Indoor Camping??

[FJ Camping]

Hello All,

My wife and I bought our AS about 7 months ago, 19' Bambi Safari. We are currently building a metal quonset to store the AS in. We would like to use the AS inside the building but do not know if it is safe to do. The buliding is 30' x 36' x 16' high. This would be only over the winter months here in Colorado. The rest of the year the AS is outdoors.

Thanks in advance.

[chhmiami]

I don't think you want to be breathing the exhaust from the propane water heater/furnace! The only way to heat water in my 22' Safari Sport is with propane. - Carl in Ga

[FJ Camping]

I would agree 100%. I guess what I am asking is does anyone know if there maybe an exhaust system or something that would work for the heater, refer, and water heater so we could exhaust it outside?

[CanoeStream]

The 3 different outlets make combining them more problematic. The biggest problem is that each is probably intended to discharge without interference. I'd think you might overheat and ruin something if you just put on exhaust tubing to route gases outside. Overheating something inside the trailer shell also would raise the fire risk. Would a powered exhaust raise some combustion issues for any of these appliances? The short answer is that I haven't seen this done before.

Camping under a shelter roof isn't a problem. The closer you can get to 4 sides open, the better.

[overlander63]

Why not just open a window (or door) on the hut? Exhaust gasses will escape, and your coach will still be out of the weather and wind.
Don't make the solution harder than it needs to be.

[centennialman]

..........or, maybe use an electric heater while you are camping in the hut. That would eliminate all possibilities of poisining from gas.

What part of Littleton are you in? I am in Centennial....just down the road.

[CanoeStream]

I probably wouldn't do this unless it had a door at each end and even then.... ? Like cyanide, carbon monoxide (CO) locks onto hemoglobin with a much stronger bond than oxygen can. I also believe CO doesn't ever let go -- once it locks up 5% or 10% of your hemoglobin it stays that way until your body generates more hemoglobin. And then spend another night in there?

This gets to be like questions about having a monster truck show or operating a Zamboni inside a dome or ice arena -- how much combustion is taking place inside how small (or how large) a space. Where are the good answers? Who wants to assume the liability for their loved ones?

[gowyn]

use an electric heater, maybe heat tape on tanks and use a Hot Rod in your hw tank.

Don't use the propane at all it possible. Doesn't take too much co to knock you out!

[herrgirdner]

I personally wouldn't do it. As has been pointed out, it is not safe to use the propane stuff inside a building, unless it is properly vented.
But if you're really set on close-by camping, use KISS. Pull it outside during nice weather and if it snows or rains; push it back inside the shelter and go in the house 'till it's over.....
good luck

[jdalrymple]

I have stayed inside my trailer, parked inside a metal building, and I am still here to tell the tale. We visited friends in an upscale subdivision with nosey neighbors, whom disapproved of travel trailers insight. I assume you have electricity, so your refrigerator is not a problem. Simply heat your water with electricity and use an electric heater for comfort heating and you will be fine. Carbon Monoxide is a potentially dangerous gas yes, but it doesn’t sneak up and bite you. If no combustion is taking place, no CO is present. As Terry said, even if you need to burn propane for some things, simply open a window or door a bit, and if you can feel the breeze, you are moving the CO out. If you feel the need for more security, purchase a CO detector at Wal-Mart and place it in the building with you.

What you will smell are the holding tank odors, but just add the blue stuff often and that will slow down the decomposition and hold down the odors somewhat.

[FJ Camping]

Thanks to all for your advise...........

[TBRich]

FJ...Welcome to the Airforums, first! Enjoy your new Bambi! (We like 19' Bambis, too!)

The advice re proper ventilation and not using propane indoors is all good... Is it maybe possible to pull the Bambi out of doors to enjoy when you want to camp, then put it back inside when not? (We've stayed in ours in the driveway more than once!)

Just be safe...'cause we want to see you down the road!
TB

[chhmiami]

Here is my soultion: See Photo

[76sovereign]

Very Nice Solution my friend!

Originally Posted by chhmiami

Here is my soultion: See Photo