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Old 01-17-2012, 01:42 AM   #1
alcolemanau
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Propane Use

I have a new 2012 Montana 3625 RE. We camped in cold weather recently with low temps of 25 and highs in low 40's. Our use of propane seemed much higher than our previous camper (Sprindale). We used 2 full 30 lb bottles in just 6 nights. Is the high? May have a leak?





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Old 01-17-2012, 02:03 AM   #2
lasater
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I spent one of my summers(?) camped in Leadville, CO (10,200 feet). Using 2 bottles a week was not uncommon with lows in the 20s. It surprised me. But when I talked to other campers in the park, my propane was actually lasting longer than theirs.

If the electric is included in the park fee, GO ELECTRIC and use the propane to keep the basement warm.
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Old 01-17-2012, 02:22 AM   #3
DarMar
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Welcome Al. I agree with Bingo, I think what you are seeing is with more space it takes a lot more to heat it. We also found each time we traded and added an extra slide it seemed to again take more to heat. Let's face it these slides do not seal all that well. Would we go back to a smaller space, no way. With our 3455 model now in cold temps we use the furnace plus two electric heaters to do the job.
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Old 01-17-2012, 02:37 AM   #4
richfaa
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That is normal. We have our temp set at 70 degrees and in this latest Florida cold snap with nighttime temps in the mid 30's and 40, use a tank @ every 3 1/2 days as it appears everyone else does by the number of tanks lined up at the refill tank.
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Old 01-17-2012, 02:40 AM   #5
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In the 30/40's and using my generator 30min a day, I use a 30 pound tank every two to three days if I have no electric hook up.
If I have electric hookup, I use it for the fridge, hot water, and a heater. Then the propane lasts a week or more.
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Old 01-17-2012, 02:58 AM   #6
steelpony5555
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Even in my current 5th wheel ,an Alpenlite, I use a bottle every 3-4 days on average when it is in the 30's and windy. I was hoping to get just a little better with the new Montana but I guess I was just dreaming. I do realize they can only put so much insulation in a 2 1/2 inch wall and none into a slide. Oh well here's my debit card lol....
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Old 01-17-2012, 03:07 AM   #7
camper4
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For me it has a lot to do with air gaps around the slides. Spending time blocking those, plastic stretch wrap window dressing, and roof vent foam blocks help extend propane consumption.
You can improve the situation but you still will not have a stick built. IMHO.
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Old 01-17-2012, 06:59 AM   #8
Art-n-Marge
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This is about the same rate for the coldest outing we ever went on and the temps matched what you posted. I was filling a propane bottle every 2-3 days is about right and we were only in Santa Barbara in February, where it's not usually that cold but we got a big rain storm that turned into snow and sleet. It was so rainy and windy, the satellite dish got knocked over twice (I have since built a sturdy platform that the dish now sits on).

We will be adding electric heater next time. I don't recall the electric was on for the WH, but will make 100% sure next time. Minimizing propane use helps and finding ways to improve insulation will help even more. Trailers are insulated in some places, but slideouts and windows let in lots of air between the seams and weep holes.

It's a large trailer with 4 slideouts and therefore lots of air space and so we have to deal with it. But when it's real cold we have the luxury of not venturing out and staying at the stickhouse. Best of luck to you full-timers.
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Old 01-17-2012, 08:10 AM   #9
CamillaMichael
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Only two tanks?
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Old 01-17-2012, 08:46 AM   #10
Weldon
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I am with Bingo on this one.
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Old 01-17-2012, 08:51 AM   #11
Art-n-Marge
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Using only two tanks means I get to venture out every two or three days. If I had more tanks, it would be more like every 5 or 6 days. I would get cabin fever and get more loopy than I already am.

I do carry several 20# tanks in the truck bed for real emergencies but if propane is available nearby, I refill the bigger ones whenever I can since the runtime is longer.

How many tanks do you use?
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Old 01-18-2012, 02:47 AM   #12
Farmhawk
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Everybody is talking about the slides not sealing properly, but you also need to look up. My 5er has a 7 1/2 sq.ft. hole in the ceiling, the 4 vents and shower skylight. About two years ago I purchased the vent cushions that CW carries, about 2" of foam, and it significantly reduced the propane use and has kept the unit warmer overall. We just traveled from the pacific NW and arrived in Apache Junction yesterday, and haven't used a tank yet, we left Saturday in 20 deg temps until Monday afternoon.
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Old 01-18-2012, 03:09 AM   #13
camper4
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Those roof veny foam blocks help on hot sunny days too.
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Old 01-18-2012, 05:35 AM   #14
junglejim
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It has been awhile since I posted but I will give experiance on this one. We fulltime for the last 4 1/2 years because of work and we just left NE Ohio for Bloomington, Ind. While in Ohio we experianced temps as low as single digits a couple nights and teens for a couple weeks with highs in the 20's. The day we pulled out got approx. 30" of snow overnight.

We bought cheap 14" pillows (Biglots) and put them in the vents in the ceiling,heat taped the water line,black tank closed till full, kitchen galley tank left open, main grey tank left open due to much water usage (showers,cleaning,and washer). Furnace set at 67 with the fireplace on and a little electric heater in kitchen on high. Furnace would kick on about 3 times an hour. NO Problems to Report! No freeze ups or anything. Went through approx. 1 30lb. tank every 2-3 days.

Oh yea and we stayed warm. Thermometer inside said 68-warm enough for us.
With temps you mentioned a bottle will last us about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks set up like above. Fireplace helps ALOT!
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