I though I might ask those wiser then I a few questions about heating options for our 5th wheel. We started camping last fall in a TT and really enjoy camping through the winter. Being in GA winter is not bad, few nights in the teens here and there but most nights only get as low as 30ish. In the TT we ran the propane furnace and aside from the huge temp swings between on and off it worked just fine. For this new 5th wheel I am curious my best options, Here are the 3 that I can think of. 1. The ducted propane furnace, at 40' with the high ceilings I dont think the temp swings will be so bad but I suspect we will use a lot of propane. 2. A combination of the built in Electric fireplace for the main area and 2 smaller room size space electric heaters. As well as a small heater for the basement since the furnace would usually heat that area. 3. Heat strips added to the roof AC units and the small basement heater. I know that they make an electric conversion / adapter for the furnace but that seems like a huge amount of work plus they are pricey. Thanks!

Hi--we find electric heating to be much less hassle than propane. Not only do you not have to fill up your tanks, you don't have the wide temp swings or the noise that you have with propane. We use our electric fireplace and some small, well-placed electric space heaters and remain comfortable in even the coldest weather. If we get cold, a quick warm-up with the furnace usually solves the problem. As far as the basement, we find that using a 100 watt incandescent bulb (that gives off heat) does a good job of keeping the basement warm. We have also used a "milk house" heater when it is really cold. This heater has a calrod encased in a metal housing with holes to let out the heat. Plugged in to a temperature sensing outlet (available in hardware stores), it turns on when needed and does a great job. Hope this helps!

We use a "Olympian Wave 6" in our 35 ft MH. Ours has feet on it and is on a 6 foot flexible hose. That way you can move it to where you want the heat. You have to plumb propane to a convenient location, but the whole job took about 2 hours.They also make a smaller model, and a larger model as well. They're silent, use no electricity and far less propane than the furnace does.

Number 2 but use a light bulb in the basement.The forced air heater set at 58 degrees just in case the electric heaters can't keep up.

Our Mobile Suites has the RV Comfort Systems Cheap Heat system, which basically consists of electric strip heat added to the propane furnace to give the option to run the furnace either on electric or propane heat. Used in conjunction with the electric fireplace, the Cheap Heat system has kept us warm and toasty down into the low 30s with reserve capacity remaining as the furnace and fireplace were both still cycling.To us, the advantages of the Cheap Heat system are:1. Free heat if electricity is not being metered - we typically don't stay long enough at one place for metered electricity to be a problem.2. No filling of propane cylinders.3. Since the Cheap Heat system uses the existing furnace blower and ducting, it keeps the basement and plumbing system warm in sub-freezing temperatures.The latter is the primary advantage over electric space heaters, which we've also used in the past.Rusty

X2 on using ceramic heaters.Yup we pay big bucks for an RV with a furnace but in reality most of do not use it. For me when the manufactures figure a way to make them so they don't sound like a freight train running thru every time they fire up is when I'll start using the furnace in an RV.

Heating options/opinions for the winter camping season.

14 Replies

RustyJC
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
Our Mobile Suites has the RV Comfort Systems Cheap Heat system, which basically consists of electric strip heat added to the propane furnace to give the option to run the furnace either on electric or propane heat. Used in conjunction with the electric fireplace, the Cheap Heat system has kept us warm and toasty down into the low 30s with reserve capacity remaining as the furnace and fireplace were both still cycling.

To us, the advantages of the Cheap Heat system are:

1. Free heat if electricity is not being metered - we typically don't stay long enough at one place for metered electricity to be a problem.

2. No filling of propane cylinders.

3. Since the Cheap Heat system uses the existing furnace blower and ducting, it keeps the basement and plumbing system warm in sub-freezing temperatures.

The latter is the primary advantage over electric space heaters, which we've also used in the past.

Rusty
the_bear_II
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
Number 2 but use a light bulb in the basement.

The forced air heater set at 58 degrees just in case the electric heaters can't keep up.
Ray___June
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
We use a "Olympian Wave 6" in our 35 ft MH. Ours has feet on it and is on a 6 foot flexible hose. That way you can move it to where you want the heat. You have to plumb propane to a convenient location, but the whole job took about 2 hours.

They also make a smaller model, and a larger model as well. They're silent, use no electricity and far less propane than the furnace does.
chast
Explorer II
Nov 09, 2015
Hi--we find electric heating to be much less hassle than propane. Not only do you not have to fill up your tanks, you don't have the wide temp swings or the noise that you have with propane. We use our electric fireplace and some small, well-placed electric space heaters and remain comfortable in even the coldest weather. If we get cold, a quick warm-up with the furnace usually solves the problem. As far as the basement, we find that using a 100 watt incandescent bulb (that gives off heat) does a good job of keeping the basement warm. We have also used a "milk house" heater when it is really cold. This heater has a calrod encased in a metal housing with holes to let out the heat. Plugged in to a temperature sensing outlet (available in hardware stores), it turns on when needed and does a great job. Hope this helps!

Forum Discussion

Heating options/opinions for the winter camping season.

14 Replies

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