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Topic: Virgin Campers - Portable Heater

Andrewmc

22/6/2012 at 7:35am
Location: London - Islington
Outfit: Vango Icarus 500 Tent (2012)

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Hi all

I have read some of the forums on keeping warm when camping, some of might know we are a family of virgin camps, and we are buying the complete camping set for our first camping holiday this summer.

My question is, we are camping this August in North Devon, do you think we might need a Portable Heater? I know this might sound daft for August, but us virgin campers no nothing!!

Thank you

Andrew & Family

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debih1968

22/6/2012 at 8:27am
Location: Peak District
Outfit: Vango Diablo 400xp

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Hi and welcome.

I am pretty much a virgin camper as well but the one thing that comes out on these boards is the importance of being warm at night in your tent.

You would assume that August will be lovely warm and you wouldn't need a heater but I would say that if you are having electric hook up anyway, I would take a heater just in case.

Who knows what August will be like this year - we could be back to snow again!

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lidds0

22/6/2012 at 8:34am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: None Entered

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Have you got an electric hook up? If so, no harm in taking a low-wattage fan heater, to take the chill off if it proves necessary.

If you haven't, and don't want to splash out on one, then don't worry. Just take some hot water bottles and plenty of bedding layers, and you'll be fine.

If we're lucky and this blummin' weather changes, you'll be kicking off the covers anyway (wishful thinking?!)

daveroughley

22/6/2012 at 8:54am
Location: Highlands
Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth

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We always take a fan heater no matter what the day time is like. It can very cold during the night. It doesn't have to be anything special, ours was £9.00 from Tesco. It works for us.

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dk168

22/6/2012 at 9:54am
Location: Devizes Wiltshire
Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC

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Last year, I believe we had maximum day time temperature as low ast 12 deg C.

Therefore, IMHO, one just cannot rely on the Bristish weather being good at any time of the year, and should be prepared for all eventualities.

I camp with EHU and carry my fan heater all the time.

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John Preece

22/6/2012 at 12:12pm
Location:
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we take EHu and a thermostaic electric fan heater. We also have 2 gas heaters to superheat the tent just prior to going to bed. Sometimes (especially april and may) it can get very chilly at night so is a useful "might be useful" item, just in case it s a bit chillier....

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joffff

22/6/2012 at 12:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Hi Gear Voyager 6 & Vango Icarus 600

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Next month will be our first camping trip with an EHU and heater and over the years have camped as early as April and as late as October without much trouble from the cold.

My advice would be to take plenty of layered clothing if you're sitting around in the tent. A nice fleecy "Nan blanket" is good to keep your lap warm and can also add an extra layer to sleeping bags.

When sleeping, it's important to get some insulation between you and the ground. If you've got a raised camp bed, it's not too bad but for an airbed you'll want a few layers of cardboard underneath. We also make up the airbed with an open sleeping bag as a bed sheet.

My last tip is a bit odd, but we find it works... wear a hat in bed! It's not flattering, but a thin beanie style hat (or a motorcycle balaclava!) just stops any air chill getting to you. Be prepared for some pretty epic bed-head in the morning though!

Of course, you can buy an electric hook up (£40), heater (£15) and pay the extra charge for a pitch with electric, but try it without first.

Remember, there's no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing! :)

british bronco

23/6/2012 at 4:18pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Enough!! No more room in shed!!

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We don't do hook up so we take a little gas heater. We always take it with us regardless, we are in Britain and anything could happen at any time. Layer up clothing wise and be prepared, if you don't use it great but it's there in case.

Welcome to the camping world, It's a bit like Marmite really, you'll either love it or hate it but keeping warm is the most important thing you need to remember.

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logic500

23/6/2012 at 4:29pm
Location: Hull East Yorkshire
Outfit: Hobby 560Kmfe Excellent Caravan 2014

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We always take a fan heater, and usually leave it on overnight. France is different, as EHU at some places is woefully low amp-age, so a standard fan heater isn't much good. We have a little gas heater, but not something you can leave on overnight really. The Wife seems to feel it more than me, but I don't like being cold, and fan heaters are very quick to warm up even our "4 Bed Detached" tent :-) We've even taken our double electric blanket that we've place under the sleeping bag.. kept us lovely and toasty :-)

Glamper Puss

23/6/2012 at 5:34pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Outwell Ohio XL

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Yep, our heater always comes with us, whenever we camp. The evenings can get a little cool even in summer. In really cool weather I also were a beanie hat in bed. Hopefully you won't need that extreme in August though!

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