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Best tent heater? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cbmontgo
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Please note: The Portable Buddy is Certified for Outdoor Use Only In Canada
Why not?
Mr. Heater doesn't have an open flame per sae. I keep it in the tent with two little kids and no problems. Have done so for three years.
I don't know, but if they were poisonous, I'd be dead 100x over...
I upgraded recently to the Big Buddy for our big family tent. I'll let you know how it goes following our trip to Arches NP this weekend.
For those still making up there minds... I've spent ~10 nights camping all over Utah in the last couple of months (winter), each time I've used the Mr Heater unit. Its absolutely been the saving grace, heat it up for ~10 minute prior to bed, climb in and leave it on for another 5 or so minutes. Kill it and fall asleep nice and warm. Wake up and turn it on several minutes before climbing out of bed. A real winner imo.
I mainly camp from late spring until September.
It can get cold at nights, and last summer I camped up at Mt. Rainier National Park with my new Maggiolina AirLand roof top tent.
I had full size flannels sheets and a twin winter weight down comforter, and I slept very well.
It got cold inside the tent at night, but I was super warm in only my undies under the above.
I have thought about the Mr. Buddy heater for colder nights, but I have a dual battery setup, and I think this pad would be the way to go for me.
I can run my ARB fridge for about five days and start up the rig no problem, and that is with the factory battery, not the dual setup.
I could run the heating pad off of the backup battery for a bit at night before going to sleep, then fire it up in the morning.
Will do some more research on it.
Also looking into getting a 60 watt solar unit to keep the stock or second battery topped off, so no worries about running either down using the heating pad.
Or I could get that gizmo also in your post and not worry about pulling down either of my batteries, although that would be one more thing to pack, and space is already tight.
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- #47
Kurt, after what you have said and some things I have read recently, I am going to buy a Mr. Heater and see how it does. Lowe's was sold out last weekend when I looked, but I found one on CL that I am going to buy if he still has it tomorrow. We've still got a couple of cold camping months here in Colorado where I could put it to good use.
I will think about the Mr Heater at least.
It would take up less room than a heating mat and that battery charger thing.
But in a roof top tent there is not much floor space to set one.
But I would only use it to heat the area up for a short bit before bed and in the morning.
I dropped off a 5 lb propane tank earlier today to gt a new valve in it and get recertified.
I pick it up tomorrow, and the shop had both sizes of the Mr Heater in there.
I will check them out.
Not sure what size I would need for the AirLand tent.
It would take up less room than a heating mat and that battery charger thing.
But in a roof top tent there is not much floor space to set one.
But I would only use it to heat the area up for a short bit before bed and in the morning.
I dropped off a 5 lb propane tank earlier today to gt a new valve in it and get recertified.
I pick it up tomorrow, and the shop had both sizes of the Mr Heater in there.
I will check them out.
Not sure what size I would need for the AirLand tent.
I think I am going to order one of those 12v pads in this size
Full, single control 54" x 60"
from 12v Truck and RV Mattress Heating Pads: CozyWinters
I did however pick up the Mr Heater Buddy unit yesterday.
I found it cheapest at the place where I dropped of my 5 lb tank to get recertified and fitted with a new valve.
Bought a case too from Cabelas for it.
I will be using the Mr Heater unit at home too for power outages.
I will give it a try in the roof top tent, but really, there is not much room to set one down to run for a short bit to heat the tent up.
Now here is what I really would like to get, to bad they quit making them.
Zodi.com tent heaters The safest tent heater EVER! over 40 camping comfort products
I did email Zodi today to see if they are going to offer them again in the future.
Full, single control 54" x 60"
from 12v Truck and RV Mattress Heating Pads: CozyWinters
I did however pick up the Mr Heater Buddy unit yesterday.
I found it cheapest at the place where I dropped of my 5 lb tank to get recertified and fitted with a new valve.
Bought a case too from Cabelas for it.
I will be using the Mr Heater unit at home too for power outages.
I will give it a try in the roof top tent, but really, there is not much room to set one down to run for a short bit to heat the tent up.
Now here is what I really would like to get, to bad they quit making them.
Zodi.com tent heaters The safest tent heater EVER! over 40 camping comfort products
I did email Zodi today to see if they are going to offer them again in the future.
Cory,
I like the Mr. Heater also, but in the RTT there just isn't room to run it and that is why I run the pad heater. I also like the Zodi set up so please let us know what they say.
I like the Mr. Heater also, but in the RTT there just isn't room to run it and that is why I run the pad heater. I also like the Zodi set up so please let us know what they say.
Will do Ken.
I just placed my order for a 54"x60" heating pad.
I will bring along the Mr Heater too, but I can use that mainly at home during power outages that can last for anywhere from one to two days here in the winter.
The pad I ordered is the same width as the medium Maggiolina AirLand mattress, and only about 1' short.
I will just pull it down to the feet end, and not worry about heating underneath the pillow area.
I just placed my order for a 54"x60" heating pad.
I will bring along the Mr Heater too, but I can use that mainly at home during power outages that can last for anywhere from one to two days here in the winter.
The pad I ordered is the same width as the medium Maggiolina AirLand mattress, and only about 1' short.
I will just pull it down to the feet end, and not worry about heating underneath the pillow area.
Good news, just received an answer from Zodi:
Even though I just ordered the heating mattress pad, I still want one of these future Zodi heaters.
I think a combo of the heating pad and the Zodi would make for some great winter colder weather camping.
The Mr Heater Buddy unit I just got is better suited for a big ground tent, or a roof top tent with more room.
As soon as I hear from info, I will post it.
Even though I just ordered the heating mattress pad, I still want one of these future Zodi heaters.
I think a combo of the heating pad and the Zodi would make for some great winter colder weather camping.
The Mr Heater Buddy unit I just got is better suited for a big ground tent, or a roof top tent with more room.
FYI, I returned last night from a weekend desert adventure with the family (and the new Big Buddy heater). Here are my thoughts:
- I bought the Big Buddy this year because we upgraded tents to a 150 sq.ft. Columbia Cougar Flats II tent, and the regular Buddy Heater was insufficient with small children last year (3 & <1).
- With temps below freezing this weekend, I put the Big Buddy in the kids "room" with the doors partially opened to our "room", and partially covered the mesh ceiling as the rainfly does not sit flush against the temt and thus creates massive heat loss.
- The kids were fine. My daughter (17mo) sleeps in a Pack'n'play w/o blankets. My son (3.5) sleeps on a air mattress with a box mummy sleeping bag, which he didn't even really use. My guess was the temp in their room was ~75F with the heater on HIGH and the fan aside on all night.
- We were a little chilly in our "room". We are moving out of our old mummy bags and into Cabelas Adam & Eve bags next time. We will also bring the regular Buddy heater along with a 1lb tank to run on low as a boost for our "room" if necessary.
- All in all Mr. Heater products came through again. If the kids are cold, they are not happy, mom is miserable, and yup, I am too. So if I keep the kids comfy, mom's happy, and we have a great trip and start planning the next one!
Sounds like the Mr Heaters worked out great for you.
I really did not think it would be teh best item for my roof top tent, even if using only for a few minutes before and after sleeping.
Just not enough room really.
Gosh, 75 degrees, I would not be inside the bag either.
I bet your kids slept very well since they were not chilled.
I really did not think it would be teh best item for my roof top tent, even if using only for a few minutes before and after sleeping.
Just not enough room really.
Gosh, 75 degrees, I would not be inside the bag either.
I bet your kids slept very well since they were not chilled.
Corey,
Thanks for the Zodi update and keeping us posted. I think I'll get teh Zodi as well when it comes out.
Thanks for the Zodi update and keeping us posted. I think I'll get teh Zodi as well when it comes out.
You are welcome.
I ordered a 54x60 pad the other day, they just called and said that size is no longer available.
They also took it off their site.
I am getting a 42x60 instead.
It will not cover the full width of the AirLand tent, but it will be good enough.
I ordered a 54x60 pad the other day, they just called and said that size is no longer available.
They also took it off their site.
I am getting a 42x60 instead.
It will not cover the full width of the AirLand tent, but it will be good enough.
Bodean
Hot Damn
I was one of the ones with wct49 at Katemcy last year and 3 of us used the Big buddy heaters with the DC blowers on them and they all had problems. Don't get me wrong, they work but just didn't want to stay lit on anything other than low. We called Mr Heater and they told us that it was too cold??? You know what I said next... "it's a damn heater"!!! They said that the propane bottles froze. We have had the same problem at our deer camp with a big bottle that is outside. We have also burned the Mr heater all night in the tent with no problems but it was a dome tent that was well ventilated. You will have to set it on something pretty stable. It will go out easily if moved around (safety).
Later,
Later,
Here is an update on the heating pad as well.
Cozy Winters called me the other day to inform me the 54x60 (perfect for the medium AirLand tent) is no longer offered.
The 60x60 is now gone too.
The maker of these
ElectroWarmth® Bedwarmers - 12 VOLT ELECTROWARMTH® BUNK WARMERS
who is the reseller to Cozy Winters, is phasing out the 30x60 ones also.
They are only going to have two models, the 42x60 like I am getting now to test out, and a 36x60.
If one needs a larger size like the 54x60 or a 60x60, you will have to look elsewhere.
I will have to do some research as to other makes out there too, as there are some that have the built in auto shut off timer so you can go to sleep with it on, and it shuts off after awhile.
So mine might be up for sale later on, maybe even before my first camping trip if I find another one out there better suited to the size of the AirLand mattress.
Cozy Winters called me the other day to inform me the 54x60 (perfect for the medium AirLand tent) is no longer offered.
The 60x60 is now gone too.
The maker of these
ElectroWarmth® Bedwarmers - 12 VOLT ELECTROWARMTH® BUNK WARMERS
who is the reseller to Cozy Winters, is phasing out the 30x60 ones also.
They are only going to have two models, the 42x60 like I am getting now to test out, and a 36x60.
If one needs a larger size like the 54x60 or a 60x60, you will have to look elsewhere.
I will have to do some research as to other makes out there too, as there are some that have the built in auto shut off timer so you can go to sleep with it on, and it shuts off after awhile.
So mine might be up for sale later on, maybe even before my first camping trip if I find another one out there better suited to the size of the AirLand mattress.
sandcruiser
....back in the saddle again....
It certainly won't compare to a Mr. Heater, but 2 things that do help keep things warmer...
1) some simple candle lanterns from REI. In a smaller tent or RTT burning 2 candles can actually raise the temp by several degrees vs. outside.
There is some danger from an open flame, and the top of the lantern gets hot enough that it could melt plastic, maybe. It can certainly burn a finger, I've done that.
2) good old hot water bottle. Just make sure it doesn't leak. That makes for an uncomfortable night. But seriously- a gallon of near-boiling water in your sleeping bag will warm it right up before you get in.
Then again, there is always Mr. Tequila. He'll make you *think* you are warm, but doesn't actually help much.
1) some simple candle lanterns from REI. In a smaller tent or RTT burning 2 candles can actually raise the temp by several degrees vs. outside.
There is some danger from an open flame, and the top of the lantern gets hot enough that it could melt plastic, maybe. It can certainly burn a finger, I've done that.
2) good old hot water bottle. Just make sure it doesn't leak. That makes for an uncomfortable night. But seriously- a gallon of near-boiling water in your sleeping bag will warm it right up before you get in.
Then again, there is always Mr. Tequila. He'll make you *think* you are warm, but doesn't actually help much.
