Trailer Heat

[Mikboo]

I have set up my enclosed trailer to sleep in. We have a microwave, hot shower, toilet, gas grill, lights, O2 sensor, stereo.. everything you would need. One HUGE problem... the damn heater won't stay lit at anything above 4500'! We damn near froze to death up at Rabbit Ears & then again in Encampment.

What type of heaters are you using?? Make & model please.

I bought a nice wall mount propane blue flame garage heater from Menards. Puts out amazing heat at 3500'. (my driveway!) Shuts off at 8000'!The manufactuer says there's not enough oxygen at that altitude for the pilot to stay lit.

Any suggestions???
Thanks!

 

[mattymac]

I thought they have high altitude kits, (smaller orfices' in the jets) that you can install?

 

[skidooboy]

make sure to insulate the propane tanks from the cold. the tanks will freeze, condensate and not deliver lp under certain conditions. my idea is insulate the floor, make a 110 kit for the trailer, base board heat just above where the skis would rub on the edge of the trailer wall. run a 3000 waat generator from honda (super quiet). good to go. ski

 

[Mikboo]

That's what I thought too. I called the manufacturer & they said "no.. there's not enogh oxygen at that altitude to keep the pilot light going."

There has to be something. There's houses, labins & lodges at these altitudes!!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[hiherthanu]

Greenstar campers sells a kick a$$ suburban brand heater. I got mine there, works excellent at any altitude

 

[Mikboo]

Greenstar campers sells a kick a$$ suburban brand heater. I got mine there, works excellent at any altitude

Hahaha I just got off the phone with Greenstar and they said they had never been asked that question so they gave me the number to Suburban Manufacturing. They are Eastern Time zone, so I'll call them in the morning. Looks like that's the way we're gonna have to go.

The blue flame was so easy and convienent. We are trying to do this to save as much money on our trips as possible so we can go more than 5 times a year. At the begining of the year, our trips were averaging $500 each. Our last two trips were down to $150 each! (However, we were a little cold when the damn heater kept shutting off!)

Sleeping in the trailer cuts out all motel & bar costs. (which can be ridiculous in some areas) We are also trying to do this without a generator. We have been carrying one as backup and for when we run the microwave, but that's it. Generators = more fuel to buy. The generator also charges the batteries when needed. The truck can also charge the batteries tho. We want to be able to drive to the top of a pass & camp for three days w/o needing anything from anyone.

We are insulating the floor & walls next week, so that should help too.

Thanks for your input!

 

[CastleRocker]

You need an RV furnace or electric heat.

 

[rmkid937]

I have a 30,000 btu heater out of a cmper. Propane tank is outside. I have no problems with either. It has been -20 outside and I have set my thermostate at 70deg. and my heater has shut off and started again when temp dropped in trailer.

 

[Hotwatkins]

I bought a new 35k btu suburban furnace on ebay. Simple install and it is awesome. The thing works just like home. No problems at altitude.
I think this is the only way to go.

 

[Mikboo]

I bought a new 35k btu suburban furnace on ebay. Simple install and it is awesome. The thing works just like home. No problems at altitude.
I think this is the only way to go.

I am ordering a suburban furnace today. Seems like thats the only way to go.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[live2ride]

Part #??

Greenstar campers sells a kick a$$ suburban brand heater. I got mine there, works excellent at any altitude

Luke do you know the part #?? I found the furnaces on Greenstar, but don't remember which on you got!!!

 

[Weekday Warrior]

you got pic of your trailer, interested in seeing what you did for your shower and other stuff to stay in overnight.

 

[Mikboo]

you got pic of your trailer, interested in seeing what you did for your shower and other stuff to stay in overnight.

I'll try to get take some in the next couple of days and post them for you.

 

[heinracing]

im interested in the shower also and where do you store your water tank at?

 

[Kong]

Some of the heaters have an 0x sensor now. And at high altitude that causes a problem. Dbl check that isn't the problem with your unit. You should be able to disconnect the ox sensor if so.

 

[Mikboo]

Some of the heaters have an 0x sensor now. And at high altitude that causes a problem. Dbl check that isn't the problem with your unit. You should be able to disconnect the ox sensor if so.

That was the problem with that unit. I didn't know where the O2 sensor was so I am taking that heater back and getting the suburban furnace from Greenstar. I called the manufacturer and they guaranteed me that it would work at all altitudes.

 

[boxer]

You will like the 35k btu suburban furnace. I had mine for 4 years now in my trailer & it rocks!

 

[Viper5]

Did you have a chance to find some pics for us ?

 

[F-Bomb]

Mirage Trailer Corp in Nampa Idaho installed the Suburban system in our gooseneck sled trailer and it is AWESOME! I had a blue flame in there for the past couple of years and it just sucked. {of course I didn't know it because I didn't have anything to compare it with}

One week at Togwatee and at Jackson for hillclimb and no I do know!

NO CONTEST between the forced air furnace and the blue flame heater. NO SMELL, no feeling queezy the next morning, and a dry warm environment.

100% spend the money and time making your heat system forced air!

 

[TIM]

collapsible wood stove?
they have them for hunting camps.
just thinking out loud.

tim