Winter Camping & LP Use in RV's

Well the cold winter months are here and I thought this would be a good time to talk about your RV’s LP gas system, since it is the primary source for heating your RV.

LP gas is a camper’s best friend. It provides us with warmth on a chilly day, hot water to shower with, cold food in the refrigerator and the capability to cook on the road the same way you do when you’re at home. When we need it it’s there, instantly providing us with all of the amenities and creature comforts we are accustomed to. We don’t even think about it; it’s taken for granted that when you push that button, like magic it responds to your demands.

The best source for heat in your RV is to use the forced air furnace. There are a couple of things you need to be aware of when you use the RV furnace. First of all it will consume more LP gas than any of the other LP gas fired appliances. The LP tank or cylinders should be full before leaving on your trip, and you will need to monitor the LP gas supply carefully during your stay. Second, if you are not plugged into an electrical supply the furnace fan can quickly drain the auxiliary battery(s). Batteries that are not fully charged in cold temperatures can freeze, resulting in not being able to use the RV furnace. I recommend that you plan your stay where you have access to an electrical supply when camping in cold weather. When we travel in cold weather, and are plugged into electricity, we set the forced air furnace on a low setting, around 55 or 60 degrees, and supplement the heat with a thermostatically controlled ceramic heater. These heaters work extremely well and you don’t need to be concerned about a fire or carbon monoxide.
Caution: Carbon monoxide is deadly. You cannot see it, taste it or smell it. NEVER use your range burners or oven as a source of heat. If your RV is not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector you should purchase a battery operated model [www.transducertech.com look for Pocket CO under products] designed for use in RV’s. Always test the carbon monoxide detector for proper operation before each trip.