WinAZ

Thanks for the input, everyone!

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1 hour ago, Kirk W said:

That is a very subjective thing and the answer varies widely. Different RVs have very different amounts of insulation, even in van conversions. The size of the RV also plays a major part because we add heat to our surroundings by cooking and such as well as the effects of our own body heat. I assume that you want to know the temperatures outside that allow you to be comfortable inside? The age of the person plays a significant role as most of us become more subject to temperature variations as we age. How much clothing you plan to wear also plays a major roll as you might be dressed in thermal underwear and long sleeved wool shirts or you could be in shorts and tee-shirt. Most people prefer an indoor temperature around 70°F but if dressed for cold weather you could probably be comfortable with temperatures in the 50°F range. 

That is another very subjective question. The typical RV propane furnace will keep a well insulated RV comfortable with temperatures near 0° at night but a poorly insulated one will not. Most of them are sized to the RV that they are in but cheaper RVs will always have a smaller furnace and so have more difficulty keeping it warm. Wind also plays a major roll in ability to keep an RV warm. Some RVs have a catalytic propane heater and while those are more efficient than the more typical ones with blowers, they also add humidity to the interior and they don't spread the heat as well. They are more efficient in the use of propane. The frequency of needing to fill the propane tank depends upon the tank size and the amount used. If not connected to electricity then you will also use propane for heating water, cooking, and operation of the refrigerator. Small RVs also have small propane tanks. The typical RV furnace will use about 1/3 gallon per hour of run time so the temperature the thermostat is set for and the outside temperatures, as well as wind conditions will make a tremendous difference in the amount of propane used.

That too depends upon who is camping and how they are dressed. I used to hunt elk and deer in the mountains of CO and WY for a week at a time, living out of a tent, usually with night temperatures near or below 0°F and sometimes daytime too. But we were equipped for it and we also dressed for it. 

Thanks for the thoughts, Kirk.

“I assume that you want to know the temperatures outside that allow you to be comfortable inside?” — yes, that is correct. I certainly expect to wear warm clothing in the winter. Right now, I wear a few layers at home and mostly avoid using a heater even in winter. Probably stays around 58-60 indoors.

“The typical RV propane furnace will keep a well insulated RV comfortable with temperatures near 0° at night but a poorly insulated one will not.” — so I assume a smallish heater will keep an insulated van warm when outside temps are as low as 20… Envisioning BLM land so no electricity.

“The typical RV furnace will use about 1/3 gallon per hour of run time” — very helpful. Thanks.

“I used to hunt elk and deer in the mountains of CO and WY for a week at a time, living out of a tent, usually with night temperatures near or below 0°F and sometimes daytime too. But we were equipped for it and we also dressed for it.” — I too have camped in the mountains in winter, but doing that for a few days is different from doing it for a month or two.

10 hours ago, sandsys said:

This depends on so many things. What is the humidity level? How many layers of clothes do you wear? What is your sleeping bag rated for? How good is your own circulation? What, if any, insulation does the van have? Where are you--New Mexico is cold. Southern Arizona is not too bad in the desert but there are mountains in Arizona, too. And so on.

If you are in the desert in southern Arizona you will probably by OK. Nighttime temps are often in the 40s there but it warms up a lot during the day. Southern means south of I-10.  if WinAZ means Winslow, don't try it. Along I-40 is too cold for most of us.

Linda Sand

Thanks for the reply, Linda.

It would be southern NM or AZ, not in the mountains. Low humidity. Hoping to keep the interior around 55-60 degrees.

I don't have the van yet, but yes, I am looking for one with insulation.

I'm fine with low temps for outdoor sports and snow camping. But what a person can tolerate for a few days is different from what a person can tolerate for a month or two -- while trying to do some work on a laptop during the day, which means no gloves.

I know, everybody’s different, but I’m wondering what outside temperatures start to make it uncomfortably cold in a van or small RV.

For example, at what outside temp does it become too cold to sit around typing on a laptop in an unheated vehicle? And at what temp does it become too cold to sleep comfortably and get out of bed in the morning?

How well do propane or other types of heaters work? How often does the fuel typically need to be refilled? Referring to SW United States in winter....

I’ve found that at around 35 degrees, tent camping becomes uncomfortable. Wondering about being in a van or class B.