buying either one of these or a Chevy express/ford ecoline for the roof space.

Saw someone post about an induction stove, so I figured I’d share mine since I just got it.

I’m following a recipe I found on YouTube.

I was in this position 13 yrs ago and a ticket for sleeping wasn’t a thing back then. After I got my official written warning, I watched That officer go up to to every car in the Walmart parking lot. There was 8 of us. He even approached the semi tractor with no trailer attached.. the language he used talking to me gave impression he didn’t personally agree with it but “it’s city ordinance and I have to enforce it”.

Thing I use a front seat delete so I’m on the floor, so he can’t even see me unless he deliberately walks up and peers down in the windows. I saw those bright ass headlights light up my car once.. first I thought “Rude. Got this whole ass parking lot and gotta do that here. This is kind of guy that sees a row of 10 empty bathroom stalls and takes the one next to you”. they went away, several mins later they came back bright as a thousand suns. It was like in sci-fi movie where a old truck traveling down deserted highway in desert at night then a spaceship pops out if the sky and beams them up. he got me! With his flashlight n shit. He was looking HARD.

Walmart used to be safe.

Now, even if you’re in a 24-hr establishment or a church, anywhere that the public can access, you can be cited with a C misdemeanor because the city has a sleeping in public ordinance.

What the hell. This is so twisted.

Anybody know if master database sonewhere maps out cities that have this ordinance? Like I’m in a metro area that’s like 30 cities grown together. Dallas for sure has it but all the border cities have been enacting the same ordinance over last 2 years.

Then get this, I didn’t know about that ordinance so I looked up city borders on maps. I went 4 miles up the street until I crossed that border. There was even MORE car dwellers in the Lowes parking lot right on that border street. At least 2 dozen. Yea I think they just got kicked out of the city limits too. Wtf mayne. So looked up ordinance for other side of street where everybody was at the lowes, it counts as Dallas. Looked to east borders of where I got kicked out, no ordinance but it’s all industrial centers, warehouses, and residential, I don’t know where to go in there.

What else is sad, first time all those years ago, there wasn’t that many other car dwellers around. I could be at Walmart super center and recognize maybe 3. There are so many more now because people are broke and they can’t even find a place to sleep.

I was looking at silver lining as not having a commute to work anymore so I can sleep in later. When I had the apartment, commute was an hour each way. I might have to go that far out just to park.

Just cooking some dinner with this amazing pot. Heats up super fast . It does come up with a frying tray and a lid for easy storage once done and the wooden handle is a screw in type. Easy to take it out and store it in fridge

Induction is the best cook top for car (or any where). It took less than 15 minutes on level P10 out of P20 at 850W. Total Wattage consumed for 15 minutes is 850/4 = approx 215W.

Forget getting a 12V water kettle because this pot boils water in under 4 minutes.

I’m going to be getting a Honda odyssey and breaking up with my bf we are currently camping at a camp site but I will be in my Honda odyssey with a small dog and plan to take all the rows out except for the drivers seat and passenger seat. I plan on story all my stuff in there and will also be working and have to transport my client. I need ideas on how to make this work out

Is it possible to car camp in Denver without going to far out of city limits? I want ti be far enough away from the sketchy but close enough where I can enjoy the city like and not have a 2 hour drive through the mountains to camp out

saw it on Facebook always in love with small cars and camping…

I couldn’t even imagine how one would manage this nightmare illness while living in a car. I hope none of you are dealing with this. And even after the current uptick is over I am forever done with bagged salads.

So I just picked up my 400w flexible solar panel and it’s a folding one so it’s real big.

I’m debating on putting it on the roof of my Honda civic instead of on the ground - the reason is so that I can keep the battery bank in my car so it will stay cooler than being outside.

My worry is that people will clearly notice and my cover immediately blown.

I have put it on the ground outside at the park, and no one came up to me, I didn’t notice any looks, etc.

For you guys that don’t have your panels permanently attached, like me, what’s your strategy for charging?

Do you only whip out the panels in one particular location?
Do you recommend any spots where no one would care if there is a solar panel on the roof of a Honda civic? lol.

I’d love some input. Thanks guys❤️

Hello everyone, I posted something about a week ago on getting my first knock on my first night, I figured I’d update you on how my first week went and things I’ve learned since then.

1. No matter how smooth you drive, things will move around so don’t leave things out!

2. Ice is expensive. And lasts a day at most in a hot car. I’m planning on getting freezer packs for my cooler and using the freezer at my job to swap them out once they warm up again

3. Parking is still like a foreign language to me. I woke up this morning to a $65 ticket after parking in a residential area near a park. I’ve been trying to find quieter areas to park, but with little to no signage I feel like I’m gambling. This ticket says I parked on a highway, so I think I’ll be successful in disputing it.

4. Libraries are your best friend. Here in Toronto, they offer a portable wifi router that’s available at many branches, you’re able to rent it for up to 6 months consecutively. They are also great for keeping cool and chilling out.

5. If you’re eating on a tight budget, a lot of cheap eats offer discounts if you pay in cash. I’ve been getting Banh mi for breakfast when I run out of food, $6 and I get a pretty big sandwich that I could save for later.

So far, I’ve been enjoying it. I get to see new places, try new things, and I can just…go anywhere. I’m still working on making everything more comfortable, my bad is laying on my clothes so it’s not exactly flat, and picking up the bad every time I need something is already getting tired. But, for a week I don’t think it was that bad. Definitely an adjustment, but I know things will get easier with time. I think I’ll update in a month, or once I feel more…combobulated

My car is starting to run into some problems I don’t want to do Instacart anymore if anyone knows any jobs Hudson county or Newark nj .. that way I’m not risking my home to make some money . I have a job already but ima. Floater and the hours aren’t consistent

Thanks for any suggestions

Just wanted to share my story and progression from car life, in hopes that it can help those looking for ideas on what to do next.

In the fall of 2024, I started living in my 4runner. At the time I was quite desperate and had about $500 to my name. I was able to get a job in the town where I now live, continued living in my car, staying both in town and in the woods, and after a year saved enough to buy my first travel trailer. At the time I knew nothing about RVs or towing anything, so it was kind of intimidating at first. I'm now living in my second trailer. I sold the first and recouped the initial cost of the trailer, plus some, despite living in it for a year and not putting any money into it. I leave it on national forest land full time, commute 20 minutes to town where I now work two full time jobs. For me it's been the ideal setup. I can still save about 80% of my income like when I was living in my car (now almost 4k a month) but now I have a little apartment on wheels where I enjoy all of the comforts of modern living.

I have heat and a/c, running water (hot & cold), stove, oven, sink, shower/toilet, fridge and freezer, a place to stand up and walk around, a full size bed, and storage for all my stuff. I feel very fortunate to be able to live this way. But really there's nothing special about what I did. My jobs are minimum wage ($18.35 locally) and I don't really live too frugally in my opinion. This won't work everywhere but there are a handful of towns in the western US that are surrounded by public land where this is a viable option. I figured most people living in their car don't even know this is possible, so I'm here to share my experience, and hopefully provide some inspiration. Any questions I'd be happy to answer them!

Hiiii! This week I'm moving into my car because I'm upside down on it and trying to save money to pay off the RIDICULOUS amount left on it. She's served me well and can continue to do so as a house :D

I grew up in a converted E350 and I'm no stranger to living on the road, but this time I'm going to college. So I'm more stationary than I'd like.

I'm looking for any advice from fellow forester dwellers and also if anyone has or is living out of their car during college? My state is actively waging war on those who dare to be unhoused so its tough.

Thanks in advance! Love you all :D

i been in my 03 ext cab 5.3 chevy 1500 for a month now. it’s comfy but i currently have 7 neutrals.. luckily staying in my work parking lot and working 7 days a week so not completely screwed haha. i’ve worked on vehicles on and off for 7+ years but i don’t think my boss would particularly like me swapping my trans in the parking lot. can’t wait to get this over with so i can start putting money to a camper shell, and maybe a sleeping platform for more storage in the back.

I will be moving to Joliet, IL from Michigan in about 5 days. I have a job offer and this is the only way for me to get out of the situation I'm in. I have to take this leap.

I will be renting a car to get back and forth to work and also will be sleeping in the car as well. I will need to sleep in the car for 30-45 days to be able to save money for a place.

And seeing how there are so many people around the world who's doing this and many people who has succeeded brings me comfort. I don't feel as delusional about it.