Community Forums

jondrew55 · 03-31-2015, 04:12 AM

Still breaking in our new Excursion and learning things. First thing I learned about our Heat Pump is that around 40 degrees outside temp the heat pump stops working. This is normal and is to keep the coils from freezing up. The propane furnace works fine, but having the furnace constantly coming on and off during the night is just something I can do without (it got down to 25 degrees in Nashville this last week when we were up there) . I had brought two el cheapo 1500 watt electric heaters for my old travel trailer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they kept the MH a nice 60 degrees all night at about half power. In the AM a blast of the furnace brought it back to 70 once we got out of bed.

Now if I could only get an air conditioner that quiet.

Triker56 · 03-31-2015, 05:56 AM

Move farther south and those 2 space heater will not be needed.

My heat pump will still work down to 35-36º.

Gormleys · 03-31-2015, 07:28 AM

You are lucky! Most of the new heat pumps shut down around 40 degrees. Running the electrical heaters work great for inside the MH. What about your pipes and water heater? Most MHs are set up so that the forced air from the furnace also warms the water compartments and keep the pipes and pump from freezing. You might want to keep that furnace running occasionally during the night just to keep you from having pipe problems.

jacwjames · 03-31-2015, 08:49 AM

We don't usually camp in very cold weather but if we are plugged in we often use the small ceramic or element heaters at night and the heat pumps during the day. If not plugged in we will resort to using the furnace as a last resort.

I have a temp monitor in my wet bay and if have a small 12 volt heater that does a decent job keeping the compartment warm. All my hot and cold plumbing is contained within 2 compartments before going up into the coach and I've never had a problem with freezing when temps are in the 20's.

I camped for the month April in Upper Michigan and temps dipped into the low teens. Space heaters couldn't keep up and temp in the coach would drop into the 30's. Extra space heater in basement kept anything from freezing.More covers on the bed solved the problem. Flipped the furnace on in the AM to warm up the RV. I didn't want to burn through all my propane fighting a loosing battle.

Satch46 · 04-18-2015, 11:14 PM

Past winter we dipped a bit also in tx and also put a heater in water area. Also I was told you can put a light bulb down there which gives a fair amount of heat

Cat320 · 04-19-2015, 09:51 AM

When in a CG, and the electric is free, we use two Lasko towers for extra heat.

BigBadDad · 04-19-2015, 10:08 AM

el cheapo 1500 watt heaters (2) in the coach and the 2 amp little milkhouse heaters work great in the wet bays. when the lottery hits I can change over to a prevost and just run the generator around the clock and forget roughing it with space heaters.

vsheetz · 04-19-2015, 10:38 AM

Here's our cold weather gear:

Coach as front and rear furnaces, which we seldom use because they are noisy, consume battery power, suck propane, etc.

Down comforter on the bed for sleeping - often end up kicking it off because it's too warm. Comfy blankets for the living area when watching TV, reading, etc. in the evening.

If in a campground with electric service, two 1500 watt electric heaters. Physically small one in the bedroom. A floor standing oil filled radiator looking one in the living room.

If no electric hookup a Big Buddy propane heater in the living area, and leave the bedroom open to the living area.

Upon waking kick on the front furnace for a few minutes to take the chill off.

mikensallyt · 04-26-2015, 10:25 PM

Those Lasko towers are great btw. I got my MH in Jan and being in S Texas we didn't really get that cold in my area. My systems kept me warm and the fireplace was a great help. Of course I stayed at CG's and used their power. I haven't been boon docking in colder weather yet. But I sure want to. Hurry up and get here winter so I can winter over in the North. The heat and humidity is terrible here in the summer and its almost here. But I will keep these replies in mind when I do go up north. tks.

bluepill · 04-26-2015, 10:35 PM

My ritual:

At night: Down comforter on the bed, set the furnace to 62 degrees.

In the morning, turn on 2 small electric heaters for the shower stall and potty area.

Turn the furnace up to 70 degrees.

Turn on the hot water heater.

Go back to bed for 20 minutes.

Phase II - Get up to a warm coach, start the coffee!!!!

Lued · 04-27-2015, 06:09 AM

In the wet bay and under the bathroom I use small Brooder Reflector Lamp ones with a clamp to attach them, works great, also use a remote thermometer.

BeachDude · 04-29-2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepill

My ritual:

.....Turn on the hot water heater.

Go back to bed for 20 minutes.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take your water heater to be shower ready?

My normal ritual is to turn the water heater on when I arrive, and turn it off before I drive out of the site.

However, when I'm visiting my sister's Camp "Side-Yard" and plugged into a long extension cord, that 1650 Watt water heater element makes the electricity meter spin like a top.