Leaving the Camper

[chrispt]

I am living in my Apex Ultralight during the week while working in the Raleigh area. I am set to leave it for a week for the Thanksgiving holiday and was trying to figure out how to prep it for departure. Last time when I was gone for the weekend I unhooked water, drained the water heater, put the slide in and left the heat on low. Given I will be gone for the week I'm sure I'll go through all the propane during that time. It's not supposed to dip below 33 the whole time I am gone so I wanted to see what was recommended to be done.

[007matman]

I don't know about your camper, but my slide covers the heating registers when they are in. I might consider leaving them out if they do.

I think what you have there sounds like a good plan. It would need to be below 32 for more than a few hours to cause freezing.

[chrispt]

So on my Apex they are on the side opposite the slide.

What are the ramifications if the propane is exhausted before I get back?

[007matman]

Well, if it's not going to be below 32 for more than 24 hours, likely nothing.

Does your fridge run on propane? Mine will run on either. However, I usually run on Propane.

Personally, if I know it's not going to be cold for a long time I don't do it. I'm North of Atlanta and still have not winterized. We have had lows in the low 20's already.

[chrispt]

Mine has an auto setting and it's running on electric right now. as far as I know the only things that I need to use the propane for our the furnace and the hot water heater.

I assume the furnace just won't run if it doesn't have propane.

[5picker]

Why not just turn off the furnace if you are concerned about the propane running out?

Over the years I've seen furnaces do different things when going into lock-out when running out of propane. I've seen them shut down completely and I've seen them try to relight (3 times) and then the blower would run constantly until the furnace was shut off via the thermostat.

If you have electric, why not put an electric space heater in your R/V and turn it on low and let it run. As safe as running a furnace for sure. In the fall we often let an electric heater run in ours for weeks between trips in the fall. It usually keeps things about 50º inside on 30º-35º ambient days.

Unhooking or turning off the water supply is always good even if gone just for the day!

[007matman]

Originally Posted by chrispt

Mine has an auto setting and it's running on electric right now. as far as I know the only things that I need to use the propane for our the furnace and the hot water heater.

I assume the furnace just won't run if it doesn't have propane.

Correct. It'll shut off.

[HONDAMAN174]

Another vote for space heater on low.

[chrispt]

Do most folks recommend and oil-based one?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by chrispt

Do most folks recommend and oil-based one?

Personal preference.

Forced air heaters 'move' some air and tend to dry up humidity a bit better. (often an issue in a R/V)

Oil based take longer to heat up but continue to throw off heat when the thermostat is satisfied.

Ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers.

[chrispt]

True! Since I am in a long term spot I pay for electric. What would be the best bang for the buck and be safe to leave for a while?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by chrispt

True! Since I am in a long term spot I pay for electric. What would be the best bang for the buck and be safe to leave for a while?

Again, personal preference.

Just remember, all 120v space heaters are at the most 1500w.

1500w is 1500w whether it is a $20 heater at Walmart or a $150 Amish built heater advertised in the magazines.

As long as you use it on a lower setting so that it doesn't use all the current in the circuit you have it plugged into, any heater will work. Meaning, you can't have the heater (on high) plugged into the same circuit as the coffee pot that is brewing or you'll trip the breaker.

That likely isn't going to happen while you are gone but once you get an auxiliary electric heater, you'll find yourself using the furnace a lot less when you are there.

[chrispt]

So I have one of those tower style quartz heaters. Is there any reason why I couldn't use that on low while I am gone?

[Chuck_S]

Why on a low setting, or don't you want any heat?

Remember a hair dryer, which no one recommends for heating your camper, is also 1500 watts -- same amount of heat. Pretty pitiful actually.

Inexpensive 1500 watt heaters are available with thermostats at any Walmart. Set it to 50°F if you're worried about anything freezing.

-- Chuck

[HONDAMAN174]

I recommend using on low as 1500w is about 12 amps and I have seen some of these high quality wall outlets melt and smoke over a period of time.

Maybe leave the door for under your sinks open also.

[Cabinfever97]

A 1500 watt heater on low will work just fine. We have a fireplace heater in our Hemisphere. It will keep the TT toasty with outside temps you are describing using it on low setting. It also has a.thermostat.