Converting an old camper into hunting set up. Have a ?

[turkeyfeather]

I got an old camper (early 70's) from a buddy for free. I am wanting to convert it to use for hunting camper. It was originally set up to run on propane. However all the lines are dry rotted and I don't know if the stove, heater or fridge even work anymore. I was thinking of just yanking all that out and setting it up to use a regular coleman type camp stove. So my first question is are those safe to use indoors. With carbon monoxide and all. I bought a little buddy heater to put in it cause it has a shut off. What do you guys think?

[Blacktail Sniper]

NO!!  Would not be safe at all, unless you set-up a very good ventilation system.   

[turkeyfeather]

That's what I thought but then I wondered how did it work being on propane to begin with?

[KNOPHISH]

Yank the fridge & use space for storage, they suck to much propane anyway, a cooler works fine. My propane lines are copper, I didn't know copper could dry rot.  But I would try to get that stove working. If you use the coleman stove just cook outside.

[Mudman]

Ya go for it.  Fix everything and use what you can.  Fridges dont use much propane, at least mine dont.  1 thing you must do is get proper ventilation and GET a monoxide and smoke detector.  Maybe even too just to be safe.  Copper doesnt rot but hoses in sytem can.  There is alot of easy fixes for some of these appliances.  Sometimes you can fix em for nothing.  Spiders can plug fridges.  Fuse and multiple sensors in furnace can malfunction.  Stoves almost always work if propane line is good.  If fridge smells of amonia dispose of it. Regulators can be bad on propane.  Double check for leaks.  Water pump and water tanks are important and easy.  Lots you can mess with.

[turkeyfeather]

I was trying to do it cheap now your starting to make it sound expensive.  Does anyone know if those little buddies are ok to use. It says its safe for indoors but I wonder.

[Skyvalhunter]

The newer little buddie have an auto shutoff when gases are present.

[Mudman]

I was trying to do it cheap now your starting to make it sound expensive.  Does anyone know if those little buddies are ok to use. It says its safe for indoors but I wonder.

Nah.  Alot of DIY fixes for nothing.  Check em out first before pitching them.  20$ for monoxide/smoke detectors.  If buddy is a catalyst heater I think they suck oxygen so window should be open.

[elkaholic123]

Propane stove is a propane stove  I am sure you could use it in there, they have a roof vent and windows right?

[Alchase]

Propane stove is a propane stove  I am sure you could use it in there, they have a roof vent and windows right?

Ya that, most of the campers you see now come with no better then a colman stove. I have been using a little buddy in my tents for years. Honestly unless it is below freezing I rarely turn it on. I good comforter or sleeping bag does just fine. It works great for taking the chill off though.

[bear hunter]

Doesn't the old stove vent fan still there? I would think it would be safe if you leave the old vent fan in. Also I would go right off the refrigerator replace the line with a quake release fast hook up and see if it works. If not dump it. You might be able to find a free one that works. Lots of old trailer out there. 

[Skillet]

When you say "regular coleman type camp stove" you talking propane or white gas?  I'd use the propane with a window open, but I would never use the white gas indoors.

As far as the Mr. Buddy heater is concerned, they are ok for indoor use if you have good ventilation.  We use them in ice houses when ice fishing, and the flame will start to flicker when the oxygen gets too low in the fishhouse (these are the canvas pop-up type, so they're always leaking a little air around zippers, etc).  Don't think I'd sleep with the heater on inside.  This being the internet, and you being responsible for your own life/gray matter, do what you think works best for you, of course. 

[turkeyfeather]

Thanks for the info all. Yes there is still the original vent fan however it is electric so you have to be hooked up to power to make it work. I am thinking my best bet is to just take the fridge and stove out and create more storage and just use a cook stove outside.

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

My FIL and I used a little buddy heater this last yr in his camper, we cracked a window about 3/4" and cracked a roof vent and went to bed. Did this for a week straight. I also agree that a propane stove is a propane stove, the only difference is one is permanent. Crack windows, youll be fine.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Thanks for the info all. Yes there is still the original vent fan however it is electric so you have to be hooked up to power to make it work. I am thinking my best bet is to just take the fridge and stove out and create more storage and just use a cook stove outside.

If it works by take it out?