Overland gear

Hey everybody, just had a few questions about these overland tests like the one below. Been looking to get one for my 07 taco and go on some trips but I'll likely be traveling though the fall and winter and wondering how to keep the inside warm during the night. Whether you just have to bundle up of if there's some common heater contraption I don't know about.

 

Most people do not heat the tent all night. You can use a little heater like this to warm things up in the morning or evening: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Winter-Por...-Butane-Outdoor-Heater-Warmer-US/184621646598

If you do want to heat the tent all night, a Chinese diesel heater will do it without the risk of fire or CO poisoning. You will have to mount it the bed and duct in the heated air.

 

Why would that guy need a tent heater, geez.

 

tent heater Peter beater

 

See the girl? Tent heater...

 

I've camped in my ARB RTT down to around freezing, but haven't had a chance to do real winter camping in it. With the windows closed and a medium sleeping bag, I'm often throwing part of the covers off by the middle of the night. No need for an external heater. I'm a human furnace though, so YMMV. Company indeed helps.

 

Sleeping bags and/or blankets/comforters.

 

This will work. Don't burn down your $2000 tent/truck.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mr-Heate...MI4ZT9-JP87gIVhNXACh0dmADeEAQYAiABEgIzA_D_BwE

 

That comment along with Kramer’s pic, fit perfectly.

 

Do you have your setup shared somewhere?

 

No, not really. A few scattered posts.

For now, I'm using Front Runner c-channel mounted rack-rails and my ARB Simpson III rooftop tent mounted over the bed. It's an OK compromise between tent elevation (generally good, especially for the entrance on that tent and when its vestibule is attached) and highway wind resistance (not good). I'm in the process of modifying my Gen 1's aluminum Mountain Top tonneau to fit onto my 2015 Gen 2. That'll lower the tent to about level with the cab and give me lockable storage in the bed. The ability to tilt open the tonneau will be lost when the heavy RTT is on it, but it's worth a try.

 

You're overthinking it- it's nothing more than a tent, just mounted on your truck, it's not like it requires any kind of special tent heater if you're careful. There are multiple threads on cold weather camping in the Outdoors forum, on ExPo (including RTT specific setups) and lots of other forums on-line; have the proper equipment and learn to dress for the weather. Ideally use a vented heater such as one of the Chinese Propex knockoffs (available in gas and diesel versions) or pick up some other sort like badger posted (or better yet, buy a real Propex, Webasto, Eberspacher, etc). Most folks only run them to warm the tent up, shut them off at night then fire them back up in the morning; it saves fuel and you don't have to worry about CO poisoning. If you vent the tent properly you don't have to worry about CO poisoning anyways but you should always have a working CO alarm just to be safe. Most of the small heaters, including the Buddy Heater that uses a 1# cylinder won't run but maybe seven hours even on low. If you want more run time buy an extension hose and inline filter (very important) and connect it to a larger tank. Even a candle lantern can help take the chill off but it's not going to do much when it's really cold.

Some RTT manufactures make a cold weather pack or you could make your own insulated curtains to hang inside or do it the traditional way and put extra blankets over the top.

 

thanks man. I’ll probably be ok with sleeping bags and what not but i want to have a back up just in case

 

Check out the knock off webasto heaters on Amazon. The set up runs about $150 and runs on diesel with a thermostat, there are plenty of youtube videos on how to set them up.

 

You have a pack mule at your disposal to carry your gear (your truck), throw in some extra wool blankets, quilts, comforter, whatever you have. Just put them in the tent with you off to the side then if you need them you can pull them over you. Wearing a balaclava at night and using a sleeping bag with a draft collar helps a lot.

 

What's wrong with the heater in the pic? I offer free rebuilds. Long turnaround time.

 

OP,

Where are you located and where are you looking to camp overnight? There's cold and then there's, like, Canada cold.

There are some heated / electric blankets that might be worth looking into. I know of one person who uses a solar charger to a battery and has an electric blanket with a USB connection. I have no experience with it but that might be something work poking into if you are looking for real warmth but don't want to get into some kind of full on heat system.

 

looks like the heater in pic would be enough

 

Your boy needs a million bucks
.

 

Op, if you're turning to TW seeking advice on how to heat things up, you're either out of your league or truly seek to produce a more mutually enjoyable evening in the tent.

Regardless, safety should be paramount when heating up a tent like that.

Ensure you use the proper protection on EVERY circuit. Remember there is conductance even when there's not complete continuity in some situations.
Remember, silicone paste is NOT conductive, rather it's insulative, but it'll provide a waterproof coating that's at home under the hood and really enhances the connection even if the end user/owner is unaware of it's use.
Proper grounding is necessary.
A heavy reliance on a single fuel type/source can lead to problems down the line. Ensure you adapt to the multifuel nature of your heater, if appropriate.
Remember to give your heater appropriate spacing from combustibles, there's no reason to facilitate fire or heat damage to things unnecessarily.
Flame free is the way to be when in a tent, or at least that's what we were told growing up.