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Veteran
Posts: 254
 
Location: Dickinson, TX | I have an unfinished Silver Star trailer with extended tack and AC/Heat that doesn't work because I can't run a generator at night at the endurance horse races in which I participate. I know some people run propane heaters and manage NOT to die. I am not sure I want to take that chance. How can I keep this trailer warm at night? No insulation, and I don't intend to do anything about that until I have full LQ added in a couple years. Is there a safe way to run a little Coleman propane heater in these trailers? I have 2 side windows up by the bed, but no top vent in the ceiling since the AC is up there now. Any other ideas? Any luck with zipping a couple Coleman x-large sleeping bags together? Thank you, Mike |
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Expert
Posts: 2957
 
Location: North Carolina | I'm leery of the propane heater too. I have used a Mr. Heater "Buddy" heater with a window open AND a battery powered Carbon Monoxide alarm. It has a digital display of the CO level too. |
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Member
Posts: 30
| Set a small fire in the corner of the dressing room. Works like a charm. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | I've used the Heater Buddy also. But not while I sleep. Turn it on before going to bed and again when I get up. Then use a good sleeping bag. I've spent many a night elk hunting at 15-20* and been very comfortable. I just hate getting out of the bag in the morning to turn on the heater and get dressed. I suggest one of the 1st parts of the LQ conversion you do, is to install the furnace. A battery or two, Gas line and propane tank and the furnace itself. Should be an easy saturday project. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO | I'd insilate the h*ll out of it first. Use foil back stuff that reflect inwards. Then, you can heat it with a light bulb and take the chill off pretty well. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402
Location: Lockport, Illinois | http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihotvent.html |
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Veteran
Posts: 254
Location: Dickinson, TX | Hmmm... very cool! Thank you, and everyone else, for your ideas. The reflective insulation and the "hot vent" ideas will work very well together. I think the American Endurance Ride Conference might have a rule against burning horse trailers at rides... will have to check on that. Mike |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: Decatur, Texas | Hey Mike, Don't know if the AERC has rules against burning trailers, but I do know all of the ride managers have rules prohibiting it as well as running generators after 10:00 PM. Foxfire, Heart of Texas, and Bell Cow Boogie in Oklahoma were the only endurance rides we ever attended that had electricity available. I hope you can get your trailer finished out in the not so distant future. |
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Veteran
Posts: 254
Location: Dickinson, TX | Thank you. I'm checking around for the correct type of insulation, how to adhere it to walls, etc. Wonder why our ride manager never had the fellow running his genset shut it down... |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx | Last ride I went to, the wonderfully wet Armadillo ride (was a great ride by the way) it did get chilly. On checking the thermometer in my trailer Saturday morning it was 55ยบ and I think they said it actually got down to mid 30's that night. I have never run a heater at night in the trailer, as it stays pretty warm but I would be leary of the portable heaters as well. I don't kow if your going to do the LQ's yourself or what but to insulate wouldn't take but a weekend to finish and it WILL make a big difference in the morning. I used the foam type insulation and as far as adhering it to the walls, I just cut it to the size inbetween the frame and squeezed it in, then sealed it off with 2" aluminum tape. Are you going to the Road Warrior ride?
Edited by maccwall 2006-11-06 12:05 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: Indianapolis, IN | Few things. I used the coleman tent heater once.. and I am still alive. I did turn it off for a while before bed, but could not handle because it was so cold and turned it back on. Can you use regular electricity at these places, not just generator? What about a battery pulling normal power... for a heating blanket to keep you snug and warm. Down comforter on top can help trap in the warmth. There is nothing worse than wearing more clothes to keep you warm so you can't move... I prefer to be warm when I sleep... so I insulate also even with heat. GOOD LUCK! |
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Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Oregon | I have an LQ now so I'm nice and snuggly, however before the LQ I did the following to keep warm. If you are using the gooseneck to sleep in, buy a mattress pad from someplace like Wal-mart (I purchase the one that is cut in squares instead of the egg crate one, much cheaper!) - put it on top of your mattress, but under the sleeping gear. I found the added layer kept the cold air from "seeping" through. I'm not sure why it made such a difference, but it sure felt like I was at least 10 degree warmer. I also found that sleeping with a sock cap, or in a mummy bag made a big difference. You loose a lot of "heat" from your head area. Best of luck to youColleen |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri | Sorry about that first post... I used a buddy heater in my steel 2h gn. It worked well. It just about would run you out on low. I kept a window cracked and never had any affects from it. I ran a 20ft hose from the heater to a propane tank I sat out side of the trailer.Never a problem and felt safe with it. If it was real cold out it would build up condensation on the interior roof. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Danielsville Georgia | I used R/MAX insulation bought at Home Depot or Lowes on our steel trailer with 6 foot short wall dressing room.It had vinal on one side and what looked like alumn foil on the other.Its used on homes before vinal siding is installed.I glued it on with a Tough As Nails product in a caulk gun.On front of nose it can be scored and snapped to fit around the curve.I glued the vinal side down.Then bought a on sale carpet with RUBBER backing and used a spay glue so it could be moved around for good fit.Did walls,roof,gooseneck floor area etc.with a straight edge,razor knife,ruler it took wife and I two complete weekends to do.In 30 degree weather or less in the morning could take a small propane heater sitting on a upside down water bucket and have it in high 50s to mid 60s in 10 minutes or so.A cheap mattress,good covers,warm it up good and then turn in.Manage to stay snug until morning and then warm it up again.Its been installed since 1995 and other a couple of minor puckered areas that had to be reglued. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 671
Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY) | Before my LQ I slept in a regular goose neck with dressing room,small,insulated it with some silver insulation for automobils.Glued it on wit spray adhesive.I also put some inexpensive windshield covers on the windows and it made it warmer. I ran my coleman propane lantern in there before going to bed and it warmed it up from 20 degrees to 50 degrees,don't sound like much till you step outside and then come back!! Yes on the stocking cap! that works great too. |
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It Is COLD!!!
