Date:         Wed, 10 Nov 2004 12:00:45 -0700
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Catalytic Heaters/ Trip Comments
In-Reply-To:  <418C49A7.6050402@colorado.edu>

I left for my trip before I got time to offer my thanks and appreciation to
all who replied to my inquiry last week, both on the list, and in pmail, about
the ability of the smaller catalytic heaters to take the chill out of the
night/morning air while camping in my van in temps just above freezing.

I am grateful for all the responses, especially those who have used those
small  devices.

When all is said and done, I guess I will take most folk's advice and not buy
a catalytic heater.

FWIW, I went camping in Moab, UT for four days, and anticipated temps near
freezing at night. After hearing from others I decided not to buy a heater,
and to just deal with the temps. Turned out to be a wise choice :-)

I met a friend there who hauls a tent trailer, and we normally  stay in one of
the BLM campgrounds along the Colorado, but we decided this time to stay in a
'full serve' campground since it is off season and the rates were too good to
pass up. I had thought that might be an option, so I took along an electric,
quartz radiant heater in case we did stay where there was power. It was the
first time I have stayed in a campground with hookups in probably fifteen
years.....

Saturday night was cold, and hauling the heater paid off as it was more than
enough set on 750W. I surely did not need any extra bedding or sleep clothing
with the heater sitting up front between the seats. The weather turned cloudy
after that, and the following  nights were only around maybe forty, so the
heater was set on low and it did a nice job of keeping the van just right,
plus I could crank it up when I had to get up in the night, and first thing in
the mornings. Just took a bit of getting used to while it cycled off and on,
and lit up the inside of the van all night long :-)

The weather was perfect for me, but those who worship the sun and hide from
clouds and rain would not have been happy :-) Each  night it rained long and
hard, but the daytime was an occasional drizzle, and lots of clouds, with cool
weather. Its a big place, and if you don't like the weather where  you are,
just go somewhere else <g> Perhaps one of the better points of sleeping in a
van is that pretty much no matter how hard it rains, or snows, ..... no leaks!
I do tent stuff with my family now and then, and rain and leaking seams is
always a drag.

The van, a  plain 1981 GL so generic the floor mats are rubber, with about
215K, just keeps churning out the miles and the memories. I think I have a
problem with the drive train, maybe a CV joint, but that is for another post
and inquiry later, after I get a look underneath and see if there is anything
obvious going on.

I am considering a small poptop, as I have seen ones that cover only the
middle area, go straight up, and don't offer a bed or storage, but to be able
to stand up and dress and move about a little would be a wonderful upgrade. A
westy is just not in my future, but I sure am envious of all those I see when
cruising around Moab.

I averaged about 22mpg for the 600 mile trip, but I still think gas prices are
too high. The engine is getting "tired" tho, and it wanted three quarts of
20W50 for that short a trip. Burns none of it, but blows it all out the seals.
Still a kick to drive, and fun to own and use in this manner.

Thanks again for all the advice and comments.

John