Winter Camping Comfort Question

[naganthunter]

I was going to ask this question on the thread "Towing and Camping in the Snow," but I realized I'd be hijacking it, so I decided on a seperate thread.

I've seen many threads on people heading out for winter camping in the pop-up, with many suggestions on how to keep warm (heaters, reflectix, etc).  I've seen some crazy photos of pop-ups with ice hanging off of the bunk ends and snow piled on the roofs.  All of this looks super cool to me (no pun intended).

The one thing I haven't seen is anything that gives a really good idea of how comfortable people are able to keep the inside of the camper?  I'd like to take the family up to the local mountains for an overnighter in December, to a location with hookups.  However, if I'm not able to keep the inside of the camper at a comfortable temperature, I'm going to wait until my son (who just turned 2) is a little older.

So - here's my question.  If temps drop into the teens or single digits, how warm can I expect to keep the inside of the camper with the furnace and the right electric heaters?  Would it be out of the question to expect inside temps into the low 60's?

Thanks!
NH

[flyfisherman]

About the mid 20's is about as low of a temp I've camped in with my little Starcraft. Got caught one time in a storm that went from rain to sleet and snow; the next morning icicles were hanging from everywhere on the camper. Of all times not to have the camera along!

I've found out that covering the bunk end canvas makes a big difference in retaining heat and using less energy to maintain a liveable comfort level. I use the rolled insulation called Reflectix to place over the top of the bunk end canvas and then covered that with plastic tarps and then tied it down. A lot more work, no doubt, than simply buying the newer Popup Gizzmos which are custom made for a PU model.

As far as fuel consumption when dry camping, using propane, the higher the desired inside temperature, the more fuel will be used. With adults, a lower sleeping temperature with good sleeping bags is one thing, having small children that will kick off their covers is quite another. When camping in cooler weather where electical hook-ups are available, have an 1500 watt electric ceramic heater that has so far kept the camper interior liveable ... not as warm as the propane heater can do, but you'll really know the difference between the inside and outside temps when things get down close to freezing.

Try to make the freezing mark about as low as I want to be out in; like I said, did get caught out where it did drop down a little colder, into the mid twenties. Have no experience what it would be like in the teens or single digit temps.





Fly

[SherryandFamily]

When my children were about 7 and 9 years old we camped in Charlottesville VA on spring break in April.

We took our oil circulating electric heater, one of those that look like a little radiator.  

We had NO IDEA how cold it was going to get at night, and the second night the temp dropped to 9%.  We were in sleeping bags (v/s sheets and blankets) and stayed plenty warm in the camper.  

Going to the bathhouse in those temps was a whole different story!

It didn't get that cold again the rest of our trip, and frankly it is not something I would do again on purpose, but the heater did a great job.

Sherry

[PattieAM]

As long as there's been no wind, the PUP remains pretty comfortable - high 60's -70's.  My 06 Niagara has the glide out dinette, and I found a slight draft behind the dinette seats, so simply roll up a towel and stuff it.

As to sleeping - I've got heated mattress pads on both bunks and they are wonderful.  I can't explain how comfortable the cool weather sleeping is - but, we sure do like them.

When I last did a cool weather trip, I forgot to install my pop up gizmos (reversed to retain heat), but between furnace and oscellating electric space heater we didn't have cold spots in the camper.  If you put your hand up towards the top of the bunk end, there felt like about 1 inch of cool air but that was it.  

Didn't have an issue with condensation, (had good air circulation), but, we did notice the air got rather dry inside the camper, so we steamed it up a little with various things - hot water from shower for a minute or so, tea kettle to a boil, and after a trip to Walmart - $10 humidifier did a better job!  I have several humistats (think that's the term) at home, and carried one - the humidifier kept the air in the 'comfort zone'.

We did not have an issue with freezing water lines - daytime temps were above freezing and it was sunny.  Nighttime might have gotten below freezing but only for an hour or so.  (We were prepared - have a hair dryer/HD extension cord)

Hope this helps!