Electric heater vs using furnace in fall?

I've actually used an electric heater more than the on-board heater, and it has worked out nicely for me. Last November during deer season it got down in the single digits on a couple of nights and at that time I did use two electric heaters and kept very warm. HOWEVER, when using two, don't even think about using the microwave, or a coffee pot, etc.

While in the 40's, the electric heater should work just fine, and as you say, you can always knock the chill off by using the propane heat in the morning.

Happy (and warm) Camping!

AmericalVette... Thanks for the info! Sounds like a plan!

We have always used just the propane heat and it has been great. On a cold weekend you can go through a tank or so. We were out in early Oct and it was in the 20's at night. On our last trip of the year we did buy an electric heater to try it out. During the day we ran just the electric on about 2/3 power or 1,000 watts and it maintained the 35 foot trailer very nicely. At night we went back to the propane as we were not sure how cold it might get.

The heater we bought is the oil filled radiator type and it was great. I am deathly afraid of all those types that have some type of heating coil that turns red when on as when you are in a confined space if anything ever fell one it, I would not want to be in the trailer.

I always carry a small electric heater when camping in winter. I usually dry camp and cannot use it then, but if things get really chilly I am free to go somewhere with an electric hookup. The electric heater is quieter than my propane furnace. I don't use either of them while I sleep. The temperature doesn't get below 30 inside and I have lots of warm bedding. My electric heater has settings for 750W and 1500W. It also has a fan and a thermostat. Plenty of heat to keep my tiny space warm.

A single 1500 watt heater should heat and keep your trailer nice and warm, u can buy one with a thermostat built in or a high low (1000watt/1500watt) setting. Be aware that if you have enclosed and heated tanks, u require the propane furnace to force air into the tank areas so they do not freeze. So during below freezing times you may need to use the propane furnace occasionally so your tanks dont freeze. Also make sure you have a working smoke detector when sleeping with any kind of electric heater on overnight. 2 electric heaters on low power setting (~1000watt) may give a better heat distribution in a large trailer then a single heater on high setting.

We use both propane and electric. Whenever we are at a campsite (state park), we will run our 2 electric ceramic heaters full throttle. We also keep the propane furnace on about 60 degrees also. During the day time, the electric heaters will will keep the camper too warm. At night, when the temps drop, if the electric heaters cannot keep up, then the furnace will kick on. So when at a campsite, and electric is paid for, we use electric as much as possible.

At home, we use both propane and electric, but use the furnace at a higher setting. (when we pay for the electric).

In your camper, you will want to run both heaters on 2 different circuits. I made the mistake of having both on the same circuit (circuit in the camper), and it popped the breaker (in the camper). But when they were on 2 different breakers, we've never had a problem again.

Also, you want to make sure you are not extending to total amperage of your camper. If using the electric water heater (and it kicks on), and your microwave, and a couple heaters, and your a television, you might over load your circuit, or even the total amperage of the camper.

Nothing will get hurt. You will either pop the breaker at the campsite pole, or the breaker in your camper. Just turn something off and re-trip the breaker. You'll learn what the limits of your camper are.

DutchmenSport wrote:
...when at a campsite, and electric is paid for, we use electric as much as possible.

Ditto.

If I am camped where there's electric included in campsite space rental fee/site I am camped in, I use electric heat and save my propane.

Hi,

You can run two 1500 watt heaters--just make sure they are on different circuits inside the RV.

You may wish to upgrade from the "stab" type outlets used in RV's. I've replaced all but one of mine.

I do heat electrically year round with the propane furnace as a back up. At the moment it is -2.4 c (28 f) and the bedroom is a toasty 23 c (74 f).

I NEVER use the furnace in my MH.
Uses too much propane. Blower is too loud. And depending on the wind the exhaust manages to still get inside the RV.

One good ceramic heater keeps my 31 foot toasty even in really cold temps.

The KEY in an RV is too make sure you keep the cold air OUT.

Put Pillow vent covers inside ALL your roof vents. This is where ALL the cold air comes in and your heat goes out.

1. The lid to your roof vents is nothing more than a cheap plastic NON sealing lid. You need to cover them in cold weather AND hot weather when using the ac or heat.

2. And I found out that a lot of cold comes in from under the door.:R I just throw a towel along the bottom of the door. Makes a big difference.

3. Get caught in REALLY cold temps. You'll need to cover the windows. I found van windshield sunshades (found at walmart) fit perfectly under the day night shades and stay put with out putting tacky velcro strips on your walls. Just Slip them under the shades they rest perfectly right on the window sill part.


Pillow Vent Covers.IMHO A must have for when running the heat or ac.

Windshield sunshades. In case you sleep in, the outside of your RV doesn't look tacky to your neighbors with these nice palm trees in your windows.:W

We like to sleep in a cold bedroom with an electric blanket on at night. Furnace comes on in the morning. If you like a warm bedroom at night, use the heater. It does not make noise when it turns on.