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Old 11-15-2015, 09:10 PM   #1
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Run Basement/Propane Heat while driving?

Is it safe to run your basement furnace to heat the water bay and coach while driving?
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Old 11-15-2015, 09:18 PM   #2
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Yes, it's safe.
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Old 11-16-2015, 03:26 AM   #3
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Just remember to turn it off before stopping to refuel.
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Old 11-16-2015, 07:21 AM   #4
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I have done it. BUT the manual says don't do it.
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Old 11-16-2015, 10:33 AM   #5
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The manuals generally say to turn off the propane at the tank before you travel. I have only turned off my tank when the law says I must (tunnels, etc.) in more than 15 years of RVing ... and I personally know of only 1 person who turns the LP off at the tank when they travel!

The LP furnace in today's motorhomes are a "closed combustion chamber" design ... these are much less dangerous than the old "open" combustion chambers that used to be in stick and brick homes years ago.

So, unless you are one of those folks who turns their LP off at the tank ... I don't think you will be increasing your risk by running the LP furnace while underway.
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Old 11-16-2015, 06:28 PM   #6
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Thank you all for the info. Looks like my trip just got more comfortable and I won't worry so much about the water compartment freezing. Love this site.
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Old 11-16-2015, 06:32 PM   #7
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If you have the Motoraid option you can heat the coach and water bays with the heat from the engine.
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Old 11-16-2015, 06:38 PM   #8
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As I understand it, the issue is not the heater combustion chamber. The danger is the supply lines that run from the tank to the LP appliances aboard. If you have an accident with the lines charged and the tank valve open, you stand a chance of fire and even an explosion.
I make no claims about the likelihood of accidents.
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Old 11-16-2015, 07:13 PM   #9
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I have never heard of a Motoraid, but I do have hot water when traveling so I know my engine heats the hot water. I just read about Motoraid but don't know that I have that option on my coach. Where would I find a switch for the fan to heat the coach?
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Old 11-16-2015, 08:54 PM   #10
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Should be on the dash, Coach Heater Hi/Lo rocker switch, center off.
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:52 AM   #11
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I don't think Winnebago diesel coaches have the capability to heat the bedroom with the motor aid.
My 2006 Sightseer had a small vent in the bedroom and a high/off/low switch on the dash that controlled the air flow from the vent.
My current 2010 Journey only heats the water in the water heater. There's no little vent in the bedroom and no switch for rear heat on the dash. I think Winnebago thinks the rear engine would provide enough heat back there when traveling.
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Old 11-17-2015, 05:43 PM   #12
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We run our heat if we need it while traveling. that is generally rare. I do not keep the water heater on however. only run that just before supper and off for the night. On in the morning during breakfast and then off. We also have a floor to ceiling clear plastic Shower curtain behind the front seats and keep that closed both in summer and winter when traveling. We then use the dash air or heat for comfort. If it is really cold, like 10 or 20 F we will turn the heat on about 1 hour before our destination to take the chill out.
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Old 11-17-2015, 06:05 PM   #13
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In the winter I set the house heater to somewhere around 60 and have the dash heater on full. Sometimes the house heater/furnace comes on and adds to the heat. I've tried the curtain but gave that up because didn't want the living area to be real cold or real hot on arrival at a destination.
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Old 11-17-2015, 09:26 PM   #14
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The owners manual says turn propane off when driving for the exact reason stated above: what might happen if there was a bad accident with the propane valve open. Most people take the risk and leave their propane on when traveling. So far as that goes, most people don't turn propane off when refueling either. It is all about how much risk you are tolerant with.
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Old 11-17-2015, 09:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skigramp View Post
The manuals generally say to turn off the propane at the tank before you travel.
In my 50+ years of RV'ing and owning many RV's I've never seen that in any owners manual!
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Old 11-17-2015, 09:39 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greatscot View Post
As I understand it, the issue is not the heater combustion chamber. The danger is the supply lines that run from the tank to the LP appliances aboard. If you have an accident with the lines charged and the tank valve open, you stand a chance of fire and even an explosion.
I make no claims about the likelihood of accidents.
The newer rigs (2002 or maybe even earlier) have a high flow prevention shut off valve. If the line is broken it detects the high flow and shuts down the flow almost completely. That's why you sometimes have to try several times to get gas flowing when you turn on the tank. Well known and written about safety feature.
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