Just passing on information about a great place for purchasing polyurethane or latex foam mattresses and toppers.
www.thefoamfactory.com has all kinds of choices for bedding. I got a 2" medium firm poly mattress topper for putting on top of the Scamp cushions on the bed and it works great (full size $54).
I also got a 3" high density full size mattress ($83) for the plywood bed I built in the Highlander. It is as comfortable and as supportive as any regular bed, but being foam, it is lighter weight and you can cut it to any size you need with a sharp kitchen knife. These particular mattresses are guaranteed to last from 12-18 years, shipping is fast and it's free over $75. I highly recommend this place.
And as far as the heater goes, I will probably heat up the trailer before bed and then pull on the sleeping bag that
goes down to 25 below and turn off the heater. Or use a ceramic one when I have power. Thanks for the help!
I have never ran our furnace just for the reasons presented. My solution is to get a wave 3 heater, it has no running fan it relys on convection to heat the trailer, it is propane operated and runs cheaply! We vent a side vent 1/4in and vent the top 1/4 in. It is completly safe as long as you follow venting! we can go a month on our 20lb cylinder including cooking!
Good morning. It was necessary to pull the Scamp out of the shop for use as alternative housing while we have our floors refinished. So, I thought I'd to some research and actual testing concerning the furnace/bedding issue. First I checked the ignition points of two items, paper and cotton sheets. The paper ignites at 451F (thanks Ray Bradbury), and the sheets at 410F. Next, normal operating temperatures of a clothes dryer, high setting ranged from 140F to 155F depending on brand. Finally, the normal heat side exhaust of the RV furnace was 130F to 144F with a high temp limit of 190F.
Finally, once I had all systems operational in the Scamp I inserted a piece of paper towel in the furnace face adjacent to the bed. I ran the furnace at max output for 25 minutes with the paper towel in place, no issues what so ever. Well, there was one, I had to open the door because it was getting very warm!
My last trailer had no working furnace and I used the Big Buddy propane heater. As stated above, I cracked the upper vent a 1/4 inch and let the stove vent be the other fresh air source. Also had a $15 (?) carbon monoxide detector. It never made a sound except when I tested it monthly!
My Scamp does have the propane furnace and I wondered about the bedding in the beginning. But I've used it all night many times now and never had an issue. Same crack the vent thing (which I really think is not needed - I mean it's made to vent outside - but I do it anyway). Thanks, Frosty, for your research. Now I am convinced!
Good idea - I will check that out.....Thanks!
Patrice Mott
Just passing on information about a great place for purchasing polyurethane or latex foam mattresses and toppers.
www.thefoamfactory.com has all kinds of choices for bedding. I got a 2" medium firm poly mattress topper for putting on top of the Scamp cushions on the bed and it works great (full size $54).
I also got a 3" high density full size mattress ($83) for the plywood bed I built in the Highlander. It is as comfortable and as supportive as any regular bed, but being foam, it is lighter weight and you can cut it to any size you need with a sharp kitchen knife. These particular mattresses are guaranteed to last from 12-18 years, shipping is fast and it's free over $75. I highly recommend this place.
And as far as the heater goes, I will probably heat up the trailer before bed and then pull on the sleeping bag that
goes down to 25 below and turn off the heater. Or use a ceramic one when I have power. Thanks for the help!
Patrice Mott
Their mattresses and toppers also have the certiPurUS certification...
Patrice Mott
I have never ran our furnace just for the reasons presented. My solution is to get a wave 3 heater, it has no running fan it relys on convection to heat the trailer, it is propane operated and runs cheaply! We vent a side vent 1/4in and vent the top 1/4 in. It is completly safe as long as you follow venting! we can go a month on our 20lb cylinder including cooking!
kOwtz ! Great idea - Safety first - I will check it out :)
Patrice Mott
Good morning. It was necessary to pull the Scamp out of the shop for use as alternative housing while we have our floors refinished. So, I thought I'd to some research and actual testing concerning the furnace/bedding issue. First I checked the ignition points of two items, paper and cotton sheets. The paper ignites at 451F (thanks Ray Bradbury), and the sheets at 410F. Next, normal operating temperatures of a clothes dryer, high setting ranged from 140F to 155F depending on brand. Finally, the normal heat side exhaust of the RV furnace was 130F to 144F with a high temp limit of 190F.
Finally, once I had all systems operational in the Scamp I inserted a piece of paper towel in the furnace face adjacent to the bed. I ran the furnace at max output for 25 minutes with the paper towel in place, no issues what so ever. Well, there was one, I had to open the door because it was getting very warm!
Frosty
Wow, Frosty!! I am duly impressed :) - Great experiment and excellent results - thank you !!
Patrice Mott
Thanks for all the work. My wet bath door blocks the furnace and it has always bothered me.
My last trailer had no working furnace and I used the Big Buddy propane heater. As stated above, I cracked the upper vent a 1/4 inch and let the stove vent be the other fresh air source. Also had a $15 (?) carbon monoxide detector. It never made a sound except when I tested it monthly!
My Scamp does have the propane furnace and I wondered about the bedding in the beginning. But I've used it all night many times now and never had an issue. Same crack the vent thing (which I really think is not needed - I mean it's made to vent outside - but I do it anyway). Thanks, Frosty, for your research. Now I am convinced!
Please excuse me...I need to go camping now
Thanks David for taking the time to answer and offer your own experience. I will install the CO detector for
further safety. Have FUN camping!!
Patrice Mott
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