Propane furnace boondocking

[ctm404]

We just bought our Interstate Grand Tour and are about to take it out on a quick maiden-voyage test run. Our first time out will be boondocking because it's Labor Day weekend and we didn't plan for this!

It will be chilly at night (40s) so I'm looking for tips on what to expect from the propane furnace. Would really appreciate any suggestions on where to set the thermostat, and how much propane we should expect to run through in a couple of nights?

Thanks!!

[Wayne&Sam]

It's all going to depend on how warm you like it. We like to sleep cool/cold.

We don't run the heat when we're sleeping unless it gets way colder than the 40s. Kick the heat on when we first wake up, and the trailer is warm in a few minutes.

I wouldn't think you'd run out of propane no matter how much you run the heat in a couple of days.

When we have shore power we use a small electric heater. We'll heat the place up with the propane heater and then maintain the temperature with the electric heater.

You'll just have to find out this weekend what your usage is.

[Rig Rat]

Originally Posted by ctm404

We just bought our Interstate Grand Tour and are about to take it out on a quick maiden-voyage test run. Our first time out will be boondocking because it's Labor Day weekend and we didn't plan for this!

It will be chilly at night (40s) so I'm looking for tips on what to expect from the propane furnace. Would really appreciate any suggestions on where to set the thermostat, and how much propane we should expect to run through in a couple of nights?

Thanks!!

************************************************** *
NTW about using too much propane with the heater. Only the generator gulps it! You will not have any issues w/running out over the holiday weekend!

I'm in the same camp as Wayne n Sam....cooler for sleeping is better

We set our thermostat to heat at 55, but then we call it a night in sleeping bags too!

Enjoy the journey, you'll figure out what works best for you!

[Lotus54]

I know the older Interstates have a tiny propane tank, and I speculate the newer ones do also.
But depending on how much other propane you use, I would think you will have plenty.
My old furnace uses quite a bit of electrical power to run the fan, and I think you have a compressor (electric only) fridge? So keep an eye on your battery levels. I think all the newer ones have solar panels (?) so perhaps parking in a place where they can help recharge battery?

I fit an Espar diesel heater to use when cold. It takes very, very little fuel and little Watts either. But it is common for me to use it when in the low 40s to upper 30s.

Of course, you are just looking for this weekend- but just things to think about - although perhaps none will apply.

[ctm404]

Thank you all - really helpful!

I'm thinking off-grid fridge use will be a cooler -- keeping that furnace fan juiced is more important. I can sleep through an arctic winter or a georgia summer, but my partner in crime can't sleep if she's cold!

[richard5933]

The propane will go lots further than your batteries. Make sure that your batteries are fully charged and in good condition, as the fan motor will tax them.

[Titus]

We only use the furnace to warm the Interstate before getting up in the morning. So it runs for an hour at absolute most on the cool/cold (< 45 degree) nights/mornings. Over the course of appx 30 days of Interstate usage per year we use the furnace ~ 5 hours per year, the generator ~ 5 hours per year, and a stove burner ~ 10 hours per year. With this minimal usage we fill the propane tank appx every other year.

I can't tell that the furnace blower has any impact on battery SOC with this minimal usage.

[Major_Tom]

Originally Posted by ctm404

We just bought our Interstate Grand Tour and are about to take it out on a quick maiden-voyage test run. Our first time out will be boondocking because it's Labor Day weekend and we didn't plan for this!

It will be chilly at night (40s) so I'm looking for tips on what to expect from the propane furnace. Would really appreciate any suggestions on where to set the thermostat, and how much propane we should expect to run through in a couple of nights?

Thanks!!

We boondock a lot. We once stayed a week in the mountains of Colorado at a National Forest campground where the high temps varied from 20 to 25 degrees and lows at night were in the mid teens. There was also 8” of snow. We used up one tank of propane for furnace and cooking. We set the thermostat to the low 50s at night, warm up to 60 when we get up and then lower it to 50 during the day. Set it back to 60 in the evening before bed.

[Airlock]

In my experience, the amount of propane one uses when out camping is minimal, unless the genset is needed.

My biggest concern had been (until I converted to 200amp hrs of lithium battery power and 300 watts of solar) that the wimpy 92 amp hr batteries that come on older AI will seriously drain overnight. First thing I'd do in the morning would be to check the battery level. Always below 50% charge and the 100W solar panel was not enough to keep up with what the AI was using during the day. It was always a huge concern and, to me, very stressful.

So, don't stress about the propane, it's the ability of the batteries to keep up with just normal use when off grid.

[Titus]

"We once stayed a week in the mountains of Colorado at a National Forest campground where the high temps varied from 20 to 25 degrees and lows at night were in the mid teens."

How did you keep the tanks from freezing when it was below freezing for a week? The batteries would not power the heaters for very long without running the generator to recharge them, and the generator that would consume far more propane than would the furnace.

[Major_Tom]

Originally Posted by Titus

"We once stayed a week in the mountains of Colorado at a National Forest campground where the high temps varied from 20 to 25 degrees and lows at night were in the mid teens."

How did you keep the tanks from freezing when it was below freezing for a week? The batteries would not power the heaters for very long without running the generator to recharge them, and the generator that would consume far more propane than would the furnace.

The propane furnace routes the forced hot air around the tanks to keep them from freezing. I also wrapped the gray and black dump lines with insulation and heat tape. However, I never noticed that the heat tape was activated by its thermostat.
I set the thermostat to 40/45 during the day when we were out to keep lines from freezing.
I have a gasoline generator that I had to run an hour or so a day. The solar panels didn’t get enough sun to keep the batteries charged (even though I kept the snow swept off) - shade from trees/low sun angle/etc. I used about 5 gals of gasoline in the generator that week.

[100954]

Propane tanks are not going to freeze in those temps. Not even close.

[AlbertF]

This is about the water and wastewater tanks. Most Airstream furnaces have ducts to direct warm air to keep the tanks from freezing. A few older models - the tandem axle 22’ trailers come to mind - have 12v heating pads on the tanks.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

This is about the water and wastewater tanks. Most Airstream furnaces have ducts to direct warm air to keep the tanks from freezing. A few older models - the tandem axle 22’ trailers come to mind - have 12v heating pads on the tanks.

Right, but this is an Interstate thread, and Airstream’s Class B / C campers don’t get that warm air treatment for the tanks.

[Mansderm161]

First night boondocking is a real test. I have 2018, bought new, and could not boondock. If fridge is on, batteries drain in one night. But see what yours do. I don't know what energy package you have. If really worried boondock in an area you have the option to plug in or (what I used to do) set alarm around midnight and check batteries. The heat doesn't use much propane but it wakes you up when it kicks on. I ended up going with a solar lithium package and it was life changing. Depends on how you plan to camp or glamp

[Mansderm161]

As far as freezing tanks. I always check weather reports. It takes a sustained temp below freezing to worry. You can always add antifreeze to gray and black. Also drain fresh water and use bottled water. There are heated hoses if you want a water supply but sometimes yo can't get the hose off when ready to go because it's frozen to the brass spigot. Of course that means too that you had electric to heat the hose. Also look underneath and make sure your tank heaters are firmly attached. They loosen up frequently. airstream has reglued mine twice and finally duct taped them. If you can keep the cabin fairly warm, you should be ok because you don't have the greatest insulation and some heat will radiate thru the floor. Prevention is always best. A water line problem is a mess.