How to heat a tent?

[MomofSixinSC]

We have reservations to camp at FW Nov. 7-11. I am hoping for warmer weather, but starting to get concerned about cold nights. We tent camped in Cherokee once in Oct. and it was in the 40's overnight. I was miserable. Not what I want for my WDW vacation. Money is a big issue (budget for trip is $300 + gas for 8 people), so changing to a cabin is not an option.

Any great ideas on how to keep a tent warm?

 

[ElementCamper]

Ceramic Heater and a heavy duty ext cord, 12 or 14 gauge. You'll be toasty warm!

 

[sshudson99]

I would get a ceremic heater and buy a bedwarmer - it is like a heated blanket but you sleep on it, very warm

 

[mnsprk]

You may also want to get one of the nylon tarps to throw on top of the tent.

 

[maxiesmom]

You may also want to get one of the nylon tarps to throw on top of the tent.

But don't block all of the netting up. You want a little room for air to circulate. I also vote for the small ceramic heater. I put mine on a little stool, and then put a fan on low to move the warm air around a bit. Very nice and cozy warm.

 

[campingdawgs]

Don't use an air mattress when it is very cold. We made this mistake the first time we camped with cub scouts. It was 25 degrees and we just couldn't get warm no matter how many clothes or blankets we put on. The air under us was like ice. But my son got a polar bear camping patch!

 

[rescue15]

Don't forget a waterproof tarp under the tent. Also use extra blankets under you when you sleep. The rule of thumb is 2 below for every 1 above. If you are using an air mattress, you need something like closed cell foam below to insulate you from the ground. But in November, I can't believe it would get that cold in Orlando to need to go to too many extremes.

Steve

 

[caveat lector]

I think it was Bear Gryllis (sp?) on "Man V. Wild" who warned that you lose a huge amount of body heat if in contact with the cold ground. So, I would agree with sleeping on the polar mat.

 

[clkelley]

I use an air mattress, but I use an electric mattress pad and an electric blanket.

 

[5stljayhawks]

1 can of baked bean per person and a lighter

 

[Lil' Lisa]

1 can of baked bean per person and a lighter

Just make sure that you have a flame retardant tent.

 

[mamaloya]

Just make sure that you have a flame retardant tent.

Speaking of which, our Coleman dome tent actually has a warning label near the door that states "no campfires inside tent". I would hope that would be common sense. I'll have to take a pic and post it.

 

[awmiii]

A bottle of Yukon Jack and a loved one.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Speaking of which, our Coleman dome tent actually has a warning label near the door that states "no campfires inside tent". I would hope that would be common sense. I'll have to take a pic and post it.

That only makes sense to those with common sense. If they didn't put the warning on there, you know that somebody would try it!

 

[SandrA9810]

I don't think it will be anywhere near 40 in November. I've camped several times for Halloween and never had freezing nights. It usually doesn't start freezing till Jan/Feb.

I always use a thick foam mattress topper to use as the base of my bed. And it works real well to keep my warm. Foam is good for trapping heat.

 

[Shasta]

I use a ceramic heater but have a huge tip to share! An air mattress will fight to decide what temperature the air inside will be between the cold temp from the ground and the warm temps radiated from body warmth. If it's cold out, the ground will win and the interior temp of that mattress will be cold. Even if you lay blankets on it and stay warm, that air is cold and it radiated to your tent and can go through your blanket shortly after laying still. This isn't as good as making that air warm.

Put a small heating pad UNDER the air mattress on a towel and your body heat will win. You won't need extra blankets and your tent will be warmer too. A good ground cloth/tarp also helps.

 

[5stljayhawks]

If you are thinking about a heater, I picked up a really nice one at walmart on a deep discount a few weeks back for my camper. It was the osolating(sp) honeywell. Normally 45 or 50 and got for $25. It also has the ability to set the temp and it will turn on and off. BTW it really cranks the heat

 

[agame2323]

Try this

http://www.gettingoutside.com/basics

 

[MomofSixinSC]

If you are thinking about a heater, I picked up a really nice one at walmart on a deep discount a few weeks back for my camper. It was the osolating(sp) honeywell. Normally 45 or 50 and got for $25. It also has the ability to set the temp and it will turn on and off. BTW it really cranks the heat

Thank you! I will check for that tomorrow!

 

[NJRRK]

Since you're on such a tight budget my suggestion won't work - but for anyone reading this with more money to burn (pun intended) set the tent on fire and buy a fifth wheel. you can stay nice and warm in that.

Sorry but my idea of roughing it is Black and white TV.

Seriously folks, I agree with the pp that it shouldn't get that cold, even at night, at FW until late December at the earliest.