CheapHeat System?

[NMace]

In the Dec 2013 issue of TRAILER LIFE magazine there is an article on the CheapHeat after-market electric system.

I was shocked to read the authors proclaim even additional savings when in camp grounds where electric charges are not metered, but included in the site fee.

Do they not realize that promoting such abuses will cause us all to pay more for our camp ground use? The camp ground must make a profit, so if some find ways to use more of what they think is "free" electric, others will pay more for their site.

It seems selfish to me. I expect better from a national periodical.

Neil

[harold1946]

NMace wrote:
If your behavior csts me money that I do not authorize, it is theft. I don't care if it is extra heating units or anything else, it is wrong.

Electricity is not free, if you find ways to use more than average, you cost the rest of us.

Before I cancel my subscription I will give them a chance to respond.

Don't forget, Good Sam Enterprises owns RV.Net, and Trailer Life magazine. Why would you want to be associated with any organzation that according to you advocates thievery?

[TakingThe5th]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

iawoody2 wrote:
The problem with using portable electric heaters is that you are not getting heat to the underbelly if needed due to outside temperature.

All three of the systems CheapHeat sells are furnace replacements/ supplements - with provide all the benefits of ducted heat as do propane furnaces.

The one big downside I see is the HT-37 system for 50Amp service trailers. If you are connected to 30Amp - the heater will not heat at all. You must be connected to 50Amp.

The CheapHeat website sez "Model CH-50 Controller is engineered so that it can operate with both 30 amp and 50 amp shore power inputs. The controller works with a specially designed heating element that provides the ability to pick from 3 different heating outputs from one heater element.".

[Atom_Ant]

An electric fireplace must be pure gluttony

[MM49]

Message to the OP. Get a life!

I would bet every camper on the road has 1500watt auxilary electric heater in them. The cost at private campgrounds are based on delivery capacity. If you can suck more power out of the box, go for it.

MM49

[Atom_Ant]

There are a couple of parks around here that still have pipe for campground supplied propane! (Back when Lucy and Dezi rolled in with their Moon I imagine). They are abandoned pipes now, but that would sure change this conversation.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

joe b. wrote:
Summer before we spent a month at a campground in Colorado with our 5th wheel, where the monthly rate did Not include electricity. At the end of the month at check out, they read my site electric meter and we owed them $46 which meant we had used $1.53 of electricity a day on the average. This was running the roof AC everyday and some nights, plus heating domestic water, running the fridge, lights, TV, etc.

I highly suspect most campgrounds add in considerably more than $1.53 a day to their short term rates for electric sites. As long as they don't show electric cost as a seperate cost, they can charge whatever they wish and that the market will allow.

Thank you! This is what I suspected - most RVs "gobbling" electricity still aren't using very much; and those costs are built into the site rate. I would MUCH rather have someone using "massive" amounts of electricity (which we're limited to 30 amp or 50 amps) parked next to me; than have them run their generators so they don't consume too much of the park's electric.

Using a park's electric is not "stealing" - it's part of the service we pay for.

[MTPockets1]

TowedWhereIGo wrote:
We've already been in campgrounds that charge for electricity. Elcetricity is not free, it is now over and above your cost to park. Will water be next? We've been in parks that say do not wash your vehicle in your camp site. Why do you think the owner had to post that sign?

. we were in a park in Colorado where you could wash your rig on site if you bought the $10 tag. The tag was so others could see you paid for the privilege. I paid gladly as it was a good benefit to me to wash on site.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

NMace wrote:
I never expected to change any behaviors or even gain understanding.

There are many factors driving increased camp site fees, excessive electricity use is just one.

You either get that or don't.

Happy camping.

That is the most sensible post you've made on this thread.

Except for one word - excessive -

I strongly disagree with that word.

Increasing - that I agree with.

It is very true that newer rigs use more electricity. Everything from heat, AC, microwaves, multiple TVs, outdoor lighting, etc.

My father camped five years in his popup(77-82), and two years in his first TT (83-85) before he ever hooked up to electricity. Forgot how to do it, needed help when the COE finally installed 20A to his favorite CG. Which I might add is in the west part of central Arkansas.

Today, the very first thing we do is go to a full service CG and run everything. Just to make sure it works, and we know how to turn it on/ off - if nothing else.

Since I camp a lot at govt/ state CG vice commercial CG - I see the direct cost of electricity in sites all the time. 50A runs $2 to $5 per day more than 30A at fed/state CG.

Some places where the CG is operated by contractors like two USFS CG near Houston - 30A runs $5 per day, 50A runs $8 per day extra.

Actually, almost the only place I see the same price for 30A and 50A is commercial CG. There I did feel that I was paying for folks higher electric usage. So I went and got a 50A trailer with two ACs, supplemental electrical heat capability, etc.

[harold1946]

NMace wrote:
I never expected to change any behaviors or even gain understanding. What were your expectations?

There are many factors driving increased camp site fees, excessive electricity use is just one.
The main factors are paying employees a livable wage and insurance. The next is maintenance.

You either get that or don't.


Happy camping.

[joe_b_]

Summer before we spent a month at a campground in Colorado with our 5th wheel, where the monthly rate did Not include electricity. At the end of the month at check out, they read my site electric meter and we owed them $46 which meant we had used $1.53 of electricity a day on the average. This was running the roof AC everyday and some nights, plus heating domestic water, running the fridge, lights, TV, etc.

I highly suspect most campgrounds add in considerably more than $1.53 a day to their short term rates for electric sites. As long as they don't show electric cost as a seperate cost, they can charge whatever they wish and that the market will allow.

[NMace]

I never expected to change any behaviors or even gain understanding.

There are many factors driving increased camp site fees, excessive electricity use is just one.

You either get that or don't.

Happy camping.

[dapperdan]

Wow, I just received my TL mag today, didn't even get a chance to open it up and already we're "flame on" with one of their articles here!

I don't think Trailer Life is advocating anything most of us know already goes on so why condemn them? I believe it's only a matter of time before most, if not all campgrounds meter electricity usage. lets face it we've all seen our share of "hogs at the trough" while camping through out this country.

Like stated earlier, campground owners have to be profitable or they close up, it's that simple, there's a lot of waste going on these days and how long can they absorb raising (energy) costs? Could be one of the reasons rates keep climbing. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Just my two cents.

Dan

[noteven]

'scuse my faulty slide rule, but if a campground operator rents me a spot with 50 amp service, do they or do they not expect me to use up to that amount of current from time to time if I wish?

So if I paid for the spot, how is it I am a thief?

[Atom_Ant]

I will stop using my heat pumps if tent trailers stop reserving all the 50A full hookup lake front sites over the holidays :B