OK to run furnace while traveling?

J-Rooster wrote:
No! My Winnebago has a duct system to where the dash heater air is blown throughout the coach. It keeps my coach at 65* when it's very cold outside and I'm traveling. Winnebagos have one of the better heating systems in RV's. They make all there heating ducting systems at there factory.

The duct heater goes through out the whole coach? That would be some kind of a big dash heater to heat up the whole coach.

I know that the furnace is ducted on all coaches, and so are the heat pumps, but I had never heard of a dash heater directing its heat through out the coach.

Learn something everyday.

No! My Winnebago has a duct system to where the dash heater air is blown throughout the coach. It keeps my coach at 65* when it's very cold outside and I'm traveling. Winnebagos have one of the better heating systems in RV's. They make all there heating ducting systems at there factory.

dadtoprincess, If your coach is equipped with heat pumps, it should heat until the temperature gets to about thirty above zero. I use my heat pumps more then I use the furnace. Might check that out also with your dealer.

My Winnebago funnels air from the heater core to the back of the coach. With that on and the dash heater we stayed warm in Northern NM in 20 degree weather last winter on 2 ski trips.

dad2aprincess wrote:
We have found that our electric heat doesn't work below 50 degrees.

You guys that are saying OK to run your furnace but turn it off when you re-fuel - are you turning off the propane tank itself or just turning off the heat with the thermostat? (When we refill the propane tank, the attendant doesn't even turn off the propane before he fills it.)

As mentioned you can leave the propane on when refueling just make certain that the furnace, fridge and water heater are turned off. Should any of them decide it's time to fire up while refueling the spark of the ignition can ignite any gas fumes. Turning off the propane but leaving those things on won't do it. They may try to fire up because they don't know the propane supply has been cutoff.

When I have the propane tank filled they always close the tank valve before filling. Don't know if that's required but it sure sounds like a good idea. He has no idea if you have a major leak somewhere and propane will come spewing out. Close the valve, fill it and then it's your problem after you leave.

The interesting thing about this debate is that the appliances, heater, fridge, HWT, they don't know whether you're sitting still or moving. They are just designed to work when you turn them on. No problem running anything, moving or sitting.

traveylin wrote:
I turn mine off. When passing 18 wheelers coming or going there is typically a pressure wave that in many cases is strong enough to move the rv. That pressure wave will blow out the cabin heater. Yes there are safety devices to prevent reignition but what if it fails to work. Too easy just to put on a jacket or sweater

Not an issue at all. Doesn't matter if it get's blown out, the gas valve will close as soon as it's out. It will automatically re ignite when it can. Perfectly safe, working exactly as designed.

I turn mine off. When passing 18 wheelers coming or going there is typically a pressure wave that in many cases is strong enough to move the rv. That pressure wave will blow out the cabin heater. Yes there are safety devices to prevent reignition but what if it fails to work. Too easy just to put on a jacket or sweater

Thanks Eddie. That makes sense.

dad2aprincess wrote:
We have found that our electric heat doesn't work below 50 degrees.

You guys that are saying OK to run your furnace but turn it off when you re-fuel - are you turning off the propane tank itself or just turning off the heat with the thermostat? (When we refill the propane tank, the attendant doesn't even turn off the propane before he fills it.)

Just turn off the heater at the thermostat and the fridge. Your not worried about your propane blowing up, just the gas fumes from people fueling cars.