Brrrrrrrrr...heating my tent, any ideas?

[NoIsNotACompleteSentence]

I am disabled and also have Raynaurds which means my hands and feets are always freezing.

I absolutely love camping, now I'm not working and the DC are old enough to pitch the tent for me I want to make the most of it...but at night I am just so cold, came home early last time...as the DC have to pitch I just take the one room, five berth Coleman so we are all snuggled up but I get so cold!

I have all the gear in terms of thermals, sleeping bags, lots of layers, sleeping in hat scarf and gloves etc, but I was wondering if I could take a heater with me? We always have EHU and I have looked at low wattage electric heaters, has anyone done this or is it not a good idea? I wouldn't leave it on all night of course, am thinking warming the tent and maybe having it on for an hour if I'm cold in early hours.

Has anyone ever done this, or does anyone have any other ideas? I can't always manage fiddly stuff so controls have to be clunky

I was so proud I managed to take the DC last time but the cold was a misery to me!

Oil filled rAdiators are still electrical... just nicer than electric fan heaters.

If you are buying hand warmers, I've previously found that they are cheapest by the box from Amazon.
I keep them in my mittens (down berghaus or fleece overmittens that a friend made specially to fit over splints), or the pockets of my (extremely ugly but warm as anything) down coat and they make a massive difference. You could put a couple in a thermal sock and use as a hot water bottle.

You can get down booties which are labelled as tent slippers which will keep your feet super warm.

An oil filled radiator will hold heat for longer after switching off than a fan heater. The oil is sealed in the radiator, nothing can catch fire.

I have a combination that is unbeatable for me

Merino and silk thermal layers from leggings to vest and gloves and socks. Then fleece pjs and bed socks. And then a baggy jumper with a hood. Then a mummy down filled sleeping bag on a SIM on a fleece blanket on a foil sheet.

My dp laughs at me but I stay really toasty like that

Oh. I forgot. Another fleece or wool blanket on top of sleeping bag if it's REALLY cold - normally only if -5 or more below

Wow lots more good ideas - thank you.

Bringback, you sound like me as I look like the Michelin Man all layered up, I need to invest in some silk or merino though I think. The only problem with all my layers, if I need the toilet in the night it takes me ages to get there and then to strip off as well.....dangerous!!

I'm definitely going to try my electric blanket and either an oil or electric heater, I will have a look around, will also get some of the clicky hand warmers and look into tent slippers which sound great - I have microwable slippers at home which are blissful.

I'm gong to pitch in my parents garden for a night before we go away again to see if it's bearable!

I want one of these. Would make the trips to the loos in the night easier, and I can just bunch round the waist and wear my bed all day too. Win-win :)

wearable sleeping bag

We also use a 1000w fan heater. It is brilliant, if you don't care too much about the noise. Ours is fairly quiet and was only something like 7 quid on amazon. It really warms the tent up quickly and makes it lovely and cosy on an evening.

Other than that, just what everyone has said. I use a hot water bottle and a bit thick winterweight duvet.

Buy a big sheepskin rug to go inside your sleeping bag.
Fleece pjs two layers, heat holder socks. Sleep in super thick fleece jumper plus pjs. Hat.

Don't get cold, get your pjs on at six o'clock then put on ski wear if your sitting around.

I so want a wearable sleeping bag now

I am going to be the toastiest camper ever - thanks for all ideas!

Lots of great suggestions .

Would second/third advice re having as much underneath as on top of you .I can't afford it but sure that down filled duvets are the way forward - light ,compressible and warm .

My top tip is never go to bed feeling cold and hoping you'll warm up . Rub arms ,legs etc if no other method .

And how about this .....www.campingworld.co.uk/en/Manbi-Adult-Chalet-Suit-Micro-Fleece-Onesie/m-9136.aspx

How about this www.solutionsworld.co.uk/Pure-Wool-Wheelchair-Seat-Cover/Product1_20054_-1_102256_11552

and put it under your sleeping bag/duvet ?

Oooh thank you gingeroots, I do have a down duvet but that wheelchair cover looks very cosy...I could spend hours and lots of money on both of those sites!

We take two camping heaters with us and we switch them on a wee while before going to bed, to heat the tent. They work a treat - so toasty!

In my experience, if you're warm when you get into your bed you'll stay warm.

Thanks Pictish, I'm so happy to know other people take heaters!

You have all been very helpful, thank you everyone for taking the time to post.

I was tempted to camp this weekend but am a bit poorly so might not risk it, but when I manage to do it I will update you as to toastiness