Community Forums

ctpres · 09-19-2013, 07:38 PM

Checked all the usual web sources, including rv park website and all OK for us for two or three days. Checked in, nice river view site - for an extra $5 a night. Plugged in, hooked up and got all set up for a two or three day stay. And then I read the almost typical campground rules. At the bottom "No electric heaters are allowed. We cannot police electric heaters but do ask for your cooperation" No option for a few dollars extra, just a flat "no electric heaters". Note that this NW CA. Pacific coast. Fifty's most nights, mid forty's this saturday night and this in mid Sept. I guess all elec. RV's are banned.
Is this a cutting edge park, something I can expect in other CA parks or just plain bad management at this park?

Finhawk · 09-19-2013, 07:43 PM

Bet'cha they are talking about the small free standing portable things. Best way to find out is just ask.

docj · 09-19-2013, 07:48 PM

IMHO the park doesn't want space heaters to be used because using electricity for resistance heat is one of the most inefficient ways to use energy to create heat. I assume your motorhome has a furnace; why wouldn't you expect to use that for heat? Given how poorly insulated some RVs are, I can completely understand why the park doesn't want to absorb heating costs into its nightly rates.

With respect to all-electric motorhomes, I know that at least some of them use diesel-fired hydronic heating systems and I'm sure that some are also equipped with heatpumps which are far more efficient than resistance heating.

Barbara S. · 09-19-2013, 07:57 PM

I have a propane heater in my motorhome but I usually use just the small space heater on my counter. The portable heater has a thermostat and works well. I turn on the propane heater only when it is really cold because it uses so much propane when running.

Mr_D · 09-19-2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

IMHO the park doesn't want space heaters to be used because using electricity for resistance heat is one of the most inefficient ways to use energy to create heat. I assume your motorhome has a furnace; why wouldn't you expect to use that for heat? Given how poorly insulated some RVs are, I can completely understand why the park doesn't want to absorb heating costs into its nightly rates.

With respect to all-electric motorhomes, I know that at least some of them use diesel-fired hydronic heating systems and I'm sure that some are also equipped with heatpumps which are far more efficient than resistance heating.

Some of the hydronic systems (Oasis for one) have electric heating elements also.
Had heat pumps in the stick house for years. Yes they are more efficient than resistance heating elements.

Mr_D · 09-19-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara S.

I have a propane heater in my motorhome but I usually use just the small space heater on my counter. The portable heater has a thermostat and works well. I turn on the propane heater only when it is really cold because it uses so much propane when running.

We do that also or turn on the heat pumps if the temp is warmer than about 35°. At that point the thermostat turns on the furnace.

frankdamp · 09-19-2013, 08:11 PM

Get a refund and go someplace else and make it very clear why you're doing so. If the CG owners are so parsimonious, they should state, up front in the good Sam/Woodall's guide, that electricity is metered and they should have meters at each site.

If all you've got for heat is electrical, CG's should cater for it.

vsheetz · 09-19-2013, 08:40 PM

Have never run into this as a restriction. We often use a small portable electric heater rather than run the furnace, as the furnace is more than is needed to just keep the chill off.

FatJack · 09-19-2013, 08:48 PM

Seems like you are jumping to conclusions..wish I could remember that old saying..lol

RanCarr · 09-20-2013, 12:45 AM

I've never seen that at a CG. We've always used a small electric heater on chilly nights. If it can't keep our RV at 72F, the propane furnace comes on.

RVNeophytes2 · 09-20-2013, 01:14 AM

Low style points to the CG writer. He/she should've written, We ask that you refrain from using space heaters, in the interest of conserving energy.

But, the rule is unenforceable, nonetheless.

If it is chilly I reserve the right to use a modest amount of electricity via my oil radiator to keep us comfortable.

As my attorney wife would say, "prove that I have not complied."

Adaycj · 09-20-2013, 10:07 AM

Two campgrounds I visit in MI have similar rules. I know the owners at one campground, so I asked. I was given two explanations.

One is that tent campers, in an attempt to extend their season without special equipment, will run an electric heater inside the tent. When its cold it runs 100% of the time. The tent camping fee is lower, but their energy usage is higher overall when this happens. The owner admitted that it was only less than $2 a day of electricity, and the bill is much more during hot months from AC usage.

The second was safety. They had seen heaters left on with clothes on top of them, and heaters still running while soaking wet.

In conclusion, I was told I was welcome to use whatever energy I could suck from the 30 amp service provided for my MH. But, I've known these people for years.

I have a heat strip in my AC unit, and I like to use it. Since an electric heater is nearly 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat, and a typical propane RV heater is lucky to be 80% efficient, I'd say that electric is the way to go if the only consideration is being green. If you consider only dollars per BTU the picture might be quite different.

I'm generally a follow the rules kind of guy. It isn't advice, only my admissions. I run the electric heat if I want to.

jpharley · 09-20-2013, 03:35 PM

We have run into this numerous times in all parts of the country. Not sure how it could be enforced unless they were looking into your windows.

Paul R. Haller · 09-20-2013, 03:51 PM

My fiver has 2 electric fireplaces built in. Am I supposed to remove them before I pull in?!? This request can not be enforced. I understand that campgrounds are feeling the squeeze, and electric rates have gone up but if it's to be fair... install a meter and pay for what you use.
-Paul R. Haller-