Help me pick a vehicle heater for winter camping.

[ExploringNH]

I need to find a heater for my Excursion v10. I'm sleeping inside of it tonight and it is currently 5 degrees out. I'm tired of idling the vehicle. I still have another couple hours until I am ready to crawl under the covers and go to sleep. What can I use to keep the truck warm?

Requirements:
Inexpensive - no espar diesel heaters
Won't kill me in my sleep
Will keep the truck fairly warm. I don't need 60 degrees. Just need to make it comfortable with a jacket on.
Compact and portable is a plus but permanently mounted is fine too.

What are the options?


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[jeep-N-montero]

A warmer sleeping bag plus a huge wool blanket that covers the bag and your head to keep heat in.

 

[ExploringNH]

A warmer sleeping bag plus a huge wool blanket that covers the bag and your head to keep heat in.

I'm thinking of going down to the local animal shelter tonight and adopting two massive dogs, one for each side.


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[Martyn]

Try the Propex Propane Heater we also offer a portable unit.

 

[HenryJ]

My back up plan is a small generator to power the ZeroStart Little Buddy cabin heater.

I added a thermostat to mine. It is 120V and plugs in with the engine block heater to keep the rig thawed out and somewhat warm all the time. I have not used it camping, but it has always been there as my back up plan. The little "UltiMite" 900w generator will run it just fine.

In our old tent trailer I used a small bottle fed catalytic heater. That is going to deplete oxygen and add moisture. With a window cracked for ventilation it might work, but I like the idea of the electric heater better.

 

[ExploringNH]

Try the Propex Propane Heater we also offer a portable unit.

That is perfect. Pricey, but exactly what I need.

 

[Stumpalump]

I used the rare as hens teeth Zodi hp tent heater plugged to a port on the van. It's a two burner. Like AT's it keeps all of the combustion outside. I live in warm AZ and only used it once but it was cozy. It's got an optional bracket and hose kit for a regular propane BBQ bottle but it will run on the 1 lbs disposable bottles. You could cut a board to fit a cracked window to mount the inlet on so you don't have to cut your rig. I keep saying I should sell it but I'd just buy one of Martyn's if I did. His stuff is the best. I should see if he takes trade ins. Lol

 

[mdmead]

In my pickup camper, I use a Mr. Heater Buddy (4000/9000 btu) unit as a back-up for winter camping and it keeps it pretty warm (even at 0F), and between the safety features of the heater, a carbon monoxide detector, and a cracked window, I don't worry about it. I see they offer a smaller one (3800 btu) that would probably do a good job inside of an Excursion. Also, with a good bag, once you heat up the inside, you can probably shut it off without getting cold. Worse case, just fire it up for 15-20 minutes in the middle of the night.

(Just re-read and see you wanted it for tonight... Well, too late for that!)

 

[Shocker]

I think I am going to go with the Mr. Heater Buddy unit for VanDOOM. With the ambulance venting it should be good to go.

 

[Haf-E]

Hot water bottles...

 

[Hilldweller]

I've got a 12volt electric blanket that I use to warm the bed; after that, body heat does the trick. It has a timer that you can set to either 30 or 45 minutes.
You need to make sure that your battery(s) is up to it though.
http://www.thewarmingstore.com/camo-cozy-12v-heated-travel-blanket.html#.UuOXL7ROmpo

 

[mdmead]

I've got a 12volt electric blanket that I use to warm the bed; after that, body heat does the trick. It has a timer that you can set to either 30 or 45 minutes.
You need to make sure that your battery(s) is up to it though.
http://www.thewarmingstore.com/camo-cozy-12v-heated-travel-blanket.html#.UuOXL7ROmpo

That's pretty neat! Wouldn't mind having one of those in my sleeping bag for when I first crawl in!

 

[DaveNay]

Are you building a campfire? You could use hot rocks in your sleeping bag.

http://www.practicalprimitive.com/skillofthemonth/happyrock

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/ease-muscle-tension-with-hot-rocks.aspx

 

[robert]

Go by Lowe's/Home Depot/etc. and buy a roll of Reflectix ex. http://www.homedepot.com/s/reflectix?NCNI-5 Cut pieces to the size of your windows and that'll help eliminate of ton of heat loss from within the vehicle. Suspend something like a blanket behind the front seats to make the rear compartment smaller (easier to heat) and helps shield you from the huge heatsink that is the front windshield. Just these simple tricks help a ton in my VW with all of it's glass. I'd also add that you can toss some water bottles with hot water into your sleeping bag or bed (make sure they don't leak first). Sleep with thermals, a balaclava and gloves on. And one of my favorite tricks, especially for cold mornings in the deer stand, is a ThermaCare Heatwrap on my back. They last a lot longer than the hand warmer packs (about 8hrs) and they warm the blood as it circulates helping to keep you warmer overall. Of course I like a big wool blanket or down comforter too. Make sure you have a good insulating layer beneath you and not something like an air mattress.

When you get a chance, pull your headliner and put some sound deadener and insulation above it and behind any panels that you can remove. It makes the drive nicer, your stereo will sound better and you'll stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

 

[1stDeuce]

Can you plug something in? I use a little $15 electric heater from Walmart in the camper in the winter. It's 110 though, so if you can't plug in, that's not a solution. I use my coleman lantern to warm the tent when it's really cold, but you have to keep it vented. Really, any easy portable solution is going to require some ventilation... And anything 12v is going to pull a LOT of power from your batterie(s), and will probably run them dead in an hour or so if the engine isn't running.
Good luck!