First Time RVer Question

[toddlafond]

We will be taking delivery of our first RV, a 2005 Forest River Forester, in about a week. I have a question for you. We are planning on picking up our daughters and take them to see their brother around Thanksgiving and it will probably be colder out then it is today. Can I run the furnace while we are driving so the girls don't get cold? If so, how? I've read about not having your propane on so I'm wondering is it possible to keep the coach heated without using propane. Can I run the furnace by turning on the Generator? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS

[sgtlm17]

Oh you will be more confused shortly. Many here will tell you never drive with your propane on etc.etc.etc. The other half will say it's fine and was designed to do so. For example your fridge runs on propane and that's how you run it when moving. Me personally, i have always run with propane on while rig is on road. I am cautious about fueling up. Always turn off appliances prior to refueling.

[RamblerGuy]

You don't need to run the generator to run the LP furnace. It runs entirety on the 12 volt system. While you are driving, the chassis alternator supplies 12 volts to the coach batteries, and thereby to the furnace. When you are plugged in, the convertor converts 120 volts AC to 12 volts DC, supplying the coach and charging the batteries. If you are parked with no electrical hookup, the coach batteries supply 12 volts. How long they will do it is another question with lots of conditional answers.

[naysmitj]

I have run with the furnace on many times to keep the coach warm. I have also run with the generator running as well.
No problem.

[MNtraveler]

To repeat, turn off all appliances including furnace and fridge when refueling.

[toddlafond]

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate your help. A followup question. To run the A/C in the coach during the summer while driving, will that require running the Generator?

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by toddlafond

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate your help. A followup question. To run the A/C in the coach during the summer while driving, will that require running the Generator?

Yes, if you want to run your roof mount A/C while driving you will need to run your generator.

[8288WS]

If you're fueling up with diesel then fumes are not an issue.

[KAS]

Originally Posted by toddlafond

We will be taking delivery of our first RV, a 2005 Forest River Forester, in about a week. I have a question for you. We are planning on picking up our daughters and take them to see their brother around Thanksgiving and it will probably be colder out then it is today. Can I run the furnace while we are driving so the girls don't get cold? If so, how? I've read about not having your propane on so I'm wondering is it possible to keep the coach heated without using propane. Can I run the furnace by turning on the Generator? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS

The easiest would be to run the generator and an electric heater. This way you don't use up your propane. The generator doesn't use much gasoline which is much easier to replace than propane. And at the same time you can also run your refrigerator on electricity and save additional propane.
Depending on the size of your MH and the weather, your cab heater may even be sufficient and you won't need additional heat.

[RamblerGuy]

The Cummings/Onan spec sheet for the 4000 watt generator in our Sunseeker states the gasoline consumption is 0.5 gallons per hour at half load and 0.7 gallons per hour at full load. One space heater on high (1500 watts - 5100 BTU's per hour) plus other miscellaneous loads will be about half load for the generator.

You can compare that to the propane needed for the furnace. Overall, the refrigerator doesn't use much propane.

As a hint to a new owner, on our Sunseeker, the convertor is on the same circuit as some of the receptacles. Sometimes the convertor load added to an electric heater on high would trip the 15 amp breaker. Also, the electric element in the water heater is 1500 watts, or about 12 amps.

Although the water heater is on its own breaker, the total load with an electric heater and the water heater, added to other loads, can trip your 30 amp main breaker, or the breaker on the generator, or the shore line breaker if you are hooked up. You may need to turn the water heater electric element off if you are using an electric space heater.

[MNtraveler]

You shouldn't need the water heater while driving. Also, lap blankets and legs inside sleeping bags do wonders for keeping warm.


Forester MBS 2401R

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by toddlafond

We will be taking delivery of our first RV, a 2005 Forest River Forester, in about a week. I have a question for you. We are planning on picking up our daughters and take them to see their brother around Thanksgiving and it will probably be colder out then it is today. Can I run the furnace while we are driving so the girls don't get cold? If so, how? I've read about not having your propane on so I'm wondering is it possible to keep the coach heated without using propane. Can I run the furnace by turning on the Generator? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS

If it were me,,, I would tell the girls to ware some cold weather gear !!!
LOL !!!

[bjlyons]

I see a bigger problem here. There's been no information as to what you are towing. A TT or a 5th wheel. You cannot have occupants in a TT while you are towing. With a 5th wheel you can. But I would suggest some kind of communication device in case the occupants in the 5th wheel have some sort of a problem.

[5er_tom]

A Forester is a Class C motor home.



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[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by bjlyons

I see a bigger problem here. There's been no information as to what you are towing. A TT or a 5th wheel. You cannot have occupants in a TT while you are towing. With a 5th wheel you can. But I would suggest some kind of communication device in case the occupants in the 5th wheel have some sort of a problem.

No way in the world would I allow someone to ride in a towed trailer no matter the configuration.

I do not recall seeing seatbelts (required by law?) in any trailer.

[wana65stang]

Hey Guys the OP is talking about a Motorhome not a trailer.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by bjlyons

I see a bigger problem here. There's been no information as to what you are towing. A TT or a 5th wheel. You cannot have occupants in a TT while you are towing. With a 5th wheel you can. But I would suggest some kind of communication device in case the occupants in the 5th wheel have some sort of a problem.

The OP said they own a Forester.
They started this thread in the Forester sub-forum, in the Motorhome section.

Not sure what else they can do so you would would know what kind of RV they have.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

No way in the world would I allow someone to ride in a towed trailer no matter the configuration.

I do not recall seeing seatbelts (required by law?) in any trailer.

Can not ride in any trailer kind here in PA unless it is a semi truck fifth wheel. Then it needs comms to the cab. Forgot..

Buses that are doubles and such are ok (some have trailers for more capacity).

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[doc73]

Originally Posted by doc73

Can not ride in any trailer kind here in PA unless it is a semi truck fifth wheel. Then it needs comms to the cab. Forgot..

Buses that are doubles and such are ok (some have trailers for more capacity).

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Edit: welcome. Enjoy the ride here, lots of good info and sometimes conflicting info. Just remember take the best and leave the rest...

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[DXSMac]

Although I have never ridden as a passenger in my RV, I find that the heat from the front console is enough to provide heat to the rest of the RV while in motion. I know this because I have stopped at rest stops to take naps and was quite comfortable.

And I'm from the DON'T HAVE YOUR PROPANE ON while in motion.