6 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT AND STAY COOL LIVING IN YOUR RV VAN OR CAR

[@HOBOTECH]

I know the beginning is out of focus but it gets better. You'll see at the end why I couldn't do a retake. This is the first video in a long time I did entirely on my Nikon DSLR and shotgun mic. Hope you enjoy it. If you found this useful, please share. Let me know in the comments what you think. PS - WHY A DARK TARP? People keep asking this. Color doesn't matter if you are using a tarp outside as a shade cloth. As long as the light doesn't go through it is doing its job. I've used both light and dark tarps and they work the same except the light ones get filthy and ugly fast. My brown tarp is on it's 2nd year and I use it as ground cover often. I also have reflective tarps but I didn't go over that for time reasons.

[@KatyInNH]

Funny 😄 😄😃

[@asphaltgypsy868]

Back to place an order for lots of stuff that I need. No ice trays found yet? Thanks for the heads up on the dark tarp too!

[@HOBOTECH]

AsphaltGypsy, I found the ice cube trays and added them to the Kitchen section at hobotech.tv/amazon/ . Thanks for the support!

[@asphaltgypsy868]

Thanks, Tom, but the ice cube trays aren't showing up there yet. I will check back tomorrow. :) I bought my Leisure Travel van in Boise back in March! Beautiful country up there! Anyway, the house batteries DON"T charge from my alternator! I have to charge them with a charger that is plugged into my garage! There's a Coleman 800 inverter tucked in under the driver's seat. The previous owner told me NOT TO TOUCH IT! What the hell is it for, and what do I need to run between my alternator back to the house batteries to get them to charge? I'm not going solar until next year, but IF I need a new/larger capacity inverter, would the pure sine wave ivnverter that you have listed work?

[@HOBOTECH]

Try hitting the F5 key to refresh your browser. If that doesn't work it might just take a few hours for the change to show up on your end. As for the inverter, you should have asked why not to touch it. Maybe it isn't hooked up or maybe it's busted. In any case, inverters are cheap so if it's not working it is easy to replace. As for the house batteries not getting charged from the motor, it sounds like something is out of order. I don't know any RV that doesn't charge from the alternator unless it is really old. Typically you have what is called an "isolator" under the hood somewhere near the alternator that sends current from your alternator back to the house batteries. Yours could have a blown fuse, be disconnected somewhere, or simply be busted. Mine is a red box with fins on it and it has a several large cables connected to it. You should look and see if you can find yours.

[@JustinSurf1]

I’m enjoying your older stuff! Clearly you have evolved in 2 years.

[@sherryvan4627]

Reflectix Transfers heat when hot...finally someone says it. 🚐🙋

[@HOBOTECH]

Must be that degree in Physics 😆. The stuff does work well up to a point. It's just aluminized bubble wrap. You can't expect it to perform miracles.

[@unruffledduck]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on dealing with heat with van life. Thank you for making it.

[@dangarnett9017]

Having grown up in Arizona, the tips are pretty much right on. However, I would add a caution to the concept of drinking very cold water when you're hot. The issue is "thermo-shock" which can cause a heart attack in some folks, especially the elderly. Even with air conditioning, the inside temperature should be no more than 20 degrees colder than the outside temperature. That rule is followed by movie theatres where the entry temp is only 20 degrees cooler than outside, then the movie area itself it can be colder yet. But the entry gives the body time to adjust going either way. (an old A/C tech)

[@saltpepper1894]

yeah some of his advice is off. dont drink way too much water, it bloats the cells which is just as bad as not drinking enough. Bottled water industry pumped a LOT of $$$ into marketing hyperhydrating to sell more water. drink room temp water too, also if your drinking distilled water (which you should) will absorb the plastic faster & more in the heat than regular bottled water so beware

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

@@saltpepper1894 great tips !! And if you are overheated cool your wrists. Then cool your neck and head. Cooling your wrists will lower your core temperature slowly. More of a tip for high humidity areas. Traveling Prayers for everyone 🙏 ✨ 🌹Frances from Florida 🏝

[@saltpepper1894]

@@1sthawkfeathers547 yes those cooling evaporative cloths do help

[@57thom]

Black tarp ?

[@ndanieltx]

Every so often i have to go back and watch some of your older vids. This one came up in my search it gets warmer here in the summer just for some tips and tricks. Im dumping Porter Cable tools now dor Ryobi as they have so many options and accessories. Love the fans and little inveters they got. 😎👍

[@Thegamecheats]

Dude you are so cool I'm so glad you exist

[@kurtsandy766]

I have watched/subscribed to your channel for about a year, and now I am watching your older videos. Love the full beard! Woof! Thank you for sharing your time, tips and reviews of products.

[@meredithheath5272]

Written intro is well written!!! Presentation is fantastic - great work!!! Thank you for your work!!!!

[@marig1972]

Very nice...Informative video...Thank you. :)))

[@jamesgill5511]

If you can get your portable fridge cold enough at night to freeze bottles of water, you can take them out and wrap them in a bath towel in the morning and they'll stay cold/almost frozen/slushy most of the day. This way you can rotate them out and start cooling down more bottles in their place. I used to freeze three 1qt bottles every night and take them to work with me(wrapped in a towel) in an in-airconditioned truck. 12-14 hours later the last bottle was still icy cold. Of course when I got put in a truck with a fridge, it was even better.

[@HOBOTECH]

Sounds like a good technique. My freezer is usually full of food for extended boondocking but I may save a space for a 1L bottle of water and try that.

[@JonTanOsb]

Great tips. I'm going to put extra grommets in my tarp and hang it with BBQ magnets made for cooking accessories. Having an ice machine is so worth it. They make ice quickly and only take 300 W of power. My cats don't like floaties in their water, but like to lick ice in a dry bowl and drink the melt water. Filling Oden's water bowl with ice will stop spills while driving and give him cold water slowly. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@jheighten7568]

Oh my God, HOBOTECH, Finally a person that says it right, the sun moves, we do not move. You are awesome. Wake people, What you are smelling are not Roses. 🤣 thanks for the vid

[@christopher3d475]

I put 1/2 pound command strips hooks around the main outside windows in my RV and have reflectix panels up over those windows (on the outside) held in place by the strips. I can take them down without too much effort when I need to move.

[@HOBOTECH]

Out here in the western desert states we see 50mph winds regularly. I tried command hooks, the ones that are supposed to hold like 40lb, on the outside of the van. Torn right off along with some paint. I'm guessing when you say "panels" you have cardboard backing or something glued to the Reflectix?

[@christopher3d475]

So far they've held. I live in Utah along the Wasatch Front (for now) and yes indeed we can get some winds at time. Of course time will tell.

[@HOBOTECH]

Let me know how they hold up after some rain and high wind.

[@meowzic]

this is a good solution for out west but not when you are trying to stealth camp in the midwest and the east coast, a tarp is going to give you away

[@staroceans8677]

OMG that was awesome, funny and absolutely true! Well done. Great cut by the way. All things considered...you're 'cool' too. 🙂

[@jheighten7568]

I know this video is old but you made me laugh so much in 2022, especially the end. Man I hope I stumble into you one of these days. I really need to meet you. You are awesome. Thanks and 🤘

[@blakehamblin576]

Your the man hobotech

[@JOEBASS100]

Left out one important note !...When boondocking at Walmart, etc. be sure to park on asphalt shaded from the sun for a short period. Hot asphalt radiates heat up thru your RV's floor.

[@pedroacevedo8107]

Thanks for all the good advice

[@g.cosper8306]

This vid should go viral-great hook and jaw dropping finish! Bravo

[@HOBOTECH]

If enough people share it will. I really don't have a lot of subs that share on social media though, unlike Stan.

[@Macbrand]

Hilarious and informative, thank you.

[@AboveAlways]

Best ending everrr 🔥 🔥 💚

[@esbliss]

Thank you Tom!! Good to know

[@jheighten7568]

I love it that you said the Sun moves.. some people are scratching their heads…. 🤣

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

I keep my cf-18 dometic frig. between 20 and 30 degrees Yes it keeps a 10 lb bag of ice plus Enough food for 5 days oh sure the food gets frozen a little. but that's OK ... Also have 2 100 watt solar panels And a 100 amp hour a.g.m battery Plus 2 favs We (me and my cat) are covered THANKS

[@HOBOTECH]

Much better too cold than too hot, with exceptions like dairy. Nothing worse than making coffee then going for the half & half and finding it's frozen solid.

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

HOBOTECH Yea you got a point but it's great for ice cream and ice cubes Had to give the cannabis a break for awhile, so at same time I quit drinking coffee, I drink ice water all day 24/7 I take ice water to bed for middle of the night drinks

[@HOBOTECH]

I keep a water bottle next to the bed too to fight off that middle of the night cotton mouth.

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

Thank you for that refrigerator tip also. Traveling prayers for y'all 🙏. 🌹Frances

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

@@HOBOTECH had to give up the Budweiser about 7 yrs ago. Sure Don't want to spend my life without buds, coffee and half and half the rest of what this 67yr old has left 😉🤗🤭

[@leenichols4141]

Lots of great tips

[@susananderson9619]

I'm hoping to get a van, and one of the first couple things I'm going to do is find someplace to buy a MaxxAir fan If I was 10 years younger,( meaning before osteoarthritis really attacked me) I'd probably try to install it myself. But I'm afraid of electric ,anyway.

[@starfuqr]

I was excited when i saw he had a cat. I have two and I'm really thinking about moving into a van and my only concern is keeping my girls cool in the texas heat

[@susananderson9619]

Had me laughing when kitty grabbed the mic and spoke 😂

[@meowzic]

You should get a white or light colored tarp. Black absorbs heat/light.

[@michaelcervantez3570]

Bingo!

[@runpurebloodrun......7374]

Hey hobo, I'll be joining you out there next week, hope I run into you so I can thank you for all your help

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

That’s for the info on the amount of urinating you do. I was wondering about that

[@billiemcfadden5808]

Frogg Togg cooling towels kick so much asinine heat!! Look Em up- I tried many other brands. Live in Vegas & these are game changers, low maintenance, mildew resistant.. I bought 1 regular (?) size & cut lengthwise cuz they're plenty big & highly effective.. Great friggin tips, man, thx!

[@carlosguzman-md2mt]

good looking out

[@cherbear1996]

Yay 1st..and yep..no ac..not even up front..cheap battery op fan going..i live below sea level so id need about a grand in gas to go up high enuf.lol so darn hot n humid here in delaware..but we try..new to van life..unprepared but wanted it so here i am..learning everyday..my big issue is keeping ice from melting..give odin huggs n scratches from us😊

[@HOBOTECH]

I've used cheap styrofoam coolers to keep ice from melting. It works a lot better than the plastic ones. I heard those Yeti coolers will keep ice solid for days, but they are crazy expensive. Good luck out there!

[@cherbear1996]

HOBOTECH i had a cheap styrofoam cooler but it bled water all over the floor. Got my "good" haha igloo out of storage n trashed the cheap one..does work better n last longer..zero condensation. But today i went n got another cheap styro cooler to cut up n insulate igloo cooler..cant afford the lowes foam right now so hoping this will do..have reflectix on top and around to reflect sun off n keep out of shade as much as possible..thx hobo✌😊

[@HOBOTECH]

Sounds like a nice hack.

[@cherbear1996]

HOBOTECH well..ive tried everything else short of buying a $400 cooler..cant afford that, a fridge or solar til my windfall arrives lol..but taking some advice of cooler within cooler..sort of..have frozen water bottles, packed cooler n now foam..cheap foam..but..still foam..so..we shall see my friend..stay cool..n drink up..btw..i hate water but yes..i force myself to drink it by adding lemon..or i just buy lemon water😊✌

[@HOBOTECH]

I used to hate drinking water too but that changed when I went on a keto diet many years ago. You can try these flavor drops called "Stur". They are quite good at making water interesting.

[@KPrayfortheworld]

So glad you have a cat. I’m gonna be in my Van this summer with a kitten. Need the cheapest ways for us to not die

[@BubbaWarbucks]

Wouldn't it actually make more sense to put the reflectix on the *outside* of the windows? Reflectix has almost zero insulation value, but it does reflect the radiant heat from the sun. If you put the reflectix on the inside, the glass will heat up, and since reflectix has no insulation value to speak of, the heat is already inside your vehicle.

[@HOBOTECH]

In theory, yes. However, in practice I never got it to work. Most of the western desert states have winds exceeding 50mph regularly. I found no method to keep the stuff on. It also attracts a lot of attention blowing around and I don't always want that. I find the one-two method to of tarps outside + Reflectix inside to work best. I really only need to put the tarps up if it's mid 80's or higher. The Reflectix, even though it does get warm to the touch on the inside, does a great job preventing the greenhouse effect.

[@BubbaWarbucks]

I know, right? I was trying to figure that out myself earlier this evening.

[@majcherj1]

Bubba Warbucks In general, great advice. However, never drink coffee, tea, or anything caffeinated to hydrate yourself. The caffeine dehydrates you.

[@BubbaWarbucks]

?? Who said anything about drinking coffee, tea, or anything caffeinated to hydrate yourself? Neither HoboTech nor I said anything about that in the comments.

[@majcherj1]

Bubba Warbucks It’s in the video in the section where he says what to drink. Sorry about the reply ending up being to your comment. I didn’t mean for it to be there. No need to be snippy, tho. Especially since it actually IS in the video.

[@Sasnak]

I was scared you was gonna stand up. Whew. close one

[@HOBOTECH]

Nah, I already lost enough subs this week.

[@ricks.1318]

LMFAO ..... Too FUNNY :) :)

[@ricks.1318]

IF Tom stood up, then ALL the ICE CUBES would have fallen off his lap, Stan !!! LOL

[@HOBOTECH]

Hey, gotta keep the jewels frosty.

[@mamabearscrochet3107]

😉 another tip is skinny dip! If your parked by lake . And if your brave enough. 😎

[@wendyeesue]

Now these are the kind of videos I love. You just saved me about 4 hours of work. I have been trying to fit a window shade inside my cooler and having a heck of a time.When im camping and using a cooler for food the ice melts fast when its 97 degrees outside, no matter where we put the cooler the ice still melted fast. This is the best, you are 100% correct on all this information. Love the detail in your info also. I have large tarps I use for the tent, who knew to use it to cover a cooler to keep it cooler.Thanks so much, OMG you just made my day taking off all that face hair. I love it. Are you staying cool ?

[@HOBOTECH]

Glad the info helped! It's almost too cool up here today in the hills with these crazy winds but I'm not complaining.

[@flier01b]

Makes sense never thought about heat from the ground! Wasn't trying to be a wise ass I enjoy your videos

[@newtuber4freedom43]

Good vid !! Very helpful !! -> ♥️ Heart, CHF & Kidney patients - please check with your health care providers before adding extra fluids & sodium; if they are not familiar with your condition & altitude changes; they need to look into this for you first.

[@000MACK000]

So what if I only urinate say less than a gallon a day I drink a lot of Mountain Dew and Ice-Tea at the most I might drink maybe a half a gallon of water a day sometimes not even that half a gallon of water a week LOL.

[@tannergold9023]

The beard trim scene was epic!😂😂😂

[@devianj6228]

Bob likes the shade cloth

[@HOBOTECH]

Bob doesn't always have the best solution. I'm going to do a video showing what works best by using the scientific method.

[@brucestarr4438]

Buy a Silver color tarp, instead of a dark colored one. They're not that much more, than a cheap tarp, It reflects heat away from your vehicle. Also a air gap between the tarp and vehicle helps, too. If you're having problems with heat, wet your hair/head.

[@HOBOTECH]

I actually have several tarps that are reflective on one side, and they are up on my Amazon page. I just didn't mention in the video because of time constraints and I can only seem to find them in 5x7 size which makes their use more limited. I generally use those to shade the screen room or the rear window (reflective side out of course) if it is super hot. I generally keep them loose enough so the wind will "air gap" them but also won't tear them off like sails. I actually flip them around for winter and keep the shiny side in to retain heat. I'll go over that when it gets cold again.

[@brucestarr4438]

HOBOTECH I bought a 12'x20' silver one side, dark other side at Tractor Supply for a patio shade. I have a steel tube frame and needed that size. You're right about reversing it during cold weather.

[@brucestarr4438]

Harbor Freight has a bunch of different sizes of Silver heavy-duty tarps. I got 43 returns on a search for silver tarp.

[@HOBOTECH]

I know which tarps you are talking about. They are silver colored, not actually reflective. I've used those and they work fine, but I camp almost exclusively in the dirt and they end up filthy. I ended up just keeping my brown tarp for heavy duty use and the reflective tarps for shading smaller areas.

[@Sasnak]

Gotta keep the GOAT!!

[@HOBOTECH]

Maybe I'll grow it long enough to put it in dreadlocks.

[@ActivateTrueHealth]

Good tips, thx

[@65plusfabulous56]

Great video. I am new to vanlife. I will only have portable power stations and it gets extremely hot during the day inside the van. How will that affect the power stations if they are in the van during the day when I am not able to turn the air on or if I am not in the van. Is that totally detrimental to the power stations and will it burn with the heat? Any suggestions will help. Thanks

[@attheranch873]

There are Cool Mats for cats, and it also would help to have his hair clipped to 3/4”. He needs some fur in order to avoid sunburn, so having him shaved too close would be a bad idea. A cool mat should help him quite a bit. I have a small very fluffy dog so I’ve had to work this out.

[@valerief1231]

I was going to ask “what would you do for a Klondike bar?”, then you shaved and I KNEW that some questions are best left unanswered! 1st time watching 1 of your videos and I liked it! 😇

[@bambambamVB3]

" I urinate usually one and a half to two gallons a day"....can you put this on a t-shirt please?

[@HOBOTECH]

Consider it done.

[@Betriska]

Hahahaha! Maybe I need the t-shirt, too!

[@rb3425]

I have never purchased "merch" from a you-tuber before, but you put your logo and that phrase on a t-shirt and I will buy it!!!

[@bambambamVB3]

Proudly!

[@philpeterson7182]

It wouldn't be a t-shirt; it would be a pee-shirt. If you pee one and a half to two gallons a day, urine good health!

[@bloggergonewild4440]

I recently bought an Artic Air fan with guarded expectations to use when I sit in a car for extended hours.................Not bad, it's not an AC but it blows cooler than just a lone fan.

[@HOBOTECH]

Ah, that's that portable swamp cooler. Should work decent in dry climates. I thought about building one for the van if I can figure out where to store it.

[@1sthawkfeathers547]

Unfortunately these don't work in Florida. We have enough humidity. Unless you are sitting right in front of it, the experiments show they are not effective. Air conditioning has spoiled Beagle Beagle and I. We will probably stay in Parked camper and see what happens. Continue to trick out the 2017 Dodge Caravan, so all of the helpful hints are appreciated. Traveling prayers for y'all 🙏. 🌹Frances from Florida

[@brazilian-lady9175]

Great video! Thank you for your information.

[@marymelcher1]

Another great vid! Thanks for all the info. (Im glad you didnt cut your hair, its lovely😉)

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks. Probably going to cut the hair though. I like the longer look but it's also a hassle in the summer with the heat. Maybe I should let you guys vote on it?

[@staroceans8677]

HOBOTECH The goatee is you and unique. The hair however, could be shoulder-length like in your initial videos. 🙂

[@gailwind4168]

Great ending!

[@toddjohnston419]

damn Bob Wells beard is gone! great video for home owners sweating like crazy cutting grass or in a work shop! thanks 😉

[@HOBOTECH]

All of a sudden my urge for cupcakes and Diet Pepsi is gone!

[@jguygytttuh]

3m makes a clear tint that reflects 80%+ of heat - guess the tarp would protect a larger area though

[@gregyohngy]

I have a silicon 6 ice cube tray. Much easier to remove than plastic. No need to use water to get ice out. No cracked ice cube tray too! I have one, but could you get an Amazon link for others?

[@JStreetHorns007]

Great tips, no where did I leave my trimmer? Thanks man

[@kenyawalker]

Great video!

[@bambambamVB3]

Great tips! I might add drink a cold beer or three. Also, I painted my roof with elastic roof coating. I'm definitely getting that wicked Ryobi fan! Great video!

[@HOBOTECH]

The ancient Egyptians used to pay their slaves in beer, and they still managed to build pyramids in that heat. The fan is great. I have a link to it on the website when you're ready to get one.

[@Anthrit]

For a second I thought you where going to shave it all off. Good tips.

[@HOBOTECH]

Nah, that was a setup for shock value. Going to grow the goat as long as I can.

[@KatyInNH]

Congratulations on 4000 subscribers!!!!!

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks! Only 6000 more before I'm a "real" KZbinr ... haha

[@gergled2846ify]

Great tips but I wonder if it's a good idea to cover your refrigerator exhaust vent. Seems like that could damage the fridge or keep more heat in the camper.

[@HOBOTECH]

You don't actually cover it, but you "shade it" by leaving the material loose over the heat sink so that the sun doesn't hit it directly but the heat can still escape. On my Roadtrek, the heat sink is black and with direct sun exposure gets too hot to touch. By shading it, I keep my fridge about 3-5 degrees colder.

[@bigshaggy4454]

That ryobi fan would go well with my 900 watt ryobi propane generator and ryobi impact driver.

[@EconomicRefugees]

Great video Tom !!

[@ricks.1318]

Tom .... This was a GREAT VID ..... It was Funny, humorous and interesting .... ONLY thing that would have made it better was if you put a "sweat band" on Oden's forehead ....:) :) :) 2 Thumbs UP dude !!!!!!!

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks. Maybe I'll do that next time. Although it would probably last 8 seconds before he tore it off and ate it.

[@ettascott5280]

Awesome video!!! Great info

[@artravision]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[@rmcnasty7319]

Good video Tom

[@carolgonzalez1691]

Looks cooler!!!

[@peterpowell6168]

LoL good video! but was like where are you getting your gas? then saw video was 4years ago 😂

[@dorothyhorton-wenzel4436]

Thank you, that was good advise

[@PatrickPrice-ny2ie]

New SUB!

[@mikeonthesmokey2619]

A good way to make sure your getting the salt and minerals is to drink a bottle of Gatorade, simple , easy, tasty!

[@pattycakecrochet1]

LMAO I said it at the same time. Lol Get naked! Clothes suck anyways. Lol No really a great info vid. We r lookin to do some van dwelling this fall n winter to save up for an rv for next year to travel. We live in NW Florida so in the summer its just crazy to try to live in 1 but our winters are very mild and Im hopeing this will help us to prepare for nomad living. We are excited for the adventure as we've never done more than a weekend camping so we are hopeing this is goin to save us no less than a grand a month on rent n utilities. This money will then go for us a bigger more comfortable summer rig with AC. Great tips tho. Hope u r enjoyin the views from up there n hopefully noones enjoyin urs lol. Much 💘 🐝Safe & God Bless. Give 😼😼 a hug from us.💖💋✌

[@jessarellanes6648]

That fan Also hooks on the window with the 2 cutouts

[@megandenniston2659]

I’m In Boise!

[@randylls5341]

Great tips, pretty much business as usual. ☺

[@edwardgormley2657]

There's another name for super hydrating it's also called Drounding

[@jannwebb]

God tips! Thanks!!

[@Gramma-Bambi-Lynn]

Great tips, but more importantly...you look mah-velous after shaving! I think you’ll look even more handsome with a haircut, too. Bonus: short hair is so much easier to wash and maintain ...as a woman who had long hair for many years, I know of what I speak, short hair is downright liberating!

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks. I probably will cut my hair. If I do it will be a lot shorter than in my early videos.

[@Kralphrn]

you do a great job!

[@gjonesii]

Great tips! Thx

[@checkeredflagfilms]

tech tip: the sun does not move. ;)

[@TheSeoforhire]

Cool tips, was considering the Dewalt fan since that's what I use, a bit pricey but has like 7 to 11 hrs run time. I got a Road pro fan, it's a bit noisy but runs on DC and blows air well. Instead of ice I use Cryomax reusable ice packs, they last up to 8hrs. I place one on my upper back when I'm sitting down reading or something. Highly recommend Tarp is is awesome, was just discussing shade cloth with a rv buddy of mine but the tarp thing is super cheap compared to the shade cloth. Fun video, was hoping the goatee also went just to change pace, Dave2d just did something similar recently. Keep it up, got doing great!

[@HOBOTECH]

For the entire set of tools and appliances I have, Dewalt was out of my price range. I can get the bigger batteries I just typically plug the thing in. The ice packs are a good idea and I used to use them when I was in sticks & bricks, but my freezer is just too small now to dedicate space for them. Shade cloth is nice but like you said it is expensive and can sometimes be tough to setup in wind. I've had that brown tarp for over 2 years now and it doesn't have any tears and I've used it for ground cover many times. Yeah, I'm never going clean shaven. Did it a few times and it doesn't suit me. I saw what Dave did and actually had planned a live shave weeks before him, but he beat me to it. I didn't want to look like a copy cat. People already think just because I had a beard I was copying Bob.

[@TheSeoforhire]

HOBOTECH hilarious, copying Bob... Your not a crotchety old man yet. He really got bent out of shape at the rtr 2 yrs ago over the younglings partying too late, guess he wanted rv park rules. I'll be in the party section at the next rtr.

[@HOBOTECH]

Yeah, I guess everyone with a full beard is copying Bob. I'll be in the party section too.

[@MsNZgal]

Lovely car. Maybe shaving her would cool her down as well :) great ideas thank you

[@OntheFarmAus]

Spay a refrigerated water bottle into the fan and enjoy the mist 😀

[@michaelconover1559]

Hobo tech , is your van insulated, and all i have is a bluetti ac180 and e3ba with 400 watts could i purchase a air conditioner and be able too run it in summer ! So over california, thanks in advance!

[@michaelconover1559]

And and how much watts do you have too run your systems in summer

[@RandyRandersonthefamous]

lmao love your intro

[@parksguy3018]

I really enjoyed the video and found your keep cool tips great. The only one I couldn't do is drink so much water. I like the tarp idea. Would a light colour tarp be better? 😎🇨🇦

[@HOBOTECH]

Tarp color doesn't matter if it is on the outside. I've had both and the light tarps get really dirty and ugly. I use my tarps for ground cover and other dirty jobs as well as for shade.

[@AtypicalPaul]

Does it hurt your car/van to run it sitting there and run the ac for hours ?

[@Betriska]

Hahaha! "Get NAKED"!!! Yes. I'm surviving down in the desert of Arizona with many of these techniques! Don't forget - WET your t-shirt (clothes)! Only works in arid environments - but. Oh man. A wet t-shirt has literally​ saved my life! Great video and tips!

[@Betriska]

Oh! And I​ love the beard trim - but the hair? LEAVE it. Ponytails are way cooler! (I keep mine in braids. Willie Nelson style!

[@HOBOTECH]

Sounds like you are endorsing a wet t-shirt contest. I'm up for that. 😜 I'm 50/50 on the hair. It's a pain to deal with in the heat. We'll see.

[@SailingWithVampires]

Hydrate with beer! I like it! 🍻

[@HOBOTECH]

Drink a quart of water for every beer and the trees you water will thank you.

[@livefreeordie4850]

Cool beans

[@susannastephens1177]

What is the solar generstor that will run an air conditioner 25/7???? And what air conditioner do i get???

[@HOBOTECH]

Covered in my latest video

[@welterdavin5486]

take a bow

[@pkk6428]

Hey Tom, I have a question about your solar panels on your roof. Have you had either of them lifted off yet?

[@HOBOTECH]

I'll answer this tomorrow morning.

[@galememeeof6688]

First time to your channel. I came here for tips after watching Bob's video. I like your style but when you took the razor to your face you missed a patch. Seriously, you did a great video and I'll be back. :-)

[@HOBOTECH]

Thanks. Welcome aboard!