Tent camping in the cold

[peewee]

Just wanted to pass along my experience from this weekend. On the occasions I do get to go see my bulldogs play I tent camp 99% of the time. I pay so much for hotels room chasing my kids around soccer fields I can't budget or stomach paying 3x the amount for a hotel. I have ~ 5 year old 13'x9' Coleman instant tent. It can sleep four easily and puts up in minutes. This weekend my son and I camped and I was concerned as Friday night it actually dropped to 32 degrees.
I have two cold weather sleeping bags and try to camp where I have an electrical outlet. I have a couple Mr. Buddy heaters but was concerned with sleeping with a gas heater going on overnight. I bought an electric heater from walmart that has a digital display. It worked great and kept the tent at 57 degrees even with the tent vented. I did bring my Double Mr. Buddy to warm up the tent. Honestly that sucker would heat the tent up in two minutes. Only way I think you could have stayed in there is to completely open a window.

I thought this would be some good information to share.

[jtdumallard]

Peewee where did yall end up camping at?

[gps4]

peewee, you about to ruin the best kept secret in poor man's SEC football weekend accomodation availability....

[booger]

Ahhhh winter tent camping, the best. I tried summer camping, once, never again.

Two commandments of tent camping,

1) Everyone must have a toothbrush and toothpaste.
2) Don't spill your Gatorade piss bottle.

I can make just about anything edible on a Coleman stove, I had to put my skills to the test after Katrina.

[mshunter77]

Debated on giving away my place for football weekends but Lake Lowndes state park has good deals on cabins. They are plain Jane but serve the purpose and are great price. Also have tent camping available.

Went tent camping in high school one time when the temps dropped below freezing. Made the mistake of leaving my sleeping bag on the front rack of the 4 wheeler until I was ready to go to sleep. It had frost on it when I retrieved it. Never will make that mistake again.

[Wingman]

A heater in a tent? Do you squat to pee?

[peewee]

A heater in a tent? Do you squat to pee?

If I slept in a 32 degree tent I probably would. I'm getting to old for the tough guy stuff

I did want to add that I tailgated with Bigwater. His boy and mine hit it off and played hard all day and at the game. Them boys had a ball and they invited us to stay at their place as the boys wanted to keep playing. I don't know what time the boys went to bed but I'm pretty sure Bigwater and I were out within 30'. I want to make one thing clear about this sleepover. He didn't hit it

[bigwater]

Peewee. All I hit was the back of my eyelids

[donia]

a sign we're gettin' old, boys....biggie didn't even offer the obligatory reach around

[peewee]

a sign we're gettin' old, boys....biggie didn't even offer the obligatory reach around

We was tired. There was alot of exercising that took place by ringing cowbells.

[mshunter77]

a sign we're gettin' old, boys....biggie didn't even offer the obligatory reach around

I came to the conclusion I was getting old recently when I hired a couple of people born the year I graduated high school.

[deltadukman]

3 rules for cold weather camping:

1) Cover your head and keep it warm
2) cover your feet and hands
3) Bring whiskey

[deerhunt1988]

3 rules for cold weather camping:

1) Cover your head and keep it warm

This. I wear a beanie and it makes a big difference.

[Wingman]

4. Sleep naked. You sweat, you die.

[DanP]

4. Sleep naked. You sweat, you die.

... and he wonders why the other dads won't volunteer for camping trips