Danger of gas heaters in Campers.

[Blinky Bill]

Hi all - I came across this topic again today & thought it was well worth drawing everyone's attention to in the interest of safety.

I hope it's not against the forum rules to refer to another web site.

Please take a look and make everyone as aware as possible.

http://www.campertrailers.org/heater_dangers.htm

Cheers - Wayne

[Robin Miller]

I think thats a somewhat overstated case.

Only need to do 2 things - 1 ensure there is some ventilation and never run any heating appliance when sleeping.

For an alternate view see

http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_StovesTech.htm#CO


Robin Miller

[Mace]

See:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4832a1.htm

[Sixtys Guy]

Only need to do 2 things - 1 ensure there is some ventilation and never run any heating appliance when sleeping.

You forgot the 3rd thing. If you fall asleep whilst not meaning too with the heating appliance turned on inside the tent, wake yourself up and turn it off.

[markymark]

In our old Jayco Songbird I would light all the burners first thing on a cold morning before the missus and kids got up and you could feel the heat come down, it didn't take long at all to take the chill off and then I'd turn them off.

Now in our Trak Shak I use one of the Coleman procat catalytic heaters to take the chill off. Once we're in bed nothing is running and we rely on our bedding, it's only before bed or first thing in the morning. This works for us, can't say I've ever felt sleepy and I think it comes down to common sense.

Certainly people need to be aware that you can't leave these heaters running all night like they do at home but they have their place.

Mark.

[Sixtys Guy]

I'd remove the gas cylinder/cannister from  the tent too as if it leaks you'll possibly not wake up.

There was a case in Tassie a few years ago where a motor home had a gas box built into the side containing a 9kg LPG cylinder. Unfortunately the box was not properly sealed, gas leaked inside the motor home and the occupant died from asphyxiation.

[mystq]

Yet another reason to get a webasto