Community Forums

Buckola · 01-17-2013, 08:03 AM

Hi All,
DW, our two cats and I are heading out on our first trip to Florida in our 2006 35' Georgetown. We are leaving from Ontario next Wednesday morning. We hope to get as far as Dayton Ohio or at least close to it. We will most likely catch some sleep at a Flying J or Wal-mart. My question is, the long range forecast shows the lows to be 18-20f and the highs around 27. Will the propane furnace be able to keep the chill away overnight in these temps? Or would I be better to wait until the cold snap breaks before beginning the journey?
Thanks in advance.
Steve

JohnBoyToo · 01-17-2013, 08:23 AM

go here National and Local Weather Forecast, Hurricane, Radar and Report and see what the forecast is at the different places you'll go thru...

If your heater is working it should do the job....
put some anti freeze in your holding tanks, and keep the fresh water dripping and the cabinet doors open...

maybe put a 100 or 200 watt lite bulb in the basement ?

Luckiest Dreamer · 01-17-2013, 09:32 AM

At 18 to 20 F the furnace/furnaces will be on and off on a regular basis and you will be as warm as the blankets that cover you will allow. With the day time temps at 27 you wll probably be lucky to keep your feet warm as the engines heater is not capable of keeping the whole coach warm!
Having said that, if all else fails you could rent a motel room at night until you get further south and grin an bear it while driving during the day! The end result will be a bit warmer when you get there than it is in Ontario, maybe! Depends on how far south you go in Florida!
As I recall you Canadians take pride in their ability to enjoy the winter weather and have long ago learned to enjoy what it brings. So, Enjoy Fly'n J's and Wal-Marts at their best in January!
Enjoy Florida when you get there and my reccomendation is to Enjoy it in South Florida!
That's where I am heading in a couple of weeks and I will leave the MH, home in it's winter quarters. Cars heater works better!

trampsrv · 01-17-2013, 10:40 AM

get dw to keep you warm.have a safe trip eh!

Buckola · 01-17-2013, 10:45 AM

That part of my Canadian pride left when I turned 50...several... well actually...numerous years ago. I'm leaving it winterized so I'm not worried about anything freezing, other than me and the Missus.
I'm sure by day two I should have escaped most of the deep freeze and will be driving with my arm out the window.

thanks all

Oscar Mike · 01-17-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckola

That part of my Canadian pride left when I turned 50...several... well actually...numerous years ago. I'm leaving it winterized so I'm not worried about anything freezing, other than me and the Missus.
I'm sure by day two I should have escaped most of the deep freeze and will be driving with my arm out the window. thanks all

The adventure is in the journey, enjoy your travels, sounds like a fun trip.

Possum · 01-17-2013, 10:50 AM

Both of our units throw considerable heat. I have 210 or so thermostats in them though.

Possum · 01-17-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckola

That part of my Canadian pride left when I turned 50...several... well actually...numerous years ago. I'm leaving it winterized so I'm not worried about anything freezing, other than me and the Missus.
I'm sure by day two I should have escaped most of the deep freeze and will be driving with my arm out the window.

thanks all

Hmmm, are you taking your Snowmobile Suit with you this year?

Gormleys · 01-17-2013, 04:48 PM

There are a couple of threads here someplace where the owners hung a blanket behind the front seats to keep the dash heat up around them. You may want to consider something like that while driving the first day or so.

**NLOVNIT** · 01-17-2013, 05:01 PM

Actually, by mid-next week, lows in central OH will be in the single digits - per tonight's local weather forecast. Since you're winterized, you'll be ok. Your furnace will cycle a lot though. Keep the slides in to reduce the sq ft you'll be heating & keep as many blinds closed as possible to keep the heat from transferring through the glass. The cats will keep you feet warm if ya let 'em on the bed.

Safe travels & stay warm!

Lori-

Gormie · 01-17-2013, 05:14 PM

Its looks like you plan on boondocking.Will your house batteries run your furnace blowers all night? If not you'll have to run generator to charge them

Jim_HiTek · 01-17-2013, 05:23 PM

When facing a similar situation, I purchased a Lil Buddy catalytic heater. Put the bottle in a convenient basement compartment and snaked the hose up into the house.

Then, several times I was parked far enough from anyone that I could run the genset and, (with the help of the dash heater while driving), since the main section of the RV was nice and warm already, it didn't take long for 3 electric heaters to get the whole thing livable. Didn't really need the Lil Buddy much. Except when it got down to the single digits. I did use the furnace occasionally, but only setting it at 55°F at night. They are not very efficient.

Another thing I've done is run the electric blanket on a small inverter connected to the house batteries. They do an excellent job keeping you warm at night, and the house batteries are powerful enough that there's no worries there, as long as it's a small inverter.

But, after days of that, and then getting far enough south so it wasn't needed, was very enjoyable.

mgscott4 · 01-17-2013, 05:31 PM

X2 on the electric blanket. My electric blanket is only 180 watts on high. Works great on low overnite and sure does feel good climbing into a warm bed. My DW has a warm heart but cold feet.

beachboy27 · 01-17-2013, 06:01 PM

I will be following you on Sunday or Monday. I run the furnace nonstop from home probably into Georgia, the second day. It keeps the coach nice and cozy the whole time.