Don't those two words just glide effortlessly across your eyes? Like a sultry, smooth PB&J sandwich? No? Ok, it didn't exactly work for me either.
But that's exactly what I was tackling earlier today. You see, after priority #1 (the bed) and priority #2 (emergency toilet), the next priorities in line for me are... well... insulation and privacy!
First though, let me step back and share a bit of clarity and perspective on this particular venture. You see, cardwelling is nothing like RVing for example. They seem similar on the surface, but underneath, the two couldn't be more different. Whereas RVs try to imitate and offer the comforts of a traditional house, cardwelling is more of an exercise in motorized camping. The same kind of camping that involves tents, sleeping bags, camp fires, and trying to fit everything in a backpack.
Point is, due to the severe limitations involved, Cardwelling ends up being a glorified form of camping, and it is important for anyone who is intrigued by the idea, including myself, to realize what you are signing up for.
Case in point, there is only so much you can do to insulate a car. Most insulation is either too impractical, will cause mold, or is too expensive as an option. That is why many opt for a cargo van instead, because they are much more workable in that regard. For cars, most people just put up reflectix on the window glass and call it a day. Some don't even go that far, and just accept that they are indeed "camping" and choose to become quite intimate with Mother Nature.
So that's what I did earlier today, cutting out reflectix to my windows, and see if that will work for me as well.
This isn't all bad news though. You see, cargo vans have one serious Achilles' Heel, and that's the fact that they don't have a practical solution for air conditioning. A van's AC simply isn't powerful and energy efficient enough to cool the entire van. However, cardwellers armed with a Prius can! In fact, the smaller the space, the more effective using the built-in AC will be. Knowing this, that is why I don't mind the tight spaces.
The simultaneous benefit of this option is that it also helps to ensure privacy when I am inside the vehicle.
Oh, and I also put on a protective seat cover. It looks very nice. Ok, I'm going to stop rambling for the night.
Insulation and Privacy
March 31st, 2017 at 02:08 am
March 31st, 2017 at 03:31 pm 1490974298
March 31st, 2017 at 05:24 pm 1490981087
Also, it doesn't look like it makes it totally private; it looks like you can still somewhat see through it.
March 31st, 2017 at 06:19 pm 1490984383
As a double benefit, it also helps to substantially decrease the amount of heat that gets into the vehicle, which will be of vital importance when summer comes up.
It isn't completely, 100% private, but it only needs to be good enough to not alarm anyone should they be walking by.
March 31st, 2017 at 08:56 pm 1490993767
April 1st, 2017 at 06:32 pm 1491071577
April 1st, 2017 at 11:30 pm 1491089423