Camper shell with stove

[WyoBowhunter21]

I am thinking about getting a camper shell for my truck for a base camp camping and it got me thinking about putting a wood stove in it. My concerns are with the material a camper shell is made from, would gas fumes be a problem with such a stove. Not sure if this would be a good idea or not. I was wondering if anyone has tried this or do you just use a heater. Any pictures of your current set up in the shell would be awesome too!

 

[Rizzy]

I use a Coleman black cat when I sleep in the back of my truck. It's compact and heats it up just fine. I have seen some really slick stove setups in cargo trailers, but It doesn't seem as practical in a camper, a little propane heater is more compact and easier to use for the amount of space.

 

[TEmbry]

Too much effort and wasted space IMO. Small propane heater on low with the windows vented will do the trick just fine.

 

[colonel00]

You could always get extra fancy:

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Hahaha those pictures are awesome. Alrighty guys thanks for the help. I didn't know if that would even be worth my time. Now to find a topper.

 

[hflier]

Hi WyoBowhunter;

I have one of those black cat heaters in perfect shape I would sell you if you want. I'd take $30 shipped if you want it. I bought a bigger propane heater for my 8 man tent.

Ron

 

[mtswampfox]

buddy heaters work pretty good. you need a little ventilation tho for the moisture propane puts out. use one in my campers all time.

 

[Colbyqueso]

If you are going to run propane for heat and not just cooking. You need a catalytic converter. To be on the safe side. http://www.air-n-water.com/propane-heater-safety.htm

 

[bobhunts]

The Coleman Black Cat heaters are a catalytic heater. They are just small and will fit on the same bottle you use for the lantern. I would think one of these would work fine in a topper but I would still vent it and just to be safe if not at altitude use a CO2 alarm. The reason I say at altitude is the alarms are going off anyways due to lack of oxygen. The whole thing will be a crap shoot as to waking up alive in the morning due to the confined space. Just play it on the safe side. A small wood stove will create a'lot of heat but due to the size not last long. I believe the stove should be vented to the outside via stove pipe to be the most safe. Good luck in your base camp. I have had people wake up with a headache in a 12X20 wall tent while using a propane stove that was not vented via a stove pipe and I felt fine. When I say that the tent windows were cracked and still some did not feel fine Bob.

 

[husky390]

Don't rule out a slide in camper. You can find some pretty good deals during the off season. Just make sure the canvas is in good shape if it's a pop up.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah I agree with the others, down in the lower 48, a catalytic propane heater is all you need.
Normally a Coleman Sportcat is all I use, but if it's really cold I'll run a Mr. Heater Little Buddy on a 2gal tank w/ hose

I frequently hunt out of a my Dodge and because I also have a large camper for it, I chose to go a different route. I don't have the shop space to be pulling a shell off/on when I want to load the camper. So what I did was build a modular shell solution. I wanted racks for the truck for obvious reasons and decided to take it to the next level by adding a canvas top over elec conduit roof bars. My brother calls it the "Conastoga".

Here's some pic's of it on my old Dodge.



This modular design allows me to take it on/off at will with little effort & about 30min. Stores well, is height adjustable, and the corner joints are held in place by door hinges that I drift the pins out of to disassemble. I've since added a hinged back to it as well. I use the hell out of it. I've also been wanting to build a hanging bed platform but haven't gotten around to that. Right now I just roll out my cowboy bedroll and throw down on the floor. Speaking of my bedroll it consists of two cheap warm flannel Coleman one inside of another, on top of a 6" Coleman mattress, w/ my DIY Gore-Tex Cowboy Bedroll Cover over the top. I sleep like a baby regardless of the temp w/ or w/o the propane running.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a different solution to your needs.
I get a lot of looks and comments on it and guys are always asking to look inside to see how it was built.
Hunt'nFish

 

[husky390]

I forgot to mention these guy's. I had one on my 01 Tacoma liked it. The only downside is it is not dustproof.

http://www.softopper.com/

 

[fillthefreezer]

I forgot to mention these guy's. I had one on my 01 Tacoma liked it. The only downside is it is not dustproof.

http://www.softopper.com/

yep, theyre great. i run one as well

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

You guys run some expensive stuff! Ha. I am a cheap ***. I am trying to find a hardshell used. I am going to look at one next week for $150 so we shall see.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Expensive? ha, ha. I have like $200 in materials in my Conastoga.

But $150 for a shell....Can't beat that price! You'll really like having some cover over your gear.
I was always a canopy man before adding the camper. (I paid $500 for my first camper & used the hell out of it.)
You can cram a lot of gear into a canopy.
Hunt'nFish


$500 camper

 

[JWP58]

You guys run some expensive stuff! Ha. I am a cheap ***. I am trying to find a hardshell used. I am going to look at one next week for $150 so we shall see.

I found one in Cheyenne for 85 bucks...it works. Ive had a soft topper, couple ARE's, ect. They all work, just depends on what you want to spend.

I still watch craigslist for a sweet ARE aluminum contractor shell for cheap. I hunt upland birds a lot so my Tacoma is my U.A.V. (upland assault vehicle) and I have to carry dogs, and all my gear in the back. But sleeping back there is helpful too...