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Thanks - I actually posted a page or two back on the Unico products. A friend mentioned those to me after my initial failures. I have two concerns: 1) I think the Unico products are fragile and would get ripped and damaged after repeated use (packing, unpacking, set up and take down, weather...

And you sir have a great rig (and license plate)! A few people at work looked at me like I was crazy when I told them I was heading into the woods in the middle of winter just to "test some gear". Then I watch my kids play with LEGOs for hours at a time, and it all starts to make sense . . .

Yes - the exhaust tube on the left of my unit probably isn't necessary. But I added it for three reasons: 1) I had the extra metal stove tubing from my failed attempts to make an insulated intake/output hose, 2) it was my first time using the Propex system and I had it set up directly under a...

Here's a picture of my first failed attempt to make an insulated hose. I used 2.5" vacuum tubing as the external layer and 2" wood stove tubing as the interior layer. As you can see, after a few feet it became impossible to twist the interior layer any further into the hose . . . and it tore...

While I continue to wait for my Propex tubing parts . . . I realized I forgot to mention another do-it-yourself (or go-find-the-parts-yourself) part of the Propex kit: The thermostat control is shipped with no back on it, since it is made to be mounted to the interior wall of a vehicle. The...

Thanks Jeff. The reason I'm posting is to get constructive input, so your feedback is very helpful. That's what I like about the forum - even if people don't like a design or an idea, the good people always post useful and constructive feedback to help me make the idea better.

Just realized I should have provided the link to the other thread as this one is now dormant since I have moved on to the production phase of the project: http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/188194-Update-on-Custom-Grille-Project

Just saw a sheet on sale at REI that will fit my sleeping pad. I will buy it and try it with the mattress heating pad (the heating pad is made to be pinned to the bedding).

Latest update: making progress on the full-size prototype! Slow progress, but steady.

Looks great Jeff - can you tell us the name of the company that makes the quick disconnect fittings? I'm thinking I should add one to my plumbing on the AEV rear bumper water tank if they make a T-junction with a shutoff feature!

Some slight progress on the Mr. Heater Buddy set up while I wait for Propex parts to arrive. I bought at 12v fan with a directional vent that will blow the heat from the Buddy away from the ceiling directly above. I need to figure out a simple quick-mount bracket for it. Or I might just use...

Thanks everyone for the continued input. A couple more updates from the OP: 1) I am still waiting for one more tubing component for the Propex system to arrive in the mail. I thought I received the final component today, but it was the wrong product, so I have to ship it back and try again...

Thanks everyone for the input and responses. Some additional clarifications: 1) Yes - I didn't mention any of the basic materials and gear that are essential in cold conditions: sleeping bag rated to 0F or better, thermo-reflective sleeping pad, fleece sleeping bag liner, layered clothing...

I finally finished my field testing of several different methods that I learned about on this thread. Thank you to everyone for their input and ideas! I posted my notes and photos here: http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/188602-Official-Test-Results-Five-Ways-to-Heat-a-Tent

Finally, I tested a Propex portable heater system that cost a pile of money and took quite a bit of tinkering to set up. You can see in the photos that I tried various positions for setting up the heater that would keep it out of the weather (we got rain, snow and freezing rain during my trek)...

I also tested the UCO 3-candle lantern. My field testing of this product wasn't really fair, since I tested it in the massive annex. I didn't even leave it lit long enough to take pictures. I should have tested it in the tent, where it probably would have been much more effective. In the...

In the field, I tested the Mr. Heater Buddy catalytic heater. What everyone says is true: it generates a LOT of heat, uses a LOT of propane, and generates moist air. Of all the things I learned in the field tests, perhaps the most important was that my Tepui annex is BIG. Lots of space...

Next I tried an electric mattress heating pad. These are used by long-haul truckers (I think). They are meant to be used with normal sheets and a mattress, not a sleeping bag. I have a 3-inch foam mattress in my Tepui tent, so I figured I could pin the heating pad to the mattress and sleep on...

Next I tested two electric blankets. I plugged them in to my Optima yellow top and left them in my Jeep overnight. In the morning, they didn't feel particularly warm and the battery voltage had dropped to 11.5 volts. Maybe if the blankets were inside a tent or inside a sleeping bag, they...