Trailer Heaters

[Stucks Dad]

I have been shopping for a new trailer. Featherlite will install LP tanks on the outside of the V just like shown in BLIZARDICE's photo. The only other option they offer is to install them INSIDE the trailer in a sealed compartment that is vented to the outside. Essentially it is a generator compartment that is open on the bottom and has a vented door on the exterior. LP is heavier than air and will sink. They would not install an RV style permanantly mounted tank underneath the trailer.

The only good non LP gas solution I have found is the Espar heater. They burn diesel or kerosene and are vented to the outside. Only bad thing is cost. They are more expensive than an RV style LP furnace. http://www.espar.com/html/products/airheaters.html

 

[Boondocker-1]

Like bagger said, check the old forums. The heater in your truck doesnt just work off of batteries anyways.

How do you check the old forums?

 

[Wyoming T/A]

this is my set up and works perfect

 

[RMSHA109]

Lennox

I must say that being a heating contractor and a hillclimbracer have come in very handy in the trailer furnace set ups. I have sold many forced air gas furnaces that are the real deal not cheap vent free heaters. Your Local Lennox dealer can sell you a furnace up to 75,000 btus for around 800 dollars without propane kit. The lennox heater is very compact and puts real good heat out. You must use power inverter or generator to operate. They can be put on a standard non mercury thermastat just like your house and you can evan run the fan only to remove exhaust fumes if needed. Nothen like keeping your sled at a balmy 70 all winter. I have also sleept in my trailer during races before just like home. If close to south east Idaho let me know I can set you up. The units also come in 30,000 and 45,000 btu as well.

 

[BLIZZARDICE]

Blizzardice...where did you get the mount for the propane tanks?

Custom made I am afraid, and the guy who built is is busy doing some
2coolVent thing he is into.

Still one of the best mods to the trailer if not the best I have found.

 

[rednytro]

i have the exact same set up as Wyoming T/A , but my tanks are mounted on the out side with a spliter and a change over valve so when one tank runs out i have a full one ready to go . As for powering this set up i have a 12v battery under the trailer hooked up to and inverter so when youre parked at the hotel all you do is run an extension cord to youre trailer and it runs the heater and charges youre battries over night . The only thing that im not happy with is when any chev or gmc truck pulls my trailer it will not charge up the batteries , i think it has to do with the way gm wires there trailer plugs i . The whole set up brand new cost about 750 $ and was really worth it .

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

this is my set up and works perfect

That tank mounted inside might just end up going BOOM in the night on you there TA. Be careful.

I think I'll mount them like Blizzardice has his. (Looks great!)
I asked this old RV guy about plumbing the vent to the outside and he warned me that for one, It's still not safe and two, If it did catch fire and total the trailer and everything inside the insurance would not cover it because it would be out of code. I would eat the loss completely.

I don't stay at motels when I ride so I can't plug in anywhere.
I would be installing heat so I could use the trailer for an overnighter now and then in the snow park.

 

[rednytro]

so just wondering why on hitch pull trailers do they keep the propane tanks out side of the trailers yet on 5th wheel trailers there always kept in the trailer ?

 

[Wyoming T/A]

That tank mounted inside might just end up going BOOM in the night on you there TA. Be careful.

I think I'll mount them like Blizzardice has his. (Looks great!)
I asked this old RV guy about plumbing the vent to the outside and he warned me that for one, It's still not safe and two, If it did catch fire and total the trailer and everything inside the insurance would not cover it because it would be out of code. I would eat the loss completely.

I don't stay at motels when I ride so I can't plug in anywhere.
I would be installing heat so I could use the trailer for an overnighter now and then in the snow park.

first the heater draws outside combustion air, 2nd the heater is only used while we are getting ready or returning from a ride, 3rd its got to be safer than those heaters with exposed flame sitting on top of the propane tank..i think its real safe,,i also talked to local propane dealer and he agreed with me ,seeing no problem..

 

[noob]

i have the exact same set up as Wyoming T/A , but my tanks are mounted on the out side with a spliter and a change over valve so when one tank runs out i have a full one ready to go . As for powering this set up i have a 12v battery under the trailer hooked up to and inverter so when youre parked at the hotel all you do is run an extension cord to youre trailer and it runs the heater and charges youre battries over night . The only thing that im not happy with is when any chev or gmc truck pulls my trailer it will not charge up the batteries , i think it has to do with the way gm wires there trailer plugs i . The whole set up brand new cost about 750 $ and was really worth it .

I had an rv place jimmy my truck up so it would charge my batts when driving. 2005 duramax.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

first the heater draws outside combustion air,

2nd the heater is only used while we are getting ready or returning from a ride,

3rd its got to be safer than those heaters with exposed flame sitting on top of the propane tank..i think its real safe,,i also talked to local propane dealer and he agreed with me ,seeing no problem..

Very true on almost all issues. No-one is arguing with you here about the forced air being the way to go if you have access to either 12 volt or 110.

And yes they are hands down much safer than those heaters that mount on top of the tanks. No question...I dont think anyone here ever even mentioned one of those.

BUT...If you fill the tank completely at a lower elevation then drive up a few thousand feet where the air pressure is much thinner and then heat the air around the tank the gas will have to expand somewhere. That's what the pressure valve is there for.

I plan to stay overnight in the trailer and the last thing I want to hear as I settle in for the night in a nice cozy bed is the damn vent releasing pressure into the trailer with that blue flame convection heater burning away 4 feet from my bed.

 

[Midge907]

Its a legitamate concern , but I would have to completely crush my bumper and part of my quarter panel before my tank would be in jeopardy.

Yours is the second set of pictures I've seen with the tank mounted in that spot.
I'm a little concerned about what would happen in a jacknife situation though.

I can't load it on the tongue with the interstate that I have. The tongue is WAY too short and it would interfere with the front ramp although I am concidering making the front of the trailer a "Living area" so I wouldn't be using the front ramp at all.
Thank god for RER !!!

I am also thinking about just setting the tank outside on the ground and run a hose through the floor to a wall mounted blue flame heater.
I wonder if some jerk might mess with it or steal it while I was out riding though.
I guess I could always chain it to the frame or something.