Can you heat a Class B motorHome the sam way as a car.

How, exactly, do you think a car is heated? It isn't magic. Hot water generated by the running automobile engine is diverted to a heater radiator in the dash. Air is forced over it, and into the car.

That sounds like pretty expensive heat, if the engine were being run just to heat the car.

By tlhe way, every RV out there, be it, Class B, Class A, Class C, TT or 5th wheel, is heated the same way. If not on electric grid, it's either working off a generator, or using a propane heater.

venustas wrote:
The goal of this would be avoid gasoline costs. It would cost more in gasoline to heat a small crummy looking camper van with a generator than to rent a 5000 square foot house per month. Connecting land to a power line has very high initial costs and solar panels are both ineffective with very high initial costs. RV parks with power lines charge as much rent as an apartment. So I thought that unless some genius figured out a way to stop you one should be able to heat a class b camper van the same way they heat a car. Can they? If not why would anyone buy a class-b camper van.

I didn't know Espar made a furnace that ran on gasoline. For a gas powered rig, that would become very useful, as it would allow for water heating and the furnace to run on gasoline. A stove would have to be electric, but it would allow for one fuel use. A diesel rig is better off, as one can get an Espar furnace, a flat plate water heater, a Webasto stove, and a Powertech generator.

Troll or not, the responses, as usual, will be helpful to some.

I think B's are great, and if I could afford it, might trade down from our small A. However, at our age, the small A we have is just more comfortable for us. As far as heating cheaply, just paint the top black, and park in the sun, and heavy quilts at night.

I often wonder at what motivates the troll. Without phsycological training I may never know. I also sometimes wonder why Class A or C forum members come here to disparage the Class B. I do realize that even we here suggest a Class C or A when it appears neccesary but it is not a kneejerk reaction that is exibited by some. Are any of us going to the other forums and talking them down? I hope not. I have dual citizenship and only post here anymore because the other forums have so many more qualified persons. I also have only a years worth of experience in this class of rig so this is where I learn the most and am most intrigued . I love my good Ol Bounder but when the kids are no longer in the picture the Class B will be it for us. I reserve the right to change that view at a later date. Thanks. Stan

If you camp with a shore power hookup a small 1500W electric cube heater will usually do the trick. I was working in my B last week with the temperatures in the mid 30's and got it above 68F so I could use some solvent glue requiring 60+ temps. One small electric $20 cube bought at Target did the trick and quite frankly never plan to camp in a B with daytime temps any colder. So, with shore power the cost is generally free to you.

We have the propane heater built-in. That too is really very inexpensive to run.

I think it is significant how many folks here try to help, regardless. I belive this one can come off my "MY FORUMS" list.

ryegatevt wrote:
I believe we have a troll among us. Check the OP's handle...

if i was a troll i can't imagine getting excited about a car/van heater. what's the point:?

i just realized this is under the diy catagory. i actually think it's legit-just somewhat naive.

RV Furnace is the BEST means of heating while standing still. If you mean while traveling, the cost of using the radiator heat is almost nothing. Using radiator heat from the engine while sitting still is another matter. a 300 HP heater is by it's very nature VERY inefficient. LP is the safest way to go using a furnace but electric connection and non fueled space heater is almost as safe and in some cases totally free.

To heat it "like a car" requires you to run the engine, which will consume more gasoline than any generator. Also, you will destroy your engine if you run it for long periods of time at idle. Gasoline engines are not designed for that.

The cheapest way is to put some extra clothing on and use a propane heater off and on through out the day. You can not leave it running 24 hours a day.

I just made it through the winter using a portable propane heater in my van. I spent about $20 on propane since October (6 months)