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Old 12-26-2017, 05:53 AM   #15
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I use a ceramic heater with tipover from Home Depot ($20.00). Works for me . Just went from Maryland to Colorado, no problem. Ran furnace to keep coach warm, and used generator and ceramic heater when it got real cold (9d). furnace didn't keep the water lines from freezing though.
The frozen pipes could be the results of running the electric heater. It would cause the gas/lp furnace to run less and that is what heats the basement unless you put in an auxiliary heater in the wet bay.
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Old 12-26-2017, 06:18 AM   #16
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The frozen pipes could be the results of running the electric heater. It would cause the gas/lp furnace to run less and that is what heats the basement unless you put in an auxiliary heater in the wet bay.
X2.

When you're traveling down the road getting 7-8 mpg the savings of running all electric over using some propane aren't really that significant IMO. It is safe for you and the coach though. (above freezing)
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Old 12-26-2017, 07:02 AM   #17
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If you start each day travel with the coach at comfortable temp you might be surprised at how comfortable the front heater will keep you. Close off the bedroom to reduce the heated area. After all you both will be spending most of the time up front. Maybe run the furnace when you stop for lunch or breaks.
Does your rig have any aux heat from the engine? Our last Winnie had a coil in the heat duct that supplied some heat from engine while running which helped provide some heat to coach area and spplemented the dash heat.
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Old 12-26-2017, 07:15 AM   #18
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some say do not run the gen and some run it when driving .

other then a few safety concerns . one thing to think about when running the gen when driving is the air filter is very small and the air intake for the gen is under the rv . so if you drive on dusty roads at all the tires will kick up dust and it will get sucked into the gen . that is bad
so much some people put a mat of some thing like that under the gen before starting it when parked if not on pavement
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Old 12-26-2017, 07:47 AM   #19
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If the temperature is below freezing while you are driving you will need to run your furnace to keep the basement warm. Driving down the road is going to suck the heat out of the basement along with the rest of the motor home.
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Old 12-26-2017, 08:00 AM   #20
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OP has stated he plans to keep water system winterized including AF in holding tanks until far enough S.
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Old 12-26-2017, 10:00 AM   #21
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I'm pretty sure the OP's coach has a heated basement, although not sure how well insulated it is. When the temps were in the 20's, I just used the two propane furnaces to keep everything warm and comfy. When temps were below zero, I added insulation to the basement floor and also ran an electric heater in the basement requiring the generator to be running. I always started out with full fresh water and never had a freeze up. Cold weather travel with water is really very simple with some precautions.
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Old 12-26-2017, 11:00 AM   #22
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Does your rig have any aux heat from the engine? Our last Winnie had a coil in the heat duct that supplied some heat from engine while running which helped provide some heat to coach area and spplemented the dash heat.

Hello Winemaker,

Thanks for your input, and great idea.
Our last RV, a Class C Triple E also had an auxiliary heater under the rear bed that ran off the engine coolant and it heated the rear bedroom, Black and Grey tanks.
It worked great and wish manufacturers would consider this as an option.
I've looked into buying one for this RV (approx. $200) and installing it in the wet bay.
That would guarantee plenty of heat around the fresh water lines, water filter and also into the basement.
One of the direct advantages would be no need to run the furnace or genny.
At this point, I will wait to see how this trip goes and then consider it next Spring when the outside temps are nicer.
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Old 12-26-2017, 11:21 AM   #23
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The generator is there to run and underway or stationary should make no difference with a class A motorhome.

We don’t heastate to run the gen in the summer to run the air and the same is true for heat in the winter. As for heat; gas, diesel, propane or electric? Whatever keeps mama warm is right for me.

Dash air/heat can do an ok job until you go back to the bath and then mama ain’t happy! I look at is this way, I warm and cool the entire coach when I’m parked, why should it be different when I travel. What are we talking $20 to $50 bucks, what’s your comfort worth? Or am I wrong!

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Old 12-26-2017, 11:40 AM   #24
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Another simple heating aid for the wet bay is the Back Seat Heater Plus. I installed one in our 03 Phaeton when we took off in -17* weather. We had a full tank of fresh water too. I wired it to the house batteries and set the thermostat at 40*. It won't heat a big area, but at 1100 watts, does a great job in the wet bay. It's all Holiday Rambler used in the mid 90's to heat the wet bay.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Seat-Hea.../dp/B0002D6JW8
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Old 12-26-2017, 10:22 PM   #25
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Another simple heating aid for the wet bay is the Back Seat Heater Plus. I installed one in our 03 Phaeton when we took off in -17* weather. We had a full tank of fresh water too. I wired it to the house batteries and set the thermostat at 40*. It won't heat a big area, but at 1100 watts, does a great job in the wet bay. It's all Holiday Rambler used in the mid 90's to heat the wet bay.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Seat-Hea.../dp/B0002D6JW8
Man! I can buy several standard ceramic cube heaters for $98. However, I never use electric heaters when driving, I use LP furnaces, the rear one heats the holding tanks, plumbing; front furnace keeps us warm N toasty while driving in sub-freezing weather. I re-filled the LP tank at an LP supply storage distribution store @ $1.81/G last week, CW and PFJ charge about $3.99/G.
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Old 12-26-2017, 10:37 PM   #26
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some say do not run the gen and some run it when driving .

other then a few safety concerns . one thing to think about when running the gen when driving is the air filter is very small and the air intake for the gen is under the rv . so if you drive on dusty roads at all the tires will kick up dust and it will get sucked into the gen . that is bad
so much some people put a mat of some thing like that under the gen before starting it when parked if not on pavement
You may want to clarify the mat idea a little more, because anything placed under a gasoline fueled generator is asking for an over heat issue, and a possible fire. (just saying) be safe.... as well meaning as they are, sometimes our mods get us into trouble.

Changing the air filter a little more often if and when it gets dirty is really not a big deal, after all, its doing its job when it gets dirty....

As far as running a portable heater in the living area while traveling in cold weather, It's a practice DW and i have practiced since day one of our trailer up to our motor home ownership. Of course common sense safety is number one.



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Old 12-26-2017, 10:39 PM   #27
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You can hang a blanket behind the front seats as well. Makes the dash heater viable in cold.
I think you may have a loft bed in your coach. It's really easy if you do.
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Old 12-27-2017, 10:26 AM   #28
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[QUOTE=Ray,IN;3961053]Man! I can buy several standard ceramic cube heaters for $98. However, I never use electric heaters.....

I'm sure you can. But I did not want an AC electric heater in the wet bay. The 12 volt Back Seat Heater costs more, but is a permanent installation that can turned off and safely used anytime with the flip of a switch. If you should travel in -10 to -20* weather, you will find the furnace will not keep the basement and wet bay above freezing temps.
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