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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: brickiematt on March 27, 2012, 08:51:02 PM

Title: Heater in the camper?
Post by: brickiematt on March 27, 2012, 08:51:02 PM
G'day all
As we mexicans are heading into our cooler months, just wondering if anyone uses some type of portable heater in their camper trailer. I'm thinking of one like this:

http://www.gasmate.com.au/SCats.asp?SCatID=49&ProdID=260&CatID=4 (http://www.gasmate.com.au/SCats.asp?SCatID=49&ProdID=260&CatID=4)

or this:

http://www.primusaustralia.com.au/index.php?p=line&sid=1306130608 (http://www.primusaustralia.com.au/index.php?p=line&sid=1306130608)

They both cut off when tipped over. I've seen the Gasmate demonstrated and it cut out instantly. The Primus also has a low oxygen shut off.
Of course I realise the implications of using heaters in a tent, but I reckon a bit of common sense (which seems to be becoming less common these days!) just needs to be applied.
I am thinking it would only be turned on for half an hour before hitting the sack just to heat the inside of the tent, then stick it outside. It wouldn't be on while we are sleeping.
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: wartim on March 27, 2012, 10:17:31 PM
Maybe you should read this headline "Tasmanian campers killed by gas leak"  http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/tasmanian-campers-killed-gas-leak-4782101 (http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/tasmanian-campers-killed-gas-leak-4782101)


Wartim
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Fridge Magnet on March 27, 2012, 10:57:26 PM
I reckon it's a bit iffy Matt.  It's really tempting because it can be pretty miserable if you're not warm enough but the potential outcomes if something malfunctions are serious.

Plus the insulating properties of canvas are pretty much zilch so I wonder how effective it'd be anyway.  I'm not saying that people aren't out there doing it safely just that I wouldn't take the chance.

Hot water bottles are awesome.
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Nomad on March 27, 2012, 11:06:53 PM
Hot water bottles are awesome.

A hot woman is better....... >:D >:D  ;D
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: KieranR on March 27, 2012, 11:21:16 PM
A hot woman is better.......   


+1
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Fridge Magnet on March 27, 2012, 11:37:45 PM
A hot woman is better....... >:D >:D  ;D

That's true, but a hot water bottle never wants to know what your feelings are about its feelings about your feelings  >:D
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Tjupurula on March 28, 2012, 12:34:42 AM
That's true, but a hot water bottle never wants to know what your feelings are about its feelings about your feelings  >:D

I believe the comment was a hot woman, not a nosy one.......I do not believe I wrote that, the wife will neuter me if she reads that comment.
Tjupurula
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: speewa158 on March 28, 2012, 03:30:53 AM
Bottle O Rum , & 2 Sweedish backpackers  ,,,, well its a plan , might work  :-*
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: TOPNDR on March 28, 2012, 04:33:43 AM
We have a diesel heater (Dometic are the agents) in our Quantum, it's excellent!
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: GU_Thomo on March 28, 2012, 07:04:55 AM
If you are going to use gas you have got to keep everything open for ventilation.
It is very easy to die from carbon monoxide.

We very ocassionally use a Coleman catalytic gas heater to warm us while changing for bed then turn it off and put it outside.

Cheers
Parry
Title: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Paul (SA) on March 28, 2012, 08:06:08 AM
I reckon u should just brace the elements and accept the cold.

Now if you will excuse me I have to go find my ugg boots. It's freezing here this morning.
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: sablesoft on March 28, 2012, 09:08:11 AM
We have a diesel heater (Dometic are the agents) in our Quantum, it's excellent!

I would love to fit a diesel heater to my Cub Escape, unfortunately they are WAY OVER priced.

Ray
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: TrevJel on March 28, 2012, 09:19:33 AM
When we stay at powered sites we use an electric oil heater when bush body warmth ( the hot woman thingy)
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: LC on March 28, 2012, 09:28:23 AM
We have used a one of those small electric fan heaters if we are somewhere that is a powered site. But only turn it on about 30mins before going to bed and it is always turned off before we go to sleep.
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Robertsons on March 28, 2012, 06:58:13 PM
I wouldnt burn anything in a tent. Accidents can happen and do.
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Campfire on March 28, 2012, 07:03:38 PM
I wouldn't use any gas operated heater inside a camper, not worth the risk, a good set of thermal underwear is a safer option, plus you can always use more blankets or better sleeping bags.

Cheers

Campfire
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: brickiematt on March 28, 2012, 08:32:03 PM
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Yeah, the missus keeps me warm, but that doesn't help the kids much!! Might give the hot water bottles a crack, hadn't thought about them actually.
Now that i really think about it, there are just too many risks and implications that go with putting a heater in a tent.
Not one of my brightest moments, but thought i would put it out there anyway.

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Eagle Outback on March 28, 2012, 08:52:06 PM
Gday all If we are staying somewhere with power we use a kambrook fan heater, work's fantastic,heat's up the camper in five minutes flat.And if it's knocked over it shut's of.If no power we go without.
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Black Diamond on March 28, 2012, 08:58:13 PM
I'm usually to drunk and numb to feel the cold by bed time ;D

If all else fails add a coupla logs to the fire and kick back :cheers:

BD
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: xcvator on March 28, 2012, 09:17:55 PM
I've been camping for about 50 years and in that time I've had old coleman pressurized kerosene stove and lights,( you remember those, the ones that you had to preheat by burning metho in a little bowl around the fuel inlet tube) kerosene "hurricane" lights,gas lights and gas stoves. They have all been used INSIDE tents without any problems.
      Rule 1/ keep well away from walls
               2/keep on solid non flammable surface as low to ground as possible
               3/keep part of tent door or window open at all times for ventilation
               4/if you have an infestation of rug rats fence off the stove/heater/light from them
Follow these rules and think and you will be ok :angel: :angel: :angel:

Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: Robertsons on March 28, 2012, 09:25:03 PM
Matt we have always used swags in our campers. Even the queen bed. With a good quality sleeping bag works well.
Sharon
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Yeah, the missus keeps me warm, but that doesn't help the kids much!! Might give the hot water bottles a crack, hadn't thought about them actually.
Now that i really think about it, there are just too many risks and implications that go with putting a heater in a tent.
Not one of my brightest moments, but thought i would put it out there anyway.

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Heater in the camper?
Post by: GGV8Cruza on March 28, 2012, 10:05:07 PM
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Yeah, the missus keeps me warm, but that doesn't help the kids much!! Might give the hot water bottles a crack, hadn't thought

Cheers
Matt

Thermals are great, we camp in the Victorian winters and we put the kids in thermal tops and pants and then their PJ's, a good sleeping bag and a blanket over the top. They are a little cold at first but soon warm up, they also have a beanie on as well. We have had it down to -7 before and they cope really well.

GG