Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 19:46:09 -0700
Reply-To: Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: end of camping season????
In-Reply-To: <BAY12-F18UG0DpWhkR70003b2bf@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
I camp in the snow with a 2WD Westy. I think many people do. I have
two catalytic heaters, one that is tapped into the main propane system
and the other that is powered by small Coleman canisters. Both are
rated for interior use. It's warmer if you don't have to pop the
top. I camp with 3 people in the Westy, so I have to pop the top. I
had a problem with snow being tracked into the van and the carpet in
the main cabin getting wet, then it would eventually freeze and then
rethaw. I found this to be unavoidable since our hiking boots would
get covered with snow and freeze. We would take the boots inside the
van to thaw out and they would get the floor wet. To resolve the
problem, I ripped out the carpet and installed linoleum tile in the
main cabin area.
If you are coming from a background of camping in tents in the snow
and you move to a Westy, it will be posh. The Westy is much warmer
than a tent. However, if you're coming from a background of camping
in an RV, then you'll freeze your behind. Even with two heaters going
inside the van, everything froze inside the van, including the saline
soluttion for my contact lenses. My wife's sleeping bag is rated at
zero and she was still cold. Remember, I camp with the top up.
There's various solutions to making the van warmer, including the
fabrication of a secondary vinyl jacket around the pop top tent and
installing warmer curtains. People have also installed larger heaters
with a thermostat. I haven't done these mods.
It'll be much warmer than a tent, but it's not going to be as warm as
camping in a vehicle with four solid walls and a thermostat.
Very much doable as a winter camping vehicle. If you have a syncro,
you'll rock. Winter is one of the times I really wish I had a
syncro.
I totally recommend camping in snow. It's beautiful and the crowds
are way down. If I had a better solution for drying out my son's
shoes, it would be even better.
-- Craig
On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 02:02:52 +0000, Chris DeLong <green536@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I see alot of you talk about it being the end of camping season. Why do you
> say this? Does anyone here camp in the snow or in the cold?
>
>
> Chris DeLong
> Fine Tuning
> 206.522.5503
> www.finetuningperformance.com
> Seattle, WA USA
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and
> more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx
>
|