heating inside of fifth wheel while traveling ?

[dretired]

Can it be done ?? If its cold after Christmas, when we head toward Florida, (from Michigan )can we somehow heat up the inside of the 5th wheel an hour or 2 before we stop for the evening ??

[TURBS]

I believe you need 110 volt to be able to do that unless you have an invertor

[MtnGuy]

Hmmm.....I would think that it could be done by just running your furnace. I don't think the wind would blow out the flame, but maybe others can answer that have tried that. The TV power would help keep the camper battery charged.

[dretired]

Thats the question then... Can you run the propane furnace while going down the highway ??

[KarenS144]

You can run a propane fridge while driving. Ours HAS to have electricity from something though to start. It won't start or continue to run without a charge on the battery (don't ask how I found out). I don't know if the furnace would need a "spark" from a battery/power cord or not.

[Hoo Dad]

If your fifth wheel is nearby....hook up, turn on the furnace and see if it works. I run my fridge all the time but I don't know about the furnace fan whether or not it will operate. I'm sure there are plenty of others out here that know. However, try hooking up. Let us know if it works as some of us will be heading to Florida also.

[TURBS]

ok I just tried mine and I was wrong my furnace kicked on while only on 12 volt and no shore power !

[dretired]

Originally Posted by Hoo Dad

If your fifth wheel is nearby....hook up, turn on the furnace and see if it works. I run my fridge all the time but I don't know about the furnace fan whether or not it will operate. I'm sure there are plenty of others out here that know. However, try hooking up. Let us know if it works as some of us will be heading to Florida also.

...Its in the driveway.. i will try and see if the furnace runs with out being hooked up to shore power.. it should... it would be nice to pull into a rest area about an hour or 2 before we get to the campgrounds and pre heat the 5th wheel a little

[3 Happy Campers]

Yes you can run the furnace in a 5er while driving down the road or while not plugged in. If you couldn’t, boondocking in cooler/windy weather would not be possible.

We travel from PA to FL the last two weeks of Dec almost every yr.
We have a programmable thermostat.
We leave on Fri just after rush hour.
I have the thermostat programed to kick on about midnight.
I’m usually ready to pull over about 2am.

If you don’t have a programmable one you could just turn it on during your last pitstop before you know you’ll be stopping for the night.

[wfmdfm]

Yes it can be done and I have several times. As recently as last week. On the last stop prior to the campground I turn on the heat and the hot water. As soon as you put out the slides it cools down but still better than sub zero. I am sure that I will be criticized by some for doing it but it has worked fine for our last 2 trailers.

[dretired]

Originally Posted by 3 Happy Campers

Yes you can run the furnace in a 5er while driving down the road or while not plugged in. If you couldn’t, boondocking in cooler/windy weather would not be possible.

We travel from PA to FL the last two weeks of Dec almost every yr.
We have a programmable thermostat.
We leave on Fri just after rush hour.
I have the thermostat programed to kick on about midnight.
I’m usually ready to pull over about 2am.

If you don’t have a programmable one you could just turn it on during your last pitstop before you know you’ll be stopping for the night.

Thank you !!

[sherdep]

one thing to remember is you will need a good charge on the battery and propane in the tanks - without those two ya cant.

[Rugged Brown]

My only concern is that a couple of the heating ducts are covered when the slide is in, therefore I would gain nothing, unless I travel with the slides open.

[3 Happy Campers]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

My only concern is that a couple of the heating ducts are covered when the slide is in, therefore I would gain nothing, unless I travel with the slides open.

There would be no negative effect on the system if a couple vents were covered. Air would just flow to those vents that are not covered probably the bedroom & bathroom (most important when traveling in the winter!)
In my Sierra 356RL all ducts run right down the middle of the unit so none are covered.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by sherdep

one thing to remember is you will need a good charge on the battery and propane in the tanks - without those two ya cant.

Tv will keep battery charged while driving

[3 Happy Campers]

Originally Posted by sherdep

one thing to remember is you will need a good charge on the battery and propane in the tanks - without those two ya cant.

If you travel during the winter & don't check your tanks regularly you deserve to be cold!

In any TT I’ve ever owned the trailer battery is maintained via the umbilical cord plugged into the tow vehicle.

[dretired]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

My only concern is that a couple of the heating ducts are covered when the slide is in, therefore I would gain nothing, unless I travel with the slides open.

I will have to check that on mine..

[flyrotor]

Yes it can be done, for years my dad's company hauls flowers (potted plants) in cargo trailers, the heaters they use are specifically from motorhomes with forced air vents, it works great, they will run nearly a week in very cold tempuratures on two 30# tanks, the wind does not blow out the flame. The batteries will hold their charge while plugged into the truck while driving. (Yes it takes a lot to charge the batteries from your tow vehicle, but to maintain them is much easier)

Many vehicles run on propane, you can run the propane while driving except in certain locations such as tunnels, also avoid running the heaters while fueling, just use common sense and you will be fine.