running heater while driving

[Sarah and Jack]

when traveling in freezing temps how do you keep trailer warm. ran full day in 20 degree temps took forever to warm up 5th whl.stopping not an option. memory foam matress topper turns to plywood at freezing !!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarah and Jack]

when traveling in freezing temps how do you keep trailer warm. ran full day in 20 degree temps took forever to warm up 5th whl.stopping not an option. memory foam matress topper turns to plywood at freezing !!!!!!!!!!!

[CyberVet65]

It seems logical to me. But then I run my fridge on propane when I am traveling.
Chet

[RustyJC]

What Chet said.

Rusty

[NLOVNIT]

Hmmmm, never really thought about that. We probably wouldn't heat the 5-r, anyway, during towing...wouldn't like to use up that much propane - save it for the destination. We even turn the fridge propane off while travelling when it's in the low 40's. Fridge temp never rises when it's that cold out. When it is cold, we have an electric matress pad plus an electric blanket that we plug in & turn on as soon as shore power is hooked up. That gets the matress & topper thawed out & toasty. We also are sure to open all the cabinet/closet doors/drawers for a bit when we do get set up & turn on the furnace & space heaters. Otherwise that cold air stays inside those closed spaces for a long time & comes out into a warm camper later. Nuthin' like cold underwear to get you really awake in the morning!
L-

[RayRiviere]

I was told that it's not good to run the furnace will traveling on the road.So i never do it .When we get setup we turn furnace on plus turn on 2 electric heaters doesn't take long to warm up.

[TXiceman]

I do not see any reason not to run the furnace while under way. We have traveled in freezing weather and to start taking the chill off the trailer, I stop about an hour before we arrive at our destination and start the heater and set it fro like 60 dF. By the time we arrive, the trailer has started to warm up a bit.

Never had any problem doing this.

Ken

[SuperGewl]

OK, I have no problem with running the fridge while traveling, because I do. But running the furnace is another thing. I know that SOB gets real hot and I would just hate to have that thing catch on fire while attached to the truck, or anytime. I just don't see where that's real smart, I just light it off while setting up, it takes the chill off real quick like.

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

Though you could get by, I think there is clearly increased risk by running the furnace while traveling...

My question for you guys, though, is what other options are there to keep the water lines from freezing up while traveling in really cold temps?

[Mooky Mouse]

Hi Sarah! This is Jo! Too funny that I find you on this website!!

I know what you mean about the foam mattress topper turning into plywood. We have a TempurPedic and man oh man does that thing get hard in the cold. Go to WalMart and invest in a dual control, heated mattress pad cover. It will run you about $65. Plug the sucker in as soon as you hook up. With the dual controls, Jack will be able to set his side at his preference, and you'll be able to set yours to your desired temp as well. They work great! I just love slipping into a warm bed when it's cold out. They cost pennies to run as well.

As far as keeping the rig warm when traveling, it seems like the forum is split on running with the furnace on. We don't do it. We just don't think the risk is worth it. What we do, is we turn on the furnace as soon as we park. We do the set up and keep the furnace just cranking. Open your cabinet doors too. I also turn an electric heater on. We found that when we were in cold weather, we had to set the temperature a bit higher to keep the heat level up.

Don't you just love living in your 5'er in cold weather??? Ugh!

Hope all is well. Email me with an update on you guys. Hope to see you sometime soon!