I am just now starting to do research in the hopes of making a good choice when I get my first LQ trailer next year. I am very glad I found this site and have been pouring over it for days.  I must say I'm a bit overwhelmed by everything I have to learn. 

One of the things I've decided is I don't want to bother with an AC but heat is a must. I live in an area that gets quite cold and want to make sure my spring and fall weekend getaways are as comfortable as possible. Which is better, a heat strip or a furnace?

In my initial research I have found that some trailer makers don't put  a furnace in their trailers unless they have a 8' short wall or longer. I'm going to be shopping for a trailer with a 6' sw, no bigger.

 What are some of the trailer makers that will put a furnace in a trailer of that size?

Another thing...where I camp, generators are really frowned upon.  A lot of people are switching over to solar panels. I don't require a microwave or TV but I wonder if the solar panels are enough to charge the batteries so I can run a propane furnace. Anyone have experience with solar?

I too agree an AC unit is awesome on those humid summer afternoons when you just need a shower, hot dog, cold beer and a nap J 

Frankly we carry a generator and I will run it if rules allow as needed, I bought the Yamaha EF2400 which is perfect for AC, coffee and charging the batteries. 

I would prefer the gas furnace over the heat tape.  Propane tanks between heat and fridge lasts a long time.  (Yes we had the humidity switch in the wrong position once too) 

Our LQ has three 12v batteries two for the house and one dedicated to the electric jack. 

I would also recommend the larger fridge if possible Top freezer and bottom refer make all the diff. 

So much to consider.  We searched for ever and finally after painful trips far away we finally pulled the trigger on a used trailer.  So good luck and ask lots of questions. 

Barbwire,

Definately get the furnace, the heat strips just don't cut it if it's cold outside. If you are buying new and don't want to get an air conditioner, at least have the trailer framed and wired for the AC. Like a previous poster mentioned, it will help at time of resale. 

Many trailer manufacturers and conversion companies do put furnaces in "weekender" living quarters.  I have a 6.5 foot LQ Featherlite with a furnace. My conversion happens to be a private conversion, but Featherlite does do factory conversions (for the same sized LQ) with furnaces.

The newer solar panels work well.  I don't have solar panels, but am considering them.  I have a small very quiet generator that I can run during the day to charge the batteries if I need to.  I place it in the back of the trailer with the exhaust pointing out the open back door.  It's barely audible.  Whether you have the solar or not, the key will be your batteries.  You will need at least two of them, preferably the big six volt ones hooked in series.  In that small of a LQ, a propane furnace won't have to run very much.  Even set at 55 degrees, the bunk area gets hot fast as soon as the furnace kicks on.

I understand the no microwave requirement.  I store toilet paper in my microware and use the propane stove to heat my water for coffee. However, if you are going new, if you have the microwave box and wiring put in, it would be good for resale.  If you find the open space objectionable, you could have a cabinet door installed.

The small, inexpensive 110 V ceramic heaters work better than heat strips. The propane heaters are not physically very large, and can fit into LQs of almost any size. Here's one that would heat a fairly large LQ. A properly sized one for a 4' LQ would be much smaller.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-furnaces/camper-heaters.htm