Onboard propane can't keep you warm for long

[larliebler]

I'm camping at the state park across the street (love the commute) from my office for the next couple of weeks, and we're using electric only to keep us and our tanks warm while we're here.

I got thinking, what do other's do to keep warm when you don't have a large external propane tank to keep you warm when camping in cold climates?

When we're in the RV park that we currently live here in the Denver area we rent two large propane tanks that switch over when one tank empties, and when that happens I call the propane company to swap it out.

We're lucky that our new coach has double pane windows and good insulation, but our last coach we would never have been able to keep warm by using electric only.

So what do folks do that can't go all electric camping in cold climates and the camp ground doesn't sell propane? I can't imagine you would break down camp and setup again every couple of days to go get propane, just curious.

[Unicorn Driver]

We use two oil filled radiators. Once up to temp they will keep our coach warm. Problem with not using the propane furnace is the water bay.

I am experimenting with a 72w halogen bulb in a trouble light. I will still need to use the furnace some but not as much.

Have you looked at extend a stays?

[Pigman1]

We carry three 20# BBQ style propane cylinders in the rear of the toad (Pickup). We hook one of these at a time to the RV propane system so I don't have to use the RV's built in propane system. When one runs out, we just swap out for the second, and refill at our nearest propane dispensing dealer. The third bottle is a backup "just in case". We don't have to move the RV, the bottles last from a few days to a whole lot longer in more moderate temps, and I have the bottles for the BBQ, canning, or whatever else I might need them for. In Alaska we've seen the local propane dealers furnishing 100lb tanks for people in parks who arrive early and leave late in the season, but our setup is portable.

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi Pigman,

So that gives you about 14 gallons.

What adpater did you use?

[larliebler]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

We use two oil filled radiators. Once up to temp they will keep our coach warm. Problem with not using the propane furnace is the water bay.

I am experimenting with a 72w halogen bulb in a trouble light. I will still need to use the furnace some but not as much.

Have you looked at extend a stays?

Interesting. I was also wondering how many folks use the extend-A-Stay in these scenarios. My solution for the wet bay/tanks is a temperature controller and two very small ceramic heaters. Whenever the temperature falls below 35 degrees the heaters in the bays start heating and when the temperature rises above 38 it shuts off (you can set the temperature values however you want). In my last coach I tried the light bulb thing, but it wasn't keeping the bays warm enough on those really cold nights. I also use a temperature monitoring system in all the bays with the main controller/display inside the coach, so I always know what the temperature is in the bays (gives me peace of mind).

[Unicorn Driver]

I have not tried heaters. My water bay is a bit tight and afraid of melting stuff.

What brand and model are you using?

[docj]

Our MH has a hydronic heating system fired off of the diesel tank, so that gives us >100 gallons of fuel. But even that wouldn't last a full winter in many places. So what we added was a system marketed as ComfortHot. It utilizes both 20A A/C circuits to heat the hydronic system liquid. That's roughly three-fourths of the heat it would get if I let the diesel burner run. So we can heat with electricity easily down to temps in the upper 20's.

[Deep Water D]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

I have not tried heaters. My water bay is a bit tight and afraid of melting stuff.

What brand and model are you using?

I use a little 250 watt heater from Walmart in the wet bay.

[Dav L]

I used an extenda stay hose with and external 100lb propane cylinder on the propane heated Mallard. Only used the internal tank when the external tank was getting filled. Didn't think to figure out an in place refill service.

On the MountainAire, use the Diesel Hydrohot for the majority of heating. I didn't have a heavy electric line run to use the internal electric unit. I did have to get the RV refilled mid winter during a thaw. And did use some 6 gallon diesel cans to bring up the level once.

[Finance]

I think you're underestimating the propane capacity of Class A's. I did a quick estimate and we could run the furnace for a week 24x7 @ 50% duty cycle. In practice we get about 10-14 days on a tank in freezing weather.

If there's power we supplement with electric to save fuel, but we've dry camped in the snow also.

[larliebler]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

I have not tried heaters. My water bay is a bit tight and afraid of melting stuff.

What brand and model are you using?

My wet bay is also very tight, so I use this one since it's tiny. I prop it up on an upside down plastic basket I bought in Target just in case there was some standing water. I've been able to run it on the low setting (170 watts). It also has a tip over switch, so you don't have to worry about it falling over. I don't think it produces enough heat on the low setting to melt anything. This is the 2nd cold season I've used them and haven't had any issues.

Honeywell 250-Watt Heat Bud Personal Ceramic Portable Heater - Homedepot

[Unicorn Driver]

170watts could make a big difference.

Do you have a photo of it in use?

[larliebler]

Originally Posted by docj

Our MH has a hydronic heating system fired off of the diesel tank, so that gives us >100 gallons of fuel. But even that wouldn't last a full winter in many places. So what we added was a system marketed as ComfortHot. It utilizes both 20A A/C circuits to heat the hydronic system liquid. That's roughly three-fourths of the heat it would get if I let the diesel burner run. So we can heat with electricity easily down to temps in the upper 20's.

Unfortunately, I don't have a hydronic heating system, but I wish I did. Although, what I'm doing now works just fine. Thanks for your input.

[larliebler]

Originally Posted by Finance

I think you're underestimating the propane capacity of Class A's. I did a quick estimate and we could run the furnace for a week 24x7 @ 50% duty cycle. In practice we get about 10-14 days on a tank in freezing weather.

If there's power we supplement with electric to save fuel, but we've dry camped in the snow also.

Okay thanks, I didn't really want to experiment and run out while testing.