Fireplace Removal?

wbdvt · 05-23-2016, 07:25 AM

Hello,

DW and I are starting to look at a small 5th wheel and we noticed that a fireplace seems to be coming standard. We have mixed feelings on that as I don't believe we would use it much as we spend our time outside and around a real fireplace.

So now to my questions....has anybody removed the fireplace and used the space for something else? If so, what? Maybe the space is not useable? Or does it provide supplemental heat enough so it is worthwhile to use?

Thank you all in advance for reading and replying!

KenHwy61 · 05-23-2016, 07:32 AM

I would give your fireplace a chance! We love ours. It is enough heat our camper even with temps in the 20s. Looks nice too.

PhoneDude 8289 · 05-23-2016, 07:56 AM

As KenHwy61 said, give it a chance. Our RV is a first for us with a fireplace. We thought we would never use it but turns out we have used it quite often. Wouldn't be without one now. Sure saves on propane on those cool nights and mornings.

WFD · 05-23-2016, 08:02 AM

When we factory ordered our current 5th, we specified we did not want the fireplace, nor did we want the wall mounted grill outside...no problem. What we got instead of the fireplace is a decent size storage cabinet. Didn't like the look of the fireplace...sure some say they get enough heat from it to take the chill out on some mornings....we use an electric heater if ever that is needed, or simply run the furnace for a few minutes. And to be honest...I forget how much we got as far as a credit for not taking the fireplace.
As for the outside grill...they still ran the propane line to the outside wall and put the bracket to hold up the grill, we just didn't get the grill. So if we choose to have the grill there in the future we could always do it, but I don't see that happening.

DSMURPHY · 05-23-2016, 08:04 AM

Definitely give it try before you remove it. I have seen more posts about how to install a fireplace than remove one.
btw, I think you would be surprised with how much stuff is behind the fireplace that you will probably need to access at some point in time.
Good luck.

Wiscampsin · 05-23-2016, 08:05 AM

X3 on giving it a chance. When we ordered our Sabre DW really wanted the fireplace, I didn't. Turns out she was right, again

. We use it alot on cold mornings .

raspivey · 05-23-2016, 08:39 AM

I thought the same thing while looking at an RV show a few years back. Why would anyone want to have a fake fire in a trailer? Once I realized it was an electric heater, I started to consider it. We normally use the furnace to initially warm up and to know the chill off in the mornings and supplement it with an electric space heater. Once I figured out that it would do what we already do anyway and I wouldn't have to pack the space heater, I ordered it on our new one.

Martsing · 05-23-2016, 08:47 AM

We specifically wanted the electric fireplace and have found that it supplements the propane heat very nicely. It heats the entire trailer when the temps are down to the 40's and if it is colder the propane comes on from time to time but not nearly as often as it does without the electric heater. It definitely takes the chill off when it is damp outside. We do really like it.

NMWildcat · 05-23-2016, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

X3 on giving it a chance. When we ordered our Sabre DW really wanted the fireplace, I didn't. Turns out she was right, again

. We use it alot on cold mornings .

X4!!! We found we use it a lot also. The thermostat and multi speed fan make it very usable. We no longer use our portable electric heater like we did in the old RV.

Elkhounds · 05-23-2016, 12:40 PM

Another vote for keeping it. Used ours when the temps were in the 30's and had snow (9 days ago) and kept the place at 70 all day without the furnace running. Figured it saved me a lot of LP.

wbdvt · 05-23-2016, 06:34 PM

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. We will definitely keep an open mind and I like the use of taking a chill off in the morning and saving on propane.

ValMelton · 05-23-2016, 06:56 PM

we didn't think we would use ours either, BUT when we camp in early spring and in late fall, when the night air gets a bit chilly, we like having it on in the mornings when we get up and come downstairs to the living area, when there is just a bit of a chill inside. it doesn't take long to get the chill gone and we have found that on such nights the furnace is just too hot up in the bedroom area. (heat rises to the highest point) and we often take our 3 year old grand daughter with us and she sleeps on the couch in the living room, so we can turn the fireplace heat on, and it keeps her comfy and we are comfy up in the bedroom without the furnace on. Our unit has the electric fireplace that can be on with or without heat, so when she wants to watch the fire, without heat we can do that as well. Beware though, because of you plan to sue the fireplace, you will usually need a camping spot for 50 amps. 30 amps won't work with ours

aceinspp · 05-23-2016, 07:08 PM

Well I was under the opinion when I was looking at new campers as to why a fire place. Well I bought new camper with fire place and I sure do love it. Never thought I would but its worth it when cool. Looks good to. Later RJD

camping baba · 05-23-2016, 07:09 PM

Give it a try . It does save on propane . In our 5er we us it to heat the living area for our guests at night and our bedroom stays cool the way we like it .

riverrat958 · 05-23-2016, 07:13 PM

we love ours- it does takes a bit of the coolness outta the camper during cool spring and fall
also damp summer days in the adirondacks .
winter we take it out ( 4 screws) and use it in dw's sewing room.very economical

Skyliner · 05-23-2016, 11:00 PM

I'd get rid of it too if my camper had one. Its either propane or firing up the generator to run an electric fireplace. My vote is for propane every time. I guess if I camped at a campground with hookups, I'd consider a fireplace but then again, that's what small 1500 watt ceramic forced air heaters are for.

judivan · 05-24-2016, 12:12 AM

X4 or X5 where ever we are at!!!
We've used our trailer twice since we got it in February. We really enjoy the fireplace and would recommend that you keep yours. Really takes the chill off in the morning.

RSchleder · 06-23-2016, 07:51 AM

We were excited when we bought our current TT with the fireplace. After owning it for a year, we would not want to own any RV WITHOUT one. It adds a nice visual feature to the living room and does indeed, heat the trailer very well even into the 30's. Give it a shot, I think you'll find it a real asset to you camping experiences!

jeff64 · 06-23-2016, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFD

When we factory ordered our current 5th, we specified we did not want the fireplace, nor did we want the wall mounted grill outside...no problem. What we got instead of the fireplace is a decent size storage cabinet. Didn't like the look of the fireplace...sure some say they get enough heat from it to take the chill out on some mornings....we use an electric heater if ever that is needed, or simply run the furnace for a few minutes. And to be honest...I forget how much we got as far as a credit for not taking the fireplace.
As for the outside grill...they still ran the propane line to the outside wall and put the bracket to hold up the grill, we just didn't get the grill. So if we choose to have the grill there in the future we could always do it, but I don't see that happening.

Should have asked the dealer to swap the RVQ for a 2 or 3 burner stove instead. We haven't used our inside stove yet. I tried to put a FP in, but, there was too much wiring to relocate and a subwoofer behind door #2. Couldn't make it happen.

twentz · 06-24-2016, 12:17 PM

Has anyone added a fireplace to their TT? What kind of draw do they typically pull on an electrical system?

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