Winter camping

Post by **winber55** » 29 Jan 2008, 08:34

Ok. been thinking about trying the van out for a couple of nights in Feb BUT we have no heating in the van. Am i crazy to be thinking it, or do you have any tips to help keep us nice and cosy? I hate sleeping bags as well, has to be duvet.

Post by **Titus A Duxass** » 29 Jan 2008, 08:40

Winter Camping - my tip. Don't go below three star and check the mini-bar prices first.

Post by **lloyd** » 29 Jan 2008, 08:53

Warm cloths, warm bedding, keep your head warm.. loose lots of heat through head. If using camp sites use electric heater. If not use hob in morning to warm things up. It's amazing how fast it warms up. Have your kettle ready for morning tea/coffee and by time water is hot van is warming up. Don't use hob when sleeping! I've camped at -10 and colder with no heater and had a good time.

Post by **sherlock** » 29 Jan 2008, 11:19

Give this a go..............................https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... &highlight

Post by **pilch** » 29 Jan 2008, 16:16

We have been using van all winters and use a site with electric point and use a small oil filled radiator which you can leave on permantly (no blown fuses with other mod-cons on at same time) and for extra luxury two hot water bottles under duvet. SNUG AS A BUG.

Post by **syncroand101** » 29 Jan 2008, 16:40

I stayed in mine pretty much every night from October thru Jan just gone. NO heating (kept forgetting to buy Gas for Propex!). I think I was cold a grand total of once, to be fair, and it went down to -5. I was only wearing shorts and a thermal t-shirt. Nice thick duvet, and if you are really worried, a sleeping bag as well.

A propex will make it more luxurious, but once you start cooking/boiling the kettle in such a small space it soon warms up. Worst bit is getting out of bed to put your clothes on...

Just do it, its no bother!

Post by **joshb** » 29 Jan 2008, 17:16

We went skiing in glenmore last week, stayed at top campsite ( thanks for tip Jed) with electric hook up we were toasty warm using a fan heater and a small oil filled radiator, we had a coleman blackcat heater as a backup too, and also I fitted a coleman hot water on demand,, ( bit experimenal,, must do a thread about it) great fun, bit of an adventure
[img:640:480]http://freespace.virgin.net/josh.bowler ... 9small.jpg[/img]

[img:640:480]http://freespace.virgin.net/josh.bowler ... 9small.jpg[/img]

Post by **jed the spread** » 29 Jan 2008, 17:24

glad you liked it. the bogs are a bit swish arnt they. did you have a walk round the loch next to the site? its well nice

jed

Post by **Uncle Nick** » 29 Jan 2008, 18:23

I'll 2nd the lecky hookup and oil filled radiator idea, toasty warm all night and getting up in the morning not a problem!

Post by **ginge** » 29 Jan 2008, 18:40

give it a go have fun

Post by **amazingdave** » 29 Jan 2008, 20:48

Hiya,

Be very careful keeping warm with the hob. Carbon monoxide builds up very quickly in such a small space, so that snuggleing back under the duvet whilst the van warms up could give you a more permanent doze than you hoped for...

Like the others said, oil filled rads or convector heaters are great for over night and are cheap, and those little ceramic fan heaters are ace for in the morning for a quick boost.

Or best yet, spend 200quid on fleabay and get an eberspacher fitted, you wont look back.

Dave

Post by **winber55** » 30 Jan 2008, 10:35

[quote="joshb"]We went skiing in glenmore last week, stayed at top campsite ( thanks for tip Jed) with electric hook up we were toasty warm using a fan heater and a small oil filled radiator, we had a coleman blackcat heater as a backup too, and also I fitted a coleman hot water on demand,, ( bit experimenal,, must do a thread about it) great fun, bit of an adventure

I love those pics!! Where was the site? Would like to keep it in mind for future ref!
Like the oil filled rad idea, not thought of that. Anyone know where i can get one from and rough idea of how much?

Post by **syncroand101** » 30 Jan 2008, 11:29

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... DIATOR.htm

Try this!?

Post by **winber55** » 30 Jan 2008, 11:46

Thank you!!

Post by **joshb** » 30 Jan 2008, 12:21

my oil filled rad is a 500 watt one so can be used with my invertor all be it for a few hours at most, it was from B&Q less than a tenner i think, its smaal enough to fit under the r&r bed. the campsite is glenmore forest? i think,, Jed told me about it, its great,, the loos, showers and laundry put my house to shame.. its by a loch ( didnt have time to walk by it this time Jed) and right next to the mountains, cost us £12 per night for 2 with elec hook up,, apparantly £3 less if your a camping club member or something..
[img:640:480]http://freespace.virgin.net/josh.bowler ... 8small.jpg[/img]
view of the loch from the mountain side