Heat for cold weather camping? - VW Camper Family2024-03-29T00:23:30Zhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/heat-for-cold-weather-camping?commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A3843&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWe just got back from 5 days…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-19:4450389:Comment:103732010-09-19T04:16:15.000ZLarry Rusthttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/LarryRust
We just got back from 5 days in Yosemite and used the heater buddy in the AM. Even on vacation we are early rises and the heater was exactly what was needed. No fuss, no mess. Mamma was happy. You've heard...If mamma's not happy, then.................you know the rest and she was happy.<br />
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We had a great time and even saw a couple of other Westy owners and had great conversation. The portable buddy worked perfect. Well there's my update even though it took a year.
We just got back from 5 days in Yosemite and used the heater buddy in the AM. Even on vacation we are early rises and the heater was exactly what was needed. No fuss, no mess. Mamma was happy. You've heard...If mamma's not happy, then.................you know the rest and she was happy.<br />
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We had a great time and even saw a couple of other Westy owners and had great conversation. The portable buddy worked perfect. Well there's my update even though it took a year. Gotta recommend the 0 degree…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-16:4450389:Comment:101482010-09-16T02:01:00.000ZDave Reynoldshttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/DavidReynolds
Gotta recommend the 0 degree sleeping bags and going naked with a hot water bottle. We heat water on the Coleman and pour into the rubber thing (let the jokes begin . . . ) which is thrown into the sleeping bag. Plenty warm. During my scout days camping near the too cold shores of Lake Erie our Scoutmaster (Listen up!) heated stones or baked potatoes, we placed those things in our really large all cotton sleeping bags from Sears.
Gotta recommend the 0 degree sleeping bags and going naked with a hot water bottle. We heat water on the Coleman and pour into the rubber thing (let the jokes begin . . . ) which is thrown into the sleeping bag. Plenty warm. During my scout days camping near the too cold shores of Lake Erie our Scoutmaster (Listen up!) heated stones or baked potatoes, we placed those things in our really large all cotton sleeping bags from Sears. I camp frequently in freezing…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-15:4450389:Comment:101152010-09-15T19:04:46.000ZSwiftriverhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Swiftriver
I camp frequently in freezing weather. I use a buddy heater while hanging out in the evenings, usually with the slider cracked open to minimize condensation. I don't leave it on at night, because too much moisture will build up. I turn it back on in the am. I sleep with my head to the front, and can reach the heat without getting out of my bed. I am carefull not to drop a pillow onto the heater. (again.) I use sheets and blankets in my bed.... sometimes as many as 6 blankets and a thick down…
I camp frequently in freezing weather. I use a buddy heater while hanging out in the evenings, usually with the slider cracked open to minimize condensation. I don't leave it on at night, because too much moisture will build up. I turn it back on in the am. I sleep with my head to the front, and can reach the heat without getting out of my bed. I am carefull not to drop a pillow onto the heater. (again.) I use sheets and blankets in my bed.... sometimes as many as 6 blankets and a thick down comforter. I only wear boxers, and a synthetic t-shirt to keep my shoulders warm. I put my pants in the bed next to me, so they are warm in the morning. I roll up a large towel and place it along the bottom of the back hatch by my feet to keep out any drafts. I also try to choose camping spots where the sun will hit early, and warm things up a bit before coffee time. Coffee and bare feet by the buddy heater, is a nice way to start a day. My bus is non- pop top, but I would leave it down if it was.<br />
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Brian. we are cold weather campers a…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-10:4450389:Comment:99832010-09-10T21:35:45.000Zmarci michellehttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/marcimichelle
we are cold weather campers and have not had heaters...we live by our -15 sleeping bags...hubby and I zip ours together, add some thick socks and you're nice and toasty...(our girls have the same cold weather sleep sacks too). even with the pop top up!
we are cold weather campers and have not had heaters...we live by our -15 sleeping bags...hubby and I zip ours together, add some thick socks and you're nice and toasty...(our girls have the same cold weather sleep sacks too). even with the pop top up! I went on a trip without my b…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-08:4450389:Comment:99482010-09-08T23:09:54.000ZShari G-Ehttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/ShariGoforthEby
I went on a trip without my bio-heater husband, aka Mr. BTUs, and I used my Mr. Heater. I left it on for about 3 hours before bedtime in 32-34 degree weather. I had it up on the bulkhead with the wing windows open a crack, and it was warm, but the place was WET, drippy wet, especially the windows, from condensation. It rolled down the dash; I had to put a towel down at the back hatch window because the moisture had dripped on my sleeping bag and that was where my head was going to be. No one…
I went on a trip without my bio-heater husband, aka Mr. BTUs, and I used my Mr. Heater. I left it on for about 3 hours before bedtime in 32-34 degree weather. I had it up on the bulkhead with the wing windows open a crack, and it was warm, but the place was WET, drippy wet, especially the windows, from condensation. It rolled down the dash; I had to put a towel down at the back hatch window because the moisture had dripped on my sleeping bag and that was where my head was going to be. No one likes a wet binky when it's binky-na-na time. At home, I plugged it in at the house and ran a fan to dry it out. Super Bowl weekend in Rio Vista: Plug-in heater, plug in lamp, yeah!<br />
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<cite>Greg Jannacone said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/heat-for-cold-weather-camping?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=4450389%3ATopic%3A802&page=3#4450389Comment9945"><div>I used the portable buddy on an overnight that got down to 22 degrees. Not sure about the newer models but this one ran for 4 hours on a can of coleman propane. I was nervous though and wanted to play it safe. This thing doesn't have an O2 sensor that I know of to automatically shut off so I kept the 2 front windows cracked to provide fresh air to avoid any carbon monoxide disasters. Went to sleep, the heater ran the propane can dry in the night and my gf and I nearly froze to death. I certainly came very close to frost bite on my feet. If we were better prepared for the weather with cold weather sleeping bags and warmer clothes we probably would have been a bit better off but we went expecting overnight temps in the lower 40's. Oops. I now have a small electric heater. Used it once and it worked well. Probably needs a little air for safety but won't run out of propane and shut off in the night leaving you in the cold until you wake up shivering with burning feet. Of course electric hook ups aren't always available. Was thinking a generator would solve that problem but for that amount of money you could install the propex furnace.</div>
</blockquote> I used the portable buddy on…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-09-08:4450389:Comment:99452010-09-08T22:43:32.000ZGreg Jannaconehttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/GregJannacone
I used the portable buddy on an overnight that got down to 22 degrees. Not sure about the newer models but this one ran for 4 hours on a can of coleman propane. I was nervous though and wanted to play it safe. This thing doesn't have an O2 sensor that I know of to automatically shut off so I kept the 2 front windows cracked to provide fresh air to avoid any carbon monoxide disasters. Went to sleep, the heater ran the propane can dry in the night and my gf and I nearly froze to death. I…
I used the portable buddy on an overnight that got down to 22 degrees. Not sure about the newer models but this one ran for 4 hours on a can of coleman propane. I was nervous though and wanted to play it safe. This thing doesn't have an O2 sensor that I know of to automatically shut off so I kept the 2 front windows cracked to provide fresh air to avoid any carbon monoxide disasters. Went to sleep, the heater ran the propane can dry in the night and my gf and I nearly froze to death. I certainly came very close to frost bite on my feet. If we were better prepared for the weather with cold weather sleeping bags and warmer clothes we probably would have been a bit better off but we went expecting overnight temps in the lower 40's. Oops. I now have a small electric heater. Used it once and it worked well. Probably needs a little air for safety but won't run out of propane and shut off in the night leaving you in the cold until you wake up shivering with burning feet. Of course electric hook ups aren't always available. Was thinking a generator would solve that problem but for that amount of money you could install the propex furnace. No offense taken, but as for…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-08-19:4450389:Comment:95222010-08-19T23:09:48.000ZGary Marrshttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/GaryMarrs
No offense taken, but as for reliable sources, eskimos sleep in the buff, fact.
No offense taken, but as for reliable sources, eskimos sleep in the buff, fact. Well, I like to think I'm a m…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-08-19:4450389:Comment:95212010-08-19T23:01:23.000Zwhc03gradyhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/whc03grady
Well, I like to think I'm a moderately adventurous person and all, but I'm generally not up to trying things that'll likely end in hypothermia ;)<br />
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The point about dressing dry and more lightly than may be intuitive (<i>contra</i> my own advice at the beginning of this post) is well-taken. But the only evidence I can find that in the buff is the way to go is anecdotal; anything resembling a reliable source (no offense) recommends some measure of clothing, except maybe in the case where you have…
Well, I like to think I'm a moderately adventurous person and all, but I'm generally not up to trying things that'll likely end in hypothermia ;)<br />
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The point about dressing dry and more lightly than may be intuitive (<i>contra</i> my own advice at the beginning of this post) is well-taken. But the only evidence I can find that in the buff is the way to go is anecdotal; anything resembling a reliable source (no offense) recommends some measure of clothing, except maybe in the case where you have an exceptionally good sleeping bag, when clothes could mean too much perspiration. (I have no doubt that in more temperate conditions the birthday suit is best, however.)<br />
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The general rule (of physics, not just of camping) is that, all other things being equal (<i>i.e.</i> you're not sweating like a pig), layers=warmth. Have you ever tried it ?????…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-08-19:4450389:Comment:95202010-08-19T22:12:53.000ZGary Marrshttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/GaryMarrs
Have you ever tried it ????? I didn't believe it either, until I tried it, now I'm a believer. And yes, it is better with two people. I'm sure there in MT. it cools down at night pretty good even now, so next time you go camping, try it, and let us know what you think.
Have you ever tried it ????? I didn't believe it either, until I tried it, now I'm a believer. And yes, it is better with two people. I'm sure there in MT. it cools down at night pretty good even now, so next time you go camping, try it, and let us know what you think. I like the "change into fresh…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2010-08-19:4450389:Comment:95192010-08-19T21:58:52.000Zwhc03gradyhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/whc03grady
I like the "change into fresh dry clothes before going to bed" line from the previous page, but there's no way you're going to convince me that naked is the way to go when it's below freezing. <i>Maybe</i> with two people, and <i>maybe</i> while running a heater, but even then I'm skeptical. I've slept in an unheated bus at -13F and I'm sure if I'd been naked I'd be dead.
I like the "change into fresh dry clothes before going to bed" line from the previous page, but there's no way you're going to convince me that naked is the way to go when it's below freezing. <i>Maybe</i> with two people, and <i>maybe</i> while running a heater, but even then I'm skeptical. I've slept in an unheated bus at -13F and I'm sure if I'd been naked I'd be dead.