IMHO, a fan heater would be the quickest way to heat up a large space.
No more than 2kW, 2 heat settings, a fan-only function (it helps on hot days), thermostatically controlled, safety cut out and trip protection as in turns itself off when tripped over.
This is mine and lasted the longest (the cheaper ones did not last as long as this one), and is used in my shed nowadays set at 10 degC:
It does not have trip protection and I put it on a small camping table in one corner of the bedroom pod away from the dog's bed.
The light cannot be turned off, and I got used to it ticking over through the colder nights when I was tenting.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
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* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by AirTentNewbie on 23/4/2023
Thanks dk168. Loving the LED lighting on that. At least i suppose the red LED lighting would be good to warn little ones that its warm.
Thank you for the kind suggestion.
You are welcome and good luck with finding a suitable fan heater.
I forgot to mention that an oscillation function is useful too.
Fan heaters will not be as quiet as electric oil-filled heaters, however, IMHO, they are more compact in size, less heavy and easier to transport.
Also, one need to make sure only one appliance with a large heating element is on at a time to avoid tripping the EHU, the usual suspects are a kettle, fan heater and a cooking appliance like an induction hob etc...
I had tripped the EHU once by switching on the kettle when the heater was one, DOH!
Lastly, check the site's EHU supply - for tent pitches 10A is normal, however, there are some older sites with only 6A supply and ban the use of heaters.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Oil filled radiator was our choice (in an elderly Motorhome without heating) because I’m a light sleeper & the fan heater was too noisy. Plus our dog was spooked by being blown by the warm air. It kept the temperature tepid when it was hard frost & snow outside, but won’t heat in a tent just escape through the fabric?
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 24/4/2023
Oil filled radiator was our choice (in an elderly Motorhome without heating) because I’m a light sleeper & the fan heater was too noisy. Plus our dog was spooked by being blown by the warm air. It kept the temperature tepid when it was hard frost & snow outside, but won’t heat in a tent just escape through the fabric?
It depends on the tent.
My 2 cotton canvas Dutch pyramids had ZIG and SIG respectively, and they were very cosy in the winter compared with the previous poly/nylon tents without ZIG/SIG.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Ok, our snow camping was in a polycotton Lichfield ridge tent & a cotton canvas Cabanon Pyramide, but both before EHUs for tents (or the modern mats for sleeping on). We put a tarp over the Lichfield to add another layer, like triple glazing.
Just shows though, how EHU has changed tent camping beyond recognition. I’d happily go back to it now if it wasn’t for the time it takes to set up & de-rig, compared to the MH.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 24/4/2023
Ok, our snow camping was in a polycotton Lichfield ridge tent & a cotton canvas Cabanon Pyramide, but both before EHUs for tents (or the modern mats for sleeping on). We put a tarp over the Lichfield to add another layer, like triple glazing.
Just shows though, how EHU has changed tent camping beyond recognition. I’d happily go back to it now if it wasn’t for the time it takes to set up & de-rig, compared to the MH.
I switched unit to a PVC as it took too much time and efforts to put up and pack away a 4-berth cotton canvas tent on my own. Besides, my last tent, the ESVO Bedouin 320 has a SIG and I struggled to find space to dry it if it was damp, inside the house or in the shed, hence I stopped cold weather camping.
Happy memories of those cold weather trips though.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Heaters for family size tent
via mobile 23/4/2023 at 8:56pm
