Running Heater While On The Road

[Roy W.]

We plan on going to Cherokee, North Carolina over the Christmas holidays. In anticipation of arriving in Cherokee during cold weather, is it okay to run the trailer propane heater while on the road? I'm not worried so much about the trailer freezing while on the road as I am taking the chill out of the trailer until we can get hooked up.

[mikron]

I run my ref. on gas while travling when the gen. is off. So why not the heater, I ask.

[oldfart1]

Will the exhaust on the side of the trailer be ok? Just something to think about?

[Mopar1973Man]

I've done this with my older 1976 Motorhome with OK results... But I wonder if the wind and draft will be too much and blow out the burner contantly...

[akadeadeye]

We have a hydronic system and use it on the road when dash heat isn't enough. Have never had a problem doing that.

Don

[greystroke]

Mine is a little wierd. While on the road I noticed that water was close to hot when I stopped at a campsite. The first time it happened it shook me because I thought I left something on. I have both propane and electric.

Then finally realized that some water lines must be routed next to the heater lines(coolant) and it heats the water. I don't know if this is design or by accident. But I like it.

[bachler]

There are some water heaters that have a line in them; That hooks up to your Hot water heater. That warms the water up while the engine is running,,I plumed into that line and put a hot water heater under the bed with the duct work it keeps the coach nice and warm while we are traveling :: I installed a mearine heater ; It works great;;

[greystroke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachler There are some water heaters that have a line in them; That hooks up to your Hot water heater. That warms the water up while the engine is running,,I plumed into that line and put a hot water heater under the bed with the duct work it keeps the coach nice and warm while we are traveling :: I installed a mearine heater ; It works great;;

Not sure if that applies to my coach. But I do have an aux heater under the bed that is hooked up to the coolant lines. Controlled by a switch on the dash. Water heater heats regardless on the switch on the dash. I shall not complain about it.

[NLOVNIT]

With the exception of Mopar1973Man (who now has a TT based on his sig), the responses have been from those with coaches instead of TT's. I think the OP is looking for input from towed RV owners (or experiences of previous towed RV owners).

When we had our previous 5-r, & before that a TT, we did not turn the RV propane on while driving. I just wasn't comfortable with it being on in a towed vehicle where I couldn't hear if something happened inside, like the LP detector going off for some reason. We didn't even keep the fridge on - we never traveled far enough where having the fridge off compromised the coldness inside. Even during the coldest of outtings we endured (mid-30's & snow in April), it took only about 20 minutes for our 30ft 5-r to heat up once parked. As soon as we were backed into a site & before unhooking & connecting e/w/s, it was my job to turn on the propane & go inside to turn on the furnace, if it was cold enough. By the time all the set up stuff was done, the inside was nice & toasty.

My feeling is having a towed RV warm when you arrive doesn't outweigh what might happen that you can't see/hear if the propane is on while traveling. YOMV.

Lori-

[akadeadeye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT With the exception of Mopar1973Man (who now has a TT based on his sig), the responses have been from those with coaches instead of TT's. I think the OP is looking for input from towed RV owners (or experiences of previous towed RV owners). When we had our previous 5-r, & before that a TT, we did not turn the RV propane on while driving. I just wasn't comfortable with it being on in a towed vehicle where I couldn't hear if something happened inside, like the LP detector going off for some reason. We didn't even keep the fridge on - we never traveled far enough where having the fridge off compromised the coldness inside. Even during the coldest of outtings we endured (mid-30's & snow in April), it took only about 20 minutes for our 30ft 5-r to heat up once parked. As soon as we were backed into a site & before unhooking & connecting e/w/s, it was my job to turn on the propane & go inside to turn on the furnace, if it was cold enough. By the time all the set up stuff was done, the inside was nice & toasty. My feeling is having a towed RV warm when you arrive doesn't outweigh what might happen that you can't see/hear if the propane is on while traveling. YOMV. Lori-

Good point Lori. I just breezed on out there with a response with our coach in mind. I agree with you about not running the heater in a 5'er or TT while traveling. Not worth the risk.

Don

[greystroke]

Sorry Lori, I'll watch a little closer before jump in from now on.

Traded by 5th wheel for this MH about a year ago.

I never run my water heater in the trailer until I parked.

[Lorna]

It shouldn't take long to warm up the trailer. When you pull into your site, turn the heater on FIRST. Then finish setting up. By the time you are finished setting up, your trailer should be toasty. Just don't leave the door standing wide open.

[NLOVNIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna .... Just don't leave the door standing wide open.

Been there, done that, got yelled at.

Lori-

[Mopar1973Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT With the exception of Mopar1973Man (who now has a TT based on his sig), the responses have been from those with coaches instead of TT's. I think the OP is looking for input from towed RV owners (or experiences of previous towed RV owners). Lori-

Actually I was referring to my old 1976 Motorhome... I havn't tried it yet with my new TT yet...

ADDON:

Think about this more is that I would flip the heater on during rest stops to keep the heat up in the trailer more so... I'm in agreement of Lori that its not a really good idea to run it while running down the road you never know till its too later really...