Hello, I'm totally new to the travel trailer world and am having a hard time with my furnace in sub freezing temps. The issue is the furnace will run for an hour or two and then the fan keeps blowing but only cold air is delivered through the ducts. Also the outside exhaust cools of quite a bit as well. The stove and refrigerator work fine, tanks are on a fresh fill. I don't really know where to start to figure this problem out. Any help you guys can give is really appreciated.

You just joined. Remember, for accurate help you need to always post Year/Brand/Model of RV AND the brand and model of the appliance. IF the Furnace runs and heats for 1 to 2 hours, odds are it has reached temp and it goes into a cool down cycle. There is a Hi Limit switch to prevent the burner chamber from being TOO HOT after the furnace reaches temp. This cool down can last from 5 to 10 minutes and then the furnace fan motor shuts off. IF the HI limit fails to operate, the fan will stay ON until you switch it off at the tstat. This is the most common cause of your type problem. Doug

You're correct i just joined, due to the issues issues I'm having. It's an atwood furnace in an 06 Dutchman 31 foot that i recently bought and haven't been able to find a model number due to faded stickers.

A safety issue. When the furnace reaches the set temp the flame stops but the fan continues to run until the combustion chamber cools enough to be safe. Likely nothing wrong and it is working correctly

It never got above forty degrees in the trailer though. And when i shut the furnace off and switch between bottles it works again for about an hour then i do the same thing switch bottles and run it about an hour again. Also the fan continually runs until i turn it off and the igniter snaps ceaselessly

Sounds like it's a fuel issue. The stove and fridge use less gas then the furnace. Try putting a drop light under the pressure regulator outside at the tanks and keep the plastic cover over ever thing if you still have it, this will keep the regulator and tank valve from freezsing up. It could well be freezing up due to the volume of fuel the furnace is drawing.

Frustrating furnace issue | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 11, 2017
allen8106 wrote:
westend wrote:
I'd like to know how many RV'ers have suffered from a frozen regulator in Winter. I'm real sceptical when I hear this as I have operated heaters in fish houses at very cold temps and have never experienced it.

Propane contains moisture it will freeze up the regulator sometimes.

LP should NOT have moisture. If you do, there is a specific procedure for removing the moisture contamination. Doug
westend
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
DutchmenSport wrote:
westend wrote:
I'd like to know how many RV'ers have suffered from a frozen regulator in Winter. I'm real sceptical when I hear this as I have operated heaters in fish houses at very cold temps and have never experienced it.

Here's a new (below freezing, furnace won't work) one from the Class-C forum: click here.
The issue in that thread doesn't seem to have anything to do with a frozen regulator. It may be, like someone else posted, that a cylinder may have moisture in it but I've never had a regulator freeze up and I've operated them at -20f. Yes, at very cold temps, the transition to gaseous state is less but I've never had one ice up to the point of being inoperable. Just lucky, I guess.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jan 11, 2017
Do you have an "auto" setting on the thermostat? If you do, change it from "on" to "auto" and it will turn on and off. If it is set to "on" it will always stay on.
allen8106
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
westend wrote:
I'd like to know how many RV'ers have suffered from a frozen regulator in Winter. I'm real sceptical when I hear this as I have operated heaters in fish houses at very cold temps and have never experienced it.

Propane contains moisture it will freeze up the regulator sometimes.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 10, 2017
beemerphile1 wrote:
A single stage regulator like for a BBQ grille is not approved for RV use. You need to be sure that you use a dual stage regulator and that it is correctly oriented. There are horizontal models and vertical models.

Where do you get the info that Single Stage is NOT approved for RV use????? A LOT of small RV trailers use a Single stage. The advantage of the 2 Stage is a better even supply of LP. The FIRST stage takes the HI pressure from the tank and drops it down and then lets the 2nd Stage meter the LP at 11 inches better. Doug
Rvtard
Explorer
Jan 10, 2017
Agreed beemer, the tsc one I'm using is a horizontal two stage, had to go to two rdifferent stores to find it and even then it was their last one.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
A single stage regulator like for a BBQ grille is not approved for RV use. You need to be sure that you use a dual stage regulator and that it is correctly oriented. There are horizontal models and vertical models.
We_Cant_Wait
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
Glad you were able to solve the problem. To get the double regulator you'll have to visit an RV dealer or go on line probably. Also look around for a propane supplier that also has a retail store.
Rvtard
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
Again wanted to thank you guys for all the info. I spent the day looking for a regulator after i noticed the little flag on the reg wasnt going full green or red. I think the reg was on it's last leg. I couldn't find a two bottle reg on a Sunday but the tractor supply had a single bottle one so i used that and now the furnace is happily working, imagine that. I appreciate all the timely help from everyone.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
westend wrote:
I'd like to know how many RV'ers have suffered from a frozen regulator in Winter. I'm real sceptical when I hear this as I have operated heaters in fish houses at very cold temps and have never experienced it.

Here's a new (below freezing, furnace won't work) one from the Class-C forum: click here.

Forum Discussion

Frustrating furnace issue

26 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Super frustrating AC issue

Furnace Issue

Furnace issue

Frustrating !!!

12 Volt Power Issue