What kind of heater?

[Trails_And_Tail]

WARNING Newbie Question: We are not planning on using the old furnace in our old Class C RV, but rather use some kind of 110v portable heat. I was thinking a ceramic type heater but have been told that the oil filled ones are better. I'm asking the wise and wonderful long-timers on these forums for guidance. Please keep in mind we travel with our 2 dogs, so safety is at the top of the list. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Opie431]

You might not be able to have the TV, heater and microwave on at the same time.
Just takes a little planning if you cannot.

[campingliz]

Well, this may seem really stupid, but we have never run heat all night while camping. If we expect it to be cold, sleeping in very warm pjs with lots of blankets works for us. We will use the furnace to warm the interior before getting into bed, but I just don't want to worry about any of it overnight.

Happy Camping!

[mosseater]

We ususally take our EdenPure along in early and late season. Fairly quiet, auto thermistat, has a filter, no hot parts on the outside, and most importantly, it isn't easily knocked over. And since it takes up a little more floor space, it also doubles as a small end table. I don't know why I'd burn my propane when I've paid for electric up front.

[Chris_Bryant]

After all that, there are two types I would personally use.
My top pick would be a built in toe kick heater- they are hard wired, and can draw 1800 watts, so put out more heat than a portable. You do need to have a place to install it, and they are in the $200 range.
I don't know if anyone else makes a heater that works like this, but the original Pelonis is my top pick for a portable in an RV- they work unlike others, in that the heating element is a PTCR* element, and is inherently self limiting temperature wise- the element simply cannot get hot enough to ignite anything. The thermostat then varies the fan speed only, but because of the PTCR, more air flow over the element pulls more heat out, cooling the element and drawing more power. Others may work like this, but I haven't found one, even though they say "ceramic", they are more conventional.

*Positive Temperature Coeffecient Resistor

[GoPackGo]

DannyA wrote:
I have used the oil heaters and like them very much, quiet, keep giving heat after they cut off. But what I don't like is the size, weight and mine is tall so difficult to hall around without tipping over.

I store mine in the box it came in. And I store it laying down, not standing up. No problems so far in 2 years of traveling (full timing).

[GaryWT]

Not a fan of electric heat. We use our furnace. Had portable electric heat at home and they melted. In a small space like a trailer I would use the oil filled radiator, if something falls on it, there is nothing open to start a fire.

[mlts22]

I definitely would second that. Yes, you can run a high-gauge extension cord through the same mousehole as the electric cord in some rigs, so you can use that for one 1500 watt heater, then use the receptacle for another... but realistically, I would recommend getting the furnace fixed.

Yes, it uses propane, but a 1500 watt heater is not going to do much in a larger rig, other than be supplemental at best. I learned this by trial and error.

As an alternative to the furnace, perhaps consider a vented platinum catalyst LP gas heater. Key word here is vented, where the combustion gases are exhausted safely outside.

Another alternative is to toss the furnace and water heater, buy a Truma Combi unit which works on electric, LP gas, or both. This way, you will still use propane, but it will use 1500 watts from electric as a way to lesson the fuel usage. Another advantage is that it frees up a lot of space because one appliance does the work of two.

As for electric heaters, I personally use Vornadoes. I have an older model when they were made in the US, and it does quite well in circulating warm air throughout the RV.

[jaycocamprs]

We use the small ceramic heaters. I understand the used the electricity because I'm paying for it. But you only get so much heat from 1500 watts. Past that you will need a good working furnace. The other issue is keeping the plumbing above freezing. At some point after the temperature drops into the 20s you need heat in the underbelly, the furnace will provide that, the electrics will not. If you never camp when it's that cold no problem.

[rhagfo]

stickdog wrote:

Trails And Tails wrote:
We're not using the furnace for a couple of reasons. First it's 25yrs old and I don't trust it. Then there's the fact that I'll be paying for 110 so why not use it instead of my LP. I do understand that we'll have to allow for the 12amp draw. We're planning a mountain trip next spring/summer and I'm not sure how cold it will get, but I do know it WILL be cold at times. We are in the Midwest so we will do a little cold weather testing here, this fall. The furnace works if push comes to shove. Using it would probably mean me staying up "on watch", but it would keep the place warm.

The engine and drive train are 25 years old as well. Do you trust them?
Why not have the furnace inspected by a professional and if given the OK use it.
We use a couple 1500 watt ceramic heaters and they are fine when the temps are require a bit of heat but when it gets below 32 it's time for the furnace.

We had a 1986 King of the Road 5th wheel and tested and then used the furnace all the time. Personally I trust an electric heater far LESS than a gas furnace!!
The 120 Volt wiring in RV's are shaky at best, which is worst electrical fire or furnace fire, they make Co2 detectors.
We did a lot of winter camping and it ran a lot never an issue.

[2gypsies1]

Why not have your furnace inspected and if it's tests out o.k., use it?

[Muddydogs]

I would be more worried about the 25 year old fridge then the heater, how about the water heater its 25 years old also.

[DannyA]

I have used the oil heaters and like them very much, quiet, keep giving heat after they cut off. But what I don't like is the size, weight and mine is tall so difficult to hall around without tipping over.

[Pogoil]

If safety is on your mind skip the electric heaters and use your safe propane heater.

Pogoil.

[colliehauler]

Chris Bryant wrote:
No matter the type of electric heater you buy, I would strongly recommend installing a dedicated, high quality outlet, and not using the standard RV outlets they install, which, in my opinion, are not suitable for continuous heavy loads like a heater.

This cannot be overstated enough.

I bought the cube ceramic heaters and found them to noisy and went with a oil filled heater with a quiet fan to circulate the air.