Supplemental Heat advice

[Nwfunfinder]

Hi,

What are you doing to supplement your heating needs in the trailer. We have the propane heater, it's noisy and too damp to run a lot here in Washington...advice?

We are considering an electric oil radiator to use. They're quiet, efficient and cheap. Of course we would secure it and store it while moving...thoughts?

Cheers,
John

 

[fourfourto]

I added the optional heat strip to AC unit, no thermostat so at night pita.
I have a oil filled radiator type I used at home it would take up space but work well and has a thermostat.

 

[profdant139]

If you have hookups (electric power), you could try a small space heater --easy to store and quiet. Without hookups, many people like those catalytic heaters that run on propane -- silent, inexpensive, and adequate. But there is a catch -- you have to make sure the trailer is properly vented because of the carbon monoxide issue.

Our solution is pretty simple -- during the day, we bundle up. At night, we use a down comforter. We only run the furnace during shower time. We have used this "system" even in sub-freezing weather, just like the Eskimos.

 

[Dakota 1120]

Just curious as why you would need a 'supplemental heater' when the unit comes with a furnace and thermostat ~ set it and forget it.

 

[Nwfunfinder]

I guess I should clarify, just storing it, winterizing it. want to make sure there's a bit of warmth in there because of moisture. Don't really need it when we're out camping...just for storage so that we could go work on it during the cold. Oil radiator working great thanks for your replies

 

[Nwfunfinder]

The propane heater is loud and throws off a lot of moisture too.

 

[Dakota 1120]

I guess I should clarify, just storing it, winterizing it. want to make sure there's a bit of warmth in there because of moisture. Don't really need it when we're out camping...just for storage so that we could go work on it during the cold. Oil radiator working great thanks for your replies

OK, understandable since you are in Washington where it rains or misty during the winter months.....recall that when in the Army at Ft. Lewis. My car sat outside for a year when in SE Asia and the inside/trunk was all moldy when I returned for it. :-(

 

[LJAZ]

I use a small ceramic heater like this one:
Comfort Zone Oscillating Ceramic Heater - Howard Berger CZ448 - Portable Heaters - Camping World
Much quieter than the propane furnace and works well. I set the furnace thermostat in case this one couldn't keep up, but the furnace never came on. I used this in early December with nighttime temps in the 30's.

 

[roy-FUN]

Oil heaters work great. My wife didn't like the one we had and bought an expensive Dyson vertical electric heater. It's a fancy over priced piece IMO but she likes it. It ocilates back and forth and has a pretty good thermostat on it. It can be used as a fan in hot weather. Drawback on electric heaters is they pull no less than 12amps or 1500 watts so using when on a generator can get expensive in fuel consumption. If that's not an issue its a good alternative to the on board propane heater.

 

[Nwfunfinder]

Thanks Roy,
We bought a inexpensive oil heater and it's doing the job...just for storage...keeps it nice and warm and dry

 

[Janet H]

I use an old commercial milkhouse heater sort of like this one: Robot Check

Virtually indestructible and I've found that it keeps air moving a bit (hwich helps dry things out).

 

[chupp21]

The oil heater is a good choice. I have a cabin in the mountains and have one in each bathroom to keep the pipes and toilets from freezing. I keep them set at the lowest setting and they have been running for about 10 years without a problem. Heaters with fans will eventually wear and the fans can seize up so I feel much safer with the oil filled heater.

 

[Nwfunfinder]

Thanks everybody, the oil radiator is working beautifully and for only $39 so far so good... That's a good dry heat that has really dried out the camper nicely