How do you plan on staying warm this winter? I have a Sprinter with a sleeper and I'm looking for options for staying warm this winter. I can't afford to go out and spend 3000 for an Espar heater right now. So I thought I'd see how everyone else keeps warm in the cold months.
With the rising price of fuel....
- Thread starter Draco
- Start date
Draco:
The last time I inquired, an ESPAR heater only was $1200 installed. I've heard from one driver that he paid $1300. Either way a cheap alternative to idleing or freezing.
Another alternative that is equally expensive, in the long run, is a Black Cat? catalytic heater found in the outdoor section of Wal-Mart. It uses the one pound propane bottles that last eight hours. The heater is $50 and the propane a couple of dollars.
If you haven't done so already, you might consider compartmentizing your sprinter with a solid wall or curtain between the cab and cargo area. Many folks find that getting the cab heated before bedtime then crawling into the best sleeping bag you can afford will keep you cozy for a good sound sleep ('til you gotta pee).
I have a 12v heaterpad that sits on the mattress, under the sheet. I turn it on 1/2 hour before sleep to get everything warm. It draws too much current to leave on all night, every night.
Terry
The last time I inquired, an ESPAR heater only was $1200 installed. I've heard from one driver that he paid $1300. Either way a cheap alternative to idleing or freezing.
Another alternative that is equally expensive, in the long run, is a Black Cat? catalytic heater found in the outdoor section of Wal-Mart. It uses the one pound propane bottles that last eight hours. The heater is $50 and the propane a couple of dollars.
If you haven't done so already, you might consider compartmentizing your sprinter with a solid wall or curtain between the cab and cargo area. Many folks find that getting the cab heated before bedtime then crawling into the best sleeping bag you can afford will keep you cozy for a good sound sleep ('til you gotta pee).
I have a 12v heaterpad that sits on the mattress, under the sheet. I turn it on 1/2 hour before sleep to get everything warm. It draws too much current to leave on all night, every night.
Terry
I have the Espar heater for over a year now and I realy like it.
Before that I used the 12v. heated seat covers that you can get at the truck stops. I would plug one into a battery pack in the evening and put it inside my sleeping bag would keep me warm all night. Then I would recharge the battery pack the next day when I was taking a load.
I had one of the seat warmers on my seat also. When I srarted in the morning this would keep me warm until the van warmed up.
Before that I used the 12v. heated seat covers that you can get at the truck stops. I would plug one into a battery pack in the evening and put it inside my sleeping bag would keep me warm all night. Then I would recharge the battery pack the next day when I was taking a load.
I had one of the seat warmers on my seat also. When I srarted in the morning this would keep me warm until the van warmed up.
comfort king
Expert Expediter
I don't know where you are pricing your ESPAR, but the people @ Espar of Michigan in Romulus will treat you right!
Tennesseahawk
Veteran Expediter
My dad just picked me up a small Coleman propane heater. It runs on a small camping cannister(around $2), lasts 20 hours, and is 1000 BTUs. It says it only needs 3" of outside air for exhaust. No flame is involved. That and a sleeping bag, and you have a cheap, efficiently warm winter.
Also do a price comparison on Webasto Air-Top. Weighs only 4 lbs. and at halfway on thermostat it can drive me out of my mid-size sleeper & will heat cab as well. Never even notice an increase in fuel consumption- about 1 gal of diesel. You will need at least an extra battery (I have 4 in a D' unit) and don't get crazy leaving things on all night. Try J & K Diesel Rockford, MI. N. of Grand Rapids. Believe it's less than $1200- I had other things rolled in...
About 5 years ago a good guy (Jim Bunting) posted about the catalytic heaters discussed in this topic. I have used them ever since and they are inexpensive,put out gobs of heat and are not dangerous. I usually don't leave them on all night but keep one by the bunk and when I wake up in my sleeping bag,lean over and get it going. In about 10 minutes everything is toasty.
One time in Mass I stayed in a motel overnight. In the morning the temperature was 2 degrees and in the cab 4. I got the engine going,turned on the cataltyic heater and went back inside. I came back out 20 minutes later and the cab was upto 57 degrees.
Nuff said.
One time in Mass I stayed in a motel overnight. In the morning the temperature was 2 degrees and in the cab 4. I got the engine going,turned on the cataltyic heater and went back inside. I came back out 20 minutes later and the cab was upto 57 degrees.
Nuff said.
EO has covered the Espar heater for the last 3 years and IMHO I don't think anything can beat it for the price - not to mention there aren't many heater options for cargo vans.
Ray Lawrence and his Posse can take care of you: [link:www.expeditersonline.com/sub/espar/index.html|Espar of Michigan]
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
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Ray Lawrence and his Posse can take care of you: [link:www.expeditersonline.com/sub/espar/index.html|Espar of Michigan]
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
Sacred cows make the best burgers
"So tell me, are those cookies made with real Girl Scouts?"
Sometimes the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease, it just gets replaced
You can't tell a book by its movie
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Please Help Us Get The Word
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tiredofsittn
Expert Expediter
im thinking of a small generator from home depot chained to my bumper then buy a small heater, i might have a little over $500.also going to insulate the cargo area.for summertime they have a coating made for mobile homes im going to put on top of van, talked with a guy he said it really helps.oh yeah there is a new type ac out that just sits in the area, no part sticking out, just a little water drip.
Hello- I don't know where you got that $3000 price. I just had a Espar Airtronic 2 heater installed in my Sprinter 3 days ago, and it is $1400 installed with a 2 year warranty. It works great. Call Ray at Espar of Michigan, 9675 Harrison Rd, Suite 102, Romulus, MI 734-947-0123.
If that's still too much $$$ you can keep warm while sleeping with a bunk heater, for sale at truckstops for $40. It's just a heated mattress pad that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket. Mine keeps me warm down to 20 degrees. In a cargo van like your Sprinter you must have the bunk heater plugged into an auxilliary battery because if you have it plugged into the battery under the hood your Sprinter won't start in the morning. (Yes, I did that once.)
Vipra
If that's still too much $$$ you can keep warm while sleeping with a bunk heater, for sale at truckstops for $40. It's just a heated mattress pad that plugs into your cigarette lighter socket. Mine keeps me warm down to 20 degrees. In a cargo van like your Sprinter you must have the bunk heater plugged into an auxilliary battery because if you have it plugged into the battery under the hood your Sprinter won't start in the morning. (Yes, I did that once.)
Vipra
Thanks everyone for you suggestions. I doubled checked on the Espar and see that I did screw up on the price.
Right now I have a heavy duty sleeping bag (I bought it in the UP) to keep warm for now. I need to find something to keep the van warmer when the temp drops as I also have my boxer that rides with me. So I need to find something that is safe and I don't have to worry about him knocking over.
I have my sprinter divided off from the cargo area and sleeping area. So the room I have to keep warm is small so I have to keep that in mind to.
Thanks again everyone for your help and suggestions.
Right now I have a heavy duty sleeping bag (I bought it in the UP) to keep warm for now. I need to find something to keep the van warmer when the temp drops as I also have my boxer that rides with me. So I need to find something that is safe and I don't have to worry about him knocking over.
I have my sprinter divided off from the cargo area and sleeping area. So the room I have to keep warm is small so I have to keep that in mind to.
Thanks again everyone for your help and suggestions.