Staying warm in a tent?

[tiggerdad]

When I was a young'n, ever time it got colder we would just throw another dog on the bed.
Course that's not as possible when yer camping.
Not being as young as I usta was, if I were gonna tent camp at the Fort, I would buy a electric blanket to put the sleeping bags on and crank that puppy up about a hour before I was ready to hit the hay.
May be wrong but I think that'd keep ya warm.

Funny, when I was a kid you had the dogs and the cats in bed for heat. Usually the dogs took the foot, and the cats were up around the head. If they met in the night, well..., everybody knew about it.
In regards to more modern and less hair shedding sources of heat, I would suggest the heating blanket on top of the air mattress. Air mattresses can get quite cold. I would also use the electric heater. First thing in the morning will be the toughest, getting out of warm bed, but heater should keep you good to go.

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[N365PA]

As one who tents up here in da great white northland, get up off the ground. I use a little 1 inch thick, blow up mattress. Just that little bit will do wonders. Also, get a good sleeping bag. You should never have to wear sweats to sleep in a good sleeping bag. Bring on the cold!

Clint
(Sadly its 45 degrees at the moment, old man winter is playing a cruel trick on us Alaskans letting us think its gonna be a warm one)

 

[PixieCamper]

We always keep an electric blanket in our camper, it gets the bed nice and warm and keeps me (the always cold one) warm without roasting everyone else

 

[bama_ed]

All the sites at the Fort have electricity so I would recommend an electric blanket as PixieCamper says too.

We did this back in March on a trip to New Orleans in our popup. There was a late cold snap and we were lucky to find two electric blankets on sale at WalMart nearby. Those blankets are now on a shelf ready to go when/if needed.

The weather in January is the coldest the Fort gets usually and can be unpredictable at times (I did the Marathon weekend for a couple years) but when it's cold, crisp, and beautiful sun shine weather it's hard to beat.

Bama Ed

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Mrs Conan does not like to be cold, so, we just get a couple of electric heaters, lots of blankets and a big air mattress.

The most important thing is to have something between the ground and you. The ground will suck the heat right out of you.

 

[Bearikens]

keeping warm while tent camping (for us) involves sleeping bags. Our sleeping bags can zip together forming a bag large enough for two. We take and wear long sleeve and pant leg pajamas and socks to bed. We also take an electric blanket and use a small ceramic electric heater. We use sleeping pads instead of a air mattress (air mattresses seem to lose air during the night and transfer cold from the ground). If the night is especially cold, we have worn our light hoodies with the hood up in the camp bed to help keep our heads warm.

If the night is especially cold we sleep on top of the sleeping bags and use the electric blanket to cover ourselves. Wearing the jammies and socks helps to keep you warmer and is especially nice if you need to get up during the night. The clothes in the suitcase will be cold, so be ready for that shock when you dress in the morning.

 

[cjbcam]

Put what you are going to wear the next day in bed with you it keeps them warm and its not quite the shock to put them on.

 

[jmrothermel]

This thread just sounds so barbaric lol. I'm not quite sure I could tent camp! I love having the modern conveniences (heat! LOL) in the motorhome.

 

[Totallytrue]

Put what you are going to wear the next day in bed with you it keeps them warm and its not quite the shock to put them on.

That's absolutely brilliant! Thank you!

 

[JanL]

My sleepwear for the colder months is a sweat suit. If I have to make a bath house run, I'm already dressed and warm. I am also ready when I get up and start the coffee and bacon in the morning. A soft, snuggly hat and thick sock complete the outfit.

 

[dansamy]

Inspired by another thread, beans & broccoli for dinner?

 

[tiggerdad]

Inspired by another thread, beans & broccoli for dinner?

No No! That's not for staying warm in a tent...that's for staying alone in a tent.
Probably with watery eyes...

 

[dansamy]

No No! That's not for staying warm in a tent...that's for staying alone in a tent.
Probably with watery eyes...

Yeah, but you'd be warm. Making your own hot air...

 

[elaine amj]

Keep in mind if you are on an air mattress that the air in the mattress will end up about the same temperature as the air around you. So put some insulation between yourself an the air mattress. Sleeping bags are not usually enough - a lightweight foam pad typically does the trick. Sleeping bags rated to the temperature you are sleeping in will help as well.

DH and I use a foam mattress topper and a regular comforter when we tent camp. It's warm and comfy - helps that there are two of us sharing body heat . Only drawback - takes up a LOT of space. So far it's been worth it I hate air mattresses.

I like the tip of bringing tomorrow's clothes into your sleeping bags with you. Also, how about those little handwarmers? We haven't done it yet but they are cheap and tiny and I can see that little kernel of warmth helping.

Have fun

 

[chartle]

Yeah, but you'd be warm. Making your own hot air...

only if you burn it as fuel.

 

[tiggerdad]

only if you burn it as fuel.

To quote Clarke W. Griswald from Christmas Vacation: "No! Don't light that!"

 

[chartle]

Keep in mind if you are on an air mattress that the air in the mattress will end up about the same temperature as the air around you. So put some insulation between yourself an the air mattress.

This ^. Heat rises but it also migrates toward the cold.

We camped once when it was not that cold but damp and no matter how many blankets we piled on ourselves we were chilled to the bone. We just had a sheet between us and the air mattress.