21cExp
Veteran Expediter
A lot of good tips here from experienced expediters for the original poster to consider.
I would include simple things like judicious parking, too, keeping in mind which direction the prevailing wind is that night, and where the sun will be coming up the next morning. The night of the Superstorm found me getting off the road and parking in the lee of a Flying J building instead of out in the lot, and found that my van rocked and rolled a LOT less because of it. Less wind on the van will mean a lot less draft in the van too, and less heat being sucked out.
When parking overnight in summertime I most always point the nose of my van to the west or north to avoid the hot morning sun, and in wintertime aim the nose just opposite, to welcome the morning sun.
I've found in the past that I could survive just fine on even the coldest winter nights without supplemental heat or running the engine. I wasn't hanging out in the van all evening, though, just sleeping in it. A good winter-rated sleeping bag, good mattress quality foam or similar under you but up off the floor, a nice comforter on top of the bag, a knit cap on your head, seal up any drafts and use radiant barrier or insulation in your walls, and you might be surprised at just how comfy and cozy and cocoon like you can be in an unheated van. With the right bag, too, you can do like many in the military and keep the next day's clothes inside the bag (or between your sleeping bag and comforter), and even slip on most of it before emerging. Makes getting out of the bag a lot nicer.
If using propane and a Mr Buddy, I'll be using a milk crate too for 20lb tanks and will use the free space in the corners for other stuff. Bungie cord the milk crate in place or attach it to the floor or wall to keep your tank from tipping and rolling around.
For those who want the dedicated holder, though--which is a simple black plastic base--you can get them at a number of places, including HERE for $10.69 or HERE for $10.99 or at just about any RV or Camping place you happen to be going by:
And here is a page with several other styles of Propane Tank Holders and Straps
Sounds like most vanners' who use 20lb tanks keep the tank inside the van and use a 10' non-plasticized hose (just ordered one myself) or the 12' regular hose (needs a fuel filter if using this one). You don't need a regulator with either of these, but can get a hose with a regulator, which eliminates the need for the filter on the 12' regular hose.
If you are uncomfortable using the 20lb tank in the van, you can always get the price break of the larger container by refilling your own 1lb containers at home from a 20lb tank, with the Mr Heater One Pound Tank Refill Adapter:
I think just wise use with the 20lb inside the van is fine though. Get a good CO Detector, preferably one with a digital readout showing the level so you can compare it when using your heater or not. Here's the one I'm getting: Kidde Nighthawk CO Alarm.
Let us know what you end up doing and what is working best for you.
I would include simple things like judicious parking, too, keeping in mind which direction the prevailing wind is that night, and where the sun will be coming up the next morning. The night of the Superstorm found me getting off the road and parking in the lee of a Flying J building instead of out in the lot, and found that my van rocked and rolled a LOT less because of it. Less wind on the van will mean a lot less draft in the van too, and less heat being sucked out.
When parking overnight in summertime I most always point the nose of my van to the west or north to avoid the hot morning sun, and in wintertime aim the nose just opposite, to welcome the morning sun.
I've found in the past that I could survive just fine on even the coldest winter nights without supplemental heat or running the engine. I wasn't hanging out in the van all evening, though, just sleeping in it. A good winter-rated sleeping bag, good mattress quality foam or similar under you but up off the floor, a nice comforter on top of the bag, a knit cap on your head, seal up any drafts and use radiant barrier or insulation in your walls, and you might be surprised at just how comfy and cozy and cocoon like you can be in an unheated van. With the right bag, too, you can do like many in the military and keep the next day's clothes inside the bag (or between your sleeping bag and comforter), and even slip on most of it before emerging. Makes getting out of the bag a lot nicer.
If using propane and a Mr Buddy, I'll be using a milk crate too for 20lb tanks and will use the free space in the corners for other stuff. Bungie cord the milk crate in place or attach it to the floor or wall to keep your tank from tipping and rolling around.
For those who want the dedicated holder, though--which is a simple black plastic base--you can get them at a number of places, including HERE for $10.69 or HERE for $10.99 or at just about any RV or Camping place you happen to be going by:
And here is a page with several other styles of Propane Tank Holders and Straps
Sounds like most vanners' who use 20lb tanks keep the tank inside the van and use a 10' non-plasticized hose (just ordered one myself) or the 12' regular hose (needs a fuel filter if using this one). You don't need a regulator with either of these, but can get a hose with a regulator, which eliminates the need for the filter on the 12' regular hose.
If you are uncomfortable using the 20lb tank in the van, you can always get the price break of the larger container by refilling your own 1lb containers at home from a 20lb tank, with the Mr Heater One Pound Tank Refill Adapter:
I think just wise use with the 20lb inside the van is fine though. Get a good CO Detector, preferably one with a digital readout showing the level so you can compare it when using your heater or not. Here's the one I'm getting: Kidde Nighthawk CO Alarm.
Let us know what you end up doing and what is working best for you.
