Heating the basement

christo1963

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2024
Messages
10
Location
Canada
Hello all,

We are on a North American tour with our first trailer. It is a 2020 22RBE Grand design Imagine. We will experience cold temperatures on the way back to Canada and would like a second opinion. Since our trailer says 4 seasons I assume I should be able to handle -1 degrees C/30 degrees F. Since I plug into RV campsites I was thinking of using a small portable heater to keep out the chill. My question is, if i turn the furnace fan on low will it blow the inside temperature into the belly? When the temperatures gets too cold I will turn on the furnace, but to save money I would like to know if the fan only will throw inside temperature around the tanks and water line connections?

Thanks,
Christo
 
Your furnace fan will only run when the furnace is actually being used. It won't run on fan only.

If you're concerned about the underbelly, use the furnace for heat.
 
Edited: At 0C/30F, freezing lines are not likely to be a problem unless you don't use the furnace at all. If it's further below freezing (20's F), you are best off only using the furnace if you want to ensure water flow in the belly. I know it can burn through propane, but you'll be able to use water at lower temps.

Check other threads regarding low point drains as well. Those are notorious for causing a frozen water lines in that area as the cold penetrates the uninsulated lines that stick out below the belly. Moving the valves higher into the belly and closing in the lines so they are not exposed really does help get to lower temps without freezing up.
 
Last edited:
There is a good chance that at -1F even with using solely the furnace you may experience frozen water lines, but only a test will tell you for certain. If it's below freezing, you are best off only using the furnace if you want to ensure water flow in the belly. I know it can burn through propane, but you'll be able to use water at lower temps.

Check other threads regarding low point drains as well. Those are notorious for causing a frozen water lines in that area as the cold penetrates the uninsulated lines that stick out below the belly. Moving the valves higher into the belly and closing them in the lines so they are not exposed really does help get to lower temps without freezing up.
He said -1C/30F...

Rob
 
The "fan only" setting only runs the A/C fan, not the furnace fan. As stated above run the furnace. At 30 degrees F it won't require much.
I want to thank everyone for your input as it helps me understand more. Am I correct to assume then that the fan only setting does not circulate the air inside the trailer thru to the belly?
 
I want to thank everyone for your input as it helps me understand more. Am I correct to assume then that the fan only setting does not circulate the air inside the trailer thru to the belly?
Correct. The "Fan Only" thermostat setting only runs the AC fan(s) - not the furnace.

Rob
 
I have done a lot of cold weather camping.
On the north rim, I once paid 50.00 to fill one 30 # tank. With temps below zero F I was glad to do it.
Cold weather camping is just hard.
There is nothing cheap or easy about it . On one hunt I ran the generator nonstop for two weeks Only shut it down to change oil, while the backup gen ran
Your expected temps do not sound too severe... Still, I hesitate to recommend not running the furnace. I am not famalier with your RV, and freeze ups are a huge pain, so best avoided
 
A few years ago I installed something a bit different for just these borderline conditions.

"12V self regulating heat tape" it runs along my lower plumbing and only heats the cold part. With this I can save a lot of propane and have water in my rear kitchen.
 
This is what we use on those nights where temps drop near or below freezing. I have it attached to a timer in my basement. Keeps the belly nice and warm and doesn’t use any propane. We bought it at Walmart for under $10.
 

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I would recommend a RUVVI tag or another bluetooth type temp sensor(s) and you won't have to worry.


I used 3 of these in my 42' 5th wheel as needed to monitor remotely (connect to my Victron solar system and wifi system). it will monitor temps + moisture. I had one in the back end basement area, one in front pass-through area and one inside the main cabin.

Stick one or two of these in the front/back belly area and connect to your cell phone - and you can set warnings notifications and not have to guess...or worry!

It saved me in the middle of winter when trailer was temporarily in storage, as I set the thermostat wrong thinking I left the trailer set to maintain 55F degrees. (was 20 degrees outside). I was about ready to sleep at 10:00pm one night when the alarm went off at 32F degrees in the cabin.

Considering what it would cost you to repair broken water lines....worth every cent.
 
Hello all,

We are on a North American tour with our first trailer. It is a 2020 22RBE Grand design Imagine. We will experience cold temperatures on the way back to Canada and would like a second opinion. Since our trailer says 4 seasons I assume I should be able to handle -1 degrees C/30 degrees F. Since I plug into RV campsites I was thinking of using a small portable heater to keep out the chill. My question is, if i turn the furnace fan on low will it blow the inside temperature into the belly? When the temperatures gets too cold I will turn on the furnace, but to save money I would like to know if the fan only will throw inside temperature around the tanks and water line connections?

Thanks,
Christo
If you do a lot of cold weather camping with hookups, I would look up RV Cheap Heat. It is an electric heat add on to your furnace. RV Comfort Systems
 
Amazon carries electric 3" inline duct fans. My plan, which remained on the shelf after we decided not to use the trailer in cold weather, was to locate the ducting that went into the basement and insert one of these inline duct fans. When powered on, the fan would pull air heated by our portable electric heaters into the basement, thereby warming it without running the furnace. I'm curious if anyone has tried something similar and was it effective.
 
Amazon carries electric 3" inline duct fans. My plan, which remained on the shelf after we decided not to use the trailer in cold weather, was to locate the ducting that went into the basement and insert one of these inline duct fans. When powered on, the fan would pull air heated by our portable electric heaters into the basement, thereby warming it without running the furnace. I'm curious if anyone has tried something similar and was it effective.
It has been tried before. You cannot get enough BTUs into the basement to make a difference.
As I said before, Cold weather camping is just hard. (and expensive)
You will go thru propane faster than a coyote does jackrabbits. Solar is useless when the panels are under snow. so the generator gets used almost non stop.

I had one hunt when we used generators non stop for 2 weeks

I have seen quite a few people with a "plan" try to out smart the cold. They ended up with some spectacular freeze ups..... Will never forget the class A that had a frozen waterfall 3" thick on it's stairs..Once you freeze up you have lost the battle. You wont get thawed out until the weather warms up.
And you will likely have damage from it.
 

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