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Anyone heating their camper shell or roof top tent? How?

Discussion in 'Outdoors' started by jpbewley, Apr 19, 2020.

  1. Apr 19, 2020 at 3:54 PM
    #1
    jpbewley

    jpbewley [OP] New Member

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    I'm curious how others are heating their camper shells or roof top tents for really cold weather camping... like sub-zero? I'm thinking about mounting a diesel heater up under the frame and move this system below to a permanent install.

     
  2. Apr 19, 2020 at 4:06 PM
    #2
    Jbehredt

    Jbehredt Burgeoning member

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    Lil buddy heater to take the chill off before entering and exiting my sleeping bag. Have been well below freezing but haven’t done sub zero. Single digits are cold enough for me.
     
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  3. Apr 19, 2020 at 4:36 PM
    #3
    jpbewley

    jpbewley [OP] New Member

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    Do you get much condensation? I've been using a candle... but need a little more oomph!
     
  4. Apr 19, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #4
    Jbehredt

    Jbehredt Burgeoning member

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    I’ve got a carpeted headliner so I don’t see any built up condensation but my breath does really start to show. Seems to taper off pretty quick though as the temp climbs.
     
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  5. Apr 19, 2020 at 5:47 PM
    #5
    pickeledpigsfeet

    pickeledpigsfeet New Member

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    I use one of those chinese diesel heaters. Works well. I dont run it all night but usually in the morning and as a side effect it dries out the camper/tent really well.
     
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  6. Apr 19, 2020 at 5:50 PM
    #6
    pickeledpigsfeet

    pickeledpigsfeet New Member

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  7. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #7
    pickeledpigsfeet

    pickeledpigsfeet New Member

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    From that thread

    564631C1-841B-4997-B3E2-65B694ADA516.jpg
     
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  8. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:03 PM
    #8
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    709731331655436.jpg














    Disclaimer:
    Don't actually do this !!!!!
     
  9. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:04 PM
    #9
    Kwe1982

    Kwe1982 New Member

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    I’m looking into a propex heater, still looking at options as well, something that is indirect.

    Right now waiting on getting my ARE DCU back to see where I could mount it.
     
  10. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #10
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    :crazy::rofl::rofl:
     
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  11. Apr 19, 2020 at 6:35 PM
    #11
    jpbewley

    jpbewley [OP] New Member

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    Let me know what you decide. There is a lot of room underneath the bed but I worry about water crossings. I have a propex in my teardrop and it works great.
     
  12. Apr 20, 2020 at 10:15 PM
    #12
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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    Another diesel heater here. Works great and doesn't add a bunch of moisture or CO to the tent.
     
  13. Apr 21, 2020 at 4:03 AM
    #13
    TokerJoker

    TokerJoker ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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  14. Apr 21, 2020 at 5:24 AM
    #14
    ardnutoz

    ardnutoz

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  15. Apr 21, 2020 at 6:30 AM
    #15
    myt1

    myt1 New Member

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    While on fishing trips, several times a year I sleep in the back of my Snug-Top when the temps are below freezing.

    At first I really liked the Heater Buddy, but it became extremely unpredictable and I wouldn't recommend it, particularly if you are camping at higher elevations. My Heater Buddy became extremely hard to start and it would constantly turn itself off, even though I always made sure it was in a well ventilated area. There of numerous posts on the internet with other people having similar problems. I think the problem lies with the oxygen sensors that are built into the heater.

    On my last trip I went simple and it worked great. It is a propane heater meant to be used outside to heat golf carts. I used mine in the back of my shell and I always made sure it was in front of a vented window. I only use the heater in the morning after I wake up and in the evening before going to sleep. I don't sleep with it on.

    IMG_1473.jpg
     
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  16. Apr 21, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #16
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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  17. Apr 21, 2020 at 8:30 AM
    #17
    Warreng

    Warreng New Member

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    I have a UCO 3 candle lantern. Wont heat my camper but takes the chill out. I dont sleep with it burning.
     
  18. Apr 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM
    #18
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 New Member

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    Little Buddy heater. However, last few trips, I just threw a couple hand warmers in my sleeping bag. I was very toasty. Temps were in the teens. I know that's not sub-zero, but i basically use one hand warmer when i go to sleep if i'm cold. When I wake up to pee at like 0300-0400, if it's cold, I'll break open two more and toss in my bag. Usually more than enough for me.
     
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  19. Apr 22, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #19
    minter66

    minter66 2007 TSS CrewMax

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    Just eat a bunch of these and zip yourself up tight in a sleeping bag - SCIENCE!!

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Apr 23, 2020 at 9:14 PM
    #20
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    I use a 12V throw like truckers use to keep me warm in the RTT. The throw is under the sheet and heat rises so the comforter holds the heat in. Power it using a Yeti 400. The throw has a timer on it and it shuts off in about 4 hours. It worked well in 30 degree weather. I was never out in weather colder than that so I don't when it's effectiveness stops.
     
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  21. Apr 23, 2020 at 9:17 PM
    #21
    Tundyfundy

    Tundyfundy Petunia The Tundra, and her sidekick Colbie

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    Never be cold again!! Correction...Never FEEL cold again.Haha
     
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  22. Apr 23, 2020 at 9:23 PM
    #22
    Grendel

    Grendel New Member

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    We use a “little buddie”. The first time we used it I was in the rtt setting shit up. The wife was In the annex getting herself and our son into pjs she yelled up how “nice” it felt. I’m like I’m boiling up here She laughed and came up the ladder and said wow we don’t need to keep that on long to heat the tent. I’m like I know I’ve been sweating up here setting it up.
     
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  23. Apr 23, 2020 at 9:50 PM
    #23
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    @osidepunker and @Challenger1 have been discussing this. We all woke up in Johnson Valley last year to a 24* morning. That's cold for me.
     
  24. Apr 24, 2020 at 7:21 AM
    #24
    osidepunker

    osidepunker OsidePunker

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    yeah I have a forced air heating system all planned out, but its not cheap, over $1k in parts. The cool thing is you can pull the hose from the tent and run it to your shower tent if you wanted, or an ARB room if you have one for your awning. A 10lbs bottle should last 3-4 nights I believe

    Every damn summer I say I want to install it, then in the fall I say its too complicated and expensive and sleeping bags work well enough, then by the end of winter I say dammit I wish I had it done, then in the spring I forget about it again LOL
     
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  25. Apr 24, 2020 at 8:56 AM
    #25
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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    You can do all that with a diesel heater for under $200. I've used maybe a gallon of fuel after 5 nights with outside temps in the 30's & 40's and my tent around 70. 1.jpg
     
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  26. Apr 24, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #26
    osidepunker

    osidepunker OsidePunker

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    Yes true. But then you have to carry 3 fuels, gas propane and diesel
     
  27. Apr 24, 2020 at 9:09 AM
    #27
    helidave

    helidave hellacopter

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    True, depending on the setup. My heater has the fuel tank built in and my propane tank is mounted on the trailer, so it's not much extra to carry in my situation other than the heater itself. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about not being able to cook cause you used up all your propane with the heater.
     
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  28. Apr 24, 2020 at 9:47 AM
    #28
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Why? It will help have a good night sleep.
     
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  29. Apr 24, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #29
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    Just don't light a match afterwards
     
  30. Apr 28, 2020 at 4:32 PM
    #30
    Kwe1982

    Kwe1982 New Member

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    Mock up...Test cardboard Propex, going to fab up some aluminum brackets to mount it to and replace the screen with a piece of black aluminum that’s removable. At least that’s the plan.

    Aluminum bracket for the gas bottle outside too.

    E2888535-7AA9-4E4E-B196-8920AB6CEE00.jpg
     
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