We are going to be camping in some cold weather in Colorado and are thinking about upgrading our supplemental heating. We have been looking at the Big Buddy and Mr. Heater Wall heaters as primaries but hear a lot about the Olympian Wave heaters, but they are more expensive. We should have at least a 20 amp plug in so we could also use a electric heater.....What is the feedback and recommendations from the group?????Thanks!

I cold CO weather the electric heater won't do much good plus it will really limit was else you can use while you are using the heater. I would recommend the gas version heaters. Just be absolutely certain that was you are installing will not kill you with CO gases. A CO detector would be a mandatory addition as well.There are units specifically meant for interior wall ventless installation. Others can be used but you have to be very aware of maintaining proper air circulation with open window(s) and/or roof vents.

First, understand that any ventless propane heater will put a LOT of water vapor into the air. This may or may not be a problem.For anything larger than a Big Buddy you need to make sure there is adequate clearance on all 4 side. Also check the consumption rate. You may have to refill one of your tanks while you are there.

theoldwizard1 wrote:First, understand that any ventless propane heater will put a LOT of water vapor into the air. This may or may not be a problem.For anything larger than a Big Buddy you need to make sure there is adequate clearance on all 4 side. Also check the consumption rate. You may have to refill one of your tanks while you are there. ventless fueled heaters not only produce water which will condense on cold surfaces, but also use up the oxygen in your small space. Propane in pure value is c3h8, natural gas ch4., so when burned in an appropriate atmosphere they produce h2o , co2. In an oxygen lessened atmosphere, it produces h2o & co ( carbon monoxide) Be careful. be educated.

Use the electric heater. Do upgrade the outlet(s) intended for heater use.I will not use an unvented combustion heater. There are through the wall models available.

With 20 amp service, you will be able to run one 1,500 watt electric heater in addition to running the converter to keep the battery charged - and very little else. As full-timers, we've run into so-called 30 amp service that wouldn't support the 1,500 watt electric fireplace while the microwave was running. In an Arctic Fox, I'm kinda surprised you need anything other than the main heater, anyway - they're really well-built. We spent the holidays last year in Las Cruces just north of you and, during that little cold snap with snow, we were using less than 15$ worth of propane a week. Our rig is slightly bigger and not as well-built as yours, too.Rob

Fifth Wheel external propane heater | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2017
I cold CO weather the electric heater won't do much good plus it will really limit was else you can use while you are using the heater. I would recommend the gas version heaters. Just be absolutely certain that was you are installing will not kill you with CO gases. A CO detector would be a mandatory addition as well.
There are units specifically meant for interior wall ventless installation. Others can be used but you have to be very aware of maintaining proper air circulation with open window(s) and/or roof vents.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2017
First, understand that any ventless propane heater will put a LOT of water vapor into the air. This may or may not be a problem.

For anything larger than a Big Buddy you need to make sure there is adequate clearance on all 4 side. Also check the consumption rate. You may have to refill one of your tanks while you are there.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
First, understand that any ventless propane heater will put a LOT of water vapor into the air. This may or may not be a problem.

For anything larger than a Big Buddy you need to make sure there is adequate clearance on all 4 side. Also check the consumption rate. You may have to refill one of your tanks while you are there.
ventless fueled heaters not only produce water which will condense on cold surfaces, but also use up the oxygen in your small space.
Propane in pure value is c3h8, natural gas ch4., so when burned in an appropriate atmosphere they produce h2o , co2. In an oxygen lessened atmosphere, it produces h2o & co ( carbon monoxide) Be careful. be educated.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 02, 2017
Use the electric heater. Do upgrade the outlet(s) intended for heater use.

I will not use an unvented combustion heater. There are through the wall models available.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2017
With 20 amp service, you will be able to run one 1,500 watt electric heater in addition to running the converter to keep the battery charged - and very little else. As full-timers, we've run into so-called 30 amp service that wouldn't support the 1,500 watt electric fireplace while the microwave was running. In an Arctic Fox, I'm kinda surprised you need anything other than the main heater, anyway - they're really well-built. We spent the holidays last year in Las Cruces just north of you and, during that little cold snap with snow, we were using less than 15$ worth of propane a week. Our rig is slightly bigger and not as well-built as yours, too.

Rob
rreynold51
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
Our Arctic Fox is really well built with double plane glass and good insulation...but as we get older we don't tolerate cold as much as we use too. Normally we wouldn't even go into Colo this time of year but we have another grand child on the way so no choice this time. Also not sure how long we will be there...but probably a few weeks so we want to be prepared. A lot depends on what the weather is during that period...ugh.

So far from what I've heard and read we are looking at adding a Wave 6 heater to supplement our 1500 w electric when needed. If there's going to be a storm or something we will look at trying to skirt the bottom with some kind of temp stuff...to keep the freezing temps from the tanks. We will have to run the furnace some of course...It helps we will be spending most of the day time in the house watching the other grand kids. But better to be prepared and we love to boondock anyway.

Thanks for all the input from everyone.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 05, 2017
:h
Artic Fox are well insulated, far better than our 2005 Copper Canyon. We are currently staying comfortable in our 32' rig using our Cheap Heat system on the 5,000 watt setting. This equates to 17,060 btu, so if you have a 30,000 or 35,000 btu furnace that should do fine down to about zero. Currently we are seeing temps down to 27 to 28 degrees over night.

Keep in mind that the furnace is the only way the underbelly gets heat to keep pipes from freezing.

I am one of the never a catalytic gas heater inside my rig!
I found that the install of the Cheap Heat system also improved the air flow over the gas heat exchanger so it works much better.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jan 05, 2017
I am a fan of the Buddy heaters. I have three of them. Unlike the Wave heater (which I would readily use too), they have a low oxygen auto-shutoff. They work very well and are safe, though I don't sleep with one on, and always follow the directions providing some ventilation. And of course, keep a working CO detector in the RV.
burningman
Explorer II
Jan 06, 2017
Electric blankets really rock.

I've been wanting to step up to a gas blanket but my wife says I'm crazy.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2017
burningman wrote:
Electronic blankets really rock.

I've been wanting to step up to a gas blanket but my wif says I'm crazy.

LOL! :D

We use an electric mattress pad, heat rises so put the heat low.
OP has a great 5er that is well insulated, I can't see putting a hot surface into a nice 5er that the furnace should keep the 5er comfortable down below zero.