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Space heater for a (4) person tent

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TAC1, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. Nov 3, 2013 at 9:03 PM
    #21
    username

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    When I was in the army they made us use these stupid tent half things and sleep in the mud for a training exercise. My buddy decides to crawl in his fart sack fully clothed, with boots on in case we have to get up quickly and play army in the middle of the night. (Ft Sill, Oklahoma in Feb, temps in the low teens) I told him it was stupid, but he wouldn't listen (hillbilly from Arkansas). The next morning he said he couldn't feel his feet. Being a good buddy I helped him take his boots off to warm up his feet, but they were really hard to get off and I wrestled with them. His socks were frozen to his feet, and when I peeled the one off his right foot three little blackened toes came with it. We had a little cry and off to the ER he went, and I never saw him again.
     
  2. Nov 3, 2013 at 9:06 PM
    #22
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    I know a lot of women that are cold natured. On the other hand I love sleeping in the cold. Just slept in 20* a few weeks ago.
     
  3. Nov 3, 2013 at 9:08 PM
    #23
    benbacher

    benbacher Purveyor of Fun Vendor

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    Lol yup, i came about an hour away from losing both feet completely to frostbite. Had to cut my shoes off as they were literally frozen solid. Punched through the snowpack to a running creek on a deceptively warm morning hike that turned into a 20 hour heli rescue for myself. Lame. My circulation has been the biggest loss. It takes about 3 months for a small cut to heal just because theres so little bloodflow to my feet.
     
  4. Nov 3, 2013 at 9:12 PM
    #24
    benbacher

    benbacher Purveyor of Fun Vendor

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    Thats not cold :rolleyes:
    Alaska man. Alaska.

    Jk jk
     
  5. Nov 3, 2013 at 9:23 PM
    #25
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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  6. Nov 4, 2013 at 6:23 AM
    #26
    TAC1

    TAC1 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello folks,

    Thank you ALL for your responses.

    Some were sad,
    Some were funny,
    All were informative.

    north Florida in January can get cold but I think that with Long Johns & sleeping bags (a friend of mine with experience advised me on the long johns) I should be good.

    Thanks again everyone.

    Oh, thanks for the link Biowheelin.
     
  7. Nov 4, 2013 at 6:38 AM
    #27
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I've always used a Coleman propane lantern for heat in my tents when camping. I hang it on the center support so it can't get tipped over and puts out enough heat to take the chill out of the air. It's dual purpose, light and heat. I usually set it up in the tent 10 - 15 minutes before I'm ready to turn in for the night. Once I'm in and ready to go to sleep, I turn the lantern off and rely on my sleeping bag and mat to keep me warm. I would not trust a heater overnight.
     
  8. Nov 4, 2013 at 6:41 AM
    #28
    MTgirl

    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    I'm surprised no one has mentioned the safety issue of having a heat source in an enclosed area that is filled with flammable materials. Ever see a sleeping bag burn? Its not pretty. And what about carbon monoxide?

    First off what type of tent do you have? 3 season? 4 season? And what about sleeping pads? and bags? What is the temperature rating on them?
    I don't like to get cold at night either but I've learned how to pack efficiently over the years for a range of weather conditions since the weather here in MT can change in a heartbeat.

    The first step is getting a tent that appropriate for your weather - a 3 season tent should be fine for FL. Size is important too. You want everyone to have enough room to stretch out and be comfortable but you don't want the tent to be oversized - the larger the tent the colder you will all be. Smaller tents will maintain a comfortable temp with just your body heat.
    Sleeping pads are next. The foam ones that look like yoga mats are crap and don't provide much insulation or cushion. Get a nice self inflating pad like a thermarest. They're light, thin, super insulated and comfy. I got one a few years ago and wish I had gotten it much sooner - I had never been so comfortable sleeping in a tent before!
    Bags are next. My rule of thumb is a 20* buffer between the temperature rating of the bag and the forecasted overnight low temp (ex. if the forecast says 40* at night then you want a 20* or lower bag). I have both a -10* and a +15* bag depending on the season. Most summer nights here get into the 30's or 40's in the mountains and I'm perfectly comfortable in my +15*. The -10* only comes out when the forecast is in the teens or lower.
    PJ's are the final piece of the puzzle. Invest in some nice thermal underoos - synthetic or wool is best - and wool socks and you'll be good to go.

    A few more tips if you're worried about the "cold": If you've got to go #1 in the middle of the night do it, don't wait. Having a full bladder will actually deplete your body heat faster than braving the cold for a few minutes while you're out of your tent/bag. Store your clothes for the next day in the bottom of your bag overnight. When you wake up your clean clothes will be warm and not frosty. And if you're cold when you wake up get moving! Jog in place, do some jumping jacks...whatever you feel like to get your blood moving. Stay moderately active and you'll stay warm. Keep a few polar fleece blankets handy in case you need to throw them over your bags for a little more warmth, don't use heavy blankets that will compress the sleeping bag. The loft of the stuffing of the bag is what gives you the warmth, flattening it out will make you colder.
     
  9. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:10 AM
    #29
    J88logue

    J88logue NorthWest Member

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    ^^^^ ummm yeah. I think he just want's a space heater for him and the kids. He's not gonna camp on the top of Everest.
     
  10. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:25 AM
    #30
    benbacher

    benbacher Purveyor of Fun Vendor

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    At least 4 posts mention the danger.
     
  11. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:25 AM
    #31
    rockgecko03

    rockgecko03 Well-Known Member

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    I'm surprised no one has mentioned it, but a regular air mattress like you use in a house will suck away all your heat when it's cold. A mattress like a thermorest has a foam core. The primary reason for the foam core is to insulate.

    For instance, if it's 20 degrees outside, the air inside the mattress before you lay on it is about 20 degrees. It's like laying on a big ice cube. It will suck your heat away from you all night as you lay on it.
     
  12. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:29 AM
    #32
    benbacher

    benbacher Purveyor of Fun Vendor

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    The air IS warmer than the ground though, so in that sense, you will be warmer, just not as warm as you could be.
     
  13. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:32 AM
    #33
    Gaunt596

    Gaunt596 Well-Known Member

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    I see what your getting at but the MR. buddy heaters are specifically designed for use in tents. it has an automatic cutoff for oxygen depletion that is well above the minimum safe level, and i can attest to the fact that if the thing isnt within 5 degrees of level it will cutoff, and you damn near have to kick the thing like a football to knock it over. as far as lighting sleeping bags one fire, as long as you don't press the bag on the metal grille you should be fine. a little common sense goes a long way with those things.
     
  14. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:38 AM
    #34
    rockgecko03

    rockgecko03 Well-Known Member

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    Initially, yes. However, if you lay directly on the ground, you're body is now heating the ground area the size of your body. With an air mattress, you're body heat is dispersed and is now heating the air inside the mattress and essentially heating the ground area equal to the dimensions of the mattress.

    Took my wife forever to trust me on this one. She would sleep on the air mattress and I would sleep directly on the ground without a pad to prove the point. I always slept better. The day she finally tried it, she was pissed at me because it was somehow my fault she was always cold before, haha.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2013
  15. Nov 4, 2013 at 9:40 AM
    #35
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    :rofl:!!!

    +1
     
  16. Nov 4, 2013 at 11:26 AM
    #36
    jethro

    jethro Master Baiter

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    As an ice fisherman who has used Mr. Buddy heaters for well over 20 years, I'm horrified someone would consider using one inside a tent. Unless it's a wall tent. Don't confuse a low O2 sensor with it being safe for CO2- not the same thing. I won't continue... just no- don't use a buddy heater in a nylon tent with a nylon floor. Christ.
     
  17. Nov 4, 2013 at 1:09 PM
    #37
    Cold Iron

    Cold Iron Well-Known Member

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    It has been a long time since I've camped in Fl. but DolphinJohn hit the nail on the head. Most campgrounds down there used to have electricity available and a small electric space heater will go a long ways. I use one if I am staying at an organized campground with a girlfriend that demands "civilization". Also use one at a small campsite near the BWCA which I use as a base camp when hunting just the dog and I for a few days staying in my trailer with a ARE utility topper on it.
    DSC00816_zpsa4e4af98_9c55ea87f9fed56db450c884ca333b49382a3279.jpg

    I also use the big buddy in my main tent, a Big Horn 2. And a little buddy in the crapper tent and shower tent.
    snipercamping-1_a1bbfecc8de73124349d9a2d5c48f640cf62f338.jpg

    But these tents are well ventilated, you HAVE to get the condensation out of the tent when camping in the winter or you will be soaked.

    And when it is really cold I do build a campfire in my tent. Inside the wood stove that is.
    017_8_64cadc7757dd3fde167ce50cf4525f8589958700.jpg

    About time to upgrade to a four dog stove and burn coal though. Can't transfer wood in most states any more and I'd rather be hunting than gathering and cutting wood. I also setup a combination CO\Smoke Alarm. Never had it go off with the buddies running but I have with the wood stove burning.
     
  18. Nov 4, 2013 at 1:23 PM
    #38
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Wear hats, fleece beanies. This is where you lose most of your heat.

    Wear thin thermals (like silk) in the evening and while in the sleeping bags.

    Layers...
     
  19. Nov 4, 2013 at 1:28 PM
    #39
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    The fire in your underwear? You might need an ointment, friend.
     
  20. Nov 4, 2013 at 1:31 PM
    #40
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    Space heaters are nice but just know that most of them draw a good amount of power so make sure you have a good power supply.
     

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