Community Forums

dchase · 12-03-2011, 09:03 AM

Can you use your propane to heat interior while driving in cold weather, instead of relying on dash heat?

BigSkyBob · 12-03-2011, 09:12 AM

I don't see why not although I have the Aqua-Hot system. I understand there are some restrictions in tunnels as to whether or not propane can remain on.

dchase · 12-03-2011, 09:17 AM

Thanks - we are pretty new to rving, so are happy to find this great website.

stuhly · 12-03-2011, 09:19 AM

We run the furnace driving in cold weather. If you don't you might have to invest in snowmachine coveralls to keep from freezing to death. MH dash heaters are very weak due to the distance the water has to travel.

marcdohc · 12-03-2011, 09:41 AM

We also run the furnace while driving driving, I think most do.
We shut ours off when fueling up.

Hipshot · 12-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Good question. This is our first winter with a MH and I had not thought of that, DW and Idiot Dog will like that. Thanks for the question and thanks for the replies. I learn something new on this forum every day.

sfrantz · 12-03-2011, 11:38 AM

We put up a tension bar clear shower curtain behind the seats when we are on the road so there is a smaller area to heat. It needs to be extra long shower stall curtain because it is narrower and longer. The dash heat works better that way.

We also installed an electric fireplace in our dash to replace the center drawers. We like the look and heat when we are parked. When on the road we can turn on the generator or inverter and turn on electric heat.

We have had no luck with the small 12 v heaters that plug into the "cigarette lighter" outlets. They are worthless.

When we park, we take that tension bar and hang it over the driver side window to make a coat rack clothes bar. It hangs through webbing strips I mounted inside the cabinet and we pull them out to hold the bar.

Pusherman · 12-03-2011, 02:34 PM

No problem running the LP furnace while driving.

JC2 · 12-03-2011, 02:51 PM

We have the Motoraide system in our Winnie and will/have used it for those coolish trips. Have never used the furnace as the Motoraide works just fine.

beachboy27 · 12-03-2011, 07:27 PM

When I load up the coach the day before I leave for Florida the end of January, I turn on the furnace. It will continue to run for the next two days continuesly until I am in southern Georgia. I do turn it off while fueling, but do like my house on wheels warm while I am in it.

JCBBOUNDER · 12-03-2011, 07:37 PM

Hate to be blunt, but we are from Canada, and when we travel after Oct 1, you can bet both furnaces in the coach are 'enabled'. Engine heat on a coach will leave you in a snowsuit and mittens. I will say though, that if the coach has been preheated for 6 hours or so, the dash heat will maintain the first 15 feet of the coach during your travels.

cbeierl · 12-03-2011, 07:39 PM

If the outside temperature is below freezing you will probably need to run the furnace to ensure that your tanks/plumbing don't freeze. At least that's the case with my Winnebago.