With an empty camper, stripped bare, I have a lot of time to think about what I want it to do. High on my list is comfortable winter camping. That means heat without electrical demands. I also want hot water. I want my camper functional for weeks at a time in cold weather.
Ways to heat a camper: A furnance is the loud way, that draws way to much electricity. I am certain of one thing. I do not want a heat source that requires major amounts of electricity. I plan to cover my roof with solar panels, and carry a few larger 4D or 8D deep cycle batteries. If I carry a generator it will be a small quiet Honda. Insulation, R-6 closed cell foam with butyl temp for a thermal break on the framing will reduce my heating loads. I may remove some windows in the front of the camper to reduce window heat loss. Also I have storm windows and can make foam insulated panels to further reduce heat loss.
Electric heat is a safe option also, when electricity is available. The problem is, it is not always available and it can be costly.
Catalytic propane heaters: Some say these are dangerous. I feel they are safe if a window is cracked up high and a air let source is available low for good air flow. They don't require electricity and experienced RV'er appreciate these. Inexperienced RV'er with loud furnaces, have to shut them off to save on electricity or else run generators frequently--plus often they are limited to running generators day time only.
Vented propane yacht heaters are another good option. These come with hot water coils also--which is enough to tip me in favor of those.
Propane Stove: A diesel stove is too hot for summer use. Most people, myself included like propane cooking. So that will be a backup source of heat. I am tempted to get a diesel stove simply to reduce my dependency of fuel sources. If I could eliminate propane and strictly use diesel, I may go this route. My two big needs for propane are for hot water heating and cooking. Optimizing for cold weather would make it less comfortable in hot weather. I am leaning towards propane heat for hot water and cooking. I may get an on demand hot water heater to save on fuel also, with a solar hot water tank/coil heated tank to reduce or eliminate my propane needs.
Diesel Heater: I also like the idea of a marine type vented diesel heater.
My tow vehicle will be diesel, and it might be nice to have the option
of burning oil for heat--also without the need for electricity. These are available with a hot water coil or two.
Wood heat: I have to have wood heat. First I love it. It is warm and dry. The fuel is cheap or free. I've been reading about it and many people are violently opposed to wood heat. They don't know anything. Wood heat is a fantastic heat source, requires no electricity, although a small computer fan would help spread the heat about some, and worries about CO poisoning can be mitigated by cracking a window, and using a CO detector--something I'd have in any case. It would need constant tending in a truck camper, and that is ok with me. It would give me something to do while stuck inside on a cold evening. For unattended heating, I'd rely on another form of heat. I like the Kimberley wood stove because it is light and efficient.
Heaters could be located in the same area and share the same heat shielding.
Having four sources of heat may seem like overkill, but the reality is, four sources of heat mean you will be warm, and wood heat means you can find free fuel for a modest investment in labor.
Water freezing is a huge problem. My plan to use a Incinolet toilet would eliminate the need for holding tanks, but would also demand a lot of electricity. In the winter, campgrounds are empty and can still provide electricity, and bathrooms. I'd avoid using the toilet except when necessary. When boondocking, running a generator an hour at a time is not a huge deal. Honda generators are quiet and I could build a shield to make one quieter still. If I was in town where a generator would be a problem, there is sure to be a toilet available.
Heating the tanks: A coil running inside the water tank, connected to a heater would prevent these from freezing. My water tanks will be inside the core of my camper which will help. I'd need some unattended method of keeping it warm--a propane and/or diesel heater marine heater with a water coil seem to make the most sense.
Part of my plan is to use an old refrigerator coil as a solar hot water loop.
Gray water tanks can be just a bucket under my truck. I should be able to dump gray water filtered though a paper filters and layers of charcoal and diatomaceous earth, just about anywhere. The key would be to keep the bucket warm inside and put it under the drain when needed, returning it inside when not needed. This could be stored in the shower, for any surplus that might leak out the bottom. I'd need a way to keep the shower stall warm too.
