Not boon dockers after all.

[SecretCoveDave]

Bought a 2010 with solar panel and 2 - 6 volts.

Thinking about buying new trailer.

Question is I think, an energy audit one.

I read a propane furnace and fan are real energy users.

If hooked up does a ceramic heater on low temp setting make more sense?

Thanks in advance for any clarification, as I really don't know what i'm asking.

[Paulx213]

The heater on low will use 750 watts which is likely far more then the furnace fan uses. You would need an inverter too as I don't think there are 12V versions of those electric heaters.

I think you would do best sticking with the propane furnace.

[dewey02]

Yes, propane furnace is an energy hog. In terms of both propane and battery power (battery not a problem, of course when hooked up to power.)

My experience is an electric heater of some sort is much preferred over the furnace when on outside power. There are many opinions on what kind of electric heater and you will get responses on all kinds. The temp. setting will depend on the size of your unit, most people find the lower setting adequate, unless you like it real warm for sleeping. But if you are camping in below freezing temps and have exterior tanks with a belly cover, then running your furnace is a good idea to keep tanks from freezing.

If you boondock, solar or a generator will be needed for any stay longer than a weekend. If you don't, no need for either.

All that said, I have no idea how to help you clarify your question.

[SecretCoveDave]

Thanks for the responses. Especially the note about below 0 camping.
Thinking of trying that.

cheers, Dave.

[clutch]

Dave, we carry a Kozy World propane heater with two panels. It heats our trailer and does not use any electricity. It uses way less propane than the furnace and you don't have to listen to it all night long. You just have to make sure you have adequate ventilation. We also carry an electric heater for when we are plugged in.

[RedHorse1]

In our previous TT (23B) we used a 1500W electric space heater. We camped down to the upper 20's and were comfortable. Never used the furnace in anger as I was paranoid about running out of propane (a single 30# tank). The space heater has a thermostat and I would put it on the floor and set the thermo to about 45 deg. We obviously are NOT boon dockers.

[SecretCoveDave]

Great ideas, thanks very much. I think we will let the solar panels/6 volts go with the old trailer. (our first)

Now we have a better idea of which camping tribe we belong to; and want we think is necessary for our kind of camping.

warm regards, Dave.

[Seann45]

Dave a big buddy heater works wonders in the RV. I have been using one for the last 3 years.

[SecretCoveDave]

Thanks Seann, I like the looks of that unit.
Dave

[bsleep]

Seann45 - do you vent the trailer when you use your Big Heater Buddy? It would make me nervous for all doors and windows to be closed.

[clutch]

All the propane catalytic heaters need ventilation. Most have a built in Co switch but you can't really count on that. We crack a couple of windows to let in some air. Our Kozy World has a built in thermostat and keeps a fairly even temp.

If you start getting moisture on your window frames you don't have enough ventilation.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by bsleep

Seann45 - do you vent the trailer when you use your Big Heater Buddy? It would make me nervous for all doors and windows to be closed.

I have never used mine overnight. They do have a low o2 sensor. Crack the roof vent a touch and you should be Ok..

[Bobx2]

Sounds like most folks try to keep their campers 70+ degrees over night. I set my thermostat between 50-55 when we turn in at night. We have a blanket on the bed so we don't get cold. No reason to burn all the extra propane and use up the batteries while we are sleeping. Nothing will freeze, and it warms right up in the morning with a little furnace action and help from the sunshine. I get a full season out of my two 30# propane tanks, and can make an extended weekend trip without having to start the generator.
Boon docking is the only way to camp.

[SecretCoveDave]

In the interest of full disclosure, we do occasionally boondock for one night.

Is occasionally "once a year" ?