Teardrop Heat Options

Testing out various ways to heat a Bend Teardrop Camper. bendteardrop.com

[@aprilwine132]

We have found electric blanket to be the most energy efficient solution for our square-drop. It applies the heat directly to your body. We put the cloths we will be putting on in the morning under the covers so they are warm when we get up. Over night it also warms the ambient temperature since the heat goes into the air also. With a 200 amp hour lithium iron and 450 watts of panels on top we run a refrigerator, electric coffee pot and electric griddle if the sun is out in the morning. Never have killed the battery.

[@tricias5927]

With the electric heater, we use a thermostat that turns off the heater when it hits the temperature you set. Saves the heater from running until the battery is dead.

[@bendteardrop]

Good to know most kill the battery pretty quickly how many amps is your heater?

[@tricias5927]

@@bendteardrop our heater is HONEYWELL HCE100WCD1HeatBud® Personal Ceramic Heater, with two settings 170 watts or 250 watts. We set the thermostat to 16C/61F.

[@Jake.Gentry]

I went with a propex for my teardrop so I’m hoping it performs well in -20 F weather

[@bendteardrop]

It should

[@harrymills2770]

I don't like the weight and bulk of propane tanks. But I keep coming back to propane for the reasons you cite. They do make clean diesel heaters, but I haven't seen any that wouldn't be way too big for this application. I haven't seen a good solid fuel (wood) heater for a space that small. Might have to DIY one. I like being able to scrounge fuel if I have to.

[@bendteardrop]

The diesel heaters do put out the heat for cheap but the exhaust smoke is intense. I’ve seen some campers with those tiny wood stoves and they work great but you need space around them for a hearth which is limited in a Teardrop. You only need to cut a giant hole in the roof or sidewall for a chimney.

[@Blade_Outdoors]

Great info… I won’t camp in that type of cold weather…. Where I live I may camp out in 25 to 39 degree F weather. The UCO candle works for me. 👍

[@bendteardrop]

True

[@ajf5823]

What is that holder for the Mr Buddy heater? That’s awesome.

[@bendteardrop]

That’s a little mount we can add on

[@drumaganger]

Hold on now. Was that a Rainier Beer? Loved their commercials in the 80's. Depending on the week, you could get Rainier or Oly on sale for $3.99 a case.

[@bendteardrop]

Classic brew!

[@chartreusecloset8593]

I have a question about the propane heater integration. This looks like you added the heater to an existing teardrop but I'd like to know how you are integrating it in new teardrop builds (we are considering the 6x12). Will it stay in the side cubby storage and if so are you creating a cabinet around it so the cubby can still be used for storing a few things? Have you considered putting it in the galley storage down with the batteries, etc.? Will there by a pass-through hole in the body or floor to pull the hose out to the propane tank when the heater is in use? Showing this heater in a new build would be a great idea for a future video. I found this video from a guy who installed a propex in his Colorado teardrop and he explained exactly where all of the parts are. There are a lot of components to this. We would just like to know how you are integrating everything before we order it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXrWemaJeJaDn5I Thanks!

[@bendteardrop]

On a 6x12 propex fits best in the under bunk cubby shown in the video. A new build is installed more square and there is room to build a shelf above it for storage. On 5x8s and 5x10s we mount the heater in the galley under counter storage area.

[@glyphhunter]

Don't laugh, who sings that 'camping in the snow' song?

[@bendteardrop]

@@glyphhunter the little girl in the video, my daughter