Pinned comment to address Buddy heater safety and Propex fittings comments/questions: Buddy heater safety: I've had quite a few people incorrectly commenting on here that Buddy heaters are catalytic heaters, so don't/can't produce CO. That is false for two reasons. The first is that Buddy heaters are NOT catalytic heaters. The second reason is that catalytic heaters can still produce CO. It's an incredibly common misconception that catalytic heaters can't/don't produce CO, but the catalyst doesn't actually change the chemical reaction at all. You have all of the same byproducts. The difference a catalyst makes is that it makes the reaction a lot more efficient. There is less propane used, therefore less oxygen used, and a much lower chance of CO being produced. That being said, the chances of CO problems with either are incredibly slim with adequate ventilation. The fire risk is more likely to cause issues! Propex fittings: The Propex comes with a male 1/4" BSP fitting, which doesn't play well with the American NPT propane fittings. I went to my local plumbing supply store and they found what I needed. I had xB4R7x suggest the following fitting from McMaster Carr (a great store that I've ordered from multiple times) and adapter for a 3/8" regulator hose: BSP adapter: www.mcmaster.com/1786N204/ 3/8 flare adapter: amzn.to/2LAnmxD
...And, keeping a CO detector with you makes loads of sense. I've thought about it for my vehicles in the winter, have one on my tool box at work, but the idea to use once camping came from Steve Wallis' YT channel.
Looking a the accident picture, it would seem the unit began burning material on the left side, eg too close to a tent panel or it was moved afterward.
Quick piece of advice; if you're worried about something tipping over in a tent that's hot set it on a welders blanket. You can get them in multiple sizes and it won't transfer heat from a falling stove/heater. A baking sheet isn't going to actually provide much protection, they're just too thin and the materials, though fireproof perhaps, are not heat resistant.
I’ve been using the buddy heater in tents and campers since they first came out. Proper ventilation is key. I’ve never had one issue, ever. I’ve used them in below zero weather at 10,000 feet on elk hunts. We set the heater across the sink of our rv, run the hose through the screen of the kitchen window to a big propane bottle outside. We crack windows on the front and rear of the rv and sleep cozy.
ya me too, ive got a truck tent i use in the winter for my fishing trips the little buddy sits on my tailgate over where the tailgate hooks to the truck about a 1 inch wide fresh air by the with of the truck then i leave a 4 inch square window open at the top nice and cozy, never any problems , ohh ya i put a wood stove fan on top of it to circulate the air. just my experience
@@scottmartin4954 I like that fan idea but as it is I’m usually out of my sleeping bag soon because of the heat that thing puts out. Good luck fishing.
@_DB.COOPER I don't know what kind it was any of them can screw up. We use to use the Coleman catalytic heater when I was young and my dad took us camping. I'm sure that one is not that safe. We all lived.
Best policy in my 40 years camping/ white-water experiences: count on your own body heat overnight in a good sleeping bag. I've been wet and cold (did I mention "wet" in overnight torrential downpours in a pup-tent?) and ya gotta be warm. Propane is GREAT for breakfast later, but not for staying warm overnight.
Take and wrap the inside of the tent with emergency blankets. The reflective ones. That way all body heat and heat from anything giving off heat is kept inside the tent that will heat it quick.
@@skullparty7638 from bad to worse. JK it's all about safety. I seen videos using wood stove for tents and I think that is much safer if you follow safety guidelines. Never make shift the chimney always use the kit and some tents are set up for a chimney which is better. 73
@@ronb6182 I have a yurt canvas tent with a woodstove jack and a luxe tent with a stove jack and I have a fiberglass fireplace mat so nothing goes up in flames. Just be smart and you'll never be in much danger.
@@tonybradford1719 It works cause that's what i do when it gets crazy cold and I can't seem to initially warm up. Toss around 6-10 of them in there and wait 10-15 minutes, then get in and I stay comfortable until morning lol.
@@soullesssol7285 I remembered the old hit water bottles from my childhood and got one from Japan a while ago that really made everything so much better. Pour a liter of water in from the pot and you'll have it fully toasty almost instantly perfectly safe. I use it at home in the winter too. Ended up vastly preferring it to electric blankets too because it's a lot more heat when you actually need it at the start. And hugging the bottle or grabbing it with your cold toes feels great.
Because I am a deaf Overlander and your follower, do you mind to turn the captions on this video? I love gathering your informations about your overlanding experiences. Thanks.
The option for closed captioning is on the video screen. When you see the timeline, volume, pause, etc..on the bottom right there's a small box that has a 'CC' on it. CC = Closed captioning.
Great information. FYI, I saw another video with a guy that attached a wood stove fan to his Buddy heater. These fans use no electricity and are great for blowing the rising heat from a wood stove (or in this case a Buddy heater) to the rest of the room. All the vertically rising heat that goes to waste with a Buddy heater is now blown around the room and is much more effective at keeping the room warm. I was so impressed with the video that I ordered one of these fans from Amazon as soon as the video was over.
I used a Little Buddy heater inside my tent for years without an issue. Mainly use it in the evenings and mornings to take the damp chill out. I camp solo in a 14 person tent so I have lot's of inside space. I use a heat activated wood stove fan mounted on the top of the Little Buddy to disperse and circulate the heat. I also mount the Little Buddy heater to a base plate so that it cannot be tipped over. I also keep two carbon monoxide senors and smoke alarms in my tent. I generally get about 4 hours, sometimes a little more out of a one pound propane tank with my heater set on medium.
Use a stove fan with the buddy heater and you'll see a major improvement you can easily set them up to be safe, always have a CO detector and keep it away from your bedding... What went wrong with your buddies is that the tent was waaay too small. That thing can put out up to 9,000 BTU which can get up to 700+ degrees Fahrenheit no wonder it caught on fire.
I've actually used a buddy heater to heat the entire space in a 300 Sq ft room. It came in handy this past February here in Texas when we lost power during that arctic blast.
Honestly the best way to stay warm is with a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag. I wrap mine in tinfoil then put the soft cover over the top. It gives out heat for about 6 or 7 hours that way and is usually still warm by morning. Just boil some water before bed.
It's more for comfort and moisture control. So that when you're camping in winter you can have a little luxury while you're in the beutiful wilderness with your wife or kids. The start of his video was to increase your camping season as most only camp in summer when it's more pleasant weather.
Wow, Winter camping has come a long way since I use to make snow graves in the snow with branches over the opening For the smoke to escape from the fire. A ground sheet on top of ceder branches. I guess that's now called Survival Camping That Propex, would be my fav. Some 40 Years ago, One of the best Videos . Thanks
Diesel is the way to go. I have a lithium battery pack in my home built all in one diesel heater. It sits outside my tent and it’s the best tent heater I’ve ever used
Hey, I use the Propex Heater and am more than HAPPY! 24 degrees now outside and I'm sitting in a 69-degree cargo trailer which is 6' by 14' in size. Everything about this heater is great, with no smells, low fuel usage, warmth with no moisture. I would use it for tent/overland exploring with friends. Great review!
My husband uses the Buddy heater for Idaho rocky mountain elk hunting in October. Until he learned how much ventilation was needed, the condensation was horrible. Now, he uses it comfortably with a 20 Lb. propane tank. He also uses it, with a small propane container, in his popup ground blind on super cold days. He doesn't use it at night. He relies on doubling up on the sleeping bags. Its great to use when there's a burn ban on wood fires.
This guy sure covered this topic quite perfectly. Although I don't totally agree with everything he said, he explained his reasoning behind his opinions. Great review, now I should watch some more of your reviews.
The mr buddy heaters are completely safe in most scenarios, they’ve been tested by fire departments and as far as co2, and oxygen and are good. The best option is to use it to warm your tent before you sleep and then when you wake up, paired with a good bag you’ll be comfy all night.
They are. This guy is wrong on all levels of the heater. Just cause his buddy did something stupid like put some plastic over the heater and wont admit it doesn't mean its a bad heater.
Didn’t add the “Big Buddy” heater with the included fan. Running the fan along with the heater has kept my tent toasty warm and dry inside during cold Michigan winters for the past 11 years!
If you mount the Propex Propane Heater or the Suburban Propane Heater (Like Motorhomes use) remember that the intake and exhause vents are open to the outside and MudDobbers build thier nests inside those heaters! The come in through the Intake or Exaust tubes. The RV industry has made a screen that you can attach to the openings to help prevent the MudDobber problem. Just make sure you have those checked out before you use them!
Dude, stumbled on your channel yesterday, watched a ton of your vids and ordered my own heater today. Your editing skills and video layout in very easy watching! Keep it up!
@@jasonherman4833 ewery internet shop have less than 140$ normal100$ many many diesel heaters, many different models, alltime have available many shoip have sell.
I've used a big buddy heater for years inside my hunting tent!! 2 years ago we were in single digits during elk season and I ran the heater for an hour each night to get comfy in my sleeping bag then turned it off. The key is get a good damn sleeping bag and only turn it on when you get cold.
Good report on tent heaters. My son made a pellet stove that is about the size of a sheepherder's stove and requires a stove jack. It operates about like a wood stove, it does not need electricity and it heats for about 12 hours before having to reload more wood pellets. We used it during the hunting season and it worked perfectly...
For the buddy heater, if your going to use in tent, i recommend putting a steel finer mesh grill screen cover, making it harder for anything combustible to fit into the flame, you can fit it some washers and bolts right onto over the grill that is already on it
I installed the 5kw Happy Buy diesel heater in our 2021 17 ft travel trailer, and after a year it is still running strong and is amazing at heating the 8 x 17 box. So much more efficient than any other RV furnace! I can't even fathom why people are still using those buddy heaters in trailers and tents.
I use a Buddy heater but with 10lb propane tank. These are more reliable in the real cold than the 1lb tanks, which I had problems freezing up before. I keep the tank in my tent but on a long hose away from the heater. Once the tent heats up a little, the propane tanks stays warm. Wouldn’t worry about it unless you have an airtight tent. Have it on a fireproof mat as long as you have an air intake on your tent open, VERY small chance of anything happening unless you’re careless.I see that propane heater you have is over $1K!! I'll stick to my Buddy.
Deisel is buy far the cheapest eay to heat. But i stumbled across somthing cool the other day. You drill a hole in the top of an old copper penny. Run a wire through it to suspend it in a metal can. Pour in acetone about an inch deep. Suspend the penny abouve the acetone. Make it so you can heat the penny up with a torch to get it red hot and suspend the hot penny over the acetone buy around 1/4 inch. And it will produce heat untill the acetone is gone. It last a while. Its pretty coop science. Penny acting as a catylist to the acetone. The penny just stays glowing red hot and radiates heat. Can we make a bigger version????
Man I'm all for safety and being warm but at over $1000-$1700 for those couple heaters is killer. I got a USB powered blanket and a bunch of hand warmers on clearance after winter to use with the buddy heater and we are all good to go. Love the video and ALL the options
I have not tried it yet, but with radiant heaters like the portable Buddy, use a small battery fan to assist with mixing the hot air coming off the heater into the surrounding area. The big buddy used to have a built in fan...
Finally a review that talks about condensation! Coming from ground tents and long hikes this was my main concern with tent heaters. Thank you for this great video! I liked you reminding the importance of sleeping bags.. obvious for some but not for many. Cheers from France!
Hi. Try an origo heat-pal. Runs on alcohol. Meant for sailboats . Not cheap. I've tried lots of heaters and it is by far the best because no condensation. If you're familiar with sterno...a heat-pal is like a very large sterno.
By the way just for those wondering, a 1lb propane bottle will go for around 7 hours on low on the buddy heaters. Fair other points though, definitely have to be very careful. I almost knocked one over last night and can confirm the tilt setting works 🤣 It did work pretty well though camping at 10k feet. Also, the other issue that can cause issues is that the buddy heaters do have a fair amount of vertical heat that rises above the heater and around it which can be an issue in small sensitive environments, like a rooftop tent. I suspect that may have been the issue where it was able to heat part of the tent to a combustion level.
Always make sure that the Diesel heater intake is not downwind of the exhaust due to Carbon monoxide. So there is a risk but with a detector and checking of fittings. It is safer. Thanks for the video and links.
If you have to have a battery out in the cold, build a battery hut. Either build a soft version out of cloth and foil insulation with a 12v pet heater inside or a hard version out of a good picnic cooler with a small heating element inside. The energy lost from using the heater is more than made up for by not losing a ton of potential from a cold battery. Got this tip from a friend who spends more than half his winter weekends camping in the woods and uses a Li-Ion battery to power some lights and cameras. He has his battery hut permanently mounted onto the sled he pulls out into the woods, and all he has to do is put the charged battery into the box, plug it in, and he is guaranteed to have power for the entire weekend no matter the weather. If you run a diesel heater that needs power to run and keep you warm, it might be a good idea to ensure the battery powering it doesn't freeze on you. It might be possible to just run the hot air hose a couple of laps around the battery, but a better solution is to ensure the battery just never freezes even when the heater isn't running and just build a battery box.
I only use the Buddy heater under close supervision and turn it off while sleeping. My sleeping bag is rated 30 below and I put thermal blankets under and over me. (Knit Cap for sleeping) I save the Jackery 1000 to start the Mr. Coffee pot in the morning and relight the heater. Great videos.
Mr Heater does *not* cause carbon monoxide production due to a bevy of built in safeguards (including oxygen monitoring). These have been tested again and again with *zero carbon monoxide production.* However, their instructions clearly state for them to be used to heat the space, and then to be turned off while sleeping.
Best sleeping bag ever, Wiggys, plus the Davis Tent bed roll. Get the one that is two bags that zip apart. One is for warm weather, the other is cold down to say 50F together they make a cold weather down to below zero. With the bedroll you will be toasty. Eat before you go to sleep, put your clothes inside your sleeping bag and place it at your foot.
Real men wear shorts and sleep in a hammock! 🤣🤣🤣 I about spit out my herbal tea when I heard that. Currently we haven't been brave enough to try camping in the winter, but possibly as winter transitions to spring will give it a try. Leaning towards blankets at first, some have timers so they don't run all night, multiple heat settings, and use a 5521 barrel plug so I can plug 2 of them into my Bluetti AC50S which is 500W. Great video 👍
Best video on tent heaters I’ve watched to date; thank you for the great information. Like you, I enjoy camping year round. Though a good tent and sleeping bag can make it more enticing, a warm and dry tent, and lighter sleeping bag, really make year round camping even more appealing.
Mr Heater Buddy Heaters have their regulator integrated within the unit as it is a "low pressure" propane appliance. If it fails, propane escapes and the heat sourse nearby ignites and you have a flame up. I've seen this happen with two different heaters, luckily awake and able to extinguish the flames but will NEVER sleep with one left on again.
My stepdad has a big mr. buddy heater and we have a couple of gas generators in case of a power outage, and we have 2 propane tanks and a gauge for the big propane tanks
Thank you so much for all this knowledge!! I'm building out a 28' enclosed trailer this summer and was convinced I would be using the Webasto, after this video I'm 100% going with the Pro- Pex!! Keep bringing the great content!!
Great video! I’m just finishing up a Propex HS2000 heater install in my JKU and I love it! I chose it for all the reasons you outlined and especially because I live and travel at high altitudes where the liquid fuel heaters have constant problems with sooting up etc.
the buddy heater works fine if you just use it on low setting and of course in place with lots of room. As we lost our home in fire in paradise and as long as you use it for just moments it is fine and also not too close to anything. We survived winter in motorhome with it but thereagain didn't run it all night. Just to heat place when you wake up in morning. Costs less then other units but you're right to keep eye on it and I wouldn't suggest falling asleep in tent with it on all night. Thanks on you video very insightful
I have a large canvas tent and use a propane heater connected to a big tank. It works great, with no condensation problems. I place the heater on a welding blanket, and use a carbon monoxide detector. I have never had any issues whatsoever. I can understand some of the concerns for smaller tents, but we I will use the propane heater on low through the night, just to keep the tent above freezing. Sometimes in the mornings, it can actually be too hot in the tent with the heater on high, and I have to turn it down to low.
I’ve got the all in one diesel but it’s the short version (with the fuel tank beside the heat exchanger instead of on top of it) . Easy to find a toolbox for it to fit in. Also I ran sheet metal across the bottom creating a compartment to store the exhaust tube (where I heat wrapped a 90 and short nipple going out to the side then I added a couple of hinged doors)
For ground tent winter cycle camping I invested in a Seek Outside Titanium Cub Stove (the original hard side and back panel model, not the titanium foil Cub U-Turn version). I ordered mine with the top panel of their Cub U-Turn Stove because I wanted its 2.5 inch stovepipe aperture, which I prefer to the larger diameter pipe which as standard is 19mm larger. I bought a sheet of 1mm thick expanded titanium sheet to make into a grate (because I'll be burning smokeless charcoal briquettes) and another of the same material but 0.5mm thick to make into a side, warming tray (like the Kifaru box stove warming tray). I also ordered an additional base panel to use as a snow platform and stabilised base and 8 extra round feet to fit it. I also have some titanium foil to make into a baffle, to use with a damper and my 9 foot titanium stovepipe. I may also experiment with a titanium stack robber (based on the design of the much missed Woods Walker) and between found wood, smokeless charcoal briquettes, compressed wood logs and wood pellets to establish the longest burn time with this sized stove! I quite specifically wanted the Cub Stove and not a larger tent stove! With a good sleeping bag, silk inner liner and e-Vent bivvy bag on a Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm Max Long and Multimat Summit XL 12mm thick high performance foam mat and Helinox Cot One Convertible with extra high leg set, I have every expectation of being absolutely toasty, irrespective of how cold it is outside! I've been cold, now I choose to invest in not being that way again through equipment, good eating and better knowledge.
Just for hahaha’s I put my buddy heater in my closet with a co2 detector….. no issues. I also get 6 hours per tank on low with it……Love my buddy heater!
Good stuff here. I’ve been in conflict with myself since summer about buying a buddy heater and weighing the pros and cons. But this has absolutely convinced me away from the buddy heater.... $800 isn’t in the budget right now but it’s 100% in the future
Thank you for an excellent overview. Saved me hours of research and risk. I was leaning towards the diesel in a box, but it looks like that is not wise storing it inside my subaru for the drive. Propex at $900 is getting too pricey. Wish there were a $300-400 middle ground given the occasional use for me.
Look how little joy you get when you buy car insurence each year ……$ 800 is a good deal for that unit and what it can do for your life….and it last for years… and it doesn’t require you wreck your car to use it….
We purchased the Mr Buddy golf cart heater last season used a cheap base for the green cans. We were able to effectively get 5 and 1/2 hours of high it was 21° out with a 5-year-old in the tent and she was comfortable.
I didn't mean to sound too hateful and negative - I just wanted to give you all the pros and cons of each! Hopefully this helps! Links to everything in the description.
I operate from the perspective of a glass half empty so I have no problem with your approach. There are too many reviewers that get paid for glowing reviews. I appreciate your honesty. (I hate Chinese knockoffs. My brother-in-law lost his business from Chinese intellectual property theft.)
Not at all this is very and insightful I use the buddy heater and just a high-quality sleeping bag inside of my Overland camper! and I’m usually plenty warm. But it’s still good to do research and hoping to do a lot more winter camping and possibly some backpacking
I'm a crane operator and those webasto heaters are really, really good, until they break. Most of the non-US cranes have those heaters and they are, almost without exception, the first thing to break on a new crane. And they are not cheap to fix. I've worked for companies that just bought after market heaters (read Buddy heater) rather than pay to fix the original install. I work in the San Antonio market so there isn't just a whole lot of winter down here, so that's a good thing. I think I'll go with the propane option, even at 800. it just makes sense.
I went with the Chinese heater. I did the tool box deal like you did. Funny enough I had the same toolbox too. The fella I loaned it to finally brought it back the day I got the heater. I checked out your video that night and what do ya know. I used a 3inch (75)mm exhaust couple and bolted it on. I used a battery isolator for just the heater and stand by battery backup. Works for me.
Very cool channel! I started winter camping combining it with “adventure ham radio” making contacts with ham radio operators around the world with a wire hung from a tree and radio in the warm, elements protecting tent. LiFePo4 batteries won’t work below freezing so when operating in the bush need a heat source and non-humid air. Some are using titanium (super light) wood burning stoves Which pipes out of the tent with great success. Anyway I’ll keep watching!
I use a Patron portable tent space heater and a 2000w Genset. The Patrons are made in Finland and designed for work tents. They are amazing and move a lot of air for their small size. Its brutally simple and those small gensets have a lot other uses camping.
Thank you. This really changed my mind about radiant heaters. On the other hand there's a significant cost leap to other methods whether it is very the device itself or the portable battery unit which needed.
Installed a Propex 2000 in my camper for winter camping in Canada. It draws 2 amps @ 12volts when running, reliable, and (important) relatively quiet fan. But I turn it off when sleeping and snuggle into my down bag overnight and turn it on in the morning early. It is a waste to heat a tent overnight, a passive insulated down bag does a better job. I have a Mr Buddy Heater- catalytic heaters used to be called "Volkswagen Van Hippy Killers", there is still a story every year in the news of a silent death.
Great video bro! I’ve used the buddy heater and it indeed generated way to much condensation in my Alu Cab. That’s what brought me here. Your video is the first I’ve watched and I can’t imagine finding a better one! Thanks!
A company called Zodi makes a propane tent heater. The heater is outside your tent and uses duct hose like what you had in your video to provide warm air to tent. They used to make a small single burner one, but its no longer available.
Diesel air heater imho is by far the best solution. Chief concern exhaust pipe can reach 1200 degrees F. Main advantages. If you place intake hose in cabin dah is a powerful dehumidifier. Amazing amount of heat. Battery hog amp load is around 6 amps. Very loud. Diesel burn rate in my application with upgraded thermostat 1/8. Gallon per hour.
Prior to making the decision to go with a diesel, and then a propane heater option, did you consider going to a small quiet gas powered generator and an electric heater? If so, why did you decide against it?
I have heard that the Chinese model diesel heaters have cheap glow plugs and do not start in freezing temperatures. I plan on getting a diesel heater for my overland vehicle; however, I have not decided on a brand yet. I plan on mounting it in the vehicle frame and adding an extra diesel tank. Guess I need to waterproof it after watching your video. Then again, you reviewed a dry heat propane heater which I never heard of, back to the drawing board...
Wow, I'm surprised you're not more popular on youtube, I'm subbed to much larger similar channels that never mentioned the info and tips you've laid out in this vid! 👍
I met a guy who'd used the base of a utility trailer to build a sleeping structure upon. He used a waterproof tarp for a pitched roof. The tarp reduced the overall weight and top-heaviness of the trailer. He included a small wood burning stove inside the unit...of course, chimneyed to the outside. On the front side he installed a small sliding window (with screen.) and the back side of the structure folded down, completely, to form a ramp for access. Inside, he had bench seating on both sides and a table in the centre. The table could be dropped down to combine with the bench seating to form a bed at night, or the table could be dropped to the floor and the bench seating folded up to the sides to allow him to drive his 4x4 quad up and into the unit for traveling. He used duroid/asphalt shingles on the ramp for greater traction.
I have a Eberspaecher diesel heater to heat my garage at home & I use stove oil or furnace fuel in it! It smells better then diesel fuel and much less carbon buildup inside the heater!! I am in the process of building a hydronic heater from Eberspaecher as a dedicated heater for my garage!!
Good evening, Thanks a lot for this detailed video. I did some overlanding this summer in my Subaru this summer. I was looking at option to heat the vehicule to extend my camping season or go camping in the winter. It gets really cold here in Winnipeg Canada and this would allow me to extend my adventure season. Again thank you for the very detailed and honest video. Keep on the good work I watch all your adventures when posted. Cheers Eric
finland and canada same weather and winter and can good live and sleep tent if use diesel heater and sleeping bag. if need additional safe use emercency foil planket under bed and top of sleeping bag. dont ewer use gas butane/propane heater in tent not safety.
electric matress pads 12 v are what ive used, under you then blankets on top so you dont lose the heat thats rising, much more efficient than elec blankets IMHO
What about a portable power station (1000 or more capacity) powering a portable electric oil-filled radiator heater? They take up a lot of space, and take a while to heat up that space. But once they do, it's a really cozy, consistent warmth, no air blowing. I don't know about condensation, though (I would have to experiment with the set up). Seems like it would work well though. It's my favorite sort of home heating, even over central heating in some ways.
You can get the Chinese diesel heater with a very simple controller. On, off, and a temp dial. I just picked up a all in one for $109 off amazon and I would highly recommend it for any budget minded camper.
Buddy Heaters have to be placed in the middle of the tent where it's the highest, the smallest Buddy Heater needs at least a 6 foot clearance to the closest flammable object ABOVE the heater. The heater's flame produces heat upward, not forward, making it unsafe to use in a corner of a tent where the walls might only be 1 foot away from the open flame. Your friend didn't read the instructions and didn't use common sense.
I use mine in a 6 foot tall ice shelter. I would never use it in a regular tent. Beyond foolhardy. On the lowest setting it would be to hot anyway. I make sure of adequate ventilation and use a small battery powered ceiling fan to move the air around. No problem with condensation. I heat a room in my house with it all winter. Have watched many experiments regarding carbon monoxide and has been proven to not be an issue. This is why people should do their homework. Your information was biased and obviously not well researched.
Again great video! The only thing that I can add is that in cold weather propane/butane actually can freeze, if the vessel is not properly rated for the consumption (too small) so the gas flow falls or can even shut...
Well your point about condensation and Mr Buddy is true. But it only uses 1.5 bottles a night on low. And as far as heating the air in my truck bed topper is that it gets hot in there. You say the heater went wrong but u don’t know if something caught fire.
I put a $140 diesel heater in my van and will never again use anything else in my camper van. It only draws high amps when it first starts up. My thermostat is super simple. Push a button, it turns on, turn the knob up or down to adjust. Push a button to shut it down.
Hey, I just discovered a really warm idea for keeping lithium batteries warm. Buy an extra ice chest, one which is really insulated. If the lid isn't insulated it won't work. To use the ice chest to keep your little batteries warm get two, 2 litter soda pop bottles filled with 160°F water in the box along with the power station and all the other lithium devices. Add some insulating blankets over the top. I'm testing my idea this week. I hope it works.
Thanks for this informative video. Always helps to show examples too, so great job. I am making the transition from backpacking to overlanding and I appreciate your experiences
Great video. I have been looking for a portable emergency heater that could be used in a cabin, bus, garage, etc. and I think that propane unit is the way to go. I didn't want to spend that much but if there is one thing I have learned when it comes to things like this it is "buy it nice or buy it twice."
Great comparison! I owned a Mr Buddy for one day and returned it after finding your Heater in a Box video. I ended up getting a Diesel All in One. Used it the first time last week camping at 8000 feet in a Roof Top Tent and 22 degrees F. Kept the tent a toasty 75 all night running at low power. That's how you sleep in shorts! I will say, the diesel heaters are not for the plug and play crowd. I had to extend the controller wires, replaced the power wires with larger gauge wiring, and learning the controller almost needs an advanced degree. I have laminated instructions I keep with the heater, since I will never remember the right order to press buttons.👍 Love the channel and keep up the good work!
Highly recommend looking into the Afterburner thermostat by Ray Jones. ~100 bucks, but gives you a proper thermostat with wifi/bluetooth and such for diesel heaters. Changed the experience with mine entirely.
“The biggest problem period for camping and me is keeping warm. Great comparison and helpful thank you. I actually bought a generator this spring and an electric blanket. But i is m afraid the next move is a camper with walls lol.
I think this spring I'm going to build one of the mini camper concept builds that I've been seeing everywhere on the internet. The trailer is from harbor freight (its junk, but ~$300). You can do a leaf over axel on them, then just build the box from scrap lumber or one paycheck at a time. I'll recycle some windows and build little loft beds for my kids. I'm taking off in a few days for a hunt in the Rockys, in a tent, with my 8 year old. I'm so tired of sleeping in tents.
Pinned comment to address Buddy heater safety and Propex fittings comments/questions:
Buddy heater safety: I've had quite a few people incorrectly commenting on here that Buddy heaters are catalytic heaters, so don't/can't produce CO. That is false for two reasons. The first is that Buddy heaters are NOT catalytic heaters. The second reason is that catalytic heaters can still produce CO. It's an incredibly common misconception that catalytic heaters can't/don't produce CO, but the catalyst doesn't actually change the chemical reaction at all. You have all of the same byproducts. The difference a catalyst makes is that it makes the reaction a lot more efficient. There is less propane used, therefore less oxygen used, and a much lower chance of CO being produced. That being said, the chances of CO problems with either are incredibly slim with adequate ventilation. The fire risk is more likely to cause issues!
Propex fittings: The Propex comes with a male 1/4" BSP fitting, which doesn't play well with the American NPT propane fittings. I went to my local plumbing supply store and they found what I needed. I had xB4R7x suggest the following fitting from McMaster Carr (a great store that I've ordered from multiple times) and adapter for a 3/8" regulator hose:
BSP adapter: www.mcmaster.com/1786N204/
3/8 flare adapter: amzn.to/2LAnmxD
Outside of a tent, I really like mine. I bought it to heat a small bathroom at work while I change clothes to go out straight from the shop.
JMF TAG
...And, keeping a CO detector with you makes loads of sense. I've thought about it for my vehicles in the winter, have one on my tool box at work, but the idea to use once camping came from Steve Wallis' YT channel.
Is the propex loud or make noise?
It's not that bad to USE a Lithium battery in cold weather as it is to try to Charge them in cold weather...
Looking a the accident picture, it would seem the unit began burning material on the left side, eg too close to a tent panel or it was moved afterward.
Quick piece of advice; if you're worried about something tipping over in a tent that's hot set it on a welders blanket. You can get them in multiple sizes and it won't transfer heat from a falling stove/heater. A baking sheet isn't going to actually provide much protection, they're just too thin and the materials, though fireproof perhaps, are not heat resistant.
@@Reginald-Montgomery-Astird-III I use a small section of plywood.
Used a Mr.Buddy in a shiftpod whilst visiting Yosemite, created a rainforest inside tent. No bueno.
I’ve been using the buddy heater in tents and campers since they first came out. Proper ventilation is key. I’ve never had one issue, ever. I’ve used them in below zero weather at 10,000 feet on elk hunts. We set the heater across the sink of our rv, run the hose through the screen of the kitchen window to a big propane bottle outside. We crack windows on the front and rear of the rv and sleep cozy.
ya me too, ive got a truck tent i use in the winter for my fishing trips the little buddy sits on my tailgate over where the tailgate hooks to the truck about a 1 inch wide fresh air by the with of the truck then i leave a 4 inch square window open at the top nice and cozy, never any problems , ohh ya i put a wood stove fan on top of it to circulate the air. just my experience
@@scottmartin4954 I like that fan idea but as it is I’m usually out of my sleeping bag soon because of the heat that thing puts out. Good luck fishing.
They found 2 guys dead in our camp spot the year before we camped there. Gas heater in tent
@@matthewb3640 not the Buddy Heater.
@_DB.COOPER I don't know what kind it was any of them can screw up. We use to use the Coleman catalytic heater when I was young and my dad took us camping. I'm sure that one is not that safe. We all lived.
Best policy in my 40 years camping/ white-water experiences: count on your own body heat overnight in a good sleeping bag. I've been wet and cold (did I mention "wet" in overnight torrential downpours in a pup-tent?) and ya gotta be warm. Propane is GREAT for breakfast later, but not for staying warm overnight.
Take and wrap the inside of the tent with emergency blankets. The reflective ones. That way all body heat and heat from anything giving off heat is kept inside the tent that will heat it quick.
I just have my wife remind me of all the mistakes I've made for the year, that fills the space with hot air AND puts me to sleep.
Great observation on who is the Alpha in the relationship.
@@EnpuerKT Or, a display of my wit and humor to bring levity to the masses. Tomato/Tomaaatoe
@@i4nic256 nah
@@EnpuerKT Ok then, back into my beta cave. You keep being great buddy.
That’s cold! 🥶
I've used a Buddy heater in my tent for years and never had an issue. Will continue to use it, but great information!
Same here, since they first came out. Not one problem .
I used one for a long time inside a tent. Now i have a woodstove for heat in my tent.
Agreed.
@@skullparty7638 from bad to worse. JK it's all about safety. I seen videos using wood stove for tents and I think that is much safer if you follow safety guidelines. Never make shift the chimney always use the kit and some tents are set up for a chimney which is better. 73
@@ronb6182 I have a yurt canvas tent with a woodstove jack and a luxe tent with a stove jack and I have a fiberglass fireplace mat so nothing goes up in flames. Just be smart and you'll never be in much danger.
That last heater sounded like a great option for me until you said $800 and I thought, “Think I’ll just buy more blankets and sleeping bags.” 🤣💀
1 sleeping bag 1 milar space blanket = plenty warm
Try hand warmers put them inside the sleeping bag and it will build up heat not sure if it works
@@tonybradford1719 It works cause that's what i do when it gets crazy cold and I can't seem to initially warm up. Toss around 6-10 of them in there and wait 10-15 minutes, then get in and I stay comfortable until morning lol.
🤣😂🤣
@@soullesssol7285
I remembered the old hit water bottles from my childhood and got one from Japan a while ago that really made everything so much better. Pour a liter of water in from the pot and you'll have it fully toasty almost instantly perfectly safe. I use it at home in the winter too. Ended up vastly preferring it to electric blankets too because it's a lot more heat when you actually need it at the start. And hugging the bottle or grabbing it with your cold toes feels great.
Because I am a deaf Overlander and your follower, do you mind to turn the captions on this video? I love gathering your informations about your overlanding experiences. Thanks.
I'm working on it. Do you know if there's a way to have auto captioning? I've been typing for an hour, and I'm only 8 minutes in!
@@RevereOverland I wish I knew how to do auto captioning in UA-cam. Try to ask UA-cam tech support to see they can help.
try to click the 3 dots at top right corner. then you can see there is an option to turn on the caption. Hope this helps
The option for closed captioning is on the video screen. When you see the timeline, volume, pause, etc..on the bottom right there's a small box that has a 'CC' on it. CC = Closed captioning.
@@ethanding1374 I just tried that out of curiosity and it worked. All I had to do was click closed captioning, English, and start the video.
Great information. FYI, I saw another video with a guy that attached a wood stove fan to his Buddy heater. These fans use no electricity and are great for blowing the rising heat from a wood stove (or in this case a Buddy heater) to the rest of the room. All the vertically rising heat that goes to waste with a Buddy heater is now blown around the room and is much more effective at keeping the room warm. I was so impressed with the video that I ordered one of these fans from Amazon as soon as the video was over.
great story bro got a link to the fan?
I used a Little Buddy heater inside my tent for years without an issue. Mainly use it in the evenings and mornings to take the damp chill out. I camp solo in a 14 person tent so I have lot's of inside space. I use a heat activated wood stove fan mounted on the top of the Little Buddy to disperse and circulate the heat. I also mount the Little Buddy heater to a base plate so that it cannot be tipped over. I also keep two carbon monoxide senors and smoke alarms in my tent. I generally get about 4 hours, sometimes a little more out of a one pound propane tank with my heater set on medium.
There is an aftermarket fan mount bracket for the Buddy heaters. It works great with the right heat activated fan.
Use a stove fan with the buddy heater and you'll see a major improvement
you can easily set them up to be safe, always have a CO detector and keep it away from your bedding...
What went wrong with your buddies is that the tent was waaay too small. That thing can put out up to 9,000 BTU which can get up to 700+ degrees Fahrenheit no wonder it caught on fire.
I've actually used a buddy heater to heat the entire space in a 300 Sq ft room. It came in handy this past February here in Texas when we lost power during that arctic blast.
Honestly the best way to stay warm is with a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag. I wrap mine in tinfoil then put the soft cover over the top. It gives out heat for about 6 or 7 hours that way and is usually still warm by morning. Just boil some water before bed.
What kind of water bottle do you recommend?
@@maranatha3333 just any generic rubber one you find in any super market.
@@flutingaround it keeps it hotter longer. It doesn't pump all it's heat out in a couple hours.
It's more for comfort and moisture control. So that when you're camping in winter you can have a little luxury while you're in the beutiful wilderness with your wife or kids. The start of his video was to increase your camping season as most only camp in summer when it's more pleasant weather.
Wow, Winter camping has come a long way since I use to make snow graves in the snow with branches over the opening For the smoke to escape from the fire. A
ground sheet on top of ceder branches. I guess that's now called Survival Camping
That Propex, would be my fav.
Some 40 Years ago,
One of the best Videos . Thanks
Diesel is the way to go. I have a lithium battery pack in my home built all in one diesel heater. It sits outside my tent and it’s the best tent heater I’ve ever used
How many AmpHours is your battery pack?
Hey, I use the Propex Heater and am more than HAPPY! 24 degrees now outside and I'm sitting in a 69-degree cargo trailer which is 6' by 14' in size. Everything about this heater is great, with no smells, low fuel usage, warmth with no moisture. I would use it for tent/overland exploring with friends. Great review!
The Propex is nice, but I can literally buy a used pop-up camper for that price
I’m thinking a low voltage queen electric blanket with Jackery 1000 is gonna be my go-to.
Have you done it? What blanket did you end up choosing?
My husband uses the Buddy heater for Idaho rocky mountain elk hunting in October. Until he learned how much ventilation was needed, the condensation was horrible. Now, he uses it comfortably with a 20 Lb. propane tank. He also uses it, with a small propane container, in his popup ground blind on super cold days. He doesn't use it at night. He relies on doubling up on the sleeping bags. Its great to use when there's a burn ban on wood fires.
This guy sure covered this topic quite perfectly. Although I don't totally agree with everything he said, he explained his reasoning behind his opinions. Great review, now I should watch some more of your reviews.
The mr buddy heaters are completely safe in most scenarios, they’ve been tested by fire departments and as far as co2, and oxygen and are good. The best option is to use it to warm your tent before you sleep and then when you wake up, paired with a good bag you’ll be comfy all night.
They are. This guy is wrong on all levels of the heater. Just cause his buddy did something stupid like put some plastic over the heater and wont admit it doesn't mean its a bad heater.
Love the heating buddy! Very safe and reliable, but would never never leave it on while sleeping.
@@peterstewart2848 fine to use while sleeping. Keep a CO detector with you, keep a window cracked.
Didn’t add the “Big Buddy” heater with the included fan.
Running the fan along with the heater has kept my tent toasty warm and dry inside during cold Michigan winters for the past 11 years!
Skip to 5:33 if you want to pass on all the sleeping bag talk.....
Yeah cuz that's not important for winter camping or anything....
@@sgtpepper6379 better to do a video titled, “best sleeping bags for winter “.......not “how to heat your tent this winter”
MVP
If you mount the Propex Propane Heater or the Suburban Propane Heater (Like Motorhomes use) remember that the intake and exhause vents are open to the outside and MudDobbers build thier nests inside those heaters! The come in through the Intake or Exaust tubes. The RV industry has made a screen that you can attach to the openings to help prevent the MudDobber problem. Just make sure you have those checked out before you use them!
Fleese blankets are the best inside a sleeping bag I believe.. Never failed me...
Dude, stumbled on your channel yesterday, watched a ton of your vids and ordered my own heater today. Your editing skills and video layout in very easy watching! Keep it up!
Awesome! Thank you!
@SWOKStubbs which heater did you go with, these are not available...Thanks!
@@jasonherman4833 ewery internet shop have less than 140$ normal100$ many many diesel heaters, many different models, alltime have available many shoip have sell.
I've used a big buddy heater for years inside my hunting tent!! 2 years ago we were in single digits during elk season and I ran the heater for an hour each night to get comfy in my sleeping bag then turned it off. The key is get a good damn sleeping bag and only turn it on when you get cold.
Good report on tent heaters. My son made a pellet stove that is about the size of a sheepherder's stove and requires a stove jack. It operates about like a wood stove, it does not need electricity and it heats for about 12 hours before having to reload more wood pellets. We used it during the hunting season and it worked perfectly...
He should make some to sell how much if he does
@@pieluvr7362 I told him the same thing LOL...
I want to try a hot tent with wood heat. But yea, propane heater would be the way to go for heating a trailer/ truck camper/van
For the buddy heater, if your going to use in tent, i recommend putting a steel finer mesh grill screen cover, making it harder for anything combustible to fit into the flame, you can fit it some washers and bolts right onto over the grill that is already on it
I installed the 5kw Happy Buy diesel heater in our 2021 17 ft travel trailer, and after a year it is still running strong and is amazing at heating the 8 x 17 box. So much more efficient than any other RV furnace! I can't even fathom why people are still using those buddy heaters in trailers and tents.
Agreed. We replaced the propane in our truck camper with a diesel heater a few years ago and will never go back.
I use a Buddy heater but with 10lb propane tank. These are more reliable in the real cold than the 1lb tanks, which I had problems freezing up before. I keep the tank in my tent but on a long hose away from the heater. Once the tent heats up a little, the propane tanks stays warm. Wouldn’t worry about it unless you have an airtight tent. Have it on a fireproof mat as long as you have an air intake on your tent open, VERY small chance of anything happening unless you’re careless.I see that propane heater you have is over $1K!! I'll stick to my Buddy.
Deisel is buy far the cheapest eay to heat. But i stumbled across somthing cool the other day. You drill a hole in the top of an old copper penny. Run a wire through it to suspend it in a metal can. Pour in acetone about an inch deep. Suspend the penny abouve the acetone. Make it so you can heat the penny up with a torch to get it red hot and suspend the hot penny over the acetone buy around 1/4 inch. And it will produce heat untill the acetone is gone. It last a while. Its pretty coop science. Penny acting as a catylist to the acetone. The penny just stays glowing red hot and radiates heat. Can we make a bigger version????
Man I'm all for safety and being warm but at over $1000-$1700 for those couple heaters is killer. I got a USB powered blanket and a bunch of hand warmers on clearance after winter to use with the buddy heater and we are all good to go. Love the video and ALL the options
I have not tried it yet, but with radiant heaters like the portable Buddy, use a small battery fan to assist with mixing the hot air coming off the heater into the surrounding area. The big buddy used to have a built in fan...
Finally a review that talks about condensation! Coming from ground tents and long hikes this was my main concern with tent heaters. Thank you for this great video! I liked you reminding the importance of sleeping bags.. obvious for some but not for many. Cheers from France!
Hi. Try an origo heat-pal.
Runs on alcohol. Meant for sailboats . Not cheap. I've tried lots of heaters and it is by far the best because no condensation.
If you're familiar with sterno...a heat-pal is like a very large sterno.
@@mikeries8549 Thanks, I will take a look at these!
Great info. And thanks for not putting any music over it - much better!
By the way just for those wondering, a 1lb propane bottle will go for around 7 hours on low on the buddy heaters. Fair other points though, definitely have to be very careful. I almost knocked one over last night and can confirm the tilt setting works 🤣 It did work pretty well though camping at 10k feet.
Also, the other issue that can cause issues is that the buddy heaters do have a fair amount of vertical heat that rises above the heater and around it which can be an issue in small sensitive environments, like a rooftop tent. I suspect that may have been the issue where it was able to heat part of the tent to a combustion level.
The Propex keep cargo trailer at 56 inside/4 degrees outside for a week ! Day time never above 30 degrees, one 5 lbs bottle!
Always make sure that the Diesel heater intake is not downwind of the exhaust due to Carbon monoxide. So there is a risk but with a detector and checking of fittings. It is safer. Thanks for the video and links.
If you have to have a battery out in the cold, build a battery hut. Either build a soft version out of cloth and foil insulation with a 12v pet heater inside or a hard version out of a good picnic cooler with a small heating element inside. The energy lost from using the heater is more than made up for by not losing a ton of potential from a cold battery.
Got this tip from a friend who spends more than half his winter weekends camping in the woods and uses a Li-Ion battery to power some lights and cameras. He has his battery hut permanently mounted onto the sled he pulls out into the woods, and all he has to do is put the charged battery into the box, plug it in, and he is guaranteed to have power for the entire weekend no matter the weather.
If you run a diesel heater that needs power to run and keep you warm, it might be a good idea to ensure the battery powering it doesn't freeze on you. It might be possible to just run the hot air hose a couple of laps around the battery, but a better solution is to ensure the battery just never freezes even when the heater isn't running and just build a battery box.
I only use the Buddy heater under close supervision and turn it off while sleeping. My sleeping bag is rated 30 below and I put thermal blankets under and over me. (Knit Cap for sleeping)
I save the Jackery 1000 to start the Mr. Coffee pot in the morning and relight the heater. Great videos.
Mr Heater does *not* cause carbon monoxide production due to a bevy of built in safeguards (including oxygen monitoring). These have been tested again and again with *zero carbon monoxide production.* However, their instructions clearly state for them to be used to heat the space, and then to be turned off while sleeping.
Best sleeping bag ever, Wiggys, plus the Davis Tent bed roll. Get the one that is two bags that zip apart. One is for warm weather, the other is cold down to say 50F together they make a cold weather down to below zero. With the bedroll you will be toasty. Eat before you go to sleep, put your clothes inside your sleeping bag and place it at your foot.
Real men wear shorts and sleep in a hammock! 🤣🤣🤣 I about spit out my herbal tea when I heard that. Currently we haven't been brave enough to try camping in the winter, but possibly as winter transitions to spring will give it a try. Leaning towards blankets at first, some have timers so they don't run all night, multiple heat settings, and use a 5521 barrel plug so I can plug 2 of them into my Bluetti AC50S which is 500W. Great video 👍
let me know which blanket you go with. i also have the bluetti
Best video on tent heaters I’ve watched to date; thank you for the great information. Like you, I enjoy camping year round. Though a good tent and sleeping bag can make it more enticing, a warm and dry tent, and lighter sleeping bag, really make year round camping even more appealing.
yes if camping only summer season, but many camping anbd live tent all winter seson too if weather have -20 or -30 need heater.
You just answered so MANY questions. Thank you!
Mr Heater Buddy Heaters have their regulator integrated within the unit as it is a "low pressure" propane appliance. If it fails, propane escapes and the heat sourse nearby ignites and you have a flame up. I've seen this happen with two different heaters, luckily awake and able to extinguish the flames but will NEVER sleep with one left on again.
My stepdad has a big mr. buddy heater and we have a couple of gas generators in case of a power outage, and we have 2 propane tanks and a gauge for the big propane tanks
Thank you so much for all this knowledge!! I'm building out a 28' enclosed trailer this summer and was convinced I would be using the Webasto, after this video I'm 100% going with the Pro- Pex!! Keep bringing the great content!!
Great video! I’m just finishing up a Propex HS2000 heater install in my JKU and I love it! I chose it for all the reasons you outlined and especially because I live and travel at high altitudes where the liquid fuel heaters have constant problems with sooting up etc.
Nice! I thought about the HS2000 and ultimately went with the HS2211 because I'm lazy and didn't want to mount it!
the buddy heater works fine if you just use it on low setting and of course in place with lots of room. As we lost our home in fire in paradise and as long as you use it for just moments it is fine and also not too close to anything. We survived winter in motorhome with it but thereagain didn't run it all night. Just to heat place when you wake up in morning. Costs less then other units but you're right to keep eye on it and I wouldn't suggest falling asleep in tent with it on all night. Thanks on you video very insightful
I have a large canvas tent and use a propane heater connected to a big tank. It works great, with no condensation problems. I place the heater on a welding blanket, and use a carbon monoxide detector. I have never had any issues whatsoever. I can understand some of the concerns for smaller tents, but we I will use the propane heater on low through the night, just to keep the tent above freezing. Sometimes in the mornings, it can actually be too hot in the tent with the heater on high, and I have to turn it down to low.
Yeah they can work well for big tents and awning rooms with the right precautions!
I use a standard fire hiking hot tent tipi and
Guide gear wood stove and one log burns all night long
Your every single video is very informative and helpful . I am planning to go overlanding with my family and I recommend every body your channel
I’ve got the all in one diesel but it’s the short version (with the fuel tank beside the heat exchanger instead of on top of it) . Easy to find a toolbox for it to fit in. Also I ran sheet metal across the bottom creating a compartment to store the exhaust tube (where I heat wrapped a 90 and short nipple going out to the side then I added a couple of hinged doors)
Thanks!
For ground tent winter cycle camping I invested in a Seek Outside Titanium Cub Stove (the original hard side and back panel model, not the titanium foil Cub U-Turn version).
I ordered mine with the top panel of their Cub U-Turn Stove because I wanted its 2.5 inch stovepipe aperture, which I prefer to the larger diameter pipe which as standard is 19mm larger.
I bought a sheet of 1mm thick expanded titanium sheet to make into a grate (because I'll be burning smokeless charcoal briquettes) and another of the same material but 0.5mm thick to make into a side, warming tray (like the Kifaru box stove warming tray).
I also ordered an additional base panel to use as a snow platform and stabilised base and 8 extra round feet to fit it.
I also have some titanium foil to make into a baffle, to use with a damper and my 9 foot titanium stovepipe.
I may also experiment with a titanium stack robber (based on the design of the much missed Woods Walker) and between found wood, smokeless charcoal briquettes, compressed wood logs and wood pellets to establish the longest burn time with this sized stove!
I quite specifically wanted the Cub Stove and not a larger tent stove!
With a good sleeping bag, silk inner liner and e-Vent bivvy bag on a Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm Max Long and Multimat Summit XL 12mm thick high performance foam mat and Helinox Cot One Convertible with extra high leg set, I have every expectation of being absolutely toasty, irrespective of how cold it is outside!
I've been cold, now I choose to invest in not being that way again through equipment, good eating and better knowledge.
Just for hahaha’s I put my buddy heater in my closet with a co2 detector….. no issues. I also get 6 hours per tank on low with it……Love my buddy heater!
Good stuff here. I’ve been in conflict with myself since summer about buying a buddy heater and weighing the pros and cons. But this has absolutely convinced me away from the buddy heater.... $800 isn’t in the budget right now but it’s 100% in the future
Thank you for an excellent overview. Saved me hours of research and risk. I was leaning towards the diesel in a box, but it looks like that is not wise storing it inside my subaru for the drive. Propex at $900 is getting too pricey. Wish there were a $300-400 middle ground given the occasional use for me.
Yeah it was tough spending that much on the Propex, but I need to be out getting winter content for the channel!
Look how little joy you get when you buy car insurence each year ……$ 800 is a good deal for that unit and what it can do for your life….and it last for years… and it doesn’t require you wreck your car to use it….
We purchased the Mr Buddy golf cart heater last season used a cheap base for the green cans. We were able to effectively get 5 and 1/2 hours of high it was 21° out with a 5-year-old in the tent and she was comfortable.
I have an old Coleman round dome top catalytic heater....Runs all night & keeps a family sized tent plenty warm.....
I didn't mean to sound too hateful and negative - I just wanted to give you all the pros and cons of each! Hopefully this helps!
Links to everything in the description.
You’re always negative
@@shaweehillsworkshop4226 accurate
I operate from the perspective of a glass half empty so I have no problem with your approach. There are too many reviewers that get paid for glowing reviews. I appreciate your honesty. (I hate Chinese knockoffs. My brother-in-law lost his business from Chinese intellectual property theft.)
Not at all this is very and insightful I use the buddy heater and just a high-quality sleeping bag inside of my Overland camper! and I’m usually plenty warm. But it’s still good to do research and hoping to do a lot more winter camping and possibly some backpacking
FYI.. They make a simple knob thermostat for that diesel heater for for under $20 on eBay
I'm a crane operator and those webasto heaters are really, really good, until they break. Most of the non-US cranes have those heaters and they are, almost without exception, the first thing to break on a new crane. And they are not cheap to fix. I've worked for companies that just bought after market heaters (read Buddy heater) rather than pay to fix the original install. I work in the San Antonio market so there isn't just a whole lot of winter down here, so that's a good thing. I think I'll go with the propane option, even at 800. it just makes sense.
This video was just what I needed. I want that last one very badly.
I went with the Chinese heater. I did the tool box deal like you did. Funny enough I had the same toolbox too. The fella I loaned it to finally brought it back the day I got the heater. I checked out your video that night and what do ya know. I used a 3inch (75)mm exhaust couple and bolted it on. I used a battery isolator for just the heater and stand by battery backup. Works for me.
Very cool channel! I started winter camping combining it with “adventure ham radio” making contacts with ham radio operators around the world with a wire hung from a tree and radio in the warm, elements protecting tent. LiFePo4 batteries won’t work below freezing so when operating in the bush need a heat source and non-humid air. Some are using titanium (super light) wood burning stoves Which pipes out of the tent with great success. Anyway I’ll keep watching!
the best part of camping in the late fall and winter is - no mosquitos :-D Everything else is just bonus enjoyment.
I use a Patron portable tent space heater and a 2000w Genset. The Patrons are made in Finland and designed for work tents. They are amazing and move a lot of air for their small size. Its brutally simple and those small gensets have a lot other uses camping.
Thank you. This really changed my mind about radiant heaters. On the other hand there's a significant cost leap to other methods whether it is very the device itself or the portable battery unit which needed.
Installed a Propex 2000 in my camper for winter camping in Canada. It draws 2 amps @ 12volts when running, reliable, and (important) relatively quiet fan. But I turn it off when sleeping and snuggle into my down bag overnight and turn it on in the morning early. It is a waste to heat a tent overnight, a passive insulated down bag does a better job. I have a Mr Buddy Heater- catalytic heaters used to be called "Volkswagen Van Hippy Killers", there is still a story every year in the news of a silent death.
Great video bro! I’ve used the buddy heater and it indeed generated way to much condensation in my Alu Cab. That’s what brought me here. Your video is the first I’ve watched and I can’t imagine finding a better one! Thanks!
change stupid propane heater lot better diesel heater, can keep heater out and battery and warm air in tent.
A company called Zodi makes a propane tent heater. The heater is outside your tent and uses duct hose like what you had in your video to provide warm air to tent. They used to make a small single burner one, but its no longer available.
Wow, this was by far the most helpful heater video I’ve watched. Big THANK YOU!!! 🙏
Diesel air heater imho is by far the best solution. Chief concern exhaust pipe can reach 1200 degrees F. Main advantages. If you place intake hose in cabin dah is a powerful dehumidifier. Amazing amount of heat. Battery hog amp load is around 6 amps. Very loud. Diesel burn rate in my application with upgraded thermostat 1/8. Gallon per hour.
I got my hands on a zodi propane hot vent. You gotta make sure you have plenty of battery life, but it won't leave condensation and no CO.
Prior to making the decision to go with a diesel, and then a propane heater option, did you consider going to a small quiet gas powered generator and an electric heater? If so, why did you decide against it?
I have heard that the Chinese model diesel heaters have cheap glow plugs and do not start in freezing temperatures. I plan on getting a diesel heater for my overland vehicle; however, I have not decided on a brand yet. I plan on mounting it in the vehicle frame and adding an extra diesel tank. Guess I need to waterproof it after watching your video. Then again, you reviewed a dry heat propane heater which I never heard of, back to the drawing board...
My Mr Heater works great and I've had zero issues for many years.
Wow, I'm surprised you're not more popular on youtube, I'm subbed to much larger similar channels that never mentioned the info and tips you've laid out in this vid! 👍
Thanks! Welcome aboard!
I met a guy who'd used the base of a utility trailer to build a sleeping structure upon. He used a waterproof tarp for a pitched roof. The tarp reduced the overall weight and top-heaviness of the trailer. He included a small wood burning stove inside the unit...of course, chimneyed to the outside. On the front side he installed a small sliding window (with screen.) and the back side of the structure folded down, completely, to form a ramp for access. Inside, he had bench seating on both sides and a table in the centre. The table could be dropped down to combine with the bench seating to form a bed at night, or the table could be dropped to the floor and the bench seating folded up to the sides to allow him to drive his 4x4 quad up and into the unit for traveling. He used duroid/asphalt shingles on the ramp for greater traction.
I have a Eberspaecher diesel heater to heat my garage at home & I use stove oil or furnace fuel in it! It smells better then diesel fuel and much less carbon buildup inside the heater!! I am in the process of building a hydronic heater from
Eberspaecher as a dedicated heater for my garage!!
Good evening, Thanks a lot for this detailed video. I did some overlanding this summer in my Subaru this summer. I was looking at option to heat the vehicule to extend my camping season or go camping in the winter. It gets really cold here in Winnipeg Canada and this would allow me to extend my adventure season. Again thank you for the very detailed and honest video. Keep on the good work I watch all your adventures when posted. Cheers
Eric
finland and canada same weather and winter and can good live and sleep tent if use diesel heater and sleeping bag. if need additional safe use emercency foil planket under bed and top of sleeping bag. dont ewer use gas butane/propane heater in tent not safety.
electric matress pads 12 v are what ive used, under you then blankets on top so you dont lose the heat thats rising, much more efficient than elec blankets IMHO
What about a portable power station (1000 or more capacity) powering a portable electric oil-filled radiator heater? They take up a lot of space, and take a while to heat up that space. But once they do, it's a really cozy, consistent warmth, no air blowing. I don't know about condensation, though (I would have to experiment with the set up). Seems like it would work well though. It's my favorite sort of home heating, even over central heating in some ways.
You can get the Chinese diesel heater with a very simple controller. On, off, and a temp dial. I just picked up a all in one for $109 off amazon and I would highly recommend it for any budget minded camper.
I've had a couple of people mention the simple dial thermostats, and they seem to be the best option!
i been using the buddy heater in my tent for many years now and never had a problem and it heats the tent fine
I find that the prkpane stove used for cooking works fine as a heater as well
Buddy Heaters have to be placed in the middle of the tent where it's the highest, the smallest Buddy Heater needs at least a 6 foot clearance to the closest flammable object ABOVE the heater. The heater's flame produces heat upward, not forward, making it unsafe to use in a corner of a tent where the walls might only be 1 foot away from the open flame. Your friend didn't read the instructions and didn't use common sense.
I use mine in a 6 foot tall ice shelter. I would never use it in a regular tent. Beyond foolhardy. On the lowest setting it would be to hot anyway. I make sure of adequate ventilation and use a small battery powered ceiling fan to move the air around. No problem with condensation. I heat a room in my house with it all winter. Have watched many experiments regarding carbon monoxide and has been proven to not be an issue. This is why people should do their homework. Your information was biased and obviously not well researched.
Thank you, any up dates to better unit’s? How about a small AC for a truck camper?
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Again great video! The only thing that I can add is that in cold weather propane/butane actually can freeze, if the vessel is not properly rated for the consumption (too small) so the gas flow falls or can even shut...
Well your point about condensation and Mr Buddy is true. But it only uses 1.5 bottles a night on low. And as far as heating the air in my truck bed topper is that it gets hot in there. You say the heater went wrong but u don’t know if something caught fire.
I put a $140 diesel heater in my van and will never again use anything else in my camper van. It only draws high amps when it first starts up. My thermostat is super simple. Push a button, it turns on, turn the knob up or down to adjust. Push a button to shut it down.
Hey, I just discovered a really warm idea for keeping lithium batteries warm. Buy an extra ice chest, one which is really insulated. If the lid isn't insulated it won't work.
To use the ice chest to keep your little batteries warm get two, 2 litter soda pop bottles filled with 160°F water in the box along with the power station and all the other lithium devices. Add some insulating blankets over the top. I'm testing my idea this week. I hope it works.
Thanks for this informative video. Always helps to show examples too, so great job. I am making the transition from backpacking to overlanding and I appreciate your experiences
Great video. I have been looking for a portable emergency heater that could be used in a cabin, bus, garage, etc. and I think that propane unit is the way to go. I didn't want to spend that much but if there is one thing I have learned when it comes to things like this it is "buy it nice or buy it twice."
Watch for good venting. A neighbor inside a tent with propane heater died from carbon monoxide.
Great comparison! I owned a Mr Buddy for one day and returned it after finding your Heater in a Box video. I ended up getting a Diesel All in One. Used it the first time last week camping at 8000 feet in a Roof Top Tent and 22 degrees F. Kept the tent a toasty 75 all night running at low power. That's how you sleep in shorts! I will say, the diesel heaters are not for the plug and play crowd. I had to extend the controller wires, replaced the power wires with larger gauge wiring, and learning the controller almost needs an advanced degree. I have laminated instructions I keep with the heater, since I will never remember the right order to press buttons.👍 Love the channel and keep up the good work!
Highly recommend looking into the Afterburner thermostat by Ray Jones. ~100 bucks, but gives you a proper thermostat with wifi/bluetooth and such for diesel heaters. Changed the experience with mine entirely.
Yeah those thermostats are impossible! Brokensolenoid has a good suggestion!
There's a great FB group for learning diesel heaters.
Highly recommend this setup. Thanks so much.
“The biggest problem period for camping and me is keeping warm. Great comparison and helpful thank you. I actually bought a generator this spring and an electric blanket. But i is m afraid the next move is a camper with walls lol.
I think this spring I'm going to build one of the mini camper concept builds that I've been seeing everywhere on the internet. The trailer is from harbor freight (its junk, but ~$300). You can do a leaf over axel on them, then just build the box from scrap lumber or one paycheck at a time. I'll recycle some windows and build little loft beds for my kids.
I'm taking off in a few days for a hunt in the Rockys, in a tent, with my 8 year old. I'm so tired of sleeping in tents.
Thanks for sharing as I’ve been looking to do some winter camping. Great info and well delivered.
This is a really informative video, If I were to purchase one I like the last option as well. $800 isn't too bad it's cheaper than the $1,000 Jackery.