Heaters...Thoughts.....Advice?

**austastar** · 28th July 2017, 11:11 AM

Hi,
A diesel heater mounted in a frame to make it portable is an option available.
No combustion air/exhaust in the tent either.
DIY or off - the - shelf.
Cheers

**lyonsy** · 28th July 2017, 04:24 PM

thanks for that so diesel heaters are the go then
will have to loook them up

**Don 130** · 28th July 2017, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by incisor

best "safe" way i have found is a few 5" or 6" dia rocks that you heat in the fire, extract and then wrap in a hessian bag and towel to warm a tent. they do a surprisingly good job of keeping the chill away but dont get the rocks red hot or hessian becomes fireball :P

And make sure they're not sedimentary rocks or they'll explode on heating. You need igneous rocks ( volcanic in origin)
Don.

**Homestar** · 28th July 2017, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by lyonsy

thanks for that so diesel heaters are the go then
will have to loook them up

They work fine until the diesel freezes on freezing cold nights.

Phil (with the 101) and Liz had this issue at Winter Wombat a few years back - they retired to their van with the heater cranking as it was so cold. In the morning they said it packed it in around midnight and on investigation they found the diesel in the tank like soup.

Has to be bloody cold for that to happen, but that's when you need it most - if you head into the coldest parts during the winter, find some Alpine Diesel to use.

**austastar** · 28th July 2017, 07:28 PM

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

**Ranga** · 28th July 2017, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

What brand/model Dave?

**Homestar** · 29th July 2017, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
Normal diesel has done ok in ours at -10 degrees. The tank is 20L, stainless steel, and in a ventilated locker.
Heater and pump are all inside the luggage storage.
Cheers

Sounds like your tank is in a different spot - theirs was hanging down under the van I believe. It was -7 the night it stopped. We only had 2 Pugs to keep us warm in the back of the 101.

**trout1105** · 29th July 2017, 07:31 AM

camping in the cold Sucks.
The best thing to do to keep the tent warm is to drive further North

**Don 130** · 29th July 2017, 08:37 PM

This mob from Tassie supply diesel heaters. I've spoken to the bloke, he says the Chinese units they sell, are more reliable than webasto that they used to sell.
If you want to get one direct, they are available here

Don.

DiscoMick · 10th September 2017, 07:08 PM

I don't think anyone has mentioned silk liners for sleeping bags but I can say from experience they are awesome. In fact, I have been too hot with the liner in the sleeping bag and have stripped off clothes, although the air temperature was minus.
It's also important to reduce heat loss from the head, either with a beanie or by pulling the sleeping bag flap or a blanket over the top.
If in a tent use a stretcher to get off the cold ground - it makes a big difference. I have slept on a stretcher outside under an awning in a sleeping bag with liner and been warm despite a cold wind, so it can be done.
Hot water bottles are also good for an initial warm, but the bedding has to hold the heat.

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