recommend a replacement heater!??

[Lotus72]

Hi all,

Our 27 foot '70 Overlander's heater is dead and non-repairable. We need a replacement heater- any suggestions? We had a Suburban- what brands are both reliable AND affordable?


We have seen a wide range of prices. Is it really necessary to spend $800? We camp in this unit throughout the summer, but we are winterizing it soon.

Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks,

Andrew & Eve
Eugene, OR

[Aage]

The furnace in our trailer (it's the original one) needs to be replaced, although it can be coaxed in to working, but not reliably.

Like you, we don't do any winter camping, so to get us by until the time comes when I am ready to fork over the cash necessary to replace the furnace, I bought a small square electric (plug-in) heater with a small fan built in. It has a variable thermostat on it. Made in Canada, cost me $80 last fall.

Well, I completely surprised at how much heat that little box can throw. We don't plug it in on an extension cord, of course, and it's cord is just long enough to bring it to the door to the sleeping area of Henri (our AS, mid twin beds). It sits in the middle of the passageway,well away from any combustibles.

It keeps us plenty warm through any nights we have spent there this year and last, and I've never even been tempted to put the thermostat past half way. It can get down to 5°C at night in early spring or mid-fall.

So as they say, your mileage may vary, but it's a cheap enough experiment to try. But bring a good sleeping bag plus some extra wool blankets, just in case.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Lotus72

Hi all,

Our 27 foot '70 Overlander's heater is dead and non-repairable. We need a replacement heater- any suggestions? We had a Suburban- what brands are both reliable AND affordable?


We have seen a wide range of prices. Is it really necessary to spend $800? We camp in this unit throughout the summer, but we are winterizing it soon.

Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks,

Andrew & Eve
Eugene, OR

Since the original Suburban furnace only lasted 40 years, I think that speaks for itself.


Suburban is the way to go.

Andy

[Lotus72]

LOL- thanks, Andy. Yes, we are considering getting a Suburban. We have to find one that fits our unit.... and then get it up to Newport, Oregon, where our AS is having the old unit removed. Does I RV Center have one that fits out unit?

[wasagachris]

Hey Lotus 72 the original would have been a Suburban NT-32. Suurban manufactures three models that will fit. They are not as tall so you will have to build a platform to raise the furnace off the floor and you will be able to use the original holes in the exterior skin for intake and exhaust. The only differences will be the BTU. The range is from 30,000 to 40,000 BTU. You will have to do some modifications to the ducting as the new furnaces use round outlets. Here are the dimensions for these furnaces from Suburban's web site.

Model NumberNT-30SPNT-34SPNT-40

BTUH Input
Height
Width
Depth
Voltage
Amp. Draw
Ship Wt.
Unit Wt.
30,000
12 1/2"
12"
23"
12 VDC
4.5
40 lbs.
36 lbs.
34,000
12 1/2"
12"
23"
12 VDC
7.0
40 lbs.
36 lbs.
40,000
12 1/2"
12"
23"
12 VDC
8.5
40 lbs.
38 lbs.

Duct Outlet Size

Sides/Bottom
Bottom
4" Round
10" x 3 1/4"
4" Round
10" x 3 1/4"
4" Round
10" x 3 1/4"

[LI Pets]

Just found this deal nt-30sp $499

[tkasten]

We installed a new Suburban NT-30 in our 22' Safari and it puts out plenty of heat. Installation was pretty easy considering I had no experience prior....I paid $540 last fall. We considered a small electric heater but we boondock 90% of the time so the new furnace was the way to go for us.....Tim

[Aage]

Originally Posted by tkasten

We considered a small electric heater but we boondock 90% of the time so the new furnace was the way to go for us.....Tim

Tim,

I agree that a new furnace is the best answer, and that a heater like mine is a non-starter for boondocking, but you will see that the fan on your new furnace is a fairly heavy draw on your battery, so count on bringing a genny, too.

[mello mike]

If you camp or live in it when the temps fall below freezing, then a forced air furnace like you have is the way to go. However, if you like to boondock/dry camp when it gets chilly during the night (not freezing) then a catallytic heater would fit the bill. Cat heaters don't use 12v power, just propane and they put off lots of heat.

[tkasten]

Originally Posted by Aage

Tim,

I agree that a new furnace is the best answer, and that a heater like mine is a non-starter for boondocking, but you will see that the fan on your new furnace is a fairly heavy draw on your battery, so count on bringing a genny, too.

Aage,

We do carry a Honda 3000 for air but have not yet needed it in colder weather for the furnace. We use two Life line's wired together and run about 4.5 days when cold. We also have two life lines running just our Tele and Sat. and they draw a bunch more juice than the furnace fan. We also have replaced all lights with LED's which really helps. We do not intend to camp in the winter so between the batteries and genny we are pretty much covered. I am interested in the catallytic heater running on propane mentioned above. Sounds like just the ticket for boondocking.....Tim

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by tkasten

I am interested in the catalytic heater running on propane mentioned above. Sounds like just the ticket for boondocking.....Tim

Tim,
Here's some more info on the Olympian Cat Heaters:


Olympian Catalytic Heater - Wave Series on Sale

[Lotus72]

Hey all, thanks for the great feedback. The one we pulled was a NT-22A, which surprised us because we expected it to be the NT-32. We tried the space-heater idea this summer, when we wanted to camp and the heater broke during the trip, but we were not comfortable with the safety issues. We also read in the forums about the heating ducting helping to prevent pipes from freezing if camping during the winter.

So, we are going to suck it up.... and purchase a new one. We have spoken with Inland RV and 2 other options and now are contemplating what to do.

We will let you know later on this week, once we have chosen.... paid up and on the way to a heated RV.

Thanks again!

Eva & Andrew
Eugene, OR

[tkasten]

Mello Mike - thanks for the info on the Cat. Heaters. I am very interested....Tim