I have an 1989 18 ft Terry Resort I've been using for awhile now and enjoy tinkering with updates and such. About 6 years ago, I had pulled out the furnace to attempt to fix a nasty squeak from the fan shaft. After pulling the furnace, I found it was manufactured in such a way that there was no good way to service the motor. I assume the grease or whatever they used to lubricate the shaft had dried up after 30 years of off and on use. I was able to drip some oil along the shaft which worked for a couple of years, but the squeal is back. I also found the furnace is a huge drain on my battery.When I camp with shore power, I've been using an electric heater. When I need heat when dry camping, I've use a Little Buddy Heater while being careful to monitor with a CO detector and cracking the vents. I'm currently considering replacing my furnace with a new one. Are the newer furnaces easier on the battery? Would I be able to fit a diesel heater in the spot where the gas furnace used to be while still keeping the external opening watertight? My Little Buddy Heater has been performing just fine although I hate using those little disposable propane tanks. Being that the cost of a new furnace or quality diesel heater is so high, would it be worth the upgrade?

I think the answer is - it depends. It won't add any value to your 30 year old trailer but if you want a working furnace enough I would say, that's your answer.

AFAIK the new furnaces aren't any more efficient than the old ones. They've gone to 12V fridges, and tankless water heaters, and lousy steps, but have made no effort to provide a decent heating system.

Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice. I have been doing a little research on YouTube and seeing some very positive recommendations for those cheap Chinese built diesel heaters. From what I can see, the US built diesel heaters are a bit too expensive to make it worth my money given the amount of days I use the trailer, but the cost of the Chinese knockoffs is reasonable as long as they don't quickly fail.I'm not seeing anyone who has pulled out their furnace and used the space where the furnace was to place their diesel heater. Would this be a possibility, or would there be issues with the position of the fuel tank and the exhaust outlet? (I don't have multiple heater vents, the heat for my furnace comes out at the furnace.) Maybe it'd make sense to keep the diesel heater portable and devise a system where the heater is placed outside of the RV while the heat is vented in through the old furnace space? Are there any guidelines for the placement of exhaust from the diesel heater? I'd assume you'd want to direct the diesel exhaust far away from any windows.

Make and model of your current furnace?Motors are readily available for most furnaces.

No, new ones still suck power from your battery.

Is replacing the furnace worth it? | Good Sam Community

mtnbbud
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2023
I'll have to look up the make and model when I have time. It's a 1989.
I don't store my trailer at my house. I do remember checking Amazon for an exact replacement of the whole unit and it was over $700 to replace it with the exact unit. I'd assume replacing the fan would be a lot less. It might be a Suburban...
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2023
Make and model of the furnace would be helpful. I recently replaced the fan motor in one of the two Hydro Flame furnaces installed on our 22 year old GBM Landau motorhome. The motor was readily available on Amazon.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 03, 2023
At 30yr old, probably cheaper to just buy a 15yr old rig with a functioning furnace rather than a new furnace.

Repairing the fan motor probably doesn't make much sense as it's likely not designed to it. Not saying it can't be done but probably simpler to just get a new fan motor. Only question is does anyone make one compatible with your 30yr old furnace.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 03, 2023
No, new ones still suck power from your battery.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 02, 2023
Make and model of your current furnace?
Motors are readily available for most furnaces.
mtnbbud
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2023
Thanks everyone for your opinions and advice. I have been doing a little research on YouTube and seeing some very positive recommendations for those cheap Chinese built diesel heaters.

From what I can see, the US built diesel heaters are a bit too expensive to make it worth my money given the amount of days I use the trailer, but the cost of the Chinese knockoffs is reasonable as long as they don't quickly fail.

I'm not seeing anyone who has pulled out their furnace and used the space where the furnace was to place their diesel heater. Would this be a possibility, or would there be issues with the position of the fuel tank and the exhaust outlet? (I don't have multiple heater vents, the heat for my furnace comes out at the furnace.) Maybe it'd make sense to keep the diesel heater portable and devise a system where the heater is placed outside of the RV while the heat is vented in through the old furnace space? Are there any guidelines for the placement of exhaust from the diesel heater? I'd assume you'd want to direct the diesel exhaust far away from any windows.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jun 02, 2023
AFAIK the new furnaces aren't any more efficient than the old ones. They've gone to 12V fridges, and tankless water heaters, and lousy steps, but have made no effort to provide a decent heating system.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jun 02, 2023
I think the answer is - it depends. It won't add any value to your 30 year old trailer but if you want a working furnace enough I would say, that's your answer.

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