I use my trailer in the winter time and was concerened about how you all heat your trailer when the temps get below freezing without winterizing the trailer. I heard that some people put a space heater in the trailer bit I am afraid of a fire. Or would you leave the furnace on at night when it gets below freezing.
Posted 2011-11-28 10:30 PM (#139172 - in reply to #139169) Subject: RE: heating trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The ceramic heaters are less expensive to purchase and run than your LQ furnace. They are also maintenance free. As was stated, their thermostats enable you to select an interior temp that you want to maintain. One small heater can easily heat a moderatly sized LQ.
Make sure to keep all the cupboard and bath room doors open to allow a warm air flow. You will have to make sure any pipes running under the interior flooring, are warm enough to avoid freezing. Many floors and bulk heads are not well insulated, and cold outside temps can rapidly cool them. A split hidden pipe can be costly to replace.
If a warm interior cannot maintain a warm floor, you may have to purge the system or add anitfreeze to your plumbing. If you consistently use your trailer in freezing temps, it's much less expensive and quicker to purge the system with air, and blow the water from the lines, than it is to continually add antifreeze and then flush it with water.
Empty the holding tanks as soon as possible, and add some RV antifreeze to them whilst in storage and before they are used.
Posted 2011-11-29 1:24 PM (#139183 - in reply to #139169) Subject: RE: heating trailer
Member
Posts: 36 Location: The Natural State
We've had great luck with an oil filled heater, produces radiant heat with virtually no chance of a fire since everything is completely contained. We are in Arkansas but had many nights in the single digits during the 3 years we used it in the LQ. I did put non-toxic RV antifreeze in the sink and shower drain traps just to be on the safe side, but did not winterize. Heaters are sold at wally world and other big box stores for less than $40. One brand we've used is called Pelonis. You can google and see what they look like. Also use them in the well house. LOVE THEM!
Posted 2011-11-29 8:41 PM (#139191 - in reply to #139183) Subject: RE: heating trailer
Expert
Posts: 2614
it will be in the 20's tonight in Arkansas for the first time since last winter.Our LQ is still here in our yard (we keep it stored in a tractor shed away from our home property) and just to be on the safe side,we opened up the faucets and drained the holding tank completely,drained the water heater,and have a thermostat controlled heater inside with the cabinet doors open as Gard suggested.We camped in it this past weekend,and,never used the furnace or heat strip,just this ceramic heater.The furnace gets it to a suffocating temp,and,the heat strip runs constantly without shutting off.We found that the heater works just fine! With the gas furnace,seems it's either/or,too hot or gets too cold before it kicks back on.I like using the small heater a lot better.
heating trailer
