I know lots of people use Buddy heaters or similar for heating in cold weather before bed/after waking, but is there a good solution for overnight? I'm not comfortable using a propane heater overnight. I have a 150ah battery system and thought about using electric blankets, but I think they draw too much power given that I'll also be powering an ARB fridge 24/7. Suggestions?
Overnight tent heating
- Thread starter jk6661
- Start date
Herbie
Rendezvous Conspirator
If you want efficient all-night heat without the worry of suffocation or carbon monoxide poisoning, then I like the portable Propex kit from Adventure Trailers.
Keep the combustion and intake air outside, plumb the warm air and return into the tent, and voila'.
Keep the combustion and intake air outside, plumb the warm air and return into the tent, and voila'.
perterra
Adventurer
I've had great luck with this, never been real cold temps, but 14º is no big deal
http://www.gandermountain.com/modpe...e-River-Duck-Canvas-Sleeping-Bag-20F&i=779411
Easier than fooling with heat, keep a buddy around to fire up on waking and for getting dressed.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modpe...e-River-Duck-Canvas-Sleeping-Bag-20F&i=779411
Easier than fooling with heat, keep a buddy around to fire up on waking and for getting dressed.
PlacidWaters
Adventurer
What temperatures do you camp in? I camp into the mid twenties (F) in the fall. At that temperature a good down sleeping bag and a hat are warm enough (for me personally). For more warmth you can use a water bottle filled with near-boiling water---that lasts quite a long time in a down sleeping bag, usually gets too hot. At 25F the temperature inside a small tent is about 35F---not too bad.
I find that I need an insulated mattress is needed below 60 degrees, which covers much of the year depending on your location, so you might as well get an insulated mattress right off. An insulated mattress make a very big difference. My favorites are the Exped Synmat Mega 12 and Megamat 10.
I like sleeping in a cold tent. There's something satisfying about beating the elements on a cold fall night. The coldest I've slept outside (no tent) was 5F. I was testing a 35F down bag inside a 20F down bag. That was way too hot and I had to open one bag for ventilation. But I have to admit that my nose was uncomfortably cold and I didn't enjoy having the hood over my eyes.
I find that I need an insulated mattress is needed below 60 degrees, which covers much of the year depending on your location, so you might as well get an insulated mattress right off. An insulated mattress make a very big difference. My favorites are the Exped Synmat Mega 12 and Megamat 10.
I like sleeping in a cold tent. There's something satisfying about beating the elements on a cold fall night. The coldest I've slept outside (no tent) was 5F. I was testing a 35F down bag inside a 20F down bag. That was way too hot and I had to open one bag for ventilation. But I have to admit that my nose was uncomfortably cold and I didn't enjoy having the hood over my eyes.
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doug720
Expedition Leader
Good tent with rain fly, insulation - I use thick moving blankets between really good sleeping bag and insulated self inflating air mattress. This makes it comfortable for me down into single F's. If you want some heat to get dressed, keep a propane heater that uses 1 pounders in the tent to fire up for a couple of minutes in the morning.
With this set up, and a couple of dogs, even my wife is comfy!
As to using electric blankets with a battery, cold is a battery's enemy, and the constant draw will run it down rather quickly. You could use a small generator - ie, honda 1000w, to power a 120v e blanket for nearly 8 hours on a gallon of gas.
With this set up, and a couple of dogs, even my wife is comfy!
As to using electric blankets with a battery, cold is a battery's enemy, and the constant draw will run it down rather quickly. You could use a small generator - ie, honda 1000w, to power a 120v e blanket for nearly 8 hours on a gallon of gas.
robgendreau
Explorer
There isn't much option. Blowing hot air in can work but at a big cost. I have the Buddy heater and it's great, but in a tent it's mostly radiant heating which is kinda worthless once you're in your sleeping bag. Face it: tents aren't designed to hold in heat. Go hard shell if you wanna go that route.
Fireman78
Expedition Leader
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
I heat the mattress in my CampTeq with a 12 volt electric blanket and love it
robert
Expedition Leader
Best to get a properly rated sleeping bag but since you're considering battery powered I'm guessing you won't be far from the vehicle so weight isn't a huge concern. Carry extra insulation. You need something below you and over you, especially if you have an air mattress. I always keep at least one wool blanket for extra insulation and one of my ex-girlfriends used to bring the down comforter off of our bed- she also let the dogs sleep in the tent which worked great for her, but I seemed to roll over and bump into them a lot plus if they needed to go out I was always nominated to get up.
When I had my Westfalia and it would get really cold I'd hang a wool blanket in front of the bed to reduce the area I was in and I'd also hang another like a tent over me. I had Reflectix for the windows. I have loops in my pickup shell that allow me to do the same thing. I've seen folks put wool/moving blankets over the outside of their tents to help insulate them. Another option, albeit bulky and expensive, is to use an outfitter's or military tent that is designed for use with a stove.
Wear proper clothes that insulate but aren't too restrictive, especially a hat or balaclava. When I was in Boy Scouts we used to toss a canteen filled with hot water in our bags as well as a handwarmer (the Zippo fueled ones or the charcoal stick models); the modern version would be one of those instant heat packs. What works even better is to put one of those Thermacare back wraps on before going to bed. They last about eight hours and they'll warm the blood going through your kidneys. They're about $2/each.
https://www.amazon.com/Thermacare-Heatwraps-Lower-L-XL-6-Count/dp/B001N0LP9G/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473151336&sr=8-1&keywords=thermacare+back
When I had my Westfalia and it would get really cold I'd hang a wool blanket in front of the bed to reduce the area I was in and I'd also hang another like a tent over me. I had Reflectix for the windows. I have loops in my pickup shell that allow me to do the same thing. I've seen folks put wool/moving blankets over the outside of their tents to help insulate them. Another option, albeit bulky and expensive, is to use an outfitter's or military tent that is designed for use with a stove.
Wear proper clothes that insulate but aren't too restrictive, especially a hat or balaclava. When I was in Boy Scouts we used to toss a canteen filled with hot water in our bags as well as a handwarmer (the Zippo fueled ones or the charcoal stick models); the modern version would be one of those instant heat packs. What works even better is to put one of those Thermacare back wraps on before going to bed. They last about eight hours and they'll warm the blood going through your kidneys. They're about $2/each.
https://www.amazon.com/Thermacare-Heatwraps-Lower-L-XL-6-Count/dp/B001N0LP9G/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473151336&sr=8-1&keywords=thermacare+back
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Honu
lost on the mainland
we use a buddy sometimes but usually only to heat in the morning for getting ready 
we had used it a few times over night when its in the 20s to keep our dogs warm
basenjis so they are not insulated cold weather dogs
but proper sleeping bags and proper insulated pads are what keeps you warm at night
IMHO most folks are cold from lack of a proper sleeping pad
we had used it a few times over night when its in the 20s to keep our dogs warm
basenjis so they are not insulated cold weather dogs
but proper sleeping bags and proper insulated pads are what keeps you warm at night
IMHO most folks are cold from lack of a proper sleeping pad
Kevin108
Explorer
Your best option is simply using a properly-rated sleeping bag in your RTT. I have a Big Agnes Whiskey Park 0 and can sleep perfectly in my RTT at about 25° in a t-shirt, boxers, and socks. I don't doubt that a reasonable amount of clothing would let it get down to the full rating pleasantly. If you're using this particular bag for ground camping, you'll need to add a sleeping pad. Already resting on 2½" of foam and cotton, adding a sleeping pad was unnecessary.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/whiskeypark02016
The other way to keep a tent warm overnight is to give up on a tent and buy a camper.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Bag/whiskeypark02016
The other way to keep a tent warm overnight is to give up on a tent and buy a camper.
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pugslyyy
Expedition Vehicle Engineer Guy
I always got by just fine with a little catalytic propane heater - but I only use it when I'm awake. I like it cold while I'm sleeping (we don't use the heat at night in our camper, either), but it is nice to warm things up in the morning.
I always figure that I want my sleeping gear to be good enough to keep me warm without heat, anyways.
I always figure that I want my sleeping gear to be good enough to keep me warm without heat, anyways.