Heating 38ft fifth wheel

[melissajean0]

So, it's going to be cold pretty soon here in UT. We're looking for another floor heater. We have propane and two other floor heaters, but last year when we were in Wyoming we noticed it was unbearably cold. To be honest, it was like no heat was on. Of course we were having -40 degree windchills, so I'm sure that didn't help. Our RV is 38 ft long. We need a heater that is electric. Any suggestions? (Yes, I already know about insulating.)

[pianotuna]

Hi Melissa,

I use electric heated carpets (x 3). The floor is definitely warm!

I've used my RV at -37 c (-34 f).

Peak use was 7000 watts.

I use 2 1/2 size oil filled heaters, one flat panel oil filled heater, one radiant heater, and one fan based heater in the living quarters.

In addition I have a 600 watt fan based heater in the waste tanks area controlled by a mechanical thermostat.

I replaced the furnace return air grill with a dual window fan which is thermostatically controlled. This keeps the fresh water system from freezing up.

Last year I used no propane for space heating or water heating.

melissajean0 wrote:
So, it's going to be cold pretty soon here in UT. We're looking for another floor heater. We have propane and two other floor heaters, but last year when we were in Wyoming we noticed it was unbearably cold. To be honest, it was like no heat was on. Of course we were having -40 degree windchills, so I'm sure that didn't help. Our RV is 38 ft long. We need a heater that is electric. Any suggestions? (Yes, I already know about insulating.)

[TXiceman]

The OP just found out that a SAndpiper is not a 4 season trailer. Best to move it south,

Ken

[Ray___June]

Look into the Olympian "Wave 8". We have a "Wave 6" in a 35 foot class A, and it does a decent job of keeping us warm, without using any electricity. It also uses less propane than the furnace, and is silent.

[renegade99]

I have a Carriage Cameo that I have used down to 10F below and was able to keep interior at 68F, the floor was a little too chilly for my wife to go barefoot but she only needed a pair of socks, this was without anything but the 40K furnace. I would have skirted it if we had been there longer, but it was only a 4 day stay, so yes there are trailers that can handle the cold.

[Cummins12V98]

n7bsn wrote:
Cheap Heat

YUP!

Ain't cheap but sure works well.

[CarlT100]

Yes, I know; but they are great when the temps are in the mid 30's and 40's. 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

Wind chill only affects living creatures

Has no affect on inanimate objects because they don't 'feel' the wind chill

Minus temperatures do require more heat.
RV furnace PLUS space heaters.

We have been in -19*F temps.
Furnace and Two 1500W space heaters....

[justafordguy]

Heat pumps are great but they don't work when it's below freezing.

[CarlT100]

I have 50 amp service. We use three portable electric heaters - one the garage, one in the living area, and a small one in the bathroom when we are showering. Only in freezing weather do I need to run the furnace. At 26 F, I can keep the trailer at 74 F. I have replaced the portable heater in the garage with an electric oil heater. I used a tank of propane in two days before I added the portable heaters. After adding the heaters, I used one tank per week.

I really wish I had ac/heat pumps.

[n7bsn]

More info on cold weather stays Forum link

[n7bsn]

Cheap Heat

[donn0128]

Time to move to a warmer climate!

[donn0128]

Sure, Teton, but there no longer in the RV business.

[dave17352]

Off topic but do they actually make a fifth wheel that can withstand that kind of cold comfortably. Without skirting.