I can't comment on the heaters but for me the Dometic isn't worth the effort
of getting it to work correctly.  Even if it is running at 100% it is still
small.  I bring a cooler and use the Dometic as a pantry, I installed two
drawer pulls along the bench seat frame to connect bungge cords to.  I use
the bungees to keep the cooler from sliding around, or if things are tight I
put the cooler on top in the luggage rack for the drive.  Have fun!

Ryan
----- Original Message -----
From: "PB" <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 2:22 AM
Subject: Re: First camping trip!

> Thanks for all of your replies.  Now I have a few questions.  I'm looking
> at
> the Mister Heater Portable Buddy, vs the Coleman Black Cat.  Of course I'd
> love to have a built in furnace, but am not ready to spend that amount
> right
> now.  Can I get some insight as to which is a better choice?  I am
> extremely
> sensitive to the cold, and can't sleep at all if it's less than 70 degrees
> (!), so I just want to make sure I have a heater if needed.  I understand
> the temperature at the campsite goes down to 55 at night.  I know that a 1
> lb cartridge only lasts 4-6 hours with the Buddy, and lasts about twice as
> long with the Black Cat.  I also know that the Buddy has a higher amount
> of
> BTU's than the Black Cat.  We have an extra 20 lb propane tank, and will
> probably bring it if we get the Buddy.  Can the Black Cat also be used
> with
> a 20 lb tank?  I like the compactness of the Black Cat, but I like the low
> oxygen safety shutoff pilot on the Buddy.  And I'd like to choose a heater
> that will heat the Westy in VERY cold weather.
>
> About the Dometic...I haven't tried it out, yet, and don't know if I will.
> Should I try to use it as an ice chest by filling it with ice cubes?
> Would
> dry ice work better?  Or should I use it as a cabinet and just bring an
> ice
> chest?  I would eventually like to replace the Dometic with something more
> efficient.
>
> Thanks again.
> Patti
> 90 Westy Automatic
> ******************************
> On Sun, Aug 17, 2008 at 3:38 PM, Ellen <elleninoregon@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  Congratulations, Patti!  Once you get bit by the camping bug, you will
>> wonder how you lived before you took frequent camping trips.  I went 20
>> years without camping!  Our vans make it so easy.
>>
>> Take notes.  Each trip, list what worked and what didn't work and adjust.
>> This will take a few trips.  Try to keep it simple, so it's not a chore.
>> Too many times we overdo it and wonder why it's not fun.  It's so easy to
>> get into that gadget trap, and before you know it, you can't even sleep
>> in
>> your van unless you put half of it outside.
>>
>> Make lists!  Lists of menus, lists of what to bring for food, lists of
>> equipment you need depending on the season (obviously I need thermal
>> underwear in the winter and a swimsuit in the summer).  I like to
>> pre-plan
>> my menus in advance, so I only bring what is absolutely necessary.
>> But still have some staples packed in the van in case I don't feel like
>> fixing it, or for one of those last-minute impromtu trips I'm so fond of.
>>
>> Pack for contingencies, those things that could happen, but probably
>> won't.  It was forecast to be 83 degrees on the coast this weekend, but I
>> still brought heavy jeans and a warm jacket and am thankful I did (it
>> didn't
>> get that warm and was rather cool).  I keep a single burner propane stove
>> and a spare bottle of propane in case the main tank runs out in the
>> middle
>> of a trip (that has happened to me before).
>>
>> Above all, enjoy yourself, take lots of pictures, and write a trip report
>> when you get back.
>>
>> Ellen & Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI
>>
>>
>> Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel; stride down
>> there.....and light the bloody thing yourself.' ~Dara Henderson
>>
>> > Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:28:04 -0700
>> > From: pbrattan@GMAIL.COM
>> > Subject: First camping trip!
>> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> >
>> > My husband, my 2 small dogs (3 lbs and 11 lbs,) and I are about to go
>> > on
>> our
>> > very first camping trip in the Westy, which I've had for a little over
>> > a
>> > year. The van was recently checked out by a mechanic, and is working
>> > just
>> > fine. We're going to Lake Lopez in California. I haven't been camping
>> > at
>> > for around 15 years, so I hope I don't forget anything. We're planning
>> > to
>> > stay for 3 nights.
>> >
>> > For safety, I've decided to get the propane tank changed out by
>> > GoWesty,
>> > which is fairly close to where we're going.
>> >
>> > Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for us?
>> > Thanks.
>> > Patti
>> > 90 Westy Automatic
>>
>>
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>