Community Forums

Markrving · 07-30-2013, 05:12 PM

I have a year 2000 Hurricane. I was wondering how long will a full tank of propane last if I use it to heat a coach during camping in around 40 degree outside weather. I do not need an exact answer, just a best guess biased upon experience. I do not know how big my propane tank is, and I guess I would run the heat to keep the coach about 75 degrees in 40 degree outside temps. Just if someone can give me a best guess biased upon their own actual experiences. Has anyone used the thermostat heat during CONTINUAL temps in the 40 degree range, say during the winter months dry camping, where you need to run the heat all day and all night in winter temps. Thanks

Dmorgan6375 · 07-30-2013, 05:14 PM

How much LP does it hold?

bdickson · 07-30-2013, 05:23 PM

We were in a volunteer campground in New Mexico for the winter. Temps were below freezing every night, down to 7 degrees a few times. We were running two electric heaters and still went through a 100 pound propane cylinder every 12 to 14 days. Fortunately it was paid for by the National Wildlife Refuge. One of the benefits of volunteering.

Markrving · 07-30-2013, 05:29 PM

I believe the capacity is 88 pounds of LP gas ..... not sure if that sound correct.

townsendr · 07-30-2013, 06:16 PM

I am not exactly sure of our tank size, but we have spent some time where the temp would be in the 20's at night and low to mid-30's during the day. Maximum of around two weeks for us.

townsendr · 07-30-2013, 06:21 PM

Just checked, we have a 150 lb. LP tank in our rig. Again, around two weeks when the temps are near or below freezing. We have a 41 ft with 4 slide outs and two furnaces. Hope this helps.

AdvntureCats · 07-31-2013, 04:57 AM

Our 80lb tank lasts about 3 weeks running the furnace during cold (near or at freezing) nights and not much hot water use. This is in a 32-foot, reasonably insulated coach with no slides, so the interior volume ti heat is fairly compact. Days were sunny and in at least in the 50's, so it wasn't needed in the day. Daytime heating and more hot water use would consume it faster; it wouldn't take much to push it down to 2 weeks or so with more use. The furnace is far and away the most propane-hungry appliance.

clyon51 · 07-31-2013, 07:10 AM

I have a 26gal usable (100lb) tank in my 34' with a 3x16' slide. Seems to me at 20-30 degrees at night, 50s in day, it would last about 9 days before I got nervous.

vraines · 07-31-2013, 08:06 AM

Even if you have a 150 lb tank, they get to be a PIA if you have to break camp and seek a propane dealer. Once I found a dealer that required that he do a $200 inspection on the motor home before he would fill it. The motor home was 2 years old at the time. He did not get my business so I went to the next town. The electric heaters sure took a load off the propane furnaces, but I still had to fill every two weeks in Louisianna in January.

Rusty years · 07-31-2013, 09:02 PM

Definitely get an electric blanket.

vsheetz · 07-31-2013, 09:32 PM

A down comforter works great at night - little or no heat needed - thus extending fuel a lot longer.

BFlinn181 · 07-31-2013, 10:03 PM

75º seems a bit high, but to each his own. Using an electric heater or two if hooked to shore power would be my choice, especially if it's unmetered. In addition you might be using propane for cooking and heating water, so it's hard to predict how long your tank will last. Keep shades down and buy some foil faced bubble wrap insulation and cut to fit your windows. Also as others have suggested, turn down heat at night and use comforter or electric blanket.

PyrateSilly · 08-01-2013, 07:41 AM

I would normally have suggested an electric blanket as well a few years ago but then I did some research and found that an electric heating pad uses less electric. Well I know for me and for others with bad backs that using the heating pad also seems to have the benefit of also alleviating some of the pain in the back so less aches in the morning. Less electric and less pain? Yep we switched to the electric heating pad.
If you are hooked to shore power I would add in an electric heater of some sort. We put in a fireplace and use the heating pad for a little extra at night during the cold temps.

Ed-Sommers · 08-01-2013, 09:12 AM

Wow, I never realized how much propane people used, nor do I understand it.

I Boondock, and high usage for me, in below freezing weather is nearing a gallon a day, but then I do not heat during sleep time. I'm in a 35 foot, all metal RV but block off the rear bedroom when heating.

Ed