1975 Winnebago heater/furnace

[Bartolo]

New guy here with a question about the Coleman heater/furnace in a 1975 Winnebago D19. I bought this classic a few months back and am in the processes of making it inhabitable once again. When I first got it 2 different people warned me about the heater and used terns like fire hazard and death trap. I have no idea how long the heater has been sitting but it is full of dust and cobwebs and before I even try lighting it, was wondering if it was worth it. Removing it looks like I’d have some more storage space. If I was to get it running, how safe are they?

Thanks and nice forum

[ahicks]

I don't have a clue what furnace you're talking about, but I would think it might be worth the trouble to give it a good cleaning and a thorough inspection prior to firing it up? If it's a big wad of rust that won't come apart, common sense would tell you how to proceed.

[Johnnyd111]

I personally think they are fine. I always say, how did people ever survive back then ( sarcastically of course).

If you're worried, get a plumber to look at it, clean it, Check for leaks. You'll be fine!

[Bartolo]

The lack of any you're going to die responses has me thinking (if it starts) it should be OK. After what the wife and I were told when we first got it I just wanted to check…thanks!

[Senior Chief]

Uh, no reason to think the furnace is going to kill you as far as I know.

Were your friends worried about propane leaks? (you should have a propane detector in your rig, and if you don't, you can easily buy one).

One time a fella decided to learn how to sky-dive. On his first solo jump, he couldn't get his chute to open. Panicked as he hurtles toward the earth, he realizes another man is rising up to meet him.

"Hey, mister, know anything about parachutes?" he shouts to the man as he passes.

"Nope, know anything about gas stoves?!"

(Perhaps we could change that to "RV gas furnaces")

[Bartolo]

Man I hope I don't meet any skydivers…especially looking something like this !! The info I got was from strangers when I was looking at the rig. They spoke as if they were in the know (??) and warned of fires while people were sleeping, carbon monoxide, blah blah blah. I know nothing about these things. I know tents and KOA Kamping Kabins. Sounds like they were full of it and I almost feel dumb asking now….almost.

[Senior Chief]

Fire caused by an RV furnace? Never heard of one.

Carbon monoxide? Shouldn't be a problem with a properly vented and operating furnace, (absolutely the same as a furnace in the stix-n-brix house)
but in any case you should have a CO detector in the rig, along with a smoke and flammable gas detector.

Hysteria and talking-through-your-hat? Sounds like you got a full measure of that.

[baraff]

All joking aside....
A rig that old, PLEASE have it checked out by a competent HVAC guy. (NOT an RV dealership, they'll just try to sell you a new one that you may not need)
Buy a carbon monoxide detector. Be aware that when you fire up the furnace the first time it will probably stink and you'll think its got issues. Carbon Monoxide is odorless and that's why it so dangerous. Buy a detector, or replace the one you have.
$40-$50 bucks to have a HVAC guy check it out; lots cheaper than buying a new one, plus peace of mind.
Hope this is helpful.