Forum Discussion

towdriver's avatar
towdriver
Explorer
May 06, 2015

First Trip Out

So I will be headed out for the first time this weekend with the new TT. It's a '06 Fun Finder X240, and I'm wondering about dry camping. I have 2 30lbs propane tanks and 3 group 31 batteries. Will this be enough for 3 days running the fridge (propane) and heater at night with some lights in evenings. Most concerned about propane as this is first time I will be using a TT with propane. I have a third tank that I can take if I might need it. I also have another 3 batteries mounted on truck so will be fine for battery power I think

16 Replies

  • You're gonna be more than ok.

    I usually hunt for 7 days in 20 degree weather. Granted, we don't run the furnace during the day because we're gone, but still. I typically go through only one of my 30lb tanks. I have one battery. It needs to be charged once during the trip at least. Sometimes twice depending on usage.

    But with your setup, you'll have zero to worry about
  • Your fine. In fact you may be more then fine. You didn't say how cold it is going to be?

    I can go camping for a weekend in 40 degree weather with 2-6 volt golf cart batteries and still have plenty of power left over. I do have LED bulbs though and I keep the furnace at 55-60. The furnace fan draws a lot of power!

    As for the propane I only go through about 2 tanks a season. I don't use the furnace often though. You get a lot of BTU's from one tank of propane. That's why it's used as a fuel.

    The fridge uses very little propane. Especially when it's cold outside. It does draw a little power but, not a awful lot. The furnace fan will run your battery down a lot, lot, lot, quicker then the circuit board on the fridge.
  • OK thanks from what the weather network says it will be a low of around 5*C so shouldn't need too much heat but wouldn't want to find out the hard way I didn't have enough.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    You'll be fine of both tanks are full. I've learned I can go 5 nights in a row blasting the heater all night in 20 degree weather. I learned the hard way, I can't go 6.
  • I haven't got the LED bulbs yet. I ordered them but it doesn't look like they will make it here in time for this trip. With 6 batteries total and a couple solar panels I think I should be ok there.
  • If you use the furnace sparingly, you'll be just fine. We like to heat our up before bed, then shut it off, or turn it way down. Then, warm it back up in the morning. What kind of lights do you have. If you've switched to LED, they will have a very minimal draw on the batteries. If they are incandescent, they can drain the batteries pretty quick. Just use as little light as possible. When we're going to be out for several days, we'll just use a battery operated lantern inside the rig most of the time.