Camper Van Life Off the Grid: Part 1, Winter Camping

[@jonfarrow9862]

As far as your question about running a gasoline engine at idle for hours on end. It can be done. But as an EMS director one of the considerations in buying an ambulance is if it will be in station between calls or if it will idle at a post most of time. If it'll be in station a cheaper gasoline engine can work out as a cheaper investment. If it will sit and idle you pretty much have to go diesel. It's purely anecdotal but I've seen diesel ambulances that idle 12-16 hours a day that have a couple hundred thousand miles and thousands of engine hours and still run great with proper maintenance. I've seen gasoline powered ambulances that have major mechanical failure within a year or two from idling stress. For a while there was even a trend of making gasoline ambulances that had a separate heavy duty generator on board. They could go to their post, fire up the generator, and then kill the engine. It kept all the electronics charged and ran the box AC but didn't put hours on the engine.

[@jonfarrow9862]

Also: I just realized this video is 3 years old, but maybe it's something to consider for people looking at van/RV builds.

[@MrManhound]

A lovely dog,give her/him lots of love.and hugs.

[@moriah1394]

Two dog night is a phrase referring to a night so cold it requires two dogs. Laughed when she headed for your blanket...amazing they know right where to go and you sounded like me when I set boundaries with my two. Thanks for the heater specifics!

[@1960HikerDude]

Here's a favorite trick I've used winter backpacking. Fill a Nalgene bottle with boiling water. Drop it into a thick wool sock. Sleep with the water bottle between your thighs. The hot water will warm the blood in your femoral artery which is then carried through the rest your body. I used to sleep comfortably in a hammock on a -5 Deg F. night. Another bonus is you'll have unfrozen water to make your coffee in the morning.

[@mrjohnklake]

Ron, I found your channel and love the material but your comment about diesel engines not using much fuel was a bit misleading. I am a trucker and just wanted to clear up this one little piece. The standard 18 wheeler holds 200 gallons of diesel fuel of which about 190 gallons are usable. Many trucks do idle all night long but the engines use about one gallon per hour which is why now you are seeing so many trucks with auxiliary power units (APUs) which run the vitals and electrical system when the truck isn't rolling down the road or idling. Assuming that the truck sits for 10 hours, that means 10 gallons gets used up idling which adds up considering the price of diesel fuel. I just wanted to clear this point up. Keep up the great work posting your videos!

[@tannertoys]

Thank you for this helpful info., John!

[@songsIlike8]

I have a sprinter and I do not get much heat when I idle the engine. Not until I run it to operating temperature that I get nice heat from the engine. Also idling diesel engine is not the best for emission. The only reason I see doing that is to get the line from tank to fuel pump flowing not gelling. I do have webasto aux heater and water transfer webasto engine heater.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

I have a Prius I set the temp and go to sleep if it is AC or HEAT no matter the engine will toggle on and off and it will burn fuel and cause my MPG to go down but way cheaper than paying for a camp or hotel. Gas engines can run all night but your best bet is to warm your car and get a 12 volt electric blanket. Sleep in a sleeping bag with the blanket the blanket will shut off in an hour. If you have an inverter the best use for that inverter is a electric blanket and a matress topper. I rather see you use them vs a tiny 200 watt heater? An electric blanket will consume 80 watts max and the heating pad 40-50 watts.

[@paintur68]

Awesome video.....awesome van....awesome dog...awesome guy. Thanks for posting.

Running a diesel engine is a good way to heat in an emergency but it wears your engine. I would use an electric heater or an electric blanket. Of course heating pads under the tanks are mandatory. Thanks and have fun!

[@dangrewell680]

love it and love the Rehoboth, Delaware shirt!!

[@markgreen5200]

I love the vids please keep them coming love the idea of running the engine, I have a la strada sprinter same size as yours. Thanks again

[@isit1984yet]

oh...also, dickinson heaters (made in Canada) are awesome. Quality built, pricey but will keep you warm with a wide variety of models and fuel choices.

[@stalbertjocelyn]

get yourself a espar hydronic system, it is mounted outside on the frame of the van, it burns diesel or gas, will keep your engine warm, supply your hot water and heat the cabin. they burn .27 Lh or 0.07 GH, and 1.9 amp at 12 volts for the pump plus what ever your blower motor uses. If you are crafty you can run pex on the floor and walls of your van for heat transfer, no blower motor needed and it all runs on a timer plus thermostat. you can find them at any truck center. They have the same model in a forced air but I would prefer the hydronic for hot water and block heater use. hope this can help for your next winter.

[@frankgochnour5783]

great videos like your van build. and started to watch your other videos. thanks for posting them for others to see and learn.

[@AlexFoster1454]

I love your set up! Just wonderful

[@Nvy_Livius]

Thx for the tips friend, I to will be joining the many making van dwelling/Expediting videos in the near future, so be on the lookout for my newby experiences as I trial and error myself along the way. Keep the education flowing friends.

[@linexustjk6061]

The dog is soo adorable.

[@jimbronaugh]

If you only want to sleep warm and are not trying to warm the whole vehicle, then buy a 75 watt heating pad and place it underneath your blanket under your feet. Set it on low and you will be warm all night. Reduce the area you are trying to heat and you could simply put salt in a bottle, heat it in boiling water for ten minutes and the salt will store enough heat to last you all night. Heat several an put them under the blankets around your body. Salt stores heat but there are no liquids inside the bottles so it is safe and risk free. I use rubbing alcohol bottles. The plastic from which they are made will withstand up to three hundred degrees. Boiling water is only 212F so it will not melt the bottles. Make sure the lids are on tight and just let them swim in the water for a quarter hour. Bags of softener salt are about six bucks at the market and you can fill up three dozen bottles from a twenty pound bag.

[@clawhammer704]

Get a winter sleeping bag, cover ur head and feet get in. Also get a remote starter for ur van so as to stay in the bag until the van warms up...

[@kevindawe9910]

Not your first rodeo! My winter bag is good for -45 and has tied in replaceable liners. Remote starter is on wish list. Windows slightly open to reduce frost buildup.

[@thecrazymanfromireland]

Great videos well done

[@liannehoenderboom1018]

ow, and here are 2 Dutch tips for staying warm on hikes and that sort of thing (one was often done in the "Elf Steden Tocht" wich is a big trip to and through 11 city's on ice skates on ice traditionally done in a province in Holland called Friesland, and the other I have used myself when working as stable hand and instructor at the local horseback riding club) the first one is the Ice skating one and it is to stuff your clothes with scrunched up newspapers, might seem a little out dated in the age of computer, but here's why it works: simple fysics, the scrunched up news papers combined with the air trapped in and between them will form a little isolating barrier keeping the warmth your body generates from escaping to far and the cold from getting in... the second one is the horseback riding one and was often done because, well, let's just say it's tough to keep your toes warm in those thin rubber boots; put on layers of socks combined with layers of those thin little plastic bags you might for instance store sandwiches in to take to work or school (plastic dog poo bags work as well, though I would advise using clean ones, otherwise, if you did not have stinky feet before...), so that would be an order of; sock (to stop from sweating to much, otherwise the plastic bag would get sticky and uncomfortable), then one of the plastic bags, another sock, and a last bag and then put on your shoes over that (you can play with the amount of layers depending on the level of cold) again the bags and socks and air in and between them form an isolating layer keeping your warmth in and Jack Frost's cold out... these are just little things, but these, or modified versions might just do the trick...

[@georgecraft007]

Saw dust toilets don't require any water and are an alternative option. They are also easier to dispose of the waste. The $200 Chinese diesel air heaters are a good option for cabin heat as they can operate for 10 hours per litre of fuel.

[@reohtz4878]

I am totally in love with Cleo!

[@WizzRacing]

They make propane heater with thermostats. You idle a gas engine for 8 hrs your o2 sensors will fail pretty quick and the cats will get clogged over time. Best to use a propane heater with tip over shut off and detector. The alarm will sound way before you pass out.

[@pteppig]

When i go van camping or work outside in winter, i just put on a heating vest. modern infrared heaters only consume 35W on full power, which creates a lot of heat. i built a ir heat vest for ice diving (in a drysuit, of course, im not crazy) which is powered by a ni-mh battery pack when outside, and plug it in the secondary battery (which runs the leds, fridge etc.) when inside the van. it mostly runs on 20-50%, even the small battery pack lasts hours

[@TheRamblinCamperVan]

Great Vid Ron! Keep up the good work!

[@level4919]

Eberspacher or webasto is the way to go. Cheaper than running the engine all night. They also have thermostat.

[@johnycash8291]

Most trucks have small diesel powered Heater/ AC/ Generator pack that starts when you shut off engine. That unit uses about 1-2 gallon of fuel a day. That is not bad for A/C and all the power you need. You can get one from 18 wheeler junk yard for about $500. It is like a small ice chest. Some has auto start and shut itself off when it reaches to desired temp. Next time you see a Truck, take a look at the space between cap and rear tires. They call it cat walk. It is attached to cat walk like a tool box.

[@tannertoys]

Great advice, Johny!

[@susieQcumber]

I was told a candle will keep the cab of a truck above freezing. I also saw where a can of Crisco shortening will burn for a month with a paper wick. Just take a strip of copy paper and twist it, stick it down in the Crisco and it's supposed to burn for over a 30 days. A couple or three of these might keep the van warm. And a can of Crisco is only about $5.00. I assume since we cook with vegetable oil it doesn't emit any carbon monoxide. Just be careful not to place them anywhere they can be knocked over or brush up against something and ignite it. Just a thought.

[@tannertoys]

Interesting--thanks!

[@susieQcumber]

Rats!

[@earthbrown8]

Diesel engines can be hard to start when its extremely cold outside. Probably best you not shut it off in that case anyway. Its good feeling when one trusts and relies that their vehicle will start up when they turn it off. Ive seen people who knew they were having engine trouble and turned em off and then couldn't get them started. Best thing in that case is do not turn it off until you get where you are going to.

[@yoy58913]

I love what I see here so I am subscribing liking your dog Cleo it's a beautiful dog

[@cmillar849]

Thanks man.... Good stuff.... Keep safe.

[@VideoMenu]

Fantastic small space heater tip! :D

[@ourvandiaries773]

Fantastic vid, really enjoyed it!

[@elainefleureton5536]

Thank you for all that wonderful info.

[@n2dabloo]

Cool setup man. That dog lives better than a lot of people ;)

[@quercus4730]

Get a piece of foam rubber 3 inches thick large enough to make a tube enclose the foot end and make a hood for your head. If you are eating and drinking right this will keep you warm way below 0.

[@myjeanification]

Mr Buddy heaters have low O2 sensors and will shut down. They're made for indoors and work great but still having a carbon monoxide detector is important.

[@stanw909]

Linda and Ron.Don't run the new Mercedes van at idle for long periods unless you can keep it at high idle.The new emissions setup will cause major problems.old vans like Ron's are no problem.Read your manual or at least talk to Mercedes.Love your vids Ron.Keep up the good work.

[@stanw909]

freecampsites.net great source of free to low cost camping and boondocking.Party On.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks for the good advice, Stan: I'm still looking into alternatives.

[@waterisfuel14]

have you considered an HHO-powered generator? during the day the solar powers the fuel cell and you can store it in a tank. then at night you can use the stored HHO to power the generator for charging those batteries (completely carbon-free). nice videos!

[@jonfarrow9862]

You mean store H2 and O2 in tanks separately after they are generated from hydrolysis? Because storing HHO gas is a bad idea. Hydrolysis is massively inefficient, standard batteries will store a lot more power per unit of power produced.

[@tinysolarshack9615]

I don’t have a 200 watt heater but mine looks alike and is 300 watts. I know the low setting on most of those radiant oil heaters are about 600 Watts that would be way over kill. I’m sure the dog helps. The average human produces about 300 btu’s of heat per hour ( 1btu = approximately the energy of a fully burned kitchen Match) I have no clue what kind of heat your dog adds to the equation but I’m certain it helps! 👍🤓

[@kymbeecamping5947]

Get yourself a Mr Heater Buddy for warmth... Walmart sells them! Good luck 🍀☘

[@yescandles]

I am just learning but I thought the point was to travel where the weather is nicer. Go yo warm places when it is cold where you are and vice versa,

[@BackcountryNomad]

Lil buddy heater, bottle adapter for a larger bottle, crack windows in van, carbon monoxide detector. = Warm below 20 degrees all night.

[@MsGeminorum]

One time I camped outdoors when the temp dropped to 20 deg F. I have a down sleeping bag and I wore long johns and was too warm.

[@daveball9]

I use a 12 volt widow defroster heater that I plug in to my Jump Start. I use it to warm the van up before and after I get up. These are safe and don't have any carbon monoxide. They are also very cheap, about $20.

[@mactube37]

I have that same tiny heater you showed. my old apartment had no heat and i live in ny. its not a beast by any means but between that and my desktop computer they produced enough heat to keep my room (10x15 very poorly insulated with old windows) at a steady 65-70 degrees. that heater will do the job in a small van. but only if you like the cold. most people get those "mr buddy" heaters that run on small propane tanks. I personally wouldn't use one but some vanners swear by them.

[@tannertoys]

Great: thanks much for the info!

[@helmitpeak]

I've driven cross country in winter and stopped at rest stops to sleep in my Grand Cherokee. I let the gas engine idle all night but crack the drivers side window and the passenger side, about one inch and had no trouble, kept warm and toasty. I do the same in my small rv with a co detector, it has never gone off as long as i had a window or two cracked.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@breadkrumz7983]

One good tip for sleeping in the cold is a good thermal sleeping bag. and believe it or not Sleep in the nude! Your body gives off a lot of heat once you are bundled up in the bag. ('wearing clothes sometimes makes you colder), the heat stays in there and keeps you very warm. BUT keep your/Pjs close by for first thing in the morning. I first learned this trick from my Ex wife when we went tent camping up north and it got very cold at night.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks for the great advice, John.

[@mikesmith5375]

With SLEEPING bags made 40 DEGREES below zero and kept you at 70 plus you cant go wrong and I KNOW! They sell heavy duty military bags at the military surplus pawn shops VERY CHEAP!

[@srbontrager]

Let me start by saying I am a truck driver. I drive a 2012 freightliner Cascadia. With it being newer it still consumes between 3 & 5 gallons in a 10hr period of idling. Now this gets worse with older trucks. The older ones can use up to 10 or more gallons.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@raph604]

thats awesome i wanna winter camp in a van or c class

[@mrwolf5733]

awwwe i love your basset hound xD

[@LymanDuggan]

Carbon monoxide kills. House batteries and an electric blanket takes very little power as its next to your skin and you are covered with a comforter. Plastic taped on the inside of the windows creates a dead zone insulator too. Propane catalytic heaters also give off cabon monoxide. An espar diesel heater is the trick and same as the truckers use in the cab.

[@mshottprisslav]

I loved your video subscribed you are so knowledgeable definitely could be great at how to videos:)

[@eckankar7756]

Cleo looks so sweet curled up and ready for bed.

[@PatrickBaptist]

1:10 You can idle a gas engine so long as it doesn't overheat, HOWEVER this wears the crap out of it, at idle there is low oil pressure, a diesel is not built the same and has more lubrication points so they can take idling like that but it does wear on them as well. Also usually these large diesels have a high idle that does keep them lubed and proper temp, a gasser isn't going to offer that unless you spent money on a programmer or something else to keep your engine at say 1000-1500 RPM range. Also speaking on CO2, trucks exhaust look, it goes up, a cars exhaust is down on the ground again something else that could be a problem.

[@tannertoys]

+Patrick TheBaptist Thanks for the good info, Patrick!

[@danburch9989]

+Patrick TheBaptist My Chevy 3500 van idles at about .45 gallons per hour per my OBDII tester. Yep, gas engines wear quicker than diesels for sure. Diesel fuel is closer to a lubricant (older diesel formulas with higher sulfur content) than gasoline (which is closer to a solvent). That's why diesels last longer because the cylinder walls are constantly lubricated while running. Gas engines of course get lubricated but the gasoline rinses off the oil from the cylinder walls. They now have to add additives to help restore the diesel fuel lubricating properties.

[@PatrickBaptist]

Dan Burch In my Class A, my chevy engine was only able to idle it wouldn't do anything else LOL Doing a diesel swap on my 93 pace arrow, now I just need to get the money for a engine and trans but before that looks like I'm going to have to pay a midwife for her services.

[@robvannNS]

I wonder if an electric blanket would work as it usually draws less than 100w.. We use a down duvet which seems to do the job as well. In the late fall we us a little buddy heater with the windows cracked open a bit. They seem to be used in a lot of vans..I haven't heard any casualties..but to be sure we have C02, smoke alarm and propane sensor and don't use the heater while sleeping. My only complaint is a small amount of water vapour which the heater produces.

[@PAVANZYL]

An electric blanket uses ony 45 watt.

[@MrManhound]

Just subbed,like your style.

[@leelizardwilcox6271]

Wool Blankets would keep you warm with no need to waste fuel

[@earthbrown8]

One can let a gasoline engine run all the time with an oil cooler. Used to work selling used cop cars. The Crown Victoria P-71 Police interceptors are heavy duty vehicles and have oil and transmission coolers and those cars run 24 hours a day often for long periods of time. Letting a regular car idle a long time is not good at all for the engine I have been informed. One has to very careful about that carbon Monoxide poisoning threat. good video.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks for the info!

[@MegaRyan123456]

running a deisel engine for long periods of time is a great way to glaze your bores its best to run them at load

[@tannertoys]

MegaRyan123456 So I have heard since making this video. Thanks!

[@philipplakay]

soooo cute

[@RETIREMESOON]

LISTEN,I have a little buddy Mr heater .......2 settings ( low burns ) 9000 BTU 5 hours burns 1 pound of gas or one of those green bottles.If you use a long hose you can CHEAPLY use it if you have a COSTCO membership for 1/2 price propane. My heater has an oxygen sensor at 17 % it turns off but you leave 2 windows down for oxygen and a detector. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE LITTLE BUDDY AT THE 20 POUND TAND SO THE PROPANE ....DOES NOT...TURN TO OIL IN THE LINE. A down sleeping bag kept open will be comfortable all year with DOWN LOFT.Then you use little budddy all day.

[@karlmullendore9755]

I wouldn't trust my life with a (Chinese?) oxygen sensor. There are totally safe, externally vented heaters like the Propex on the market. What's your life worth?

[@RETIREMESOON]

Karl Mullendore Well you also are supposed to leave two windows down 1/2 or 1 inch. Then the sensor is just a back up device. Of course this answer will make you unhappy .....just in case planet earth stops turning and the oxygen stops flowing through the windows...LOL

[@karlmullendore9755]

Do you heat your house with the windows open? These catalytic heaters were not intended to be used in closed areas. The low-oxygen sensor is there to shut the damn thing off before the oxygen levels in the room cease to support human life.

[@brendan5539]

Right on! But, such a small space for a large dog.

[@mikesmith5375]

The DOG produces a LOT of HEAT- CUDDLE TIME:)

[@GBPaddling]

Hot water bottles Maan..............Old school, good stuff.

[@Emanuelethio]

Hey there, im going to live in my van for some time. I was wondering, do you think it’s a good idea to park and sleep at a truck stop? Or Walmart? What are some ways to park and sleep at night, under the radar?

[@humourless682]

Diesel engines dont produce carbon monoxide, so no real need for an alarm unless you have a naked flame heater of some sort inside.

[@tannertoys]

I have a CO detector for the gas-powered stove, oven, and heater I've installed. But also consider this from a recent study: "While it is known that diesel fuel combustion engines produce much lower concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) than gasoline engines, these emissions could certainly generate lethal ambient concentrations given a sufficient amount of time in an enclosed space and under suitable environmental conditions." Better to be safer than not.

[@humourless682]

Ron Tanner Better not to leave high speed diesel engine running all night at all, and do the job properly with a diesel fuel heater of some sort.

[@captaincrunch04]

I have a sprinter too :) what do you have over the slider window, is that like tinted plexiglass riveted over the stock window frame? I have heard that unless you have the high idle option, idling over night is not the smartest solution to staying warm, as the EGR valve gets clogged way faster at sub-2K rpm idling? Have you experienced a sooty EGR valve or any negative side-effects (LIMP mode) from idling all night? I'm in Colorado, so im exploring various heating options and that little 200W electric space heater, seems feasible, if the solar setup and battery bank I'm working on can handle that load all night. Also, where did you get your beaded seat covers, they look way bigger than any of the ones I have seen on Amazon!

[@tannertoys]

Yes, the ERG gets sooty: then next day, on my drive, I was blowing black exhaust for about an hour, then it cleared up. Windows are from C.R. Laurence Good luck with your heater search: let me know what you get. Thanks. Ron

[@invictussol]

battery bank box vented [charge up marine batteries x3 while you drive] power all night using space heaters in a duct under plumbing cabinet

[@eposexpedition683]

hi Ron. can you tell me please, what kind of water heater are you using if you actually have one?

[@56v12cylinder]

cute doggy............

[@mahfah7911]

Keeping Diesel engine idle in Mercedes sprinter van is not recommended. Wonder why ? Because usually these vans are made into class B

[@jackkarolak7858]

And a great companion olso right Dave:}}?

[@sojutime]

Get two more dogs and you'll be ready for a Three Dog Night.

[@tannertoys]

I am now testing out the Propex Heater, which may be the ultimate solution.

[@isit1984yet]

I have a propex, the smaller model. They are (or use to be) hard to find in the US. I found a guy in Maryland who sold them. My thoughts: If your space is small and well insulated (I used mine in an 80's Toyota van) they will do the job. If it gets REALLY cold (I live in Minnesota mind you) they can't keep up unless you're camping in a geo metro with insulation. What does work is, vented heaters like you'll find in ice houses (think Grumpy Old Men) if you don't mind cutting holes in your rig for a vent/stack, they will keep you warm AND not gas you out. I ice fish in Northern Minnesota in -20 temps on frozen lakes in my Tercel 4wd station wagon with a vented propane heater and stay warm. I NEVER sleep with any heater on, I bury myself in blankets. All it would take is the flame going out or some other fluke that you wouldn't be aware of (sleeping) and you'd wake up dead. I've found you can insulate any vehicle just like a house. This means floors, ceilings, sides. If you're on a budget (like I usually am) carpet padding works, and can be found for free in dumpsters on job sights and back of carpet shops. Do what the ice fishermen do and you'll never get cold. I'm originally from California, so it took a while to figure this out.

[@tannertoys]

isit1984yet Yeah, it looks like my Proplex is going to do well in my little van. Can you name a brand of the vented heater you mention? If I had a bigger rig, I wouldn't mind cutting a hole in in for a good heater like the Dickinson.

[@varsityeagle89]

Hey i hope you get to read this Ron Tanner . But after reading on your website i found nothing about dealing with your dog needing to do pee etc. Can you tell us on how you dealt with this issue? Thanks

[@tannertoys]

Cleo, my basset hound, is a good doggy on the road. She sleeps through the night, so there's no need to go outside. In the morning she's eager to get out, of course. She's pretty fast about it too, so there's not a lot of waiting for her to do her business.

[@fixt100]

best part of the video ""christ almighty!" *guilty look *innocent look, sweet voice "i know"

[@jayhillman5243]

LOL at the heavy breathing, spitting seeds, burping, smacking mouth sounds...geez.

[@liannehoenderboom1018]

anyone have any experience (good or bad) with the little space heaters that have a USB connection as a power source? and if so, what have you guys found are the pro's and cons? (the reason I ask: I live in a seriously crappy flat, that is to say, it is draughty as all get out, but at the same time there is no ventilation to speak of, wich means that if and when I put the built in heating system on (simple wall mounted things, sorry forgot the word, I am Dutch, so I'm trying...) basically all the oxygen gets sucked out of the room with in half an hour... at the same time I suffer from arthritis and things like that, so I really don't do well with cold and draught in the house and really need to be able to heat or atleast warm the place in the fall and winter months, and yet, I also want to do as much as possible to conserve on energy waste and such, wich is why I thought one of those little space heaters might do the trick, since I think/hope the ones running of of USB won't use as much and might even be run of a powerbank and are thus more mobile, and would also only use that energy to heat the space I am in most at that time without wasting it on for instance a bathroom in wich I spend 3 hours spread through out the day at most... so if anyone could tell me more, from having used and experienced them, about them?)

[@SkiTonyPuch]

I live in Rehoboth area!!!! Holla

[@VanlifewithAlan]

There is no reason why winter camping should be any more difficult than summer camping!! However I don't think that keeping an engine idling is a good way. I understand that it will burn around one litre per 45 minutes, furthermore vans are not designed to run at 800rpm and the engine does not like it. Engines need to run at at least 1,500 rpm. I would only keep the engine running in a real emergency. Instead make sure you have warm things in your van and use the gas heater if you must.

[@tannertoys]

You may be right, Alan: the erg valves on these sprinters do not like idling. Older sprinters might get away with it. I'm looking into an alternate radiator. I just don't trust gas heaters.

[@VanlifewithAlan]

Ron Tanner Ron, I agree that there is an element of risk with some of those on the market in the US. Here in Europe nearly all vans have blown air heating which is vented so I think that makes it as risky as using gas heating at home. However I have never left it on whilst asleep, I cover myself up well, even when there is snow outside!

[@VanlifewithAlan]

***** In the first place Bob, I have never heard of a remote control for a vehicle. But that apart it is not efficient. An engine idles at around 800rpm but it needs 1,500 to get hot - therefore someone needs to put their foot on the accelerator. Furthermore it is not good for the engine to have it standing idling. The best solution is with a gas heater. I will have to put up a film on this subject one day!

[@Heyzipupyourfly]

all that idling with the diesel. you must spend a lot replacing clogged catalytic converters.

[@tannertoys]

I don't idle like that any more

[@daseteam]

Don't you have block heaters in North America? They cost about €1000 and you can install them yourself.

[@bertju100]

Truma.com Looking to truma d 6 works good. I have webasto but have one burner to cook. Truma has now 2 burner to cook.

[@lindafcrider]

Hi Ron We just got a new class c diesel. Wondering about running the motor at night for heat like you do. 2014 Mercede's Benz motor, can I guess the cost would be about the same as your's? We are going to Glacier National park in May and I'm thinking heat would be nice............. also, I'm wondering what advice you have on finding nice off grid places to spend the night where we won't get arrested... nice scenery would be better than wal-mart for sure. I think you are finding dirt roads and looking for spots, but not sure about that. Any advice would be helpful, it's our first class c.

[@tannertoys]

Hi, Linda: yes, I think your diesel will work pretty much like mine. Cost will be minimal. I am in the midst of making a video about "stealth camping." I hope to post it within a month or so. So stay tuned! Thanks. Ron

[@lindafcrider]

Ron Tanner Thanks Ron, I'll be waiting for your new video.

[@stanw909]

Your class C has a propane heater.

[@lindafcrider]

Stan Watkins Yes

[@PhillyTechCheck]

dude r u ok? seems like ur having trouble breathing or something

[@tannertoys]

+PhillyComputerSpot.com Asthma! Thanks for noticing.

[@RBG-tr9ce]

+Ron Tanner maybe COPD ? Take care.

[@luther7449]

+Tech & Muscle haha No kidding. Asthma...dog hair...cramped quarters. The combination of these things, plus the fact it is just another fad take-off from others, makes this shit "yesterdays news". I"m not down with the "Wheezin' Eyesores." haha

[@campervandavid]

Is it hard on the engine to run it all night? You got a nice looking campervan.

[@tannertoys]

Thanks. Yes, it can be hard on the engine; in a Sprinter, it could damage the EGR valve. I am installing an auxilliary heater in my van--a heater that exhausts outside the van.

[@campervandavid]

I had also seen that small electric heater before as well that you have. I did not get to get one but next winter I plan on having one for sure.

[@dyerdanforth9030]

Wonder if there's a way to insulate the van with maybe foam?

[@tannertoys]

My van is insulated. Yes, spray foam is one way to do it.

[@tomlater644]

how about an Webasto Air Top

[@MrManhound]

Cleo a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.

[@Lovelace069]

omg my lil heater!!!! Lasko!!! May I ask a question?

[@tannertoys]

sure

[@Lovelace069]

What is the easiest solar setup a lady can do? I'll be in a shuttle bus. I want to run a 3.1 cubic fridge, laptop and curling iron.

[@tannertoys]

Best thing to do is call solar panel suppliers and get their advice because they have a variety of DIY packages and can be very helpful. I did this myself, then researched their recommendations. The install isn't difficult and your supplier will give you lots of help with it (over the phone). Good luck with your project!

[@Lovelace069]

thank you kindly sir!

[@ProgamerEU]

hey i was wondering how i should calculate how much electricity i use, for example lets say i have an 230v 100 watts computer and am useing an 200 ah 12v battery, how do i know how many 12v AH this 100 watts 230v computer uses? thanks

[@iulian5769]

8amp hour times 12volts is 100 watts

[@ProgamerEU]

iulian onofrei thanks, helped me out a lot

[@bertju100]

in europe we have webasto diesel heater and hot water and also cooking

[@banana3519]

Same here, not sure why he didn't use it.

[@tannertoys]

Send me a link--thanks!

[@101perspective]

You have a model name? I did a search for "webasto diesel heater" and got nothing but $2,000 to $5,000 heaters listed. I doubt you were talking about those.

[@banana3519]

It's just an option in the van- there's a switch and timer on the dash. In my vanagon it's in the back but in the Sprinter they put it in the front. The westy runs off the propane tank but the sprinter one runs off regular diesel. They are a bit troublesome- the pump goes regularly but it's fortunately easy to replace.

[@leelizardwilcox6271]

buy heavy wool blankets no need to waste money heating anything while you're sleeping.

[@mookloud2]

These Dickinson marine heaters might work. They get combustion air from outside and vent harmful gasses out thru the same pipe. The only problem I see is the hole that needs to be cut in the roof or out the wall. They require NO ELECTRICITY to work. They have a blower, but will work fine without it. This link shows the 7500 btu model, but they make a 12000 btu model. Boat people love them. www.go2marine.com/item/20009/dickinson-marine-newport-propane-lpg-boat-heater-fireplace-p9000-00-new-p9000.html

[@mookloud2]

***** They are pricey. Seems the prices go up when you go from un-vented to vented. I do not sell them.

[@carliotu]

How much does it cost for van life

[@tracyjamestavares3255]

Has anyone heard of " KandelHeatr " ?. Not 2 crazy bout sleepn near any runnin motor . Def. need that detector !. LP heaters R great 4 campers , not sure about vans or boats

[@Eddie211979]

Ron I noticed you have Maryland tags. what part are you from?

[@tannertoys]

Baltimore

[@Eddie211979]

Ron Tanner OK I'm in Glen burnie.

[@tannertoys]

Hi, neighbor!

[@Eddie211979]

Hello. Do you live off grid full time? And if you do do you travel around?

[@tannertoys]

I live on a farm.

[@thenorth03]

When did a diesel engine start producing co in the exhaust?

[@tannertoys]

Good point. I have a CO detector for the gas-powered stove, oven, and heater I've installed. But also consider this from a recent study: "While it is known that diesel fuel combustion engines produce much lower concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) than gasoline engines, these emissions could certainly generate lethal ambient concentrations given a sufficient amount of time in an enclosed space and under suitable environmental conditions." Better to be safer than not.

[@Brooke52528]

Does your doggie get to interact with other dogs? 😊

[@tannertoys]

Cleo is totally focused on people--she doesn't like other dogs. sorry to say!

[@Brooke52528]

Ron Tanner She's beautiful🐕🐕

[@tannertoys]

I love her dearly, though she sometimes irritates me to no end. A stubborn dog!

[@daseteam]

PS They also run on gasoline or diesel.

[@tannertoys]

daseteam We do have block heaters but they're not common in camper vans or RVs because most RVers plug in every night. A friend of mine is putting a diesel-fueled heater in his Sprinter. I've just installed a Proplex propane-powered heater in mine -- it's made in the UK, where all the good camper van equipment is!