Michael Patricia Doucet
Newbie
What can be used safely to heat a camp inn without a furnace?
Heater
- Thread starter Michael Patricia Doucet
- Start date
The Camp Inn trailer is very well insulated. An adult puts out about 100 Watts, add a child or a dog for another 50 Watts. If it's not too cold outside, warm the cabin before bedtime with a hot water bottle, a couple of thick blankets or a down comforter, you will stay warm all night.
I've camped into the high 20s with only a couple of blankets. It was a bit cold but otherwise fine. I've also done many nights in the mid to high 30s just making sure to stay covered.
I do carry a cheap electric heater (Vornado) for the rare occasion I use shore power somewhere. But even then it's sometimes not cold enough to want to run it all night. It runs at either 175W or 350W. No thermostat.
I do carry a cheap electric heater (Vornado) for the rare occasion I use shore power somewhere. But even then it's sometimes not cold enough to want to run it all night. It runs at either 175W or 350W. No thermostat.
Jenn
Ranger
Does your teardrop have a propane heater? Sorry if i missed that somewhere. Are you former tent campers?
I've teardropped , 550, in the teens, 20s, 30s, with no heater. Like JohnC , i preheat with a couple hot water bottles, use a zippup sleeping bag to contain heat, top that off worh a zero degrees down blanket and dress your jammy stuff warm if you have to get out of the bag. Easier to take off blankets than not have enough. Also, reflextix (that silver stuff,) under your mattress to keep your heat in and slow down any cold under neath.
The campInn is well insulated. Make sure you vent and have something tucked close by to wipe off condensation in the morning.
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The Postman
Ranger
You really only need the propane furnace when its below freezing and your comfort level below that...nice that it runs off a thermostat, switches on and off- only thing to remember is the fan costs battery charge, so play with it down to zero, for three season or shoulder season camping when state and county and Army Corps of Enginnesrd campgrounds without power and best dispersed camping areas empty out, and you value getting away from crowds.
The furnace is very safe, and worth it it if you like those options. It cuts down on the condensation from your breath that may not otherwise escape thru door vents, and collect on cold spots on walls and fittings.
You dont really need it.
I've slept very comfortably in a three layer type sleep system* in the snow on brush underneath, on a cot in a tent, in a tent trailer, and the 560 down to tens above zero.
But I'm a heater as my wife says...
You can do the same in any teardrop thats well enough insulated and has some venting to adjust, and keeps the wind off ya.
Just add the typical tricks used by backpackers- car campers;
hot water bottles, woolen cap, hooded bag closed tight, and try sleeping naked or in thin jammies to keep air warm by your skin.
Somewhere here in forum BEAR told a story - described how he slept camped next to the Yellowstone in 30-40 below zero weather for several days- toughing it out on a personal mission to be there, using reflectix underneath, layers of wool blankets, folded like layered sleeping bags.
Chipping ice off the walls...
Hardcore.
* bivy bag, outer sleeping bag, inner bag
The furnace is very safe, and worth it it if you like those options. It cuts down on the condensation from your breath that may not otherwise escape thru door vents, and collect on cold spots on walls and fittings.
You dont really need it.
I've slept very comfortably in a three layer type sleep system* in the snow on brush underneath, on a cot in a tent, in a tent trailer, and the 560 down to tens above zero.
But I'm a heater as my wife says...
You can do the same in any teardrop thats well enough insulated and has some venting to adjust, and keeps the wind off ya.
Just add the typical tricks used by backpackers- car campers;
hot water bottles, woolen cap, hooded bag closed tight, and try sleeping naked or in thin jammies to keep air warm by your skin.
Somewhere here in forum BEAR told a story - described how he slept camped next to the Yellowstone in 30-40 below zero weather for several days- toughing it out on a personal mission to be there, using reflectix underneath, layers of wool blankets, folded like layered sleeping bags.
Chipping ice off the walls...
Hardcore.
* bivy bag, outer sleeping bag, inner bag
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Sweeney
Administrator
A small 400 watt personal heater will keep you warm down to 25 or so. A 1200 watt will keep you warm, as well as the side room with the door open. It doesn’t take much.
Frankly, the furnace and radio would be the only two things I think I’d be happy to live without. Each has some use, but honestly isn’t really all that critical.
20 or so years ago I bought a boat that I kept moored over winter and bought an electric heater from West Marine that has a thermostat that goes down to 38 F. It has 3 heat settings that I think equate to like 600 W, 900 W and 1500 W. I hadn't used it in quite a while but my 550 has breathed new life into it. When I have shore power it is great in the cold - the lowest heat setting is plenty. I typically use a small USB fan to circulate the heat pocket that otherwise would form by the ceiling. It's nice to also be able to crack the window a little more for better air exchange overnight. But most of my winter camping is dispersed and I don't have the furnace option. I plan to experiment this coming winter with my Jackery 1000 v2. I'm thinking to set the floor temp in the mid 40s or so and use my water bottles inside my sleeping bag. This should help some with condensation and keep Sassy (my 6 year old golden retriever) a little more comfortable. I am not quite sure how many watt hours it will consume overnight - obviously ambient temp and wind are big factors here. I will try to top it back up with solar during the day. These are the sort of geeky things that for some reason seem interesting to me. Here's the current version of the same heater: https://www.westmarine.com/seafit-c....ds&gbraid=0AAAABEHEeb41EH1Tvy4SlCvElAajvTkTt