How to Heat a Camper Trailer

Each year, thousands of people take to the roads and highways in the US for camping adventures. Many bring camping trailers, both popup and hard shell styles. If you enjoy camping, you need to learn how to properly heat your camper to avoid cold and clammy nights, or worse, chances of asphyxiation. When the temperatures drop, it is nice to have a warm camping trailer to retire to after a day spent exploring and adventuring.

Things You'll Need

  • Small electric ceramic or propane heaters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a small ceramic heater on a kitchen counter and point it toward the main camping quarters. Start with the heat set to high, then, as the camper begins to warm, turn the heat down.

    • 2

      Keep one or two ceramic heaters set to low when sleeping. This is typically enough to keep the camper warm, yet not hot, for good sleeping conditions. Place them at the foot of the sleeping areas, taking care to keep all fabrics or flammable items away from the face of the heaters.

    • 3

      Vent the camper if you're using propane or kerosene heaters. These use a flame and heater coil to produce the heat source and burn oxygen. In an enclosed space like a camper trailer, asphyxiation is a real threat. Keep the ceiling vent open and have a crack at each window to prevent such accidents.

    • 4

      Pre-heat your camper. If you are camping in winter or extreme cold, turn the heaters on before you know you want the camper warm. As the camper cools down, all of the items inside it cool also, requiring extra heat to bring the temperature up. If you are going for a walk or hike and plan to be back later, turn the heaters onto low, move all flammable items away from them and let them preheat the camper.