Hoosier Winter Camping Jan 09

[Jst83]

Ok just found out my brother is considering coming with us in January and bringing his Pop-up. After he sets that up he'll be convinced that Teardrops are the way to go.
He is used to winter camping he does it with the Boy Scouts every winter.

[ERV]

I just came in from the tear. 0 degs. here in Medina with winds going over 30 mph. I think they just said the wind chill was -15 brrr. Was really surprised I have had a 60 watt bulb on in there for the past few days just to keep the moisture down a little. When I got in it was 16 degs. Put the small electric heater on and it had no trouble bring the temp up to 60 degs. I took a short nap out there and was very comfortable. Jan came out to make sure I was ok and was also comfortable. So we are good to go in Jan. as long as the roads are good. Thing that is going to be hard is getting her out in the morning to cook breakfast, HA. You all keep warm. Erv

[bobhenry]

Must be pre camping gitters. Talked to Jeff Sat. night he had the Topside inn warmed up

I'll let him tell the story. HEY JEFF........................

Sunday I fired up 2 ceramic heaters to their LOW settings 750 watts.

It was 7 degrees at 1 pm with a w/c of -10 ( kinda reminded me of the shivaree ) teardrop was +10 degrees inside. No light bulbs no preheat.
Checked at 2pm 38 degrees
Checked at 3pm 52 degrees
Checked at 4 pm 58 degrees
Cheched at 5pm 61 degrees
despite outside temp now having dropped to zero.
6 PM it was 62 so Sadie , my Scottie , and I climbed in and the wind rocked us to sleep. At 6:30 after a cat nap I awoke and the thermometer was still 62 lying on the blanket at my feet I hung it from a hook on the grab bar at the roof and it immediatly shot to 82 degrees.

Guess I need to install a ceiling fan other than that we are ready.

I will bring a couple big totes full of southern yellow pine 2x4 cutoff from work for quick heat.

[bobhenry]

Erv bumped on something Jeff and I have been discussing. Preheating the trailer the night before.

With all the bedding and fixtures stone cold it is almost unfair to ask a small heater to warm the entire unit up in an hour or two. We have decided to preheat the trailers the night before and they should arrive at Mounds Park warmer than they would have otherwise. This way if you need a comfortable retreat shortly after arrival it will be ready

(Hopefully)

[bobhenry]

Ok just found out my brother is considering coming with us in January and bringing his Pop-up. After he sets that up he'll be convinced that Teardrops are the way to go.
He is used to winter camping he does it with the Boy Scouts every winter.

Hey Scott what is the "R" value of the canvas in a pop up camper

[Jst83]

Hey Scott what is the "R" value of the canvas in a pop up camper

Probably not as good as the R value in my teardrop. I told him that if it got to bad there is plenty of room in mine for him. Heck i could sleep 3 adults comfortably.

Mine sitting in the garage with half the insulation and all the paneling out was 30 deg higher in the camper than in the garage with the little heater in it. If i get my electrical hooked back up and the insulaution back in I'll be set.

[Jst83]

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night


Less than a month

[Jst83]

Not long now Come on weather hold out.
Got my outside lights rewired now to get the inside electric re hooked up and I'll be ready.

Still thinking about Friday night also if the weather is good enough that the babysitter (mother) can get out


I'm so ready

[bobhenry]

Long range guesstimate 32 for a high and 16 for a low. Maybe Vickie's coffee won't freeze before she can drink it this year

Wood stove is refined and vastly improved and 2 , count 'em 2 , back up ceramic heaters just in case. The heavy quilt and tarp on the lexan roof seems to add a bit of insulation if we really have to but I still hope to just see the stars.

We will be there at breakfast !

Slept out in the tear Sat. afternoon with the little heater on lowest setting and liked to roasted . Dog was panting and wanted out.

Are we gonna break our 4 trailer record this year ?

Hey Rap Rap you still out there ??????

[Jst83]

Are we gonna break our 4 trailer record this year ?

I think we will with no problem, weather holding out we've got a couple coming from out of state to join the fun.

[Mark72]

Stopped and picked up a power inlet today so I could install a basic 110 system. Still no promises.

Mark

[Jst83]

Stopped and picked up a power inlet today so I could install a basic 110 system. Still no promises.

Mark

Worked on my electrical some today, I figure if all else fails I'll just run an extension cord straight from the electric box into the camper just for the heater, I can live with out lights

[bobhenry]

Stopped and picked up a power inlet today so I could install a basic 110 system. Still no promises.

Mark

No guts No glory !

Scott stoled my thought "Power Inlet" = Extention Cord

On a more serious note has anyone contacted Mounds state park to be sure we can just show up without any advance notice and get in. I am fully aware the demand will not be great but somehow it just sound to simple to drive up , drive in and set up.

Just a fuzz over 2 weeks I am so ready.

Was advised this morning to get the trailer ready for Tonight. Guess old what's her name has plans of camping out in the back yard at the kids after the new years festivities. It is expected to be a balmy 16 degrees , far better than last years -1 at the Shivaree. Might be a good shake down for the 17th

[Jst83]

On a more serious note has anyone contacted Mounds state park to be sure we can just show up without any advance notice and get in. I am fully aware the demand will not be great but somehow it just sound to simple to drive up , drive in and set up.

Yep just that simple.
Went up there in person, the lady said book at the gate like Browncounty last year. If no one is there just find a spot and set up and DNR will be around at some point and see you don't have a tag and get you booked in.

Was advised this morning to get the trailer ready for Tonight. Guess old what's her name has plans of camping out in the back yard at the kids after the new years festivities. It is expected to be a balmy 16 degrees , far better than last years -1 at the Shivaree. Might be a good shake down for the 17th

No shake down for me.
Spent yesterday trying to glue pink foam back in in the cold,
Doesn't work real well.
I figure even with straight plywood walls the heater shouldn't have much trouble in the small space.

[bobhenry]

Scott

Leave your little heater in there on low and preheat the tear that ought to help with the glueing. If you can find some of that 3M trim adheasive it will work well in the cold. I have put rubber weatherseal back on cars in the dead of winter with that stuff. You might want to try it on a scrap to be sure it won't eat your foam board