'74 Tradewind Furnace Relocation?

[Roadrunner]

On the "74" Tradewinds did the original furnace sit under the sink and duct towards the front of the trailer? The PO had a dinette built in ours and the duct blows right into the side of the dinette. I'm wondering if the furnace can be replaced and turned so it blows out the front toward the door. Seems like this would be more efficient. Thanks!

Bob

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

[azflycaster]

Why not move the duct and use a flex hose to attach it to the furnace? The back of the furnace has to attach to the outside wall of the trailer, turning it would not work.

[Lumatic]

I am not an expert but I think the furnace is designed for a certain amount of resisitance. Having a furnace blow directly out with no resistance may not be good for the furnace. The discharge into the dinette was factory. There is another discharge to the rear of the trailer. Also the ducts keep the plumbing and tanks from freezing.

[TG Twinkie]

Why not put a defuser that would direct the air toward the aisle?

[Tom Nugler]

The furnace blows downward into the ductwork. You can't move or replace the furnace without modifying the whole works.
I had the original register left after I built my dinette and built a curved adapter to fit the outlet at the side of the cabinet to blow out from under the dinette bench seat.
I should have done more checking of the furnace itself. It had a bad heat exchanger.
We've found that we can keep the trailer warm enough with an electric ceramic heater.

Tom

[Roadrunner]

I understand the furnace must stay in the same position to connect to exterior vents. Is there any reason why I couldn't use one of the optional holes on the furnace and run flexible venting to a round or square vent on the front. I'm hesitant to run it out from under the dinette as people sitting there will have their legs cooked. I'm sure there is a way...and since I'm rebuilding the cabinets I can really put the vent anywhere I want.
Thanks!

Bob

[Flynavy]

When I rebuilt my 74 last year I ran up against the same problem you have. Decided the only practical solution would be to extend the duct onto the floor with a sweep and cover the sweep with a box. This would raise the floor about 3" to hide the sweep but that space is used for trash can or shoes anyway so nothing is really lost.

In the end I wound up taking out the furnace altogeather. The heat exchanger was badly rusted, an old recall was never performed, and the cost of a new furnace was pretty high. Now we just use an electric ceramic heater which is ok for taking the chill off. Of course we lose the ducting of heat to the tanks but the trailer is put away by the time it gets that cold.

[Lumatic]

Do yourself a favor and get rid of the old furnace. You can't get parts or find anyone to work on them and the new ones are much better.

The new Suburban furnaces do not have to have a downdraft discharge although they can. As you mentioned there are 4 factory side discharge outlets. I see no reason why you can't use one or more connected to flexible ductwork to a new or existing vent.

[Roadrunner]

Lumatic...that is exactly what I am going to do...replace the Suburban furnace while I tear out and rebuild the galley. I will also reposition/redirect the heat vent. Not sure at this point what Suburban to order as replacement.

Bob

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

Not sure at this point what Suburban to order as replacement.

Bob

Which one did your TT originally come with, Bob? An NT-22?

[Roadrunner]

Aage...that is correct. The service manual indicates it is a Suburban Dyna-Trail Model NT-22A.

Bob

[louaxtjr]

Bob,

If you still have the NT-22A, and would like rid of it, I would be interested in purchasing the pilot assembly, or the whole thing if you prefer. I am trying to gather some spare parts for mine. Thanks.

Lou

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

Aage...that is correct. The service manual indicates it is a Suburban Dyna-Trail Model NT-22A.

Bob

So that settles what furnace you need; they still make an NT-22, AFAIK. As for venting, as has already been pointed out, to move or re-position the furnace is not simple.

If it's like the setup in my '74 Sov, the furnace sits on a metal box, called a plenum. The plenum has two outlets at floor level, one that heads off to the rest of the trailer and includes going through the floor to wamr the waste tanks and fresh water tank, the other to heat the lounge area.

I have no idea what you intend for the cabinetry, so here's a thought: draw it out and post it so we can make comments on what you want to do. You have already had good suggestions for re-routing the hot air vents, maybe when we see your plan it will be more obvious than just a discussion could be.

Does that make sense?

[Roadrunner]

Aage...makes sense to me. Just got trailer home and work about to begin.

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA - 5
WBCCI 4871