Cold Weather Camping

[Viking99]

I am going camping this weekend and the tempature is going to get pretty cold. Highs in the mid 40's and lows in the 20's. Is there anything I should look out for in taking care of the camper in low tempatures? I will not be using the water system and I will have a small electric heater for heat.

[angelsmom10]

Where you heading?  Elder has a playoff game in Oxford and I was thinking about asking Tom if he wanted to camp at Houston Woods.

[slowpez]

We also use a small heater during the cold months.  Haven't had any problems with the PU except the plastic may stiffen somewhat when you pop down.  You may want to be sure it has warmed up a little to prevent it from cracking and I'm not sure it would even do that.
For sleeping, we use a 20 degree rated sleeping bag (not the mummy type but the type that unzips flat) on the top of the mattress and a down comforter to sleep under.  We find that we are able to sleep in shorts and without the heater going.  Of course, it makes those night time trips to the bathroom pretty speedy.  :p
Enjoy your trip.  The cooler months can make for the best camping.

[Opie431]

If your PU is large use two heaters instead of one.  We will be having the same temperatures tonight and we will be using our electric blanket and one heater turned on all night so the furnace does not have to run so much. When we pop-down if it is this cold we will leave an electric heater turned on with an extension cord coming thru the door.
I bet we do not have to buy ice for the ice chest.
We have an extra extension cord running under the canvas for the heater so we can use the microwave and TV.  We can go for weeks camping without the TV in warmer weather but this time of year we spend evenings inside.
If it snows brush the snow off your awning.  We saw a MH with a collasped awning last year while our AAR made it thru the four inches of snow.

[Viking99]

Where you heading? Elder has a playoff game in Oxford and I was thinking about asking Tom if he wanted to camp at Houston Woods.

I am going to the GLPUC - Ohio Gentlemans outing. Have fun at the game.
 
My main concern is the camper and the tenting. I have a great sleeping bag for cold nights.
 
Yeah I suppose ice for the cooler will not be a problem on this trip:D

[wiininkwe]

We've camped in temps down to 9 degrees F during deer hunting season.   We have a generator, and run it for a while first thing in the morning to get a few things going and get the furnace running enough to warm things up.  (and for a little while at night to watch the telly)  Other wise use the battery.  We also have a small ceramic heater that we use to add to the furnace heat if it gets too bad.   We do have a mr coffee coffee maker, but it helps to make the coffee on the stove and add a little more heat.   (this is definitely one of the times that cooking inside has it's advantages)     My DH has cut panels of the pink styro board insulation that fit into the ends of the bunks and you wouldn't believe what a difference that makes.  Besides holding the heat in, it keeps the tenting material from flapping in the wind.  He also has a piece under the mattress.   We also have the AAR for our camper, and it seems to help hold the heat in too, makes it a little better when you open the door to go outside.   You do have to be kind of diligent about keeping the snow from building up, and when you pop down, make sure you hurry and do it while your camper is still kinda warm so you don't crack the vinyl windows.   (and you may have to use a little more muscle to fasten the clips down on your roof once it's down, and the stiff canvas doesn't fold down as flat when it's cold)
T

[ForestCreature]

I'm headed out this weekend also. But instead of an all mens weekend, this is an all WOMANS weekend. :J Same temps, if it gets down to  20 that will be the coldest I have camped. Camped down to 23, except then we were still in a tent.  The cold dosen't seem as threatening knowing that the Aliner has solid insulated  walls & a furnace that  will keep us warm.
 
 
 

[tlhdoc]

You will want to keep the curtains closed to the bunkends during the day, so that you can keep the heat in the main body of the camper, unless you will be using the bunkends during the day.  If you have the solar blankets for the bunkends turn them upside down (so the shiny side is down) to help keep the heat in.  If you have and pool noodles or extra pillows you can stuff them in the edges of the bunkends to help keep drafts out.  You will be surprised at how quick you can find a draft.  If it is below freezing when you pop down let the heater run as long as possible so that the tenting and windows stay warm and more flexible.  The colder it is the harder it is to compress the tenting to close the trailer.  Try and get a campsite with a good southern exposure to take advantage of the sun during the day.  I know there is more, but right now I can't think of any more.  Hope this helps and have a fun trip.

[topcat7736]

Matt,
1) If not using a bunkend, keep its curtains closed.
2) Stuff rolled towels between the mattresses and the tenting to keep out drafts.
3) Use the $2 silver survival blankets on all the walls. Mounting them outside is best, but if you can't, they can be mounted inside. Leave the windows cracked behind them as some condensation will occur on their outer side as the interior heats up.
4) Put the heater with fan on the floor at a non-sleeping end of the popup so it blows toward you. When the fan kicks on, it will pull cold air from the outside into the popup. If you're on the same side, you'll feel the cold air passing over you.
5) Stuff socks or rags into the openings for electric, water, etc. Cold air seeps through every opening it can find.

[B-flat]

I was warm as toast when camping in the NC Mountain in June when the temps got down in the 20s at night.  Kept the electric heater plugged in and set on low with just enough heat to keep it warm inside.  Piled on a blanket and quilt and loved getting up and cooking breakfast on the outside stove.  Just layer your clothes and as the day warms up, you can remove a layer as necessary.  Oh yes, we did keep a little opening of windows to get fresh air in.  You may want to do the same if using your furnace.  Never use a propane heater without plenty of fresh air.

[Viking99]

Thanks everyone for the help and reccomendations! I appreciate it!:W

 
I always forget about using the solar blankets in the cold temps too, I will be keeping that in mind.
 
I am really looking forward to going camping this weekend, it should be a great time despite the cold weather.
 
Thanks again!

[angelsmom10]

Thanks everyone for the help and reccomendations! I appreciate it!:W
 
 
I always forget about using the solar blankets in the cold temps too, I will be keeping that in mind.
 
I am really looking forward to going camping this weekend, it should be a great time despite the cold weather.
 
Thanks again!

If you need to borrow our Gizmo blankets, let me know and we can get them to you.

[hoppy]

One trick I have used during my January and February trips is place an electric heating blanket on the mattress and use an opened sleeping bag over us. This helps keep the cold draft from coming through the bottom of the bunks. It will actuall get hot in there.

    Keep your kindling dry,

    Hoppy.