Heating a tiny van

[will-t]

(Note: I originally posted this in the Boondocking forum, which I'm now informed was not the right place for the question.)

I've converted a RAM Promaster City van into the moral equivalent of a "self-propelled teardrop trailer". In other words, it is tiny inside. The total interior space amounts to about 170 cubic feet (4'x5'x8.5').

I am interested in adding a small heater. I've insulated the vehicle very well, and with so little cubic footage -- and considering the body-heat output of two sleepers -- the BTU requirement should be very minimal.

At the same time, a heater would have to be zero-emission in such a small space. So I am looking for something that uses electric power. (Which is OK - the rig is wired for shore power, and in cold weather I won't be overnighting in places where there is no shore power available.)

Moreover, the bed platform sits about 16" above the van floor, and covers nearly all the available square footage (apart from the driver/passenger cabin), meaning the heater would have to sit beneath it, in effect enclosing the heater in an even smaller space.  Thus, a tiny form-factor and fail-safe against overheating are both requirements.

Does anyone know of a product that would fit the bill?

[RV_]

http://westyventures.com/propex.html

You're correct to only want vented to outside. The folks above do a good specialty heater in several models when you can get one.

[Sehc]

Are you looking for a different answer than you got on Reddit?

 

[sandsys]

3 hours ago, will-t said:

Moreover, the bed platform sits about 16" above the van floor, and covers nearly all the available square footage (apart from the driver/passenger cabin), meaning the heater would have to sit beneath it

You might put it in the cab area, maybe between the seats?

Linda Sand

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

Are you talking about something this size? https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-100-MyHeat-Personal-Heater/dp/B003XDTWN2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17OTSK5Y6AXAU&keywords=my+heat+heater&qid=1577485807&sprefix=my+heat++heater%2Caps%2C332&sr=8-4  We use one in our wet bay area during freezing temps.  

[noteven]

3 hours ago, Sehc said:

Are you looking for a different answer than you got on Reddit?

 

What’s “Reddit”?

[Pappy Yokum]

6 hours ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

Are you talking about something this size? https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-100-MyHeat-Personal-Heater/dp/B003XDTWN2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17OTSK5Y6AXAU&keywords=my+heat+heater&qid=1577485807&sprefix=my+heat++heater%2Caps%2C332&sr=8-4  We use one in our wet bay area during freezing temps.  

Looks like a good choice!

Not much $ "at risk" to give it a try.

.

[noteven]

Take a look at 12v mattress heaters used by truck drivers. 

[rickeieio]

It would seem the occupants of said van are likely relatively young, to tolerate such a small space.  Makes me wonder why they would need supplemental heat.😮

Seriously, an electric blanket might be a good solution.  If the van is well insulated as stated above, it could be enough.

[Pappy Yokum]

42 minutes ago, rickeieio said:

Seriously, an electric blanket might be a good solution.  If the van is well insulated as stated above, it could be enough.

 

The 12V blanket would be good.......lots of choices on Amazon - reasonable $.

There are several brands of (110V) electric "throws" - 115 watts, 3 heat settings. - - On the "high" setting after about 10 minutes on top of your blanket/s - you are *really* ready to turn it to a lower setting!! - -  IIRC - ours came from Wally at about $30.

~

 

[rickeieio]

We have an electric blanket in the camper cuz when you've been traveling in low temps, the bed gets cold.  It sucks the heat out of your body when you first get in.  So, part of our set-up routine is to turn on the blanket, so that by the time we go to bed it's not so cold.  But then, we're old.

First post says they'll always have shore power, so it would seem logical..........