Conquering the Chill: The Ultimate Guide to Heating Your Rooftop Tent
Rooftop tents (RTTs) elevate your overlanding experience, offering comfortable sleeping quarters with stunning views. But what happens when the temperatures plummet? Braving the cold can quickly turn a cozy camping trip into a test of endurance. Fear not, intrepid adventurer! This comprehensive guide explores the best heating options for your rooftop tent, ensuring a warm and comfortable sleep no matter the season.
Do You Need to Heat Your Rooftop Tent?
While rooftop tents provide some insulation, they can’t compete with a well-insulated ground tent. Here’s why a heater is a wise investment for RTT users:
- Extended Season Camping: Expand your camping adventures into the shoulder seasons and even colder climates with a reliable heat source.
- Enhanced Comfort: A warm and toasty tent makes a world of difference, especially for those who are sensitive to the cold.
- Faster Drying (Pro Tip!): Heaters can help dry out condensation and gear dampened from rain or snow – has anyone else slipped on a slick stone while trying to cross a river?
Key Considerations for Heating Your Rooftop Tent:
Choosing the best heater for your RTT requires careful consideration of several factors:
- Tent Size: Obviously a larger tent will require a more powerful heater to maintain comfortable temperatures.
- Climate: Consider the coldest temperatures you expect to encounter while camping – and then minus ten more degrees.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial for safety when using any heater inside a tent. Look for heaters with built-in carbon monoxide (CO) detection and automatic shut-off features.
- Power Source: Do you have access to shore power, or will you be relying on a portable power source like a solar generator or battery pack?
Top Heater Options for Rooftop Tents:
Electric Space Heaters:
- Pros: Quiet, efficient, and often budget-friendly. Many have thermostats for temperature regulation.
- Cons: Require access to shore power or a powerful solar generator. Can be a significant power draw.
Top 3 Electric Space Heaters for Rooftop Tents:
- Lasko Ceramic Heater with Remote Control: This 1500-watt ceramic heater [1] offers powerful and quiet heating, ideal for smaller to medium-sized rooftop tents. It features a remote control for convenient temperature adjustment and a tip-over shut-off for safety.
- Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater: Another great option, this 1500-watt infrared heater [2] uses infrared technology for directional warmth. It boasts a thermostat for precise temperature control and a safety shut-off feature. While some users find it slightly bulkier than other options, its powerful heating and safety features make it a contender.
- Honeywell Home Hyper Heater Ceramic Heater: This compact 1350-watt ceramic heater [3] is a space-saving solution for smaller rooftop tents. Despite its size, it packs a punch and features a thermostat and overheat protection for safety.
Portable Propane Heaters:
- Pros: Readily available, powerful, and often more affordable than electric heaters.
- Cons: Produce moisture as a byproduct of combustion, requiring good ventilation. Not recommended for use while sleeping due to safety concerns.
- Top 3 Portable Propane Heaters for Rooftop Tents (Remember, prioritize ventilation and NEVER use these heaters while sleeping):
- Mr. Heater Little Buddy Indoor Safe Propane Heater: This 3800-BTU heater [4] is a popular choice for its portability and efficiency. It features safety measures like tip-over shut-off and an oxygen depletion sensor. Remember, only use this heater while awake and ensure proper ventilation.
- Camp Chef Everest Portable Propane Heater: Another powerful option, this 4,000- BTU heater [5] is ideal for larger rooftop tents. It features an adjustable thermostat and safety shut-off features. Only use this heater while awake and prioritize ventilation.
- Igloo Portable Buddy Heater: This 3800-BTU heater [6] is a budget-friendly choice with a compact design. It offers safety features like tip-over shut-off and an ODS sensor. Remember, only use this heater while awake and prioritize ventilation.
Buddy Heaters:
- Pros: Popular option known for their portability and efficiency. Run on propane and come with safety features like tip-over shut-off.
- Cons: Can be noisy and may not be powerful enough for extremely cold climates.
Top Buddy Heater for Rooftop Tents:
- Mr. Heater Buddy Heater: This classic 3,800- BTU Buddy Heater [7] is a favorite among campers for its portability, efficiency, and safety features. While not ideal for extremely cold weather, it’s a dependable option for many tent sizes.
Diesel Heaters:
Diesel heaters are generally considered safe to use in enclosed spaces like tents, as long as they are properly installed and ventilated. They often come with safety features like auto turn-off, low oil warning, overheat warning, and power cut off in case of fire hazard. You should also make sure the heater is placed on a non-flammable surface and away from flammable items. You should NEVER pipe the exhaust into your tent.
Diesel heaters produce less carbon monoxide than gasoline engines and are usually more fuel efficient. However, if you use a diesel heater that isn’t properly ventilated, you could fill your tent with poisonous gas.
- Pros: Highly efficient and powerful heaters, ideal for very cold weather camping.
- Cons: More expensive than other options, installation can be complex, and they require proper ventilation and fuel storage.
Top Diesel Heater for Rooftop Tents (Diesel heaters require professional installation and proper ventilation, consult a qualified technician for safe use):
- Espar Airtronic D2 Heater: This 2 kW diesel heater [8] is a popular choice for its efficiency and power. However, due to installation complexity and safety concerns, it’s recommended to consult a qualified technician for proper installation and use.
Remember: Safety is paramount when using any heater inside a tent. Always ensure proper ventilation and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Additional Tips for Toasty Rooftop Tent Bliss:
- Insulation Pads: Invest in a rooftop tent insulation pad to trap heat inside the tent.
- Sleeping Bags: A good quality sleeping bag rated for the expected temperatures will ensure optimal warmth.
- Base Layers: Thermal base layers are essential for retaining body heat while sleeping.
- Moisture Management: Maintain proper ventilation to avoid condensation buildup inside the tent.
Conclusion: Sleep Soundly Beneath the Stars
With the right heater and cozy sleep setup, you can extend your rooftop tent camping adventures well beyond the summer months. Remember to prioritize safety when using any heating device inside your tent, and always ensure proper ventilation. So, pack your warm layers, fire up your heater, and experience the magic of sleeping under a blanket of stars, no matter the season!
Bonus Tip: Check out online forums dedicated to rooftop tent camping for user reviews and recommendations on heaters from fellow adventurers.
This video is about a review of a Vevor 8KW diesel heater by Chasing Adventures.
The video starts with the Youtuber Brian explaining the reason why he decided to get a diesel heater. He thinks a diesel heater is a safer option than a propane heater because the combustion and exhaust are done outside of the tent. Also, diesel heater produces dry heated air and avoids condensation buildup inside the tent. [1,2]
Then Brian goes over the features of the Vevor 8KW diesel heater. It is rated at 8KW and has a dry weight of 20 lb. It has a 5L fuel tank and can run for up to 8 hours on a gallon of diesel fuel. The heater also features automatic altitude compensation, low noise fuel pump, and remote control and Bluetooth connections. [2,3]
Next, Brian talks about the two different casings of the heater. He recommends the square casing over the vertical casing for traveling purpose because the square casing is shorter and easier to fit into a roof box. [4]
After assembling the heater, Brian starts the heater and shows that it is working properly. He also mentioned that he would use the heater in his upcoming camping trip with a bubble tent. [5]