Heaters... NW Montana Truck Camping

Ok guys, I'm trying to figure out how to heat my little space without running my truck all night. I do NOT have a topper, and yes I could get one, but why spend $800-$2000 for a shelter when I already have a bed set up in the cab? (see this post, post #1330 https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-storage-systems.424709/page-67#post-18892477) I've looked at the propane heaters, but potentially dying in my sleep isn't exactly in my plans (even though college loans are already killing me... HAH!) so, what are your ideas? I'm already thinking I'm going to have to get some kind of external extra battery setup to run stuff, (I'm not worried too much about charging my phone or having extras, just want to be able to stay warm). I've been trying to understand the wattage/BTU/amp conversions but before I get too wrapped up into "research," I want to know what you all think/know. Thanks!

 

They make 12v heated blankets

 

+1 on heated blankets.

Propex systems are very popular with the VW camper set as retrofit, ~$800. A good way to go, just get a gas monitor and forget about it.

https://www.propexheatsource.com/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installing-propex-heater-in-tacoma-bed.330082/

 

Espar heater could work if you rig up a window vent for the exhaust.

 

I have used a Mr. Buddy heater to keep things from freezing in my greenhouse march-may in southern NH. They have a tip over sensor and a CO2 sensor so you don't die - allegedly, I have the MHgbx and MH4b and the MHgbx would keep it above freezing with just the pilot going which uses very little fuel. The issue is that you would need to crack your window to help with condensation, especially with a dog. You can get USB powered fans for cooling stereo equipment to help circulate the air, they draw very little power and you should be able to use it nightly if you plan on starting your truck daily to recharge, I run 2 in my greenhouse with 2 harbor freight solar panel batteries and a 50 watt panel and they go for days w/o sun. With a space that small you would need to make sure the pilot doesn't melt anything.

There are also fancy propane heaters for campers, I read a thread a while ago on here where someone built a camper for the bed of the truck which had a canvas pop up like the old VW westfalias. I looked into those but they were pricey. If I find it I will add the link.

Crazy people sleep in tents in sub zero weather so an expensive sleeping bag may be an option.

I am sure you have heard of the band 3 dog night? That is referring to a cold night that is going to take 3 dogs to keep you warm - so you can always go to the local shelter and adopt 2 more pups. I am not sure if 0 degrees is a 3 or dog night though so some research may be required.

Can you flip your schedule and sleep during the day when it is warmer out and work or go somewhere else when it is colder at night? A lot of places pay shift differential for 2nd/3rd shifts too.

The obvious answer is to go south but in life nothing is easy. I hope things work out for you.

 

The Buddy heaters have a tip over sensor and a low oxygen sensor- not a CO2 sensor. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is what you exhale, carbon monoxide (CO) is what kills you silently and is a byproduct of combustion. Buddy heaters are not true catalytic heaters. Gas heaters can be safely used in enclosed spaces but you must be absolutely diligent about proper ventilation- fresh air- and must use a CO detector. As noted they also give off lots of moisture; you're going to have moisture problems as it is from just your exhaled breath including ice forming on the insides of your glass if it gets below freezing. I used to use a Little Buddy in my VW Westy but not while I was sleeping, just not that brave. I'd heat up the cabin while I was inside then shut it off right before climbing into my sleeping bag or under my covers and then in the morning I could stick an arm out and cut it back on to heat the area up.

I don't think the average battery has enough juice to power one of those 12v blankets through the night but I could be wrong, you'd need to look at the amp draw and do the calculations. Personally I wouldn't want the draw on my starting battery in cold weather; I'd consider running it off an auxiliary battery or at the very least have a backup jump pack for your truck.

You will loose an enormous amount of heat through all the heat sinks, otherwise known as window glass, on the cab. Go to Lowe's and grab a roll of Reflectix and cut it to size to cover your windows. If you can, insulate behind the body panels and the headliner. If you don't have time or the inclination to pull the panels then you can tie some lines up and drape a wool blanket over your sleeping area to reduce the space you're heating with your body heat- think about when you were a kid and made "forts" out of blankets, same idea. Other tips, a good sleeping bag and plenty of blankets or a quilt/down comforter. I have sleeping bags but prefer wool blankets and a down comforter if it's not too cold- personal preference. Don't use an uninsulated air mattress under you. Sleep with a knit/wool/fleece hat on. Wear a light set of thermals and some socks. Put hot water in a water bottle with a tight fitting lid and toss it in your sleeping bag to help warm it up; heating packs work too. Try putting one of the Thermacare heating pads on your back about where your kidneys are. They last a long time these days and they'll help warm the blood going through your kidneys and then circulating.

 

@Bajatacoma I appreciate you're thoughtfulness, I'm familiar with backpacking in Colorado, sounds about like that's what I'd be doing in my truck as far as warmth haha. Thankfully I'll have my pup with me, though it looks like you're in SC, and I'm from VA; those winters are much different from these : /

 

Yeah, I'm thinking of doing a battery get up with inverter to avoid propane so me and the dog don't just mysteriously disappear over night, but may just end up running the truck... : /

 

I did think about that, was thinking about the air around me too. But not a bad idea.

 

Unfortunately I get the shifts I get at the hospital haha. Sometimes it's early, sometimes it's swing shift.

 

When I lived in Montana and North Dakota a lot of places had 110 outlets for engine heaters, I used a little electric forced air cab heater. I think I got it from the JC Higgins catalog, worked great of you are in a parking lot with plug ins. My son camps a lot in his jeep in Montana, but he is young and worries more about the beer freezing than his butt freezing.

 

Thanks for correcting that, I meant CO but got it wrong - but more importantly is where you corrected me on low oxygen vs CO sensor. That is what happens when I am up past my bed time.

 

You don’t run any heater in a camper or tent while your sleeping. You buy a quality sleeping bag and eat high calorie meals.
Your body will generate the heat and the bag will hold it while you sleep.

You can use a propane heater to warm the camper before bed and when you wake up before you crawl out of the bag, but never sleep in an enclosed space with a propane heater. And I don’t care if they make them with an o2 sensor, they can fail.

And don’t forget to put your boots in a plastic bag and stuff them in the bottom of your bag. If there wet they will freeze and you will hate life in the morning if it’s below freezing.

 

Yep, born and raised in SC but I've been around the US traveling/camping out of my vehicles, as well as a couple dozen other countries- including during winters. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not a young man anymore.

 

It's safe to run a heater inside if you know what you're doing, have the proper equipment and take proper precautions. Campers, outfitters, ice fishermen and those off-grid to name a few examples have been doing it for centuries; from charcoal burners to diesel , kerosene, Coleman fuel even gasoline. Unfortunately there are many idiots and uninformed who manage to kill themselves and their family members every year despite all of the warnings out there so companies like Coleman quit selling their heaters rather than deal with the retarded lawsuits. Kerosene heaters still provide the main heat source for many people even today. Get stupid or careless and any of them can kill you in short order though.

Ideally you'd use an externally vented model such as a Propex/Espar/Eberspächer/etc. (commonly installed in campers and European trucks that run the mountain routes. Eberspächers were used in various air cooled VWs for decades.) but you can safely use a non-vented heater if you provide enough ventilation and have a CO/smoke detector. Even the vented heaters need to be located such that the vent can't get blocked and they need to be inspected routinely just as you should your home heating system. Think about a folding pack stove used in big wall tents here. Electric heaters are safer but you still need to have at a minimum a smoke detector and keep the area around them clear.

But yes, a good sleeping bag and/or proper bedding is safer. And to add a little humor- build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

 

Dakota heaters used to work real good just crack a window.

 

Where do you typically park to sleep? aka is running power from an external source a possibility? I assume not based on some key info you stated.

My opinion is a secondary battery (independent of the truck battery) with an efficient electric heater that's on a timer. Run when going to bed, run if you wake up cold. Charge the second battery either with solar, truck or external power source when available. It's a simple setup and depending on options, should be $200-300 once well sorted.

 

I never said it wasn’t safe to run inside, I said you don’t sleep with a propane running. Anything other that a wood pack stove can fail if it’s man made. You start relying on 02 sensors and what ever in a confined space with a piece of equipment that is rarely used and your taking a chance. Sure there people that do it fine and there’s people that have died doing it. How do you know when something malfunctions. You don’t.

 

You might source a co-worker or friend who could allow you to run an extension cable to power the electric blanket. Pay a stipend to defray your useage.

I lived in Boulder for a winter in a cold shack on the rear of an old house off Ninth...Jan/Feb was cold, but I had an electric blanket and a down 0 bag. Was toasty warm.

 

Here you go, dawg

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/200-5kw-portable-diesel-air-heater.191458/