Heater for the Tentrax

[squinko]

Posted in the tent heater thread but thought I would try hear.

I agree the sleeping bag is so important when your sleeping, but it's the getting out of the bag to get dressed that kills me. I have a Tentrax trailer and can't use a floor heater. I really like the Propex HS2000. Now I just need $750. http://www.propexheatsource.co.uk/air-heaters.php

Has anyone ever rigged up something to one of the poles in a tent that allows for the heater to be suspended from the ground? Thinking about trying to use the green fuel can in a holder that would mount to the poles in my Tentrax then use a small heater to fasten to it. This would allow easy access and a way to quickly warm up the Tentrax before getting out of the sleeping bag. Easy to ventilate with this tent.

Post up your ideas.

Just thinking out loud.

Benny.

 

[HenryJ]

I added an enclosure around one of the windows.

I set a catalytic heater in there. It is outside the sleeping area and did a great job warming things up in the morning.

Just an idea for ya.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

Tentrax made a heater for their trailers/tents a while back, when I bought mine second hand it came with the heater. I have never used it. looks like it would sit outside conected to a small propane cylinder it has a 12v fan and some duct work you would slide under the tent fabric at the base and the heat would be blown in. Maybe some one can find a pic i dont have one of mine.
Now i dont think it would work for you since i dont think you can turn it on from your sleeping bag lol. But maybe someone out there has used one of these things and can speak up.

 

[mkitchen]

Another Option

A lot of my friends who have teardrop trailers have these, www.mrheater.com/ProductFamily.aspx?catid=41, and they swear by them. Like a lot of RTT's most teardrops don't have a floor and the Buddy Heater does the trick for them. I don't recommend that you use it all night but it is a good tool to heat up a small trailer before bed and again when first waking up.
Mikey

 

[squinko]

Rock Eater: That heater would work but it is very expensive now. The new ones come with a remote so you don't even have to get out of your bag.

Mkitchen: I like that little buddy heater. I need to look into that size of heater.

 

[mkitchen]

You can pick up a Little Buddy at most hardware or camp stores. Be forwarned though, they do not have an outside source of air so you do not want to fall asleep with one running. I plan to get one this winter. Like I stated above, they are very popular with teardroppers and they have a mattress for a floor.
Mikey

Rock Eater: That heater would work but it is very expensive now. The new ones come with a remote so you don't even have to get out of your bag.

Mkitchen: I like that little buddy heater. I need to look into that size of heater.

 

[WoldD90]

The little buddy's have a catalytic converter, so they should be safe, but it is better to be safe...

 

[wingysataday]

I thought that was the point of using the buddy heater was so you didnt have to worry about venting?

 

[TacoDell]

there are no fumes with a catalytic type heater...
but they do use up oxygen...
and so... fresh air may need to be let in, for tightly closed spaces.

This is why you never want to sleep with a catalytic heater running...
you might not wake up in the morning, due to oxygen deprivation.

 

[squinko]

I ended up buying the Coleman Sportcat Catalytic Heater.



My plan is to put it in the Tentrax by attaching it to one of the tent poles so it is up off the mattress. There is no room in the Tentrax for the heater to sit in it's normal position.

My question is has anyone ever hooked this type of heater up to a bulk 5 gallon propane tank instead of the 16 oz green propane cans? I was thinking about just attaching the head of the heater to the poles and run a hose from it to a tank outside the tent. I have all the hoses and adapters already. I am just curious if there could be any issues with attaching to a 5 gallon tank. I can also just attach it to the 16 oz cans outside the tent as well with the hose but for those long trips in the winter sure would be nice to just bring the one big tank.

Now to figure out how to attach it inside

Benny.

 

[camper357]

You will want to run a propane filter if you are going to use a bulk tank. Google it.

 

[squinko]

Like this? This is a Mr. Heater Propane Hose Fuel Filter



Benny.

 

[TheThom]

Yes, just like that. I hooked up my Little Buddy heater to my 20lb propane tank using this hose



Great website that sells all of your propane hose/fitting needs. Just look under the "camping hoses" section

Propane Warehouse

 

[squinko]

This is what I am going with. I zipped tied the heater to the center pole up high and kept the tank outside the tent. I just ran the hose along the pole and outside the tent. I placed some heat reflecting material above the heater to assist with pushing the heat back down and to keep the top of the tent from getting nuclear hot. Left it run through almost a small 16 oz canister and it really heated the tent up nicely and the tent material on top does not get too hot. Quick, simple and warm.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

Skwinko
Great set up I need one of these for our tentrax! Any issues with it burning/on upside down?