Suburban furnace for heating under the fifthwheel

[Wrknrvr]

   We are both sorta bored with the South for winter travels. So we are planning on staying in Montana next winter.

 

 No I do not need to be in a mental institution. Yet

 

  So the other day I got a Suburban furnace as a benefit of a rv job. So I got a idea to close in the fifthwheel with 4” styrofoam and maybe install that Suburban furnace at the back of the fifthwheel so that it will heat the area under the  fifthwheel. With 12vdc power, thermostat and propane tank at the rear of the fifthwheel we mite feel warm.

 

 Back in late October we had 0 degrees before we left for Arizona. I have worked outside at 20 below so why not. 

 

 Just thinking,   Vern

[Darryl&Rita]

With a big enough propane tank, why not? If you run the whole trailer off a large, horizontal tank, you should be able to keep enough vapour pressure to run everything. Don't forget that at -44 farenheit, you won't get any vapour, so look at insulating and heating the tank. 

ETA: Not my cup of tea, but have at it.

Edited January 9, 2020 by Darryl&Rita

[Ray,IN]

expect the heat underneath to cause moisture collection on metal, especially if the furnace is not vented to the outside-exactly like your built-in furnace. LP when burned emits water vapor. Also, there is the issue of exhaust fumes to consider.

Take care and do it right.            

[KodiakJack]

We used hay bales as both skirting and insulation, and added a few heat-lamps borrowed from our bird's roost shelter and nothing froze up.  That said, hay is not a good combination with a propane fired furnace so you might consider making a shelter for the furnace and ducting some heat to where it is needed.

Later,

J

[Wrknrvr]

This is my thinking how it may be installed. In this area but not sitting on a plastic step

 

There is some thought needs to be worked out. But it gives me something to think about. Maybe run ducts toward s kitchen area?

  I do have a Aquahot system in the fifthwheel that can operate on off road fuel. 55 gallon drum for storage tank in Montana. The truck holds 300 gallons of fuel And two regular propane furnaces in the fifthwheel.

 

  Vern

Edited January 9, 2020 by Wrknrvr

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

One item to consider, is to put down a layer of plastic and put your insulation board on it as well.  Box area in, tape the seams on the inside and outside.  We know several people that live in the Bismark ND KOA year round.  The use the pink or blue 4" insulation board, line the area with plastic, and most use a small electric heater underneath.  Make sure to box in and heat your sewer and water as well.

Many folks swear by this heated hose up there as well.  https://nofreezewaterhose.com/pages/about-us 

As long as the furnace exhaust is outside the wall, go for it.

[sandsys]

2 hours ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

As long as the furnace exhaust is outside the wall, go for it.

Of course, you want to keep that exhaust away from the door and whatever windows you open for ventilation as well.

I'm sure Wrknrvr knows that but newbies reading this posting may not think of it.

Linda

Edited January 10, 2020 by sandsys

[Sehc]

My suburban propane furnace burns very clean. The exhaust is near the side door. No problem. I would use plywood in the area of the furnace. They do get too hot for foam and plastics.