A question about a heater

[Mayberryman]

I just got back from an overnight trial run in my teardrop and all went well, EXCEPT, the trailer could use some form of heat. My trailer is based on a 4X8 Little Guy and only has battery lights at this time powered by flashlight type batteries. I am interested in any type of heating source that would be safe in my somewhat air tight unit. I have a couple of coleman fuel type heaters that I use to use to warm my tent up before going to sleep. Any and all help would be appreciated as it is getting real close to both racing and spring camping time and as Virginians know, the weather IS subject to change on a moments notice.

[kirkman]

If you have a battery (12 volt Deep cycle) the safest and most efficient is a 12 volt bunk warmer. http://www.electrowarmth.com/fleet.php

[Miriam C.]

My opinion but combustible and wood don't go together. You can get an electric ceramic heater that will heat a small space real well. Just run a drop cord or a GFCI cord in.

[Conestoga]

I'm a newbie at teadrop heating, but the latest cold snaps in the south this year have given me some experience. First we got a 4x8 sheet of foam board, 1" thick and covered the linoleum floor inside the teardrop. On top of that is an indoor-outdoor carpet (mattress & bedding on top of that). We got a $18 ceramic heater, hit the road, and crossed our fingers...

Before we get in the camper, we turn on the ceramic heater & blower, low heat is enough, and turn on the ceiling fan with the vent closed. The fans circulate the heat throughout. If we leave it on long enough it heats the walls and floor. We turn the heater off when we go in, with our body heat it stays warm. The space retains the heat very well and it's easy to fall asleep. If we only pre-heat for a few minutes only the bedding gets warm, and we can feel the cold under us.

[stumphugger]

I'm going to try the Dog method. I've found out that sharing a small tent with a Golden Retriever works well as far as heat goes.

I'll try out how a Lab in a teardrop works and report afterwards. I'm not sure what the BTU of a Lab is.

[Looneytoons]

A Cocker Spaniel



has about the same BTU's as a hot water bottle but lasts indefinately as long as it's fed twice a day. Also no need to worry about the battery running down.

I bought a Mr. Heater to use in my tent because it said approved for indoor use. However, the fine print says not to use while sleeping. Unless camping in really cold weather, using it to warm the tent prior to going to sleep is usually sufficient. They have tip over and low oxygen sensor shut offs. I still wouldn't want one in the trailer.

They do have a fan so if the heater is placed outside, you may be ably to run some type of vent hose through an opening in the window as long as there is sufficient ventilation.

Personally, I like the bunk warmer idea as long as there is sufficient battery capacity or an electric supply.

[razorback]

Three years ago we bought the 18" X 24" econo heat electric wall panel.
It is 285 watts and is only 1/4" thick. It is mounted on the wall by our feet on my wife's side. It does not get hot enough to combust any material.
We have used one in our house in a small bathroom for 5 years. I bought the the thermostat that plugs into our electrical outlet. The heater then plugs into the front of the thermostat. we set the temp on the digital thermostat to 70 degrees and it maintains that temp 24/7. This way we do have to turn the unit off and on during the night. The radiant heat is not dry. This is the only way my wife will go when the temps are low.
We have camped as low as 24 degrees in perfect comfort. Several on the forum have done the same thing as we did and all have reported they really like the results. More expensive than 20 dollar ceramics but the extra benefits are worth it to us. Most people spend good money on their mattresses to simulate what their bed at home feels like; to me it only makes sense to make the internal temp just as comfortable.
Just google electric panel heaters.
Larry and Macy

[caseydog]

I use a Stanley ceramic heater in my 4X8. It is reasonably quiet, and has a thermostat. It doesn't run that much at night -- maybe 20 percent of the time.

I got it at Lowe's.



CD

[kirkman]

I also use this $12 heater I bought at Walmart at sights that have power. I did how ever rewire it so the fan runs all the time. It keep the tear warmer with the fan running constantly plus it use to wake me up every time it came on. Now it's no problem I sleep like a baby.

[doug hodder]

I'm going to try the Dog method. I've found out that sharing a small tent with a Golden Retriever works well as far as heat goes.

Excellent choice stumphugger!! They work well in a tear as well. Dunno about a lab...a buddy of mine has a very LARGE one. I don't have a 5 wide however. Doug

[PapaGene]

We have the Walmart Ceramic Heater, the one with the thermostat. We turn it on before retiring to warm up the bedding and interior. It is hung on the upper shelf at our feet. It is fairly quiet so does not wake us when it cycles during the night. We open both windows slightly for ventilation. Has been confortable.

Gene

[Mayberryman]

I would like to thank everybody for their suggestions. I camp at many sites that do not have an electric hookup, so I think that I will look into the bunkwarmer that runs on 12 volts. I do have an optima blue top battery and since most of my camping juants are in the two day, one night or three day, two night range, I think the battery will last as it will only power the heating pad and a small dvd player at night.

The pet angle is not an option as my wife and I are cat people and my cat's idea of roughing it is at the foot of our bed and the food bowl in the kitchen. I also think that litter box placement in a 4X8 trailer might cause a problem. The closest to outside my cat gets is looking through a window and he thinks he is watching a very large screen TV.

[stumphugger]

I'm going to try the Dog method. I've found out that sharing a small tent with a Golden Retriever works well as far as heat goes.

Excellent choice stumphugger!! They work well in a tear as well. Dunno about a lab...a buddy of mine has a very LARGE one. I don't have a 5 wide however. Doug

I am sad to say that my two Golden Heaters are no longer alive. The Lab is what I have now. Had him inside the Little Guy for the first time yesterday. He was delighted with all the softness. I think he'll be a good heater, with some modifications.

[Arne]

dogs work well until you want to get out of bed.. they love exchanging heat... don't think they like you that much.. they want YOUR heat, too.. :>

Since I camp with shore power or a generator, I always can use my wal-mart heater....

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

A Cocker Spaniel has about the same BTU's as a hot water bottle but lasts indefinately as long as it's fed twice a day. Also no need to worry about the battery running down.

Two problems wiith the dog method:
1) when you get up for the 3 am trip to the loo, they've got to come with you! There goes the bed warmer while you are gone. . . . . Of course, getting the hubby to "share the warmth" when you come back can be entertaining, too.
2) the dog wants their half out of the middle - which pushes you up against the sides of the TD. Brrrrr! And then, try getting the comforter back from the dog when it is lying in the middle.


I would definitely suggest bringing the smaller model, such as a cocker spaniel, as compared to the larger model of the lab or golden retriever. Similar BTUs generated in a smaller package. And if you can minimize the height and maximize the girth with a bassett hound, that is even better.

AJ