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Old 01-26-2021, 04:55 PM   #1
hoffmcm
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Furnace On While Driving

Hi All, This is my first post in the forum. I have a 2021 Montana 3120RL we just picked up in late September. We live in Wisconsin and plan on heading south to warmer weather in early February. I am concerned about food and other liquids freezing while we travel. We will be staying in the trailer at night so of course we will run the furnace then.

Question is, does anyone have experience running the furnace while actually driving. I know this isn't a great idea but our other alternative is keeping the food in the truck cab with us.

Thanks!

Craig
 
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Old 01-26-2021, 05:06 PM   #2
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Craig,

First, Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn and share.

Your rig will retain a lot of heat after your furnace is turned off and will likely not get down below freezing temps unless it is very cold before you start.

I have run my furnace for 30-60 minutes to get the rig warm before getting into camp without problems.
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Old 01-26-2021, 05:09 PM   #3
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I am sure there will members who do this and will offer their comments. In the meantime, try looking at these Threads (found doing a Search for "furnace driving". Other search word variations will find more discussion on the subject.)
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=66943
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ead.php?t=1713
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=82134
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Old 01-26-2021, 05:39 PM   #4
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Our first Snow Bird trip was also in February 10 years ago and were faced with the same problem. Since none of our floor registers were coved by slides, we ran the furnace set about 50 to 55. We carried sufficient fresh water, so were able to find our first stop in Virginia at a CG that was open, but no running water. Plugged power in and raised the T-stat temp and were fine. Next night we were far enough to get out of the cold.
Just make sure your floor heat registers aren't under a slide.
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:57 PM   #5
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We try not to travel when it's cold enough to freeze things and water in the trailer, but the several times we have had to, we have run the furnace, and our furnace registers are all clear when the slides are in. If your registers are not clear with the slides in, it is not a good idea running the furnace which would cause restricted air flow and cause the furnace to shut down due to overheating.
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Old 01-26-2021, 08:02 PM   #6
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Our registers are open with the slides in and travel with the heat on if the Temps are low. At my last fuel stop for the day, I will turn the temp up and drive another hour or two. The camper is nice and warm when we stop for the night.
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Old 01-27-2021, 11:37 AM   #7
hoffmcm
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Thanks to everyone for your responses. I will check to make sure the vents are clear with the slides in then off we go to the warmer south. Needed after all the snow we got yesterday and will get this weekend.
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Old 01-27-2021, 01:58 PM   #8
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I would be wary stopping for fuel with the furnace running.
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Old 01-31-2021, 02:50 PM   #9
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I run all the time with the heat on so that when I reach my destination it is warm, and also if we need to stop to use the facilities it is warm and comfy.
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Old 01-31-2021, 03:11 PM   #10
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I don’t see anything problem. If the furnace goes off the propane is shut off so I can’t see any danger.
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Old 01-31-2021, 03:15 PM   #11
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We got caught in the major storm in the NW in late October. We ran for three days in well below freezing temperature. At night we kept the rig warm and during the day i left the temp set at 55. We kept about a half tank of fresh water. We do have the arctic package in our unit. Nothing froze up during the day. The temp stayed right at 55. All of our vents are open with slide outs in, so we were fine. Used quite a bit of propane, but nothing froze.
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Old 01-31-2021, 03:29 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwengermt View Post
We got caught in the major storm in the NW in late October. We ran for three days in well below freezing temperature. At night we kept the rig warm and during the day i left the temp set at 55. We kept about a half tank of fresh water. We do have the arctic package in our unit. Nothing froze up during the day. The temp stayed right at 55. All of our vents are open with slide outs in, so we were fine. Used quite a bit of propane, but nothing froze.
I am working in Indiana and go thru about 40# every 2.5 days, Also in PA working, BUT on the other hand I keep it very toasty warm in here, I hate being cold. I have three 40# tanks always have two on board 1 running, 1 on standby and then have time to get the third filled and have it incase any issues with the other two.

I do not have any skirting because I am not in one place long enough, but so far everything is PERFECT! 2019 3790rd
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Old 02-01-2021, 05:10 AM   #13
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We had one night that was below zero. Kept the trailer toasty warm at 72 with no problem. Not exited about traveling in the cold, but it's not a problem if you're prepared.
We went through a 30# every day. We have two so not a problem.
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Old 02-01-2021, 07:33 AM   #14
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We never have but we have never traveled in extremely cold weather. I do not see a problem in doing it however it will run down the batteries.
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Old 02-01-2021, 03:20 PM   #15
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Just did that

In fact we did exactly that when we left Virginia and the ambient temperature was 21 F. I have a Montana 3121RL, with 200AH of lithium battery. So the fridge runs from the battery/inverter, and obviously the only additional load from running the furnace is the blower motor (discounting negligible load from the thermostat and the furnace electronics). As for the risk when fueling, I have a diesel truck and when pulling, use truck stops where all the lanes are diesel-only. Since diesel is not inherently explosive (unless compressed), I am not the least bit worried about filling up and having both the furnace and the hot water tank running on propane. Drove up to 5 hours a day, and my battery monitor always showed I had plenty of battery capacity left when I got at my destination for the day (lowest was 55% left)
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Old 02-01-2021, 03:35 PM   #16
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When hooked up to the truck, you shouldn't have a battery issue. We had no drop in battery power at all while running hooked up. Good point on the furnace and hot water heater while fueling up. We turn the water heater off as it is in the same compartment as the furnace so doesn't seem to be an issue. Will make sure furnace isn't running when we fuel up. Thanks for the heads up.
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