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jillhop's avatar
jillhop
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014

Heat in coach when driving?

I'm planning on using my coach this fall/winter for day trips (and possibly overnights) to dog shows as long as the roads remain snow-free here in New England. I'm wondering what people do to keep the living portion of their coach warm when driving. My dogs (whippets--not much hair and like their comfort!) are crated on the dinette up against a big side window--can't have cold whippets. Blasting the chassis cab heater helps, but ends up roasting me.

I do run the refrigerator on propane when driving, but I'm never heard of anyone running the furnace while underway ...
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  • garyhaupt's avatar
    garyhaupt
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    What kind of rv and truck do you have? I have a 99 E 350 coupled with a Triple E Regal and that has a dash operated rear house forced air heater control. Heat vent is located on the bed framing at the rear. I drive in wold weather with that cranked open/on and the house stays warm as anything you could ever ask for.

    And yes, for sure, that furnace while you are on the road. These things are designed to operate in those conditions. Say the pilot light gets blown out? The gas is shut off, it doesn't just continue to spew out.


    Gary Haupt
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Nov 15, 2014
    No problem running the furnace while driving just remember to shut it off BEFORE you pull into a gas station. When they light off(can you say Whoosh!), it is one very large flame.
  • jillhop's avatar
    jillhop
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    Thanks for the quick replies! I've seen the debates on running the refrigerator underway on propane, but I've never seen a similar debate on furnaces, so as a newbie I was unsure ...I'm not really happy about running with the propane on, but since I was unable to keep my refrigerator cold when on the road for 8-10 hours, I've had to cave on that one. I guess I might as well go all in with the furnace, now that I know it's standard operating procedure. :-)

    Bordercollie--the whippets ALREADY have snuggly polarfleece coats, but are demanding supplemental heating! :-)
  • bfast54's avatar
    bfast54
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    Bordercollie wrote:
    I'm wondering if running your RV generator underway and plugging in an electric space heater for the Whippets would be practical. Or maybe get them jackets or faux fur coats.
    ......

    So....let me get this straight even though the RV is equipped with a furnace made for heating the RV
    you think it MIGHT be better to run the generator and an electric space heater which by the way could fall over and start a fire ?????? ?...While driving down the road....
    this is correct.....:h
  • bfast54's avatar
    bfast54
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    That is why it is equiped with a Furnace......:S
    Back when I had a Truck Camper....I would turn the furnace on, while traveling one half, or hour or so before stopping...Nice and warm when I get to my destination...:W
  • Bordercollie's avatar
    Bordercollie
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    I'm wondering if running your RV generator underway and plugging in an electric space heater for the Whippets would be practical. Or maybe get them jackets or faux fur coats.
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    I run the furnace when traveling to keep the whole coach warn. Never a problem in doing so.

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