Heat Safety in an RV?

[paisley1]

Hi! We're new RVers here -- just bought our new Montana Mountaineer and are planning a trip this week. As it is cold here now, we are going to have to use the heat in the camper. Some "well meaning" relatives have told us that propane heaters blow up and we better sleep with the heat off at night. Ugh! What sort of safety tips or advice do you guys have regarding using the heater? Do you sleep with the heat on at night? Many, many thanks!

[paisley1]

Hi! We're new RVers here -- just bought our new Montana Mountaineer and are planning a trip this week. As it is cold here now, we are going to have to use the heat in the camper. Some "well meaning" relatives have told us that propane heaters blow up and we better sleep with the heat off at night. Ugh! What sort of safety tips or advice do you guys have regarding using the heater? Do you sleep with the heat on at night? Many, many thanks!

[Clay L]

We have been using the furnace at night for four years of full timing. Don't know anyone that doesn't. (But I am sure there is someone out there that doesn't use theirs....)

To save propane we do turn it down to about 50 degrees F at night though. We have a down comforter and are plenty warm - even my wife and she is always cold.

As far as safety goes, check your CO detector and make sure the battery is in place.
When my coach was about six months old I checked my CO detector and the battery still had the shipping insulator in place.

The LP detector should be connected to the house battery. Most of them have an indicator (green LED or something similar) showing they are connected.

[GStream40]

I have always used the furnace in our RV's since 1989 anytime it is needed with no problems.

As far as safety, we have the detectors, I always make sure they have good batteries in them.

Use your furnace, don't worry about it.

Ron

[Gary the Wombat]

As long as your detectors are working I wouldn't think twice about using your propane heater.

That said, if we are staying in a park and paying for electricity, we also carry an oil-filled radiator that we plug in on cold nights and leave on a low setting to keep the chill out and to save on propane.

[John Harrelson]

Hi PAISLEY,

I have a sneaking suspicion that those folks telling you about a "Propane Heater" blowing up were visualizing a portable type of propane heater..

The kind you see at construction sites and that some people (foolish people) try to heat their homes with.

Yes, those type of propane heaters can be very dangerous if not used properly..

There is also a kerosene "Shop" heater that is extremely dangerous and has been known to blow up.

But the "Forced Air Furnace" installed in the larger sized, modern RV is exactly like the propane fed "Forced Air Furnace" that is in a house or apartment.. just a smaller version of it..

Can it be dangerous ? Yes, but not very likely.

The modern RV's forced air furnace has the same chance of "blowing up" as a forced air furnace in a house does.

best wishes,
John

[paisley1]

Thank you all for your advice. John, I especially appreciate your reassurance! I really do like it here -- you guys have all the answers! Thanks again & Happy Camping!

[Miles]

We have been using the furnace on our RVs since 1984. Never a problem. As others have said we do use Electric heaters when we have Full hook ups just to save propane.

[DSouthw524]

Ijn some ways the furnace in an RV is better than many LP furnaces in homes as the RV furnace is a sealed combustion furnace. Many furnaces for homes are not.

[TXiceman]

The RV furnaces are well designed and perfectly safe to use full time. Like any furnace, it does require some maintenance.

Use it and enjoy it. Does your relative even own an RV?

Ken