Community Forums

rbos57 · 01-22-2016, 08:54 PM

About to take our 2016 Jayco 29RKS out for the 1st time. Was wondering how long I could expect our dual propane tanks to last. 30 lb. Tanks. Running heat while fully hooked up to power. Just a 3 night trip but was just wondering if someone could enlighten me please and thank you.

Starmaster · 01-22-2016, 09:09 PM

Propane has about 91,000 BTU per pound. Your furnace probably produces about 36,000 BTU per hour. A 30lb propane tank holds about 7lbs of propane.

So, your 30 lb tank should run your furnace about 17 hrs IF that is the only thing you have using propane and the tank is full. A water heater can use a third to almost half of what your furnace does so if you're using the water heater your furnace run time will be reduced accordingly.

Unless it's really cold, 17 hrs of furnace run time is a long time. If it's in the 20s, then depending on your rig's insulation, two tanks could be gone in 3-4 days.

Dave

Rockwood27 · 01-22-2016, 09:18 PM

My 120 lb propane tank will last all winter. But, then again, I'm in SW Florida right now. It will help us if you tell us where you are and the expected temperatures.

tedgard01 · 01-22-2016, 09:18 PM

Stop by Wal-Mart and pick up one or two Comfort Zone ceramic heaters. They cost about $20, and will keep you warm. They have a thermostat so will automatically turn off at the set temp. They have a safety feature that will turn them off if they are tipped over. They have the ceramic element set back with a front screen, that makes them very safe, which is cool enough to put your hand against without even getting hot enough to burn you. You will love them and they will save you propane and act as an auxiliary heat source.

chaps2018 · 01-22-2016, 09:18 PM

A lot depends on the temp you keep the trailer. We keep it around 70 when in it during the day and 65 at nite. We have a small electric heater that keeps it cozy. We go through a tank about every 25 days. We use electric on the hot water heater but do use the propane for the grill frequently and propane for the fridge while traveling. Our winter temps get in the low 30's

Old-Biscuit · 01-22-2016, 09:53 PM

Temps in 30s at night...........about 3 days per 30# cylinder

Temp at -19*F ......one 30# cylinder per day

Arch Hoagland · 01-22-2016, 11:19 PM

Burn through that first tank and you'll have an idea how long the second tank will last.

I'd be surprised if you go through two tanks in three days.

You didn't mention where you are going camping.

If you are in the Florida keys you are in good shape, however if in Michigan things are going to get interesting real fast.

vsheetz · 01-22-2016, 11:59 PM

Use electric space heater(s) to replace or supplement the heat from the propane furnace. A good down comforter on the bed at night is one of the best economies.

Propane usage can vary a lot with how cold outside and thermostat setting - from a tank a day to a few to several days in a tank.

Water heater off most of the time. Turn it on 30 minutes before needed, as it heats up pretty quickly. Electric only if you have hookups. That said, I find the water heater to not be a big consumer of propane.

wa8yxm · 01-23-2016, 06:52 AM

I would exect the tanks to last at least 2 weeks.. However there are two types of hookups. On one you have some kind of indicator and a change over valve, On this type you open both tanks, and set the ":Seclector" ot one tank, for this discussion we will use the entry side tank. When the indicator goes red you switch the slector to the other tank (Services side) (Services are water, sewer, Cable TV, Electric hookups) and then you can remove the empty tank (After closing the tank valve) for re-fill,, Check valves in the change over valve prevent loss of propane from full tank.

Re-place/attach the newly filled entry side tank and open it's valve, when the indicator goes red switch back to it and re-fill the other tank

ALWAYS TURN OFF the tank before you disconnect it.

ONLY disconnect the tank which is NOT Selected by the manual control on the change over (Several different designs to that).

RVGuy1966 · 01-23-2016, 07:37 AM

I would suggest the fill the tanks and keep one closed off method. run out the first one and you will have an idea of the length you get. when you combine cooking and heating water and keeping warm among the fridge using it as well IF you are using all propane then you have a lot of factors that change constantly. I would get some type of monitor to tell the level of the tanks wether by putting the stick on thermometer on them or using a scale to see whats left.

most private parks sell propane and any that dont might know a close by place to fill them.

Chowboy · 01-26-2016, 04:43 PM

Essentially started with two full tanks 12/16/15 in metro St.Louis, MO with above normal temps, only load was fridge while traveling. Once set up at night we would warm up with gas furnace, along with a small electric heater,get water up to speed with both electric and gas. Did this for 5 days until set up for a month in FL. At this point we relied mostly on a small space heater, so the main drain was fridge with occasional boost for water heater. After 5 weeks in FL we returned home in 3 days which included the storm of 1/22 on the Gulf Coast plus three days travel back. The gas was generally on about 20% to 30% of the time the electric heater was on during this time. We arrived back home still using the original tank. YRMY but I would expect 3 days easily with two tanks, we have a 25 RKS and the slide only has the couch.
Good luck

ralphie · 01-26-2016, 04:45 PM

Two tanks used 3 days in 20-35 degrees.

timetogo · 01-26-2016, 06:07 PM

If you keep the RV nice and toasty, you may run out of propane. Have fun.

IC2 · 01-27-2016, 06:44 AM

Much depends on the RV's insulation and window type. Our previous 5er was a full 3 season plus unit and did very well on propane. The new one, is bigger and probably less insulation. I would expect to use a 30# tank in 3-4 days in 30's temps and a 30 or so foot trailer but if supplemented with 1-2 small electric heaters, you could extend your time. One caveat though with electric heaters - most have at least 2 settings, 900 and 1500 watts. At the 1500 watt setting you will 'burn' through about 12-14 amps each and a 30 amp service gets pretty well 'used up' with two. Then add on the HW heater and whatever else you are operating and you have breakers tripping.