Forum Discussion

Thewilderlives's avatar
Dec 11, 2017

Propane running out super quick

I just bought a 2018 Heartland Mallard about 2 months ago, and am having worries about the propane usage on it. My old TT was a 2009, and even with running the water heater constantly, cooking daily, and only using the furnace for heat, I only went through 2 tanks a month in the winter, while living in it full-time.

With the new mallard, I am going through 2 bottles a week. I live in it full-time too, so I know the usage should be somewhat high, but this seems ridiculous. I just refilled one bottle last wednesday, and then left thursday to spend the weekend with a friend. I got home yesterday, and was out of propane. The heat was only set to 50, and I did forget to turn off the WH, but it still seems like there has to be some sort of problem here.

Is this normal? Am I really going to have to spend $40-60 a week just on propane or does it sound like there is some kind of issue? Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.

20 Replies

  • Odd to have a new trailer with a propane leak but might still have it checked. Drag it down to a real propane dealer and see what they say.

    Yes it seems like a lot of propane but still could be normal. Are you sure they were completely filled? First set could be a short fill. Should get 7 gallons into a 30 pound cylinder. And verify you are getting all propane... no butane.
  • SDcampowneroperator wrote:
    Heartland website states R7 walls floor R 11 roof. Even less in slide outs . With aluminum framing which is a great heat conductor. Sorry, but I think you have a unit that is not meant for extreme temps.
    RV mfgr. claims about insulation are notoriously overstated, so I suspect you do not even have that much.
    Its not about your tanks. Figure out a way to get bulk propaneFigure out a way to get bulk propane. Good Luck


    Exactly. Call a local gas supplier and have them set a 100 gallon bottle ot... Go to Tractor Supply and buy a 100 gallon bottle and have the gas supplier fill it.
  • If it is below 40 degrees I would say it's normal usage. Get a small electric heater. It will take care of 75 percent of your heating. Leave you furnace set fairly cool . It will only fire up when it gets a little chillier .
  • Have you checked for leaks?
    I would grab a bottle of Windex (works great) and spray every fitting inside and under the trailer.
    I found one at the quick disconnect of our new TT!
  • Heartland website states R7 walls floor R 11 roof. Even less in slide outs . With aluminum framing which is a great heat conductor. Sorry, but I think you have a unit that is not meant for extreme temps.
    RV mfgr. claims about insulation are notoriously overstated, so I suspect you do not even have that much.
    Its not about your tanks. Figure out a way to get bulk propane. Good Luck
  • All above are good suggestions. The sky is not falling.
  • any slide outs ?

    slide outs 'eat' heat, they increase the space that has to be heated
    And
    the the slide out walls , floor and ceiling/roof are exposed to the cold air
    the exposed outside surface area is almost triple the floor space gained
    this causes lots of heat loss thru the walls floor and ceiling of the slide out
  • How much more square footage are you now heating? Also.... isn’t it a little cooler than last year, at this time?

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