MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jayray377 on January 09, 2018, 06:39:28 AM

Title: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: jayray377 on January 09, 2018, 06:39:28 AM
Hey all,
Happy New Years to you, I hope you all spent it camping ??.
With our new CT I have noticed on cold nights that it is extremely cold from underneath the mattress up through the bed.
Temporarily I laid out rubber backed rugs under the mattress which alleviated the issue to a certain degree however I’m interested in other swaggers solutions.
Thanks
Joel
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: jwb on January 09, 2018, 06:58:16 AM
I believe some of the southerners make a habit of closing their tailgate overnight to help reduce the chill!


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: tryagain on January 09, 2018, 07:02:00 AM
Plenty of people seem to use building foil insulation and rate it.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: outbackogre on January 09, 2018, 08:01:21 AM
We once used those cheap high density rubber matts that lock together.  It seemed to help.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: doc evil on January 09, 2018, 08:08:38 AM
don't camp where it's cold..........simples  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: edz on January 09, 2018, 08:55:14 AM
What ever you put under the mattress onto the bed decking  also  try to allow for an air flow on top of that layer between the mattress to stop condensation dampness build up = mould / mildew .
.HD 10mm Corflute with 25mm holes swiss cheesed all through it will work  to a degree depending on how many holes you put in it, more is better  or there is another  type of underlay matt  https://www.empind.com.au/shop/item/air-circulation-mesh-acs10 (https://www.empind.com.au/shop/item/air-circulation-mesh-acs10) Not cheap though .

For the cold some do use an electric blanket hooked up to an inverter for a short period before bed time to pre heat the bedding .
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: xcvator on January 09, 2018, 09:04:33 AM
Things we found to work
1/ close any external openings that are under the bed
2/ 2 or 3 old blankets laid out under the mattress
3/ foam eggshell mattress topper
4/ diesel heater  :cup:

When it's cold I've generally gone with the old rule...have as much under you as on top of you, seems to work ( doesn't include women )
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on January 09, 2018, 10:38:08 AM
Hot water bottles help too.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: gronk on January 09, 2018, 10:47:22 AM
We've only camped as low as - 4 deg, but find flanno sheets , a good quality winter doona (or 2 ) and a beanie as well if cold enough.........plus copious amounts of alcohol helps....!!  :cheers:

If you haven't got at least a WINTER doona, you need to buy one.....or you WILL need a packet of cement pills !! ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: GBC on January 09, 2018, 11:11:05 AM
Closed cell foam is what ice hikers put down under their thermarests directly on ice and sleep. The foam squares would be as close to that as you’ll get. Or a couple of foam hiking mats taped together. I won’t tell you about our diesel heater ;)
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Bigfish on January 09, 2018, 11:33:30 AM
Bottle of Captain Morgan , doona and old woolen blanket under mattress....works a treat :cheers:
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: tryagain on January 09, 2018, 11:50:08 AM
I won’t tell you about our diesel heater ;)


You mean something that does this?

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/Timandbecphillips/IMG_20170501_070200899.jpg)


Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: edz on January 09, 2018, 12:37:56 PM
9*C isn't  cold .. Thats shorts and T-Shirt weather  ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: tryagain on January 09, 2018, 12:45:44 PM
9*C isn't  cold .. Thats shorts and T-Shirt weather  ;D

My wife would very much disagree with that, however 25deg is definitely t-shirt and shorts weather  ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Bird on January 09, 2018, 12:54:55 PM
What sort of trailer?
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Ben.Archer on January 09, 2018, 02:03:05 PM
I did love walking round the camp in the mornings at the last national meet - it sounded like a airport full of quiet jet engines with every other camp running their heaters.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: skog on January 09, 2018, 04:28:47 PM
I have camped at it was -9 outside and you needed to turn like a rotisserie chicken in front of the fire.
We shut the tailgate and had a couple of blankets under the mattress.
Reminds me to get a thermal blanket for under the mattress...
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Spada on January 09, 2018, 04:46:49 PM
Single bed lekky blanket across the bed so it covers your's and hers torso. Running through a small inverter (300w is plenty) it'll draw around 10 to 15A over night if left on low. Wooly socks on the tootsies.

Penfolds Grandfather port as a nightcap for central heating, and I wear a beeny cause I got no hair.

That's what works for me  ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Rumpig on January 09, 2018, 05:06:32 PM
Hot water bottles help too.
a mate did a outback  trip several years ago and he put his kids to bed with hot water bottles, but had his son wake him up during the night saying he was cold...the hot water bottle was frozen solid...lol
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: rossm on January 09, 2018, 06:28:57 PM
As well as something underneath,  if it is really cold (like minus something) maybe invest in a good sleeping bag. The air inside will be as cold as it is outside and even a couple of extra blankets probably won't cut it. And a good bag will last well in looked after.

I have done minus 3 out in the desert in a down bag in a  swag a few times and been pretty comfortable.

And the beanie is a good idea, even if you aren't bald.   

 

 
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: aussie9 on January 09, 2018, 07:44:54 PM
We have been out in the hard floor quite a few times when the temp has hit -5 to -8. The beanie is good, flannelette sheets and we found a genuiñe goose down quilt at a thrift shop for $35.  Last August at Lemon Tree Flat I had to use water out of the fridge to make coffee as all the lines from the tank to tap were frozen.
I did glue marine carpet onto the base under the mattress as well

Cheers
Peter

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on January 09, 2018, 08:01:10 PM
Not having a supervisor, I just use a sleeping Bag for bedding.
Mattress is a 100mm. foam on a mesh underlay, on a plywood floor.
I leave water in the kettle overnight, if it freezes, it's soon liquid again.
Works for me.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: jayray377 on January 10, 2018, 06:34:54 AM
Thanks everyone, some great suggestions here.
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Fizzie on January 10, 2018, 09:33:56 AM
.have as much under you as on top of you, seems to work ( doesn't include women )

I don't know about that! ;D
Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: rossm on January 10, 2018, 09:56:17 AM
Not having a supervisor ...

 ;D ;D

Title: Re: Cold proofing a CT
Post by: Andosan on January 10, 2018, 10:30:15 AM
We’ll be cold proofing ours shortly with a diesel air and water heater!