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Old 11-17-2015, 11:53 AM   #21
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Well I don't have an accurate measurement yet. This was a spur of the moment idea that has been tossed around a few times.

You would be gaining 4.2 gallons of propane. The 30# tanks hold 7.2 gallons of propane and the 40# tanks hold 9.3 gallons of propane. I don't think that amount is worth the upgrade cost.

What I don't know is, how much propane the furnace burns in a given interval.

We have cut reflectix for all of the windows, the door, the sky lights, the fans. I even lined the entire wall along our bed. The storage compartment is lined. And I have lined some other areas that seemed drafty.

What I noticed is I filled up one tank and topped off another in Sedona, and then had to refill one tank last week. So that's about 2 1/2 weeks for one tank. Not sure if that's normal or what.

I was going to keep a log book of our furnace use and refill schedule to see if I can create a picture.

We have heavy down comforters. But with the wind blowing up to 50mph gusts out here this week, I think the Airstream is cooling down faster either way at night. Aluminum is thermally conductive.
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:04 PM   #22
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Quote:
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A rear ender could be a big bang experience with a propane tank at the back of the tow vehicle
Wouldn't have to be at the rear, it could be up front wher any auxiliary tank would be placed. Not for me but the op was asking for ideas.
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Old 11-17-2015, 12:13 PM   #23
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A good cheap carrier for 30 lb tank is an old plastic milk crate, not the flimsy ones the real ones that are not used for milk bottles any more, I buy them at Goodwill for about $2 each have several that I carry in my pickup with various "just in case" stuff.
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:09 PM   #24
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I find this info useful.
http://www.missiongas.com/lpgascylinders.htm
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:20 PM   #25
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I don't run a cap on my truck, so the idea of a propane tank sitting in the back won't work for me. But thanks for the ideas.
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:34 PM   #26
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Boondocking Airstream: Upgrade to 40lb Tanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldAdventure View Post
Well I don't have an accurate measurement yet. This was a spur of the moment idea that has been tossed around a few times.

You would be gaining 4.2 gallons of propane. The 30# tanks hold 7.2 gallons of propane and the 40# tanks hold 9.3 gallons of propane. I don't think that amount is worth the upgrade cost.

What I don't know is, how much propane the furnace burns in a given interval.

We have cut reflectix for all of the windows, the door, the sky lights, the fans. I even lined the entire wall along our bed. The storage compartment is lined. And I have lined some other areas that seemed drafty.

What I noticed is I filled up one tank and topped off another in Sedona, and then had to refill one tank last week. So that's about 2 1/2 weeks for one tank. Not sure if that's normal or what.

I was going to keep a log book of our furnace use and refill schedule to see if I can create a picture.

We have heavy down comforters. But with the wind blowing up to 50mph gusts out here this week, I think the Airstream is cooling down faster either way at night. Aluminum is thermally conductive.
Wind chill is not applicable to aluminum.... Only ambient temp and sun change the temp of metals.
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:43 PM   #27
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Well this is cold.
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:45 PM   #28
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I agree, that looks pretty cold!
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Old 11-17-2015, 01:46 PM   #29
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I'm in sunny Quartzsite Az, it's 80 and sunny, you're welcome to come on down!
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Old 11-17-2015, 02:52 PM   #30
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I have a 30 ft. Airstream with 40 lb. tanks and I cannon see that they made any modifications beside the hold down and cover. I went from 30 lb. to 40 and it sure made a difference on how long they last. Got home with out filling and would of had to fill with 30s.
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Old 11-17-2015, 03:24 PM   #31
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If a spare tank or two in the truck is the way you go, I would suggest you consider getting 20 lb tanks.

You can find many more trade-in kiosks than bulk fill places and all the trade-in places deal with nothing but 20 lb tanks.

+1 for the milk crate carrier.


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Old 11-17-2015, 03:30 PM   #32
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In our previous motor home we spent one Christmas in St Charles, MO. & the temp dropped to 4 degrees on Xmass Eve. I remember using a tremendous amount of propane in the 10 days we were there. The MH with 4 slide outs was a lot more to heat than my AS, but the point being the furnace loves propane & in addition we had a couple electric space heaters going & all the lower cabinet doors open to circulate the heat. So I guess if boondocking in cold weather, the more propane the better.
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Old 11-17-2015, 05:29 PM   #33
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I carry a 20# tank for my grill, but it is a backup just in case the 2 30# bottles run empty. I carry the 20# tank in a milk carton which keeps it upright and use a cable with padlock to keep it from walking away.

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Old 11-17-2015, 06:41 PM   #34
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> So that's about 2 1/2 weeks for one tank

With furnace use that sounds about right. We normally get ~3 weeks on a tank just dry camping. (And using it for cooking 2 meals a day)
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Old 11-18-2015, 10:46 PM   #35
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We used the Airstream's gas heater for only a month last winter in Texas and found it to be pretty much useless, so we tore it completely out and gained a lot of storage. In fact we shall gain a little bit more storage when we pull out some of the old ducts under the couch. We used a few blankets, a quilt and flannel sheets. We bought a little electric heater, ranges 750 to 1250, maybe 1500 watts, and that is enough. Of course if you are boondocking that won't work for you. Look at "Mr Heater", it's a small propane heater. My daughter is going to sell hers to us for when we are boondocking at King of the Hammer 2016. She says that they make even a tent toasty on 20 degree nights.

Chris is always hot and I am always cold, so I make it a point to wear long underwear, thick socks, and sweaters during the day, we don't need much heat then for him. At night I get all the covers and him a sheet and we don't need any heat at all. This year we came back to our California house early and it's still warm here, 75 degree days. Deserts are always windy and cold during the winter, not the place you want to boondock unless you can park sheltered inside of a slot canyon, and since we are guaranteed rain in a big way this winter, you DON'T want to park in a slot canyon! Pick another place to winter is what I'd do.
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Old 11-19-2015, 04:31 AM   #36
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Usually the gas heáters will work very well. Sorry you had a problem with yours. Those electric heaters work good as long as you have hookups or a generater.
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Old 11-20-2015, 03:15 AM   #37
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Using a portable gas heater inside a trailer requires a lot of ventilation to prevent death from CO poisoning. The factory heater is technically outside as the combustion air and exhaust are sourced and expelled outside the living compartment.

One needs to have outside air coming inane out regardless of the heat source to prevent condensation inside the trailer on the walls from breathing which could run down to the floor and start that issue.
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Old 11-20-2015, 08:19 AM   #38
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Bold what temps are you seeing overnight and what are you setting as a temp on the furnace? I went through about one tank last week while down in Las Vegas NM. Overnight temps were in the teens and I set the inside temp for 50. Ran it a bit during the day in the morning until sun heating kicked in. Daytime temps were in the 50-60 range. So about 1-1.5 gallons per day in usage.
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Old 11-20-2015, 09:21 AM   #39
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Catalytic heaters don't produce carbon monoxide, but they do consume oxygen and require fresh air venting. The newer models have low oxygen sensors and will shutoff should the levels drop precariously. For me, I could/would not sleep with one running, but would use one to heat up the living space in the mornings or the evening right before retiring.
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Old 11-20-2015, 10:21 AM   #40
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Bold what temps are you seeing overnight and what are you setting as a temp on the furnace? I went through about one tank last week while down in Las Vegas NM. Overnight temps were in the teens and I set the inside temp for 50. Ran it a bit during the day in the morning until sun heating kicked in. Daytime temps were in the 50-60 range. So about 1-1.5 gallons per day in usage.
Last week was the cold snap with it dipping down into to 39 each night.

It's starting to warm up. Night before last was 48 and last night it got only down to 50. Rest of the week is mild and I'm moving to Yuma tomorrow anyhow.

We keep our furnace at 62, because of little ones (two under 2) who can't have heavy blankets on them yet for suffocation reasons.

So we emptied one tank before the furnace failed in about a 7 days. We've been here for 3 weeks Saturday. And that was during the cold snap.
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