Furnace replacement recommendation

[douggant]

I have begun an interior renovation on a 1979 TradeWind. I have the kitchen cabinet out, revealing the original Suburban furnace. It works fine. But it's also 41 years old.

Any recommendations for a replacement unit?

[DiHrdBowTi]

Have you found a suitable replacement yet? I am also looking to replace my original suburban furnace in my 73 TW.

[perryg114]

If it works and there are no leaks in the heat exchanger then keep using it. I put a new NT20 in mine after messing with it for a while. Mud daubers and lady bugs can really screw them up. Put screens on the intake and exhaust whatever you do.


Perry

[Isuzusweet]

Replace old clunky, propane gorging, power hungry furnace with highly efficient vented catalytic propane heaters; that use anywhere from 1/8 th pound of propane an hour and .5 amps per hour for the vent fan.

http://www.ventedcatheater.com

You'll save space; no ducting, no noise, clean heat, no maintenance, and way more efficient, as they heat objects, not air.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS We're putting in a heated floor; a small Platinum Cat into the bathroom, and the bigger version on at the end of the kitchen cabinet, pointing towards the dinnette area in our 1978 6.7M Minuet. Between those two systems, it should keep her toasty warm.

[DiHrdBowTi]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Replace old clunky, propane gorging, power hungry furnace with highly efficient vented catalytic propane heaters; that use anywhere from 1/8 th pound of propane an hour and .5 amps per hour for the vent fan.

http://www.ventedcatheater.com

You'll save space; no ducting, no noise, clean heat, no maintenance, and way more efficient, as they heat objects, not air.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

PS We're putting in a heated floor; a small Platinum Cat into the bathroom, and the bigger version on at the end of the kitchen cabinet, pointing towards the dinnette area in our 1978 6.7M Minuet. Between those two systems, it should keep her toasty warm.

I've read that those don't help when winter camping and trying to keep water lines from freezing.

[n2916s]

If you look at the picture you attached to your post, you’ll see the round, central duct aimed straight down through the floor. That heat is provided to your tanks to help keep them from freezing.

So, if you plan on camping in freezing temps, you need to replace your forced air furnace rather than go with catalytic or space heaters.

I believe that PPL motor homes has pretty good prices on the NT 30 furnace...

[Isuzusweet]

Let's be realistic, how many people winter camp in a trailer with single pane glass, almost no insulation value, and a furnace that can't keep up with the heat loss?

If you really were to get serious about winter camping, you'd buy an all weather trailer, like a Lance or Oliver.

You could add tank heaters.........

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[douggant]

Thanks for the comments, folks.

I went with same-for-same replacement: A Suburban NT30. I considered catalytic, but we have very limited wall space, and yes, there is the issue of keeping tanks warm. I camp in cold weather *just enough* for that to be an issue.