X1 owner Becki Peckham had to know - can the Truma VarioHeat furnace in her X1 keep up when the temps get really cold? Spoiler Alert: Yes. And she brought the receipts to prove it. Want all the details on how it actually went down? Read on.
In This Article
The Test — 9°F, Overnight, No Bailing
Becki headed out near her home in Buffalo, NY on what turned out to be the last brutally cold night of the season. Outside temp at setup: 17°F. Overnight low: 7°F. Windchill: -1°F. She hooked up a 5 lb propane tank, clicked on the Truma, popped the tent into living room mode, and settled in.
One question she couldn't find a real answer to anywhere online: What's it actually like inside the X1 when it's genuinely freezing outside — and can you be comfortable, not just survive? That's the question every 4-season truck camper worth their rock salt wants to know.
What Happened When the Temps Dropped to -1°F Windchill?
Within 30 minutes of setting up, the camper was holding 55°F with the heater set conservatively. She went to bed around 10pm with the heater dialed to 62°F — tent sitting at 59°F.
At 2am, she woke up hot. The tent was 72°F. She turned off the heated sleeping mat and went back to sleep.
At 5:30am — outside temp now 7°F, feels-like -1°F — she woke up cold only because she'd taken her sweater off in the night. Heater was set to 55°F. Tent was still holding 68°F.
Most comfortable winter camping night she'd had. 10 out of 10.
The Stats: Cold Hard Numbers
Becki's Hot Takes From This Test
The insulation kit isn't optional at these temps. Becki called it "absolutely deadly" — in the best way. The difference between having it and not is real when you're pushing single digits outside.
Plan your power. Running the Truma overnight alongside a heated sleeping mat, a fan, and device charging drained a 1,000Wh battery to 18% by 8am. It worked — but she had to run the truck to recover. Size your power system for your use case.
The heater can be loud when it's working hard — if you're not using Night Mode. At single-digit temps, it cycles aggressively to keep up. Once the camper stabilizes, it quiets considerably. Earplugs solved it. Using the Truma's built in Night Mode would also make for a quieter night next time.
Propane setup takes two minutes. Hook up the tank, and you're on. On a 20 lb tank at moderate winter temps (~28°F outside, running 12 hours a night at 65°F), Becki got six to seven nights before needing a refill.
"my winter camping experience in the Super Pacific with the Truma heater was 10 out of 10."
Will You Be Comfortable in the X1 When It's Really Cold?
That depends on how you set the camper up — and you. Comfort in cold weather is personal. Some people sleep hot. Some run cold. Becki slept in a hoodie and sweatpants at 9°F outside and woke up sweating at 2am. That won't be everyone's experience — but this test shows that the camper itself isn't the limiting factor. With the Truma propane heater and ThermaPuff insulation kit, the X1 held interior temps above 65°F through a night that dropped to 7°F outside with a -1°F windchill.
Variables that will affect your experience most:
- How you heat it. The Truma propane heater was more than enough to keep temps comfortable. A good diesel heater in your build may also provide enough heat.
- Whether you have the ThermaPuff insulation kit. At temps below freezing, it makes a measurable difference in how well the tent holds heat overnight.
- Your power setup. Running heat all night draws down a battery. A 1,000Wh system is workable — but if winter camping is a regular use case, size up.
- Your propane supply. A 20 lb tank running 12 hours a night at moderate winter temps will last six to seven nights. A 5 lb tank will get you through a night or two.
The Cold Hard Truth
The X1 is a very capable cold-weather camper. Whether it's warm enough for you comes down to how you build it out and what comfortable means to you. For Becki, it was more than enough to stay toasty, even in the coldest conditions.
follow Becki's Adventures:
Becki Peckham lives in Buffalo, NY and makes epic videos and adventures with her F-150 overland truck build, her partner Chris, and their dog Chopper.
YouTube - Nothing Epic: @beckipeckham
Instagram: @beckipeckham
Winter Camping FAQs:
Is the Super Pacific X1 a 4-season truck camper?
Yes. Field tested at 9°F with a -1°F windchill, the X1 with Truma propane heater and insulation kit maintained comfortable interior temps above 65°F throughout the night. With the right configuration, it's a capable all-season truck camper.
How cold can the X1 truck camper with Truma heater handle?
Field tested at 9°F with a -1°F windchill, the Truma heater kept the X1 above 65°F interior temp throughout the night.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last in the X1 in winter?
At around 28°F outside, running approximately 12 hours per night at 65°F, expect six to seven nights from a 20 lb tank.
Do I need the insulation kit for winter camping in the X1?
For temperatures below freezing, yes, it's recommended. The ThermaPuff insulation kit meaningfully improves heat retention and is considered essential for serious cold-weather use.
How much battery power does the Truma heater use overnight?
Running the Truma overnight along with a heated sleeping mat, fan, and device charging it consumed roughly 80% of a 1,000Wh battery over approximately 10 hours at single-digit temps.
The bomb-proof X1 Camper was designed with all four seasons in mind — from soggy rain-forests to snowy mountain passes and back again, it's built for wild pursuits.