It depends on where you live, but i think it would be warmer to sleep in a car cuz you can turn the heat on but you can't in a tent. Although depending on the size of your car you may get a little cramped if there are too many people. Anyhow have fun camping!

Not if you're prepared. I've never slept in a car...but I tent camp during the winter.

Straw under tent when you set up.

Mat on floor, under sleeping bag to keep you off cold ground.
Warm sleeping bag with fleece insert. Toss in chemical hand warmer before bed. Wool blanket on top.

Change clothes before bed so you're not wearing damp stuff from day. Sleep in layers, and don't forget the warm socks and hat.

Chemical handwarmers and newspaper in boots to warm and dry them for morning.

Hey, Binzing...I clean up my mess when I leave...don't leave the straw behind. And straw has no seed heads, so how will it introduce "weeds" or anything else? And I didn't give you a thumbs down, though I disagree with you. I'm addressing you right here. So if you get one, it's from some other hack.

Tent, with good sleeping bag and a good closed cell or Thermarest type pad. Wear layers, avoid cotton and wear polypro or wool. Cars are often colder than sleeping in a tent due to the metal.

Oh, and DO NOT use straw as that hack above me said. It is littering and pollution and will introduce weeds and non-native species.


Well, its good to know that you clean up, lots of slobs don't. But yes, straw can grow, and can also carry weed seeds. Believe me, I deal with it a lot, we have farm animals.

I think a tent is warmer because you have more space for a blanket and such, and you can bring a heating thing or something in it...if not a car because you could just turn the heat on lol...

Just use a tent, and make sure you have enough stuff to stay warm in it (good sleeping bag, dry clothes, maybe a blanket to wrap up in if it is real cold). If you do it right, you can easily stay warm in a tent (I've done it at around -35C). You will just waste gas and be uncomfortable in the car.