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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: HEM19X on March 19, 2012, 06:36:58 AM
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We are heading off to Victoria/SA after Easter and if last October was any indication, we will need to be better prepaired this time. While we may be spending some time a C/van parks where 240v is available, we also want to free camp most of the time.
Usually when we camp in the winter up this way, we stick to the coast & just need to swap the beer for Bundy, baseball cap for a beanie, the T shirt for a Flanney & the double plug thongs for something closed in.
So, being a novice in this area, can anybody provide their tips for keeping warm?
Thanks
Hem
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Hot water bottles for all the beds, swags, it's unbelievable what a difference they make.
Ugg boots, pack em if you have em.
Where we are, SW Vic, really important to find a site that won't have the souwesterly (or forecast winds) whistling through camp. So, hard up against a wind break if possible.
Nana blankets to keep the knees warm.
Big fire and and a bigger bundy/scotch/pot ;D
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Port is also good! :o
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Give Katie a cuddy, keep warm together.
Trevor
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Give Katie a cuddy, keep warm together.
Trevor
LOL, Trevor, that would keep me warm for 3 minutes, but what about the rest of the time?
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Also may be worth putting a tarp over the CT when setup to keep the due and frost off as much as you can so your not waiting all morning for canvas to dry before packing up and moving on
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Hot water bottles for all the beds, swags, it's unbelievable what a difference they make.
Ugg boots, pack em if you have em.
Where we are, SW Vic, really important to find a site that won't have the souwesterly (or forecast winds) whistling through camp. So, hard up against a wind break if possible.
Nana blankets to keep the knees warm.
Big fire and and a bigger bundy/scotch/pot ;D
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Thanks mate, have already packed a suppy of Port & Bundy - will take the windbreak advice as well.
I don't suppose anybody has tried the thermal clothing?
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Also may be worth putting a tarp over the CT when setup to keep the due and frost off as much as you can so your not waiting all morning for canvas to dry before packing up and moving on
Thanks pacs, we have one of those silver backed tarps & will certainly be removing the tropical roof but not sure if a thermal blanket would do any good unless it covered more than just the roof.
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Thermal clothing is a must, we carry it all the time, lightweight and takes up little room
GG
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Thermal clothing is a must, we carry it all the time, lightweight and takes up little room
GG
Good to know, thanks Garrick
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Thermals work wonders - and not the crap Anaconda ones but decent merino wool ones.
Also when sitting around the campfire get your shovel and put some coals under your chair - just brilliant. (We also put a wool sheepskin on our camping chairs and this makes a massive difference too!)
A good beanie too (you lose 70% of body heat through your head!) Again not a crap one but a good Thinsulate one.
Woolen underblanket for your mattress - the highest gsm one you can afford, and a quality down doona with flannel sheets.
Decent socks - like Explorer. When you get cold the first place you feel it is in your feet, and wear good footwear in the mornings (not sandshoes that will get soaked in the morning dew).
Get your clothes out for the next day the night before - less time standing around freezing your nuts off looking for something to wear.
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Just how cold does it get? I have no idea how cold Aussie winters get, and as we will be living in the camper for a year, I am wondering how much cold weather gear to take..?
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If you have a soft floor camper close the tailgate, it is amazing how much cold air gets under the base of the mattress.
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Thermals work wonders - and not the crap Anaconda ones but decent merino wool ones.
Also when sitting around the campfire get your shovel and put some coals under your chair - just brilliant. (We also put a wool sheepskin on our camping chairs and this makes a massive difference too!)
A good beanie too (you lose 70% of body heat through your head!) Again not a crap one but a good Thinsulate one.
Woolen underblanket for your mattress - the highest gsm one you can afford, and a quality down doona with flannel sheets.
Decent socks - like Explorer. When you get cold the first place you feel it is in your feet, and wear good footwear in the mornings (not sandshoes that will get soaked in the morning dew).
Get your clothes out for the next day the night before - less time standing around freezing your nuts off looking for something to wear.
Thanks John, but I think in this case :worthles: WILL NOT APPLY.
Have seen people put the hot coals in a jam/fruit tin which seems to work also
Mark
Just how cold does it get? I have no idea how cold Aussie winters get, and as we will be living in the camper for a year, I am wondering how much cold weather gear to take..?
Depends where you are mate, some places in the mountains get down to -10C or less with the wind chill. Most sensible people head to Qld/NT or the top of WA during winter - I guess I'm not sensible.
If you have a soft floor camper close the tailgate, it is amazing how much cold air gets under the base of the mattress.
You are not kidding D4D, had a few cold night in the Trackabout before working that out.
Hem
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tips I have learnt over the years.
1: 80% of heat goes our through your head ... so cover it! it is amazing how often I see people complain of the cold, and they have nothing on their head.
2: Believe it or not wearing LESS to bed will help keep you warmer. The heat will transfer from your body to the doona/sleeping bag faster and will stay there.
3: Air matresses STAY cold in cold weather, they are freezing to sleep on . To combat this place something beneath the matress, and a blanket on top , but under your body.
4: Rum (or port) will help warm you up
5: Rum (or port) will help warm up the missus, who in turn will help warm you up! :D
Cheers Chippy :D
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If your gunna buy thermals, then Damart is the only choice, you pay a bit more but they are the best.
If you only look at the Catalogue it's worth it ;D
http://www.damart.com.au/Catalogues.aspx (http://www.damart.com.au/Catalogues.aspx)
Oh yeah and a campfire is a good idea too.
Baz.
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Rum and port are for beginners.
Stone's Green Ginger Wine - blanket in a bottle.
We always take sleeping bag liners, it is amazing how much difference they make, even if you're using a doona/blackets etc. They're tiny and inexpensive (~$10) so it's not hard to take one for everybody.
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Redback & BigJules just beat me to it.
Damart is the best, 20 years of riding bikes around southern NSW in the middle of winter will confirm that.
Stones warms you from the inside, also riding around NSW will confirm that, a bottle in each side pocket of the gearsack when attending rallies was compulsory. Plus it comes with a complimentary hangover. :cheers:
I used to find a Damart silk balaclava under my helmet was amazingly warm, more than you would expect from such a thin fabric.
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Redback & BigJules just beat me to it.
Damart is the best, 20 years of riding bikes around southern NSW in the middle of winter will confirm that.
Stones warms you from the inside, also riding around NSW will confirm that, a bottle in each side pocket of the gearsack when attending rallies was compulsory. Plus it comes with a complimentary hangover. :cheers:
I used to find a Damart silk balaclava under my helmet was amazingly warm, more than you would expect from such a thin fabric.
Aaaaah bike rallies, I discovered Stones at the Forbes River Rally in 1981(now the Long Flat Rally) in Wauchope Northern NSW, used to love doing bike rallies, I still have my Damart thermals, they came in very handy when I toured Europe in September/October in 1987 :cup:
Baz.
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We always take sleeping bag liners, it is amazing how much difference they make, even if you're using a doona/blackets etc. They're tiny and inexpensive (~$10) so it's not hard to take one for everybody.
The silk ones increase the thermal rating of your sleeping bag and can be hand washed in a bucket. when drying, lay it flat on a towel then roll them up together and then wring the towel.Next just hang the silk up out of the sun to get your lifeterm for your money.
:cheers:
Mike
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The dog warmer...
gets closer when cold moves away when too hot.
always warm in morning.
free face wash optional
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Have spent many a happy weekend etc camped in the Vic alps back in my hunting days,, found the best heater was to put the gas light in the tent for about 1/2hr before bed,, nice and warm
cheers Stan
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Put the next days undies and T-shirt somewhere they can be grabbed easily from bed - like under the pillow. In the morning drag them into bed with you for a few minutes to warm up.
It makes a difference being able to climb out of bed and quickly get dressed into warm clothes, instead of cold ones.
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Make sure the wife goes to bed 5 minutes before you do so the cold chill is taken out of the bed
GG
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It's funny how prevalent the myth about loosing heat through your head is, despite being debunked many times, e.g.:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour) :police:
That's not to say wearing a beanie to keep your head warm isn't a good idea ;)
3: Air matresses STAY cold in cold weather, they are freezing to sleep on . To combat this place something beneath the matress, and a blanket on top , but under your body.
+1, I have never felt as cold as we did when we slept on a blow up mattress on our first winter camp :o Self inflating are much warmer thankfully.
It's probably obvious but a good quality sleeping bag makes a big difference, and when they say they are good down to -5 or whatever I'd add 10 degrees to that!
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I don't really feel the cold all that much (t-shirt and shorts down to ~10 degrees) but here's my tips from camping in winter around home and living in the Bathurst area for a while (gets into the negatives). I'm sure most will have been mentioned but if I don't write all the ones I can think of I'll miss more of them.
Make sure your clothes fit snugly. The looser they are the more cool air can get around your body and circulate meaning your body heat won't warm it.
Wool, one light snugly fitting woolen jumper will keep you warmer than a big bulky polar fleece jumper. Also won't melt if you cop some sparks from the fire. Also saves you some space in packing. Wool socks, gloves, beanies and scarves are great as well. Woolen underlays, blankets and doonas for the bed will help keep you warm at night. Everyone buy wool everything :D (son of a Merino stud owner). You can get underlays for chairs as well, I've found a jacket over the back of the chair works fairly well though.
Under clothing, such as singlets and whatever you call them pants things, tights? Even the normal cotton/poly stuff will be better than nothing, but the thermal gear would be best if you really feel the cold.
Wear your beanie and maybe socks and gloves to bed. The losing whatever % of heat through your head might be a myth, but the myth came about from trails that showed when in a nice warm sleeping bag with everything else covered you lost the most heat through your head. So if you are all snug with other gear on, you are losing most of your heat through your head.
Wind cheaters, make sure everyone has some wind proof clothing, a lot of the time the wind is the worst of it and wearing something to stop it is usually easier than trying to set up a wind break if there isn't anything handy.
Big Silver thermal backed tarp over the tent, added benefit of keeping it dry.
I've heard of people putting some hot coals into a thick glass jar and putting it in their bed to warm it, but never tried myself.
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We also have an electric blanket, 15 mins and the bed is toasty warm, doesn't use much power on an inverter either.
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Hi,
the Mrs likes one of these:
(http://www.webasto.com.au/products-and-markets/graphics/WEBASTO-COM_Truck_Air_Top_2000_ST_43.jpg)
when we go places like:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F52stPqhaKo/TiOFbBZttfI/AAAAAAAAAx0/djqRx79rl1s/s800/DSC00557.JPG)
cheers
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^^ http://www.webasto.com.au/products-and-markets/truck/ena/html/8237.html (http://www.webasto.com.au/products-and-markets/truck/ena/html/8237.html)
Interesting little dodad.
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Have spent many a happy weekend etc camped in the Vic alps back in my hunting days,, found the best heater was to put the gas light in the tent for about 1/2hr before bed,, nice and warm
cheers Stan
Without wanting to be a naysayer, I'd be a little concerned about carbon dioxide poisoning if left on for too long. A couple of guys were found dead over the weekend, had the gas stove on for heating and never woke up.
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I agree 100% with johnyd89, wool is unbeatable around a cold camp (and no, I have nothing to do with the wool industry, just a fan).
Also watch when sitting out on a clear night as dew has a habit of coming in early and you end up quite damp. Cotton is very cold so jeans and Drizabones are not great.
Hopefully mid April will not be all that bad and you won't need heaps of warm gear.
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I would use 3 female Swedish backpackers. One for each side ;D
Mark
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We hit the Anaconda snow sale and bought some snow boots , that despite what they say aren't waterproof , but they are much better than ugg boats , especially if you spray them with waterproof spray . That way you can get up and walk through the dew grass and not have wet boots or socks .
Other than that , everything that has been said , Beanie and gloves and socks and thermals = good brands .
Put thermal on in the afternoon under jacket and then sleep in it .
And check into a powered site and take a fan heater and electric blankets !
Or even just the heat wheat bags if you are near a camp kitchen with microwave .
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It's funny how prevalent the myth about loosing heat through your head is, despite being debunked many times, e.g.:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/dec/17/medicalresearch-humanbehaviour) :police:
That's not to say wearing a beanie to keep your head warm isn't a good idea ;)
I know from experience that ALOT of heat can be lost through the head. eispite the reputable claims of the guardian.
Cheers Chippy :D
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I would use 3 female Swedish backpackers. One for each side ;D
Your one short Mate ;D
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it goes without saying the 3 sweedish sheilas , hand down winner :cup: :cup:
here are a few less sexy ideas
1 flannelette sheets .... toasty
2 small gas patio heater...... bunnings about $100 worth every cent
3 tarp over the canvas
4 turn small heater electric on 10 mins before going to bed
5 head north for winter obviosly
mick
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We use a Coleman Catalytic heater to heat the CT and it works really well. They give off far less dangerous fumes than other gas heaters but we make sure we have adequate ventilation and would never sleep with it on or with any other type of portable gas heater for that matter. They use a small 465 gm gas bottle or you can buy a hose from Coleman that attaches to the usual 2, 4.5 or 9KG barbi bottle.
We also bought a MAC coupler so we can also refill the 465gm bottles from our 9KG bottle on the camper.
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Hey HEM we got hold of some of the old woolen blankets (e.g. Onkaparinga) one ontop of the matress and one over yourself with your normal bedding. Also when it's realy cold we use cheap Big W lekky blankets :-[
Other than that keep the Bundy intake regular ;D
:cheers: bubba
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The silk ones increase the thermal rating of your sleeping bag and can be hand washed in a bucket. when drying, lay it flat on a towel then roll them up together and then wring the towel.Next just hang the silk up out of the sun to get your lifeterm for your money.
:cheers:
Mike
I agree about the silk sleeping bag liners. We trekked Alaska with temps as low as -5 -6, and the silk liners made such a huge difference. My initial choice was to buy the cotton ones, but being quite aware that they would have been torture to get in to in such a cold place as they take a lot longer to warm up. The silk ones were perfect and also as Mike said they were so easy to wash. Well worth every cent.
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Thermals all round, good sleeping bag and a good cuddle from the dogs......
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Thermarest would b one of the best self inflating matteress I've used, good quality sleeping bag (single or double) BUT if u use a double s/bag make sure it fits in the swag (IF using one) To measure a swag correctly they must b one bum wide x two high.
Less is better to wear than lots when going to bed on cold nights.
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Juz keep yer pants on Hem ;D :cheers:
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We use a Coleman Catalytic heater to heat the CT and it works really well. They give off far less dangerous fumes than other gas heaters but we make sure we have adequate ventilation and would never sleep with it on.
X2
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Juz keep yer pants on Hem ;D :cheers:
*must not shut eyes*
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flanno sheets are a must...
put a rock in the fire for a very short time and then under your camp chair
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Dunno but I think a couple of double-breasted bed thrashers :cup: and a bottle of single malt is pretty hard to beat :cheers: :cheers:
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A tip I learned from Speewa, Drink heavily - notice nothing!
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Dont forget the doona >:D >:D (thanks Rich for bringing up a spare that weekend)
GG
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Thanks for the replys Guys & Gals.
I would use 3 female Swedish backpackers. One for each side ;D
Your one short Mate ;D
Not sure if I could even swing one, let alone 3 or 4!!
A tip I learned from Speewa, Drink heavily - notice nothing!
Have already started stocking up on the Bundy, Bourbon , Beanies & Balaclava's.... Hey there's a suggestion for a trip name!
GG, no use sending Mrs Hem to bed 1st, she's the one with cold feet.
Hem
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Saw this simple candle warmer ... May just keep the chill off
http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2008/11/06/candle-room-heater/ (http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2008/11/06/candle-room-heater/)
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One planet sleeping bag . Cost $ but happy wife means more camping.
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If you have a soft floor camper close the tailgate, it is amazing how much cold air gets under the base of the mattress.
We have a hard floor & found that closing the kitchen area stop drafts. Obvious when you think about it but amazing how many people camp with their's left wide open in cold times.
Also stops rodents, possums & cane toads from getting in there.
Cheers - Wayne
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#extra large lined picnic rug on the camper floor keeps the cold out and is warm ontop.Another one goes under the mattress.
#Havent done it yet but am getting a small flap of pvc made up so it covers up the Kitchen gap under the bed ,saves packing the kitchen up.
#old saucepan with a few coals in it under your seat outside warms the "hole"of your body before bed.
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#Havent done it yet but am getting a small flap of pvc made up so it covers up the Kitchen gap under the bed ,saves packing the kitchen up.
Pedeosar,
I know every little bit helps, but I wouldn't bother myself, the heat transfer through the canvas alone is where it all goes. Think about all the surface area of the 'thin' canvas for the heat to go, compared to the heat loss through the 'thick' wooden ply bed base.
x2 for the picnic rug though (plus shade cloth under tent as well).
LJ
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Coffee (me), Tea (wife) & Milo (kids) before bed. Sometimes something a bit stronger for the parents. :cheers:
We have a soft floor and run shade cloth (enviromesh stuff) under the floor and if really cold we also slide the kitchen in and close the tailgate to stop the cold a bit. Good doona on the bed and 2 kids in black wolf -10degree sleeping bags & everyone has thermals. Cannot beat thermals and layers as opposed to big bulky items.
Should have a look at current Kathmandu Easter sale as 3 pieces of thermals (tops, bottoms etc) are $75 = $25 a piece. A good thermal top for the kids to wear underneath makes a big difference.
I dont run any heaters or anything in the tent - we just keep rugged up and wait for the sun to rise!
We are planning 4weeks around Alice Springs in July so this topic is quite relevant as I keep being told to be prepeard for cool nights. Might throw a couple of hot water bottles in!
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the wife and i where over at tassie one year, lake st clare bloody freezing cold, i put a couple of rocks in the fire then pulled them out wrapped them up in a tea towel and put them in our bed magic! :D
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I wondered if anyone has any feedback regarding using small electric blow heaters (just as tent wam up / not leave running) when there is the ability to plug into power. Was thinking of getting a small cheap one for an extended trip in July.
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Electric blankets would probably be of more use, heating a smaller area that would be well insulated. Not much use until you get into bed though.
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Hi,
the Mrs likes one of these:
(http://www.webasto.com.au/products-and-markets/graphics/WEBASTO-COM_Truck_Air_Top_2000_ST_43.jpg)
X2 on the Webasto, we have one in our KK 8) 8)
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Now that we are fairly well set up, I have hot water bottles a Webasto heater, flanny sheets, thermals, etc. But when we first started, if you get caught short someone told me about using normal drink bottles with just off the boil water (so you don't melt the plastic) in lieu of the old fashioned hot water bottles. They work a treat. :D
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We also have Webasto heater in our KK. It uses the heat exchanger from the hot water system which is normally turned on in the gull wing. But our dealer has wired it to allow the operation from within the camper. So no need to get out of bed until it's warm :D
I also recommend these products http://au.icebreaker.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-IB-AU-Site/default/Home-Show (http://au.icebreaker.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-IB-AU-Site/default/Home-Show)
Have been using their thermals for years now and they are very, very good.
Peter
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But when we first started, if you get caught short someone told me about using normal drink bottles with just off the boil water (so you don't melt the plastic) in lieu of the old fashioned hot water bottles. They work a treat. :D
...or the aluminium ones wrapped/put in a thick sock to take away the 'burny touchy' moments.
LJ
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There's some great ideas here. We are heading to Birdsville/Cameron Corner in the June holidays, and being coastal sooks will find the chilly nights a bit breathtaking!
I am def investing in the silk sleeping bag liners - they sound the go even in hot weather (use instead of the sleeping bag which is way too hot)
At nights we heat up Easy-lite Heat Beads and put a couple in aluminium trays under our chairs - nice warm bum ;D
I see others do a similar thing.
Might need to take the Irish Whiskey too!