Forum Discussion

Skolberts's avatar
Skolberts
Explorer
Dec 05, 2019

1989 Jayco Sportster 8, Upgrade Recommendations

2 weeks ago I picked up my first truck camper. I'm pretty stoked as its light (1135 pounds dry) and in great shape for the year. I have plans to remodel it as well and try to lighten it up if I can. My 2 main focuses right now is the furnace the fridge. The furnace is electric only. I live in Idaho and camp 100% of the time where there are no hookups and I'm not a generator fan. I want to upgrade the furnace to propane. I do plan on some cold weather camping. I actually did this already for 5 days in the camper with temps in the teens. I used a buddy heater and it worked pretty well but since you can't run them while sleeping waking up was chilly. Ideally I want something that vents so I can keep it 45 or so inside all night. I like overkill and assume I'll be winter camping down to about 0. Any recommendations for a quality furnace? I was looking at some of the Suburbans. I like the Suburban 2446ABK. Also what about a quality fridge? Obviously I need to compare sizes of existing but looking for a place to start.



Thanks
Truck Campers
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Dec 06, 2019
    I don't think the dangers of a buddy heater are the CO. However it does have a low O2 shutoff that works as designed. It is a challenge to keep it lit above 8kft and about impossible at 9kft altitude.

    Aside from the obvious potential for a fire hazard (I still use mine in a trailer), the biggest downside is moisture. Not being vented, it makes alot of moisture. Couple days and dryout, no problem. Extended camping, hard to keep dry.
    I'd still look for an alternate. More convenient and drier to have forced air heat, IMO.
  • cewillis's avatar
    cewillis
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2019
    If I were doing this again, I would definitely use a vented catalytic heater -- Vented cat.

    No open windows or other venting needed.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Dec 05, 2019
    I’m chicken to use a Buddy heater when sleeping. I will die but not from asphyxiation.
  • JD5150's avatar
    JD5150
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2019
    I would go with the Wave 8 Catalytic Heater. You can get them Wave 3 or 6 but the 8 is the big boy. They use no electricity but you could use a small 12 volt fan to move hot air into the cab over. They do not put the moisture in the air like a Buddy heater. Bunch of van life youtubers use them all the time and leave them on all night with a roof vent cracked a little but way safer than a Buddy heater imo
  • Skolberts's avatar
    Skolberts
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2019
    Interesting, maybe I should go the buddy heater full time. It heats its up pretty well. I bought some 1" foam insulation that I line the pop up fabric with which I think makes a big difference. I did buy a Carbon Monoxide detector for the camper just in case. I know the buddy heater also has one kinda. Maybe even remove the furnace and save some weight if I'm not using it anyway. Honestly he told me it was electric only, maybe he is wrong. I'll do some digging.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Dec 05, 2019
    lot of people use there buddy heater 24/7 and are still with us. curious never seen a tc with a electric only furnace.

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