Little Ideas for a Better Winter Camp Out!

Here's a few little ideas to enhance my own winter camping experience in my fiberglass eggshell camper. While mostly concerning solar improvements, I also discuss my favorite travel book and other useful tips.
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/ @slimpotatohead
Website: www.slimpotatohead.com
Products mentioned in this video (Amazon Affiliate Links*):
Antifo Backup Camera: amzn.to/355HHSq
Extension Pole, 6 foot: amzn.to/3niEd5v
Richard Sponge Sander: amzn.to/355gr6K
Clevis Pins: amzn.to/3hH5VaS
Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck: amzn.to/2X9neri
Radiwow Portable Radio: amzn.to/3nekeEO
75 Ohm FM Antenna: amzn.to/3pUstaN
Tasty Bite Indian Curries: amzn.to/3onbv4o
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/ @slimpotatohead
My Equipment (Amazon Affiliate Links*):
Camcorder: Sony FRD-AX53: amzn.to/3fqW7jd
Osmo Action Camera: amzn.to/2QCSUlh
Action Camera stabilizer: amzn.to/35nRXD2
Main Camera: Sony A7Sii: amzn.to/2J9voXk
4K Sports Camera: amzn.to/2Dtsygn
Zoom Field Recorder: amzn.to/2WrLZQU
Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/2kOJqqY
Tripod: amzn.to/2X0Vk0P
Editing: Powerdirector 17: amzn.to/2KqY8gC
Sports Chair: amzn.to/3cPTS7U
MPPT Controller: amzn.to/2LHgM5t
Portable Power Station: amzn.to/2LEZt4Z
How I get around:
Trailer: 2008 Outback by Trillium trilliumtraile...
Tow Vehicle: 2010 Jeep Liberty, 6 cyl 3.7L gas engine, 4WD, over 180,000 km
Amazon Affiliate Links provide me with a very small percentage of the sale with no additional cost to the buyer. Please support Slim Potatohead by using my links for any Amazon purchase. Thanks!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Slim, you needn’t be concerned about content. This video, along with your travels, hikes and history lessons ..... this is exactly what I enjoy. Thanks for posting!

[@jayesh5131]

Also life lessons ♥️

[@relaxingvideosforcatsdogs]

100%

[@michaelsaintjude]

The painter polls along with the pivoting block sanders is truly a great hack Slim, I'm a HUUUGE fan of that type of enjunuity... Thank you for sharing.

[@volvo09]

I am always surprised at the amount of hardware store stuff you can adapt into something! I love it!

[@HoneyandMe]

So true! I love hitting the hardware/building stores to find something that I can use in my RV!

[@lindamorassi4458]

One of my favorite John Steinbeck books is also “Travels with Charley” which I read 40 years ago and always thought I would like to also do. So in 2017 I traveled with Bella(little white boxer) from MA across the northern US to Idaho to Grand Tetons down to Northern New Mexico through Utah and Colorado and then a return to FL.

[@cirrus820travelers9]

Found a copy at thrift store by Charles Kuralt, A Life on the Road. Growing up I always enjoyed watching his back road travels on CBS "On the Road" across America in a motorhome 40 yrs ago.

[@paulcheng5752]

Smart Potatohead ! I like how you tilt the panel.

[@rgold02]

Happy New Year Slim! Goldie in Jax Fl

[@macgames]

Glad I'm not the only one who wanders around a hardware store brainstorming. ;-)

[@macgames]

And oh, of course! Glue a fender washer down for a magnet. I know where that's going...

[@kathie__1]

Problem? Slim: I will fix it! You have to be one of the smartest men I have ever seen. You can find a solution to any problem.

[@johnswof]

I'm pretty sure SP is smart because he so resourceful. When Slim makes the few mistakes he has shared with us, Slim admits it and learns from it. Slim is methodical in his testing and trying which is another sign of how bright he is. Lastly, Slim has a great sense of humor which is always a sure sign of intelligence.

[@jayesh5131]

@@johnswof Yeah the curry joke, only he could make a joke like that

[@zaradimple3980]

Very inventive. There is a saying: "necessity is the mother of invention" and Slim is the daddy. Well done Slim!!

[@billy5179]

13:27 "I wouldn't say it's the ideal spot..." XD i just looked out my window onto the building across the street and then compared it to the picture i see in my screen: snow covered mountains, some trees with snow and a river with ice in a beautiful winter landscape. My friend, it might not be ideal, but its dang close in my eyes. XDXD You got "spoiled" with to many nice places. XD

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

Yeah my current view will be the neighbor's front door lol.

[@nickvanherk2292]

So true @billy. Was thinking the exact same thing.

[@rogerprism8661]

External FM Radio antenna tip was worth the video. THANKS!!

[@DesertDog8989]

John put his laundry in a bucket with soap and water in the back of that truck and it agitated around as he drove along. You and he have a lot in common as far as ingenuity goes. Thanks, Slim, for always giving us something to think about, plus a little nature to sooth our souls. Love your channel.

[@MrStroked10]

Great to see ya back on the tube!!!!!

[@TMD22385]

I am 66 years old, retired, in good health and am financially OK. I have always enjoyed traveling and seeing this big, beautiful country but I have never been able to slow down in my travels to really explore areas. I am, for the first time in my life, in a position to find out if I would enjoy that kind of travel. I bought a tall cap for the bed of my pickup and am outfitting as simply as I can and make it as comfortable as it can be. I'm not spending much time or money on it. I am just making it functional. I'm hoping to take a few trips to work out the bugs and find what works and doesn't work for me. If I enjoy this type of travel, I will invest more in this lifestyle and probably make more of a commitment on a camper of some type. Your videos have given me a lot of ideas on what to camp in and travel ideas. Thanks for doing this and keep up the good work.

[@loritowne-culver2506]

I loved reading Steinbeck’s “Travels w/ Charlie “

[@dmwtech4495]

Your solution for the solar panel is just pure smarts. You created a solution, with what you could find, at a low cost. brilliant. True troubleshooting mind set. I tilt my hat to you.

[@mariasalazar7576]

My friend i may not always comment on your videos but do know i really enjoy them..... as always u give such amazing tips ... Never feel it's not enough cuz it new stuff each time for us ...and even if u just sit there on your chair looking in to the wild it means a lot cuz from my comfort of my chair im imagining im there 😍..so thank you

[@phoenixrising914]

Travels with Charley!!!!

[@cherriemckinstry131]

I like how you look back towards the back seat like we are in the car with you. I wanted to look out the window!

[@ShandeleReynolds]

We were 😁

[@djjeckel65]

@@ShandeleReynolds scoot over I wanna see out the window too ;)

[@lupaofpack]

Travels with Charley is a GREAT book! I "read" it in Audio format a few years ago. I totally recommend this book on audio, the narrator was amazing. Such a poignant story. :)

[@kafeimewtwo2410]

Audiobooks are great in general, especially because it helps spread out and pace the book, at least for me. I’m a very fast reader but sometimes I read too fast and miss things, so I’ve been rereading a lot of my favorite books as audiobooks and I’ve been appreciating it a lot more

[@royholmes9621]

Following slim is like taking a trip without actually taking a trip...😆

[@bostonpicker6890]

Travels with Charley has been one of my faves for decades! Great book that inspired my nomad tendencies!

[@rhondalyn100]

I always loved a smart guy. I love you, Slim.

[@paulr.3220]

Hooray! Another year of adventure and education with a favorite RV channel. As a lifelong radio geek I always bring several radios, especially shortwave. Happy New Year Slim Potato Head. Peace.

[@regular-joe]

Hi, then maybe I could ask you, was there an actual physical connection between his radio and the outside aerial, that he had to route through the camper? (I've got absolutely zero experience or knowledge about radios to fall back on!) Thanks for answering, if you feel like it!

[@herniedog4641]

Wire

[@rebbeshort]

@@regular-joe Yes, the physical connection is what he plugged into the external antenna jack on the radio. That physical wire ran from inside the trailer to the outside where he had an exterior antenna magnetically stuck to the camper.

[@regular-joe]

@@rebbeshort thanks, friend!

[@kathyowens9901]

Warming that sauce was amazing, more cooking videos on please, like that.

[@suzannesmith6794]

You are the king of ingenuity!!!

[@mudthe1st512]

Slim, when it comes to improvising, you are a true MacGyver.

[@gisellechristian4054]

Seems like this guy never runs out of ideas. 😁keep em coming.

[@lindacrowley1405]

That is the book I read as a young girl that got me FIRED UP! I RECOMMEND it everyone. Great to hear you say that.

[@cenedraleaheldra5275]

I thought your little trailer was small for one person. Today I saw a lady who travels in the same size trailer like your but they have 4 people in the trailer. Mum dad and 2 kids. Great to see you again. Stay safe. Thanks

[@bluewater7211]

That solar panel lift is awesome dude. That's a really nice way to solve the issue.

[@marktroiani5401]

Great getaway Slim. Very calming. Thank you.

[@pierretrudel7944]

Hi, dear Slim! You really are a genius with your tilt panel! I just love the story of Steinbeck with his french dog and his camper truck. Always a great pleasure to watch your videos.

[@regginaldwilliams9381]

What a charmed life. Good Bless your adventures.

[@shawneeb3771]

What a beautiful country, so envious. I believe you can come with an idea to fix anything. Stay Safe.

[@thomasaccuntius9946]

I too like a quick to prepare meal, so here is one of my favorites. I use a wok for it, but a stew pot like your blue one will work. It's a stir fry with ramen noodles with vegetables. I boil some water to cook the noodles, when they are almost done, I add my vegetables, I use a handful of frozen stir fry mix. When those are heated, drain everything and put back into the pot. Then I add some olive oil, soy sauce and Worchester sauce, and I usually add some cooked sausage or chicken at this time. Thawed frozen shrimp are good too. And for an extra kick, add some liquid smoke, this is really good on the shrimp. This is a fast and tasty one pan meal.

[@waseonethebomber]

"I splurged $13 bucks for the antenna" lol so good love it

[@nixhixx]

What a great solution for tilting your panel!

[@stephs1571]

It's always a pleasure to watch your videos! Great idea for the solar panel.

[@alancummings5008]

Man after my own heart. Go to the hardware store and browse until i find something to fill the need I have. Alberta is a beautiful provence. A couple years as go, I got to meet some great farmers on the rich prairies, and visit the rockies as well.

[@pmmurf101]

Slim, I’m always so impressed by your creativity to solving problems. Enjoy your winter camping!

[@dakotabillyone]

Another excellent travel memoir: BLUE HIGHWAYS by William Least Heat Moon.

[@enriquelaroche5370]

I like the California and Arizona solution to the cold snow and dark. Hello from San Francisco.

[@carriemainquist757]

You are like the Macgyver of trailer camping. Every time I watch your videos I learn something.

[@swsunsetseeker7285]

I always get something useful from your videos. Today I got info about the external FM antenna, the great book recommendation, and the Tasty Bite Indian food. Haha! I had to rewind and make sure you said the word vomit. You've made the interior of your camper very cozy, nicely decorated. Even the look of your bedside lamp and clock make it look very home-y. Appreciate all of your videos! Keep them coming 🙂👍🏼

[@cherylfarrell1638]

That sir is very ingenious and quite appropriate I’m good looking tweak it out that’s great good job

[@kathyadair7367]

Your ingenuity is impressive.

[@williamleopold507]

Einstein would be amazed with all the ideas that you come up with ! You are amazing ! My husband and i love watching from Windsor NS

[@jonmasselink4214]

You either love winter or you leave it !!!! Love it !

[@virginiatolles1664]

Your inventions are fascinating! Thank you for coming to share more of them with us.

[@NomadicRVLiving]

Great idea with the small window cut out on the reflectix.

[@alexanderweaver4838]

I love wandering around Lowe's, Harbor Freight and sometimes automotive stores for ideas on improving situations in my van. The other day while in Lowe's I spotted a basket that holds my Jackery 240 and it's mounted perfectly on the wall of the van. It's just above my bed and I can easily reach to turn lights and/or one or both fans. In Harbor Freight I found magnets that I use to hang emergency blankets (heavy duty ones with a reflective side and orange or green on the other side) on the exterior walls of the van while I'm camped. The reflective sides help to reflect the sun's rays which helps to keep the temperature down inside the van. Aluminet shade cloth is another useful item from Amazon useful to make awnings also using magnets and tent poles, as the aluminet shade cloth has grommets like on a tarp.

[@patshankle3281]

Love seeing places I'll never go. Love travelling along... 💜

[@cocochanel9291]

You may think that is a nothing video. But I (and obviously many others) enjoy the simplicity of just being able to get out and explore nature in these times of uncertainty and lockdown. Stay safe. And thanks !

[@travelinkash7099]

We always enjoy tour videos!

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

I just pulled my little trailer out of storage to play with today! Great timing!

[@randymartin5521]

I've subscribed to a handful of camping/RV channels but Slim's is the only one that I still look forward to new videos. I'm always entertained and frequently learn something as well. Slim you find some of the most innovative and simple solutions to the challenges you face. I wouldn't be surprised if you have an engineering background of some kind.

[@GW-travels]

You made me realize I need to add a way of tilting my solar. I am just starting to fix my van up to boondock and you have me ideas on how to make it tilt. So good video for me. Thanks and safe travels.

[@karolmolitor4675]

I love how you rigged the solar panel! Amazing what you can find in a hardware store!

[@seekingjoynow1722]

I read Travels With Charlie. So many years ago. Love that book.

[@marilynrenaud1892]

You never cease to amaze me! You are brilliant! All of your videos are so interesting...and educational...with a touch of humor. I just love every one of them. Stay safe. 👍👍👍👍👍😁 Happy New Year!

[@arthurleslie9669]

“Not Cold” there ... would freeze the buns off this Southerner. LOL

[@skruface]

True, but as a fellow Canadian, I can say most of us up here cannot handle the summer heat/humidity combo in the southern US & gulf states.

[@stellarproductions8888]

You won't know cold unless you spent several months up at Kavick base, located at 197 miles north of the arctic circle, in the state of Alaska. During the winter time, the temps go down as far as -40 to -70 degrees bellow 0. Its so cold, that if you took a pot of boiling water and tossed it outside in the air, it would instantly freeze into snow.

[@arthurleslie9669]

@@stellarproductions8888 ... I actually got stranded in Goose Bay (Canada) in -50 temps. Yep, it’s a kicker alright. I know about Kavick ... There’s a woman behind every tree. LOL 😂

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

'The south' was 26' degrees outside this morning, and boy howdy does the humidity matter- felt like -26' in Colorado (conversely a 99' degree in Colorado feels like a happy May 82' in the south, lol).

[@wendytravis6427]

I hear ya. It was 70 today in the Phoenix area... 66 inside the house and I’m freezing. I’ve been wearing long sleeves and a jacket indoors for most of the day.

[@davidjones8680]

Once again I have enjoyed your latest installment while I have stopped for lunch. I really like your engineered solutions, totally practical and very cost effective. Good luck and safe travels. David in the UK.

[@lethomps1]

What an ingenious idea to tilt your solar panel. Doesn't require any ladder or climbing.

[@barbaragriffin869]

I love your tinkering!

[@n8rlvr876]

Great book!!! I tag this maybe 20 years ago, and it greatly impacted my roadtripping plans and dreams!!

[@850mk3]

It might be the bug but it's good to see you showing us Canada instead of the US all the time. I'm from sunny Victoria and can't imagine the type of cold you get in southern Canada.

[@stuartkorte1642]

Ingenious on drywall sanding pad and universal broom/paint handle.

[@RHSMediaVideo]

I'm glad you discovered the Tasty Bite meals. I love them

[@victormorris3680]

You really do know how to think outside the box, are you sure that you wasn't an inventer in a previous life!

[@ruthanderson1758]

Absolutely love your ingenuity - great modification on the tilting solar panel - I'm betting you're going to get a lot more power out of it now. You are the epitomy of the old saying "if there's a will, there's a way".

[@doncarlton4858]

You're a better man than I Slim! I really can't tolerate the cold like I could when I was younger. That meal looked appatizing to me! Especially if it gets heat into you. Be safe and good luck.

[@thepz22]

I love watching just to see what you do whole day in winter van camping. It doesn’t have to be fancy but it really soothe me and help me go to sleep

[@johnjohnson3447]

Experiments are great - innovation on the cheap. Simple is elegant.

[@tikoy1955]

Good video. You are the MacGyver of RV Trailers. I enjoy watching your video's and learn some items at the same time.

[@set921]

After watching CNN for 10 hours today, I really needed a Slim video before bed. 😥

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

Hi Slim ... On the radio - well-known Canadian blues guitarist ... Colin James! Saw him in concert in a small hall in Bala, Ontario - one of the best I've ever been too - came on stage at 11:00 PM and finished at 2:30 am. Good idea on tilting the solar panel using adjustable supports. Cheers, Steve

[@dingo5208]

The Kee to Bala! I used to work there summers when I was in college. I miss going there.

[@PeaceChanel]

Peace… Shalom… Salam... Namaste and Thank You so much for All that you are doing to Help our Mother Earth 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ 🌷 ❤

[@Julien987]

Spicy food on a cold day, great idea.

[@JanelleVocate-Ames]

So good ro see you again!

[@chiron591]

Thanks for the sunshine, lol Like the way you think. Your very creative. Especially the window insulation idea. Perfect.

[@crazyhorse782000]

Hi Slim. Long time watcher but a newly subscribed viewer. I haven't seen a single one of your videos that I haven't thought, "hey that'll work on our new camper!". Stay safe and have fun.

[@kimberkrestsolocamping6186]

Travels with Charley...the reason I started traveling and camping. Excellent recommendation.

[@angelabrade3374]

You are a very clever man . So resourceful. I love these vids ❤️

[@jeffreyward926]

Slim I love you channel please keep the videos coming!!!!!

[@lindawoods6841]

Hiya Slim glad to see you again. thank you for sharing.

[@janebray9392]

My Dad always bought that Popular Mechanics magazine...Slim 🥔 reminds me of that. An alltime top favorite book of mine, and movies/plays is Of Mice and Men. I thought for sure that book Slim🥔 picked up was a old Western🤠, I don't read anything modern, I prefer older books. I just showed hubby a book series I have from a guy in the 70s, about travelling Vancouver Island.

[@johnpaulgarcia6906]

Can hardly wait for a new video. All of them are very good

[@jefftatchio6091]

Utah Jeff .... here ....,the new video equipment is very good .... good creative mind .... Like videos.... just a tent camper person .... but you do give me good ideas

[@SeauT]

Well done on the solar solution. Thanks for sharing.

[@trygginoregon]

This radio has all kinds of buttons on the front... I don't even care what they're for.... My kinda' guy. Love the videos

[@warrenscorner]

Great idea using those poles and sanders!

[@carolm7828]

Good Day Mr. Slim potato head! Nice video! You always seem to make the best out of no matter what!😁. Your ingenuity is outstanding! I have a C. Crane radio that is a solar, crank, battery and also electric! It is a really good radio! Also has a phone charger connector! And it has a flashlight!😁. And can tune into the weather! I bought it for $49.99 plus s&h & tax. Thank you for being you! Keep warm and safe! 💕Always, Carol

[@salliannebrown8129]

Thank you. Very clever solutions as usual. Travels with Charley is one of my favorite books as well!

[@maryrobertson5250]

Real life on the road. Nice to see you back. Brilliant solar panel lift. 🚗🌞

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

awesome video as always I going to steal some stuff lol. the solar panel very Kool. the window coverings with clear plastic very cool. insulating the bins awesome idea. yeah you don't have to worry about content very cool video great ideas 🛠️🇨🇦🛠️🇨🇦

[@bettybrigance6784]

I don't care if you don't do anything but teach...but I know there will always be some content to enjoy...actually, I think a lot of it is your showing me a place I'll never get to see or go, and then there is your calming voice....thanks for your time and videos so take care of yourself and keep going

[@jerrycalhoun4901]

Welcome back! Love your videos!

[@charlesmcadory8286]

Slim ya need to watch those painter poles. The more you loosen and tighten them the grummets inside will start to give way. I wouldn't want that expensive solar to come crashing down.

[@joniboulware1436]

Very creative and effective. You could use a bifacial panel and get even more with your tilt set up.

[@deanmills5106]

Color matched boots and jacket. I've been hanging around with my wife too much. Thanks again for another enjoyable video.