Extreme cold

[Clerknasty]

Hey all I did an overnight in SW PA this past weekend and it got down to 0. I’m no stranger to extreme cold but this was my first foray with an RTT and I had some difficulty with moisture freezing in my tent, frozen zippers and folding my tent back up.

I don’t use a heater and while not opposed to them, it’s not “must have” for me. For those that do use a heater let me know what kind ( diesel/ propane) and if it helps prevent that moisture from freezing inside the tent.

Also how are y’all breaking down your tents when they are frozen solid I had to fight mine to get it under the cover and do it “properly” when I got home.
Does a heater help in that aspect as well?

Does anyone have/use Thule cold weather inserts? I was looking at getting them over a diesel but I don’t think they will help with freezing moisture just act as another wind break/ insulator

Overall it was a good night, I wasn’t cold in my sleeping bag and I got some fresh snow to ski on in the morning. Woke up to all my water frozen solid. I had to thaw some to make breakfast but it was fun.

 

[Billiebob]

Tent fabric needs to breath. Check out mountaineering tents and see what climbers do to avoid moisture build up. I suspect your tent is like a plastic bag. Heat will just keep it wet.

 

[MOAK]

In cold weather we always keep our canvas tents ventilated. The door is left open, just a crack, and the windows nearest our heads are zippered open at least 12”. We’ve done this with & without a propane heater and have never suffered from more than a tiny bit of condensation. Laurel Highlands?

 

[grubworm]

i know propane heaters create a lot of condensation....i took a buddy heater for my first time cold camping (below freezing) and the condensation it created was a real pain.

 

[MOAK]

i know propane heaters create a lot of condensation....i took a buddy heater for my first time cold camping (below freezing) and the condensation it created was a real pain.

Yea, I’ve heard that about propane heaters, but we’ve never had any extreme condensation from our Buddy. Then again, come to think of it, we never leave it on all night. Warm the tent up, get our clothing off, get in the bags, turn the heater off. In the AM, wake up, warm up the tent, get outta the bags, get dressed, turn heater off.

 

[Clerknasty]

In cold weather we always keep our canvas tents ventilated. The door is left open, just a crack, and the windows nearest our heads are zippered open at least 12”. We’ve done this with & without a propane heater and have never suffered from more than a tiny bit of condensation. Laurel Highlands?

Yep, Laurel Highlands. I will give it a go with a window opened or cracked next time.

Hopefully, it won’t be so windy. Probably doesn’t help I am trying to “chase snow” it was the 2nd time this year I had gusts over 20mph.

 

[Clerknasty]

Tent fabric needs to breath. Check out mountaineering tents and see what climbers do to avoid moisture build up. I suspect your tent is like a plastic bag. Heat will just keep it wet.

Yeah, I haven’t had this problem with a ground tent or an actual 4-season.

 

[Jerryjones2012]

We dealt with the same issue but this year we purchased one of the small diesel heaters that are manufactured in China. It eliminated all the moisture issues and added a level of comfort even when it gets down to below minus 15 Celsius at night. It was less money then purchasing new sleeping bags.

 

[MOAK]

Yep, Laurel Highlands. I will give it a go with a window opened or cracked next time.

Hopefully, it won’t be so windy. Probably doesn’t help I am trying to “chase snow” it was the 2nd time this year I had gusts over 20mph.

I couldn’t tell by your photos, is your tent canvass? No matter what a poly tent company says about newly developed materials, canvass always breathes better. Kinda like wool socks. Artificial wool just can’t compare to the real deal.. JMO

 

[Clerknasty]

Yep, Laurel Highlands. I will give it a go with a window opened or cracked next time.

Hopefully, it won’t be so windy. Probably doesn’t help I am trying to “chase snow” it was the 2nd time this year I had gusts over 20mph.

I couldn’t tell by your photos, is your tent canvass? No matter what a poly tent company says about newly developed materials, canvass always breathes better. Kinda like wool socks. Artificial wool just can’t compare to the real deal.. JMO

Yes, it’s poly. This is just a Smittybily Gen2. Gets the job done for me. Canvas would be nice but probably a lot more expensive.

 

[rgallant]

You need way more windows open, I have a tepui Ayer and at 5 F, with the wind howling I had zero condensation. I am solo in the tent.

I keep the side windows down about 1/3 and roof windows 1/2 to 1/3.

Zippers I treat with Silicone spray at home before a trip and then if it is cold and moist when I close the in the AM

The little Chinese diesel heaters throw a ton of heat, it is dry and safe.

I see you had a lot of moisture in the air a tent fan might help as well