Van camping in -40

[calicamper]

30 and more below there is only stove I would consider in a van.

http://dickinsonmarine.com/

They are found on nearly every sailboat Seattle north.

 

[Ranchero]

I'm a firm believer in my Espar D4, I've been cold (teens) and completely comfortable (Tshirt and boxers), But my van is decently insulated... not sure about -40 tho.
Would the diesel gell up at those temps?

I'm really curious about the gelling aspect. I know the OP was talking about a gas van, but I'm on my second gas van with an auxiliary diesel tank to run the diesel heater. I think it is a good combo for someone who is full timing in a van (I'm 3 nights per week all fall, winter and spring). The diesel heater sips fuel and the lines to feed it are very small in diameter and run under the van. Seems like that could increase the potential for gelling. I used mine in my SMB many nights last winter at 0 to -10 with no problems, but haven't really gone colder.

 

[Photomike]

I'm in southern Alberta as well, and we only get a couple of weeks a year of minus minus temps, so I wouldn't build a van around the odd time you are out in the -30 nights and days.

Get a remote start and a good down comforter or -30 sleeping bags and when you wake up to a VERY cold van, reach out for the remote start and let her run for ten minutes with the heater on before getting out from under the blankets. You can idle a gas engine for many many hours before you burn enough gas to justify the expense of an Espar or Webasto.

We were in the Canmore area last weekend and it got down to single digit minus temps and it took a couple of minutes in the morning to warm up the interior.

Yes I live in southern Alberta but my shooting takes me all over. Winter in Northern Saskatchewan, Alberta or even the NWT's is a lot colder then here. As well once I am on the road I have no way of knowing where the temps are going or where I may end up. Preparing for cool weather when you get slammed is not good, I have done that in the past, sleeping in -45 in a summer sleeping bag was NOT fun!!!

For sleeping I have a couple down comforters that I use that are amazing. Flannel sheet, a thermal sheet above that then two down comforters and my body is toasty warm. The issue with turning down the heat at night is I have a lung disease and the real cold when sleeping is an issue as I cannot breath so I need some warmth during the night, usually 16 to 18 C is about right. Plus with the gear that I carry I want to keep it warmer than to have it freeze on me.

 

[Photomike]

I'm really curious about the gelling aspect. I know the OP was talking about a gas van, but I'm on my second gas van with an auxiliary diesel tank to run the diesel heater. I think it is a good combo for someone who is full timing in a van (I'm 3 nights per week all fall, winter and spring). The diesel heater sips fuel and the lines to feed it are very small in diameter and run under the van. Seems like that could increase the potential for gelling. I used mine in my SMB many nights last winter at 0 to -10 with no problems, but haven't really gone colder.

Why did you go with the diesel heater with a gas van? Was there something that stood out for the diesel? What heater are you using?

 

[Paddy]

An espar D2 heater will heat an insulated van pretty well down to low temps. Only tested to +15° F but it was comfy with only side wall insulation. Their fuel and electrical consumption is admirable as well. If -40 I'd want two of them so I case one doesn't work for some reason you won't die.

 

[Photomike]

An espar D2 heater will heat an insulated van pretty well down to low temps. Only tested to +15° F but it was comfy with only side wall insulation. Their fuel and electrical consumption is admirable as well. If -40 I'd want two of them so I case one doesn't work for some reason you won't die.

I carry a separate cat heater for that purpose, also a 110v electric heater for when I have power.

 

[Ranchero]

Why did you go with the diesel heater with a gas van? Was there something that stood out for the diesel? What heater are you using?

I have a Propex propane in my Westy and it doesn't do the job below 10F or so. To be honest, it is fine for camping for ski trips, but I live in my van part time, working 180 miles from home. I need to sleep well, wake up and go to work. I'm not interested in staying warm enough to survive. I want to wear shorts in my second home when it is zero degrees F outside. So I went with an Espar D2 in my Sportsmobile and loved that and did it again in my Transit. I went with the diesel model D2 over the gas version (B4?) because gasoline is more volatile than diesel. I'm sure the gasoline model works just fine and would sure make things easier since you could just pick up from the factory gas tank. The other thing about choosing diesel is that it also allowed me to use a diesel cooktop - Webasto X100.

 

[Photomike]

I have a Propex propane in my Westy and it doesn't do the job below 10F or so. To be honest, it is fine for camping for ski trips, but I live in my van part time, working 180 miles from home. I need to sleep well, wake up and go to work. I'm not interested in staying warm enough to survive. I want to wear shorts in my second home when it is zero degrees F outside. So I went with an Espar D2 in my Sportsmobile and loved that and did it again in my Transit. I went with the diesel model D2 over the gas version (B4?) because gasoline is more volatile than diesel. I'm sure the gasoline model works just fine and would sure make things easier since you could just pick up from the factory gas tank. The other thing about choosing diesel is that it also allowed me to use a diesel cooktop - Webasto X100.

A couple good points. Thanks!

 

[Timjim]

I have a Propex propane in my Westy and it doesn't do the job below 10F or so. To be honest, it is fine for camping for ski trips, but I live in my van part time, working 180 miles from home. I need to sleep well, wake up and go to work. I'm not interested in staying warm enough to survive. I want to wear shorts in my second home when it is zero degrees F outside. So I went with an Espar D2 in my Sportsmobile and loved that and did it again in my Transit. I went with the diesel model D2 over the gas version (B4?) because gasoline is more volatile than diesel. I'm sure the gasoline model works just fine and would sure make things easier since you could just pick up from the factory gas tank. The other thing about choosing diesel is that it also allowed me to use a diesel cooktop - Webasto X100.

So in essence you went with Diesel vs Propane as your van energy source. A very good choice.

I stuck with the gas fired espar B4. I am wary, but it has worked great thus far.

 

[Photomike]

I'm really curious about the gelling aspect. I know the OP was talking about a gas van, but I'm on my second gas van with an auxiliary diesel tank to run the diesel heater. I think it is a good combo for someone who is full timing in a van (I'm 3 nights per week all fall, winter and spring). The diesel heater sips fuel and the lines to feed it are very small in diameter and run under the van. Seems like that could increase the potential for gelling. I used mine in my SMB many nights last winter at 0 to -10 with no problems, but haven't really gone colder.

Is your Transit Diesel? If not where did you mount the diesel tank? You have me really curious now, I thought of going with a vented cat heater that would run off propane then propane for my stove top but the idea of diesel intrigues me. I had heard of a stove top that also was an area heater that ran off diesel but I am not a fan of a diesel vehicle engine so I gave up on that idea, with a separate tank for diesel then it opens more doors.

 

[Ranchero]

My transit is gas - ecoboost. I mounted the 5-gallon diesel tank right next to the gas tank on the driver's side just aft of where the fuel fill door is. There is tons of room there. Could do a much larger tank. The fill door has room for the gas fill and diesel fill there. I used the diesel exhaust fluid filler, stock on the diesels as my fill for the diesel tank. I posted a few pics over here: http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...9210-quigley-hr-4-season-camper-hauler-2.html

 

[Deshet]

https://turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle-iv/

https://expeditionportal.com/32806/

You may want to find and read everything Gary and Monika Wescott have posted, from how they prepared there vehicle and what they used for heat. Things like what happens to tires and fuel at certain temps.

 

[Photomike]

https://turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/turtle-iv/

https://expeditionportal.com/32806/

You may want to find and read everything Gary and Monika Wescott have posted, from how they prepared there vehicle and what they used for heat. Things like what happens to tires and fuel at certain temps.

Thanks I have read about the Turtle before but will reread it again.

I am not unfamiliar with cold weather camping and in fact I help others with it in larger vehicles, I am just trying to find the best ideas using a van. It is -15C (5F) now and I am thinking of camping tomorrow in the RV. Problem is that the RV may have everything but it is hard to drive in many places that I want to shoot. Driving an RV takes a lot out of me with the size of it, I am hoping a van will make it more like driving a SUV where I can head places that I want to without worrying about width.

This is the first white turtle, was great for camping and driving but I could not go from cab to camper without going outside.



This is White Turtle II (really need to get some winter shots of it), Love this but the width is a pain on gravel roads.

 

[Photomike]

Okay so have been doing some thinking (not always a good thing but a needed thing). Some of the posts have got me thinking and I was having a problem deciding how to proceed with the heating/cooking. I do not mind propane, have been having a gas with it for years and I find it very stable when used right. In my truck camper the propane was a barbecue style tank in the side of the camper and even in the really cold it had some protection, I was/am concerned about mounting one under the van in the really cold. I have used my RV frame mounted one in the cold and no problems YET but it only takes one time to mess up a shoot and I want to avoid that.

So after doing some reading and research I am leaning to the following:

• 
  Webasto air heater mounted inside the RV in a cupboard with the fuel drawn from a portable diesel tank also inside (not in the same cupboard) - thought of mounting it under the van but not sure it would like the road grime
  Food prep using a Propane stove with an attached mini propane tank. This also allows me to use it outside the van. With the propane inside it will not have a problem with the cold
  Hot water - I will heat this on the stove as any tank system would involve pipes and that defeats the idea of the van
  Cassette toilet - no pipes

So that is where I am at now...... still not sure if I want to go with a Transit and build myself or convert an existing.... more thinking needs to be done.

 

[Photomike]

Espar d4 comes in a gasoline version...and gasoline has no gelling issues...

I thought of that but heard a few people that were nervous with burning gas. I really am not sure, would be nice to be able to pull out of the main tank.

I have never had battery problems when cold. If I had a plug in I would use the block heater and the 110 v electric heater that I carry, but I usually shut the vehicle off. Only take one dog but when cold she likes to stay home with the electric blanket.