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Old 12-18-2019, 03:41 PM   #1
mikeadams50
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Propane Usage

I have a 380TH and when camping during rather cold weather low 30's at night mid to high 40's during the day, I would use a 40 lb bottle every 4 days. thermostat set at 68 degrees, from 630pm until 530 am, and 50 degrees during the daytime. Does this seem normal, could not use the Elect heat as I only had a 20amp circuit available to hook up.
 
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Old 12-18-2019, 04:40 PM   #2
speedster100
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Sounds just about right...
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Old 12-18-2019, 05:22 PM   #3
rohrmann
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Years ago, we were in Missouri north of Kansas City from August through the first week of December, and experienced temps down to 9 degrees one night and a lot of low teens. We went through a 30 lb cylinder every other day, just to keep the rig at 68 degrees, and that was in 2013 when propane was in short supply and prices were over $4 per gallon.
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Old 12-19-2019, 07:29 PM   #4
DQDick
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At our home base in New Mexico where the temp gets in the 20's and 30's at night we have a 100 gallon home style tank that we use so we can avoid constant trips to the propane dealer. Your usage sounds about normal to me.
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Old 01-03-2020, 10:56 PM   #5
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I have a 381 and about the same temp, maybe lower (seen 17 and 19 once and a few 25) and I go through one of the 30's every 5-6 days, but then again I have 50A so I supplement a bit by running the fireplace. If the temp gets to 45 or better, which is not often, I run the heat pump. I would think that you are burning about what could be expected.
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Old 01-04-2020, 06:12 AM   #6
Desert Rat
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That sounds about right, we boon docked a lot and up north in the winter it got a might bit pricey to keep us warm, but now we boon dock in Arizona in the winter and the propane lasts much longer in the warmer weather.
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Old 01-04-2020, 10:02 AM   #7
JABURKHOLDER
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It's one of the prices you pay when cold weather camping. Skirting around the RV and adding some insulation around the windows will help some.
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Old 01-24-2021, 08:15 PM   #8
Irv
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Winter temp data & best practices

We are staying in (not air tight) skirted 2017, 3730FL RV at Rambling Pines RV park (Middle of MD) with temps from high teens at night to low 30s in the day. We conducted a study regarding the temps of the basement, skirted area and interior as a function of outside temp. The basement temp probes were situated near the DS wheels away from the basement furnace duct. The skirting is exterior sheeting (picture attached) which I recommend since it is easy to work, inexpensive and durable for the time we needed it, 6mo. We also added insulation under the slide outs, picture attached. The data is as follows: the outside temp (OT) is typically 10F less than the skirting (ST) and another 10F less than the basement (BT). That is OT=20F, ST= 30F & BT= 40F. Also, the BT was never <40F through the study. Never used tank heaters. Interior temps were 72F. Other note worthy points: We have a 100 gal propane tank and use ~3.5 gal/day. The humidity in the RV is typically 30%, lower than the target, 50%. The concern is where cold air and warm air mix, e.g. under the bed if there is an outside door, producing condensate, water. This would support mold and mildew because during the day the temp was 54F under the bed. It is important to open the space under the bed and air it out every few days. Use WD40 on the lock cylinders and 3-1 oil on the latches for that outside door as well since the water will freeze these parts. Hope this helps and interested in others experiences.
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Old 01-25-2021, 04:54 AM   #9
RMcNeal
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3.5 gal / day seems like a lot of propane. That's nearly a 20# cylinder a day if my math is correct. Did you consider any additional heat sources using electric?
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Old 01-26-2021, 05:07 PM   #10
Irv
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thanks. I checked with my husband and it may be more like 2 gal/day. We run the water heater on gas 24/7 (no freezing issues) and the refrig is on electric.
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:29 PM   #11
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We are currently dry camping in the Black Hills. 42' 372RD. We skirted with 2" foam board. We set up a 125 gal tank and are burning about 2.5 gal/day. Temps ranging from 15-45 degrees on average. Occasionally we will use a space heater the master bedroom. Overall pretty comfy and economical. Planning starting to use on board water this week.
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Old 01-26-2021, 07:30 PM   #12
Walt & Vicki
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We live in our 3730FL. Current temps have been ranging Mid 20s to Mid 40s. Have an EZ snap skirt and temps are usually 6-10 degrees warmer under the rig than outside. Haven't filled a 30# tank in about 3 weeks, but our electric is not metered so we run 2 small electric heaters and the fireplace. Water heater is always on electric unless dry camping. Furnace is set on 68 most of the time and only comes on at night when electric heaters are turned down. May cycle 3 times at night.
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