Best, Cheapest, Electric Heater??

Dagwood_55 · 12-14-2005, 02:45 AM

Going camping this week end. I'll have electric hookups. Temp supposed to get to 20 or so. Thought I'd run by Wally World and get some kind of small, inexpensive heater.....Any suggestions as to what kind.

And will I still need to run my centrel heat some to keep the pipes from freezing?? I do have a belly pan on the camper.

Thanks,
Vic

Dagwood_55 · 12-14-2005, 02:45 AM

Going camping this week end. I'll have electric hookups. Temp supposed to get to 20 or so. Thought I'd run by Wally World and get some kind of small, inexpensive heater.....Any suggestions as to what kind.

And will I still need to run my centrel heat some to keep the pipes from freezing?? I do have a belly pan on the camper.

Thanks,
Vic

cwsoules · 12-14-2005, 08:07 AM

I would buy a small one which has three power settings and a fan. Once we had one which also turned back and forth, after short use it started to make noise when turning. Our heater if set on two will keep the temperature at night in cold weather at 55. When it is really cold you will have to use your furnace to bring the temperature up, and the electric heater on three will help keep the temperature up. I do not have a manufacturer to recommend. I shop heat settings, size, and price.

rhoevinbt · 12-14-2005, 02:25 PM

Probably most important is to make sure that the heater is UL listed, perhaps has ALL of the safety features, etc. The last thing you want is to have the RV go up in flames. NEVER leave an electric (or any other type) heater unattended. Happy Camping!

Dagwood_55 · 12-14-2005, 02:58 PM

Well, I forgot, I have an electric fireplace in my camper. Guess that'll work, huh??

CoastalDav · 12-14-2005, 03:08 PM

Lasko Ceramic Heater. Buy at Wal-Mart 39.00 plus tax. I have two. Thermo-stat control, timers, rotates. UL Listed.

Dave

Moder2 · 12-17-2005, 04:48 AM

Being a full-timer, I can tell you my favorite electric heater is the oil filled radiator type. Granted a bit larger, but no noise, and they work very well.

John

JimmyDee · 12-17-2005, 05:02 AM

I have one that I picked up at Mennard's for $25. It has 3 settings. 500 watt, 1000 watt and 1500 watt. The 500 watt will keep the trailer warm in the Spring and Fall when there is a chill in the air. Down to about 50 or so. Any colder than that, I will use the larger wattage settings and like that has allready been said, 30 degrees or so requires the furnace.
Jim

sawtooth · 12-18-2005, 07:27 AM

Like Moder2, my vote is for the oil filled radiator type.
No noise.

AKO · 12-18-2005, 11:03 AM

Forget cheapest!!!! You want the safest!

Most small heaters have a small fan that is noisy and does not last. The heater must have the fan working or it will overheat and turn off. Even with the fan running the element gets hot enough to instantly ignite a cloth or whatever that might accidentally fall upon it. Likewise, if someone manages to touch the thing there is a risk of burns. Summary: they are actually expensive (they wear out), and dangerous.

I have puchased a few dozen portable electric heaters and will say, the oil-filled radiator is the better choice. It is warm/hot to the touch, but I can place my hand on it for several seconds. It will not ignite fabric (I use it as a drier). I have never had one fail. Am still using the first one I purchased at least 15 years ago.

Calvin · 01-01-2006, 06:52 PM

We use both types of heaters. We have the small ceramic heater with fan to heat up the trailer fast and then turn it off. The radiator type is used for the rest of the time for quiet heat and it does a great job if the trailer is already warmed up.