When you get much below 40 degrees it's a good idea to run the propane furnace to keep the underbelly warm where most of the water lines, tanks and valves are located. Tank heaters will keep the tanks from freezing but the furnace keeps the water lines from freezing. 1st time watcher and loved this video. Lots of great practical and useful information.
@@aaroncottrill7426 it doesn’t matter where you live. If freezing is a potential problem, running the propane furnace is the only heat source keeping water in the underbelly from freezing. That being said, running the fan on always play circulates warm cabin air to the underbelly.
Martin, many motor homes including our Georgetown Class A use the coach furnaces and ducting to circulate heat to the storage bays (especially the wet bay) to keep your water and waste lines from freezing. If you don't use your furnace NO Heat gets to the bays below. In addition we have heating pads on our Fresh water, Black and Gray tanks. You gave many great solutions to keep warm in the cold temps. One thing you might want to mention is to make sure you don't use too high an Amp draw electric heater on those electrical circuits. 15 and 20 amp are typically usually in most circuit design. But you can easily put too big a draw on a circuit when using these electrical heaters. I know because I had a LED lamp and a ceramic heater on the same outlet and I could smell electrical insulation starting to melt with that distinct odor. I turned off the lamp and the smell went away. Strange thing is the Circuit breaker never tripped. I must have been right at the edge of the wire rating. Wishing you safe travels during these difficult times. Mike and Mary Davis
5Th Wheels are done the same way to keep the underbelly warm. And if your Ciruit breaker did not trip when overloaded, your circuit breaker likely needs replacing.
Resistive Overheating is the term, and it can -- and does -- occur well below any breaker's rated capacity. It is seen in boating, too. I have lived aboard for years, and I have seen dockside power pedestals melted from resistive overheating, yet the 30 amp breaker never tripped. I strongly recommend *not* using any electric space heater on the highest setting, at least not for extended periods. If you do, check the temperature of the plug often (you will be surprised how hot plugs can get). Also, check the temperature of your main shore power plug. If you add all the various electric draws, especially in cold weather, you risk resistive overheating at your main power pedestal, too.
Great tips on RV life in cold weather! Please consider that residential outlets and RV outlets are quite different in construction. RV outlets typically use pinch point connections as opposed to screw terminals and they can overheat more easily. The use of electric heaters can place a very large demand on the wire circuitry so please use caution when using them and be careful to distribute the load to outlets on different circuits. I really enjoy your videos and maintenance ideas keep up the great work!!
I'm on fhu but for the reason you mention, I have a separate 120v outlet at the post that I use for high-amp appliances such as a space heater, vacuum cleaner, portable AC. I do have a radiant heater that draws 600 watts on its high setting and 300 on low. That is set on the floor near the sofa. It's not designed to heat a room, only objects or people/pets near it. Has a tip-over switch. Puts out a decent amount of heat on low.
never even have a resistance heater in your life. they do a very poor job of making heat. and will burn you out. if it has not depleted your cash for electric power first. buy one/two of the oil heaters that look like a old steam radiator. but only ONE per circuit. as they can pop the breakers easily. those small propane heaters will kill you in hrs. in a closed up rv, building. kind of strange. you burn fuel, must keep a window open. that lets in cold air. that defeats everything.
All I’m going to say is, I like you and first impressions mean everything. I watch a lot of RV DIY VIDEOS and I must say, you are the most in-depth. You don’t rush through and that’s very important. Thank you for your information and your time involved it takes to make and edit. Be Blessed and have many safe travels.
@@harvdog5669 This question has been answered in the comments below many times but here it is again.... In a nut shell, the faced insulation is normally used as a vapor/moisture barrier when used in home walls application but is not needed in this situation and especially when I’m putting in several layers in those large empty cavities. If Home Depot had unfaced in stock at the time, I would of bought that.
This is absolutely the BEST video I have watched about insulating the RV. Filling all those vacant spaces with R19 is golden. Thank you very much. Your ideas are sensible and easy to apply.
My family and I are so GRATEFUL to have found your channel...one of the best videos we have seen! It’s like having an awesome Dad/Uncle teaching us things we’ve never learned. Thank you soooo much! Many blessings to you and your loved ones on your adventures!
The ceramic heaters is a great idea....wish I had thought of it sooner. The heated mattress pad is the best invention since the shirt pocket; we have one in the RV and at home, because I am very cold natured. When not in use, we store our Class A Thor POS in a covered RV parking facility. When it gets cold enough to worry me about pipes freezing, I put drop lights in the wet bay and we turn the furnace on and open all the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bath. Yes, it uses propane, but propane is cheaper than having plumbing fixed that I can no longer do. This method has never failed us, even in the cold snap here in Canyon Lake, Texas back in FEB, where it got down into the low teens. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
Great ideas you presented. In sub-freezing weather and staying in a full hook up site, we use both a portable heater and the propane furnace. First to keep the basement from freezing and secondly to move warm air around in the living spaces for more even heating. If we only use the space heater, then we end up with cold dead spaces such as in the bathroom. When we are not worried about freezing the basement, we use a portable heater solely, but move the warm air around using small fans.
Going to home Depot is rotten advise - it is part of the super pac that brought trump and magats - go to Lowe's - they aren't politicized but support humane organizations
I'm amazed at how many appliances going at one time! I live in an older camper and found out real quick I couldn't run a heated blanket in here! Or even run the hair dryer with the microwave. Its a 2007 model
I can only assume that you have a 30 amp RV. With that being said I totally understand what you are saying, during the summer we have lived on 15 and have to be very careful of what we are using.
I take a thermostat controlled heat tape wrap it around a steel pipe (make sure the heat tape doesn't cross itself) hang the steel pipe at a 45 degree angle and put the thermostat outside. The heat tape warms the pipe and due to the angle of it hanging it creates air circulation flow works nicely. When the temperature outside rises high enough the heat tape shuts off if it gets cold enough the heat tape will come on and heat. I have been using on my water well pump house for years now with no problems. I think this would work anywhere you need a little heat.
I use alot of electric heat However most campers need the propane heater running to prevent plumbing and compartments from freezing. I also prefer an electric blanket over me vs a heated pad under me because if you get hot it is easy to remove covers but if the heat is under you it takes longer to get away from.
I only run our propane furnace in the morning to get it warmed up quickly, and then let the 3 floor heaters take it from there. We do have it automatically set to kick on if the interior drops below 60 degrees and it’s too cold for the electric heaters to maintain. 👍🏽
Running the propane furnace allows heat not only into the trailer, basement but underneath the trailer to warm the water lines and sewer lines. Electric heaters are a great additional source of heat but you still need to heat the underbelly of the beast.
We use pool noodles for stuff like that. We also use pool noodles, split them lengthwise and put them on the bottom edge and corners of our slide walls. It keeps you from braining yourself when you have to do something under your slides.
We use pool noodles. It helps us to remember to pull them out since they are a bright color. They also help keep out bugs when it is that time of year in a buggy area.
use your metallic tape and tape one joint of your "slider" blockers to make a hinge of sorts, would help avoid pushing that little piece too far in and having to pull the bigger piece to retrieve it. I'd also consider adding a hook and loop or magnetic fastened over-lap apron around the whole edge to really prevent dust/drafts from getting in.
Or over the small piece for sliders, glue a single wider piece, creating "wings" that stops it from being pushed too far. This allows the small piece to slide upwards. You will see at 6:54, the notch that prevents a hinge action.
This was so informative. I have an 1995 RV and heading through some cold territory. At one point I thought, I only have 30 amp service for the ceramic heaters but I was thinking augmenting my furnace with them, not using them INSTEAD of the furnace. So smart. Now I just have to see how well it will heat the RV! Your videos are so good and that’s the reason why you’ve got the following. Well done!
I think propane is much warmer than electric ....though i do use electric when its not real cold at night. But I use propane when its freezing temps outside. And I use a Mr Buddy heater when electricity/power goes off!!
Do they have them for the bathroom skylight? That is where so much heat comes in the summer. Was going to change mine out for a smoke colored one thinking it may help. Why do rv manufacturers put them in, light?
I use the furnace overnight to insure I maintain a certain temperature and I like warm walls and floors especially in my bathroom first thing in the morning.
Brother, keep up the great work! Watching lots, very informative. I live in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan all about Boondocking here and Cold. I am rebuilding a 2004 Georgie Boy Landau, F53 with only 30k miles. Got it to a point now where it will cross my great country multiple times. I just got back from a few days in the bush, moose season, I found running small electric heaters caused the generator to work much harder and burn much more fuel. The answer for me was use the generator to charge batteries, it idles along sipping fuel and I have 2 in floor furnaces. 70 liter propane on board and 85 Gallons of fuel, easily keep me warm for a week, I was impressed. Totally different situation here than you are used to, I drove 50km gravel to get to Elaine lake, Bush whacked willows to get in lol! Have a good one, Darin
Great video! But clarification: Most models of Mr Heater have an oxygen depletion sensor. If any Carbon Monoxide is sensed, the heater automatically shuts off. Seen several videos where people have set the up with external CO monitors in the RV for hours and the sensor was never tripped. The only time they “forced” it to trip was running it on high in an enclosed bathroom. Government regulations require the warning on the label, but you are generally safe even without venting any windows. Since you have a propane cooktop and oven, your camper should already have a CO alarm if it’s not combined with your smoke detector. Really learned quite a bit from your video -thanks
I use the propane furnace when possible myself. Propane isnt to expensive here. But my reasoning is so I can conserve the electric for other devices when Im awake. Im on 30amps and enjoy crafts like sewing. But I have electric heaters just in case because temps can get below zero for me and the propane will stop flowing/working properly at that time.
Martin & Joanie, all your ideas are brilliant!! The part about insulating behind cabinetry, under the sink and bed, is pure genius!!! Love times infinity!!!! Just one more idea to share (you may have already and I missed it), is picking up a portable"soGen" power generator like a Jackery 1000 to run at the very least the little space heater, and/or perhaps the bed warmer, in case of a power outage----to get you thru a chilly night, for example.
Not sure about a portable generator like a Jackery 1000. I don't know anything about that particular genny. If you have your battery bay set up right with multiple house batteries like we do you could just run the inverter and plug into one those outlets and plug in an electric heater. Then just recharge the batt's the next morning. Or like us, we could just run our regular on board generator. Or as a third choice get a Mr. Heater. Thanks so much for your kind words Shiammi. 💋
Great idea for stuffing the slide seals with piping insulator and fill voids with fiberglass. "BZ" I will be stuffing this week. We normally just dress warm and use park electric but underway the wife is blasting the propane furnace and electric blankets,
when i saw the thumbnail saying no one knows these tricks, i thought i was going to end up giving this video a thumbsdown for click bait. but it actually full of useful information i've never thought of before! so thank you!
Great video and very helpful. In regards to why we use our propane heater instead of the electrical ones, a few reasons; Prep: We have a 32 foot gas rig with no slides and 30 amps. So very tight on space and power. And it depends on if we are living in a cold northern climate or down south and just need to get through a cold snap. 1. It’s easy and quick. There’s no reason to haul out the extension cords and heaters, just flip a switch and within 10 minutes we’re toasty. 2. Room and storage is at a premium so there’s not a great place to store and setup heaters. 3. Power. We only have 30 amps so adding additional power hungry heaters along with everything else that requires 120v we have to be very careful. Now, when we lived up north and lived in this rig in the winter we used both the electrical and propane solutions and of course had to think about what we had on before using the microwave or anything else that draws a lot of current. Anyway, down here in Melbourne Beach Florida, especially today 12/27/2020 it’s cold and windy so we just turned on the propane heater and boom!, we’re warm! Again, thanks for the video, very helpful and WHEN we get a newer rig with slides I will do the same thing you did to keep out the wind!
I live in a 24 ft fifth wheel in Northern California and I’ve done some renovations and insulation on my own. Keeping the RV warm in 30 and 40 degree winters has been a challenge. I tested four different types of heaters in 2020, including ceramic, fake expensive wood burning fire stove, and I finally found that the radiator oil heater works best. I like the bedroom cold so I close the bedroom door and I hung a pretty decorative curtain in the hall that separates bedroom and living room and it has absolutely been a game changer. And most importantly I feel safe enough to leave it on when I’m gone for the day so when I come home during a cold day it’s comfortable and I don’t have to wait hours for it to warm up
@@RVstreet Thank you and Happy New Year. I just got my RV Thanksgiving day. I live in it full time and love it. I just got 2 solar panels; next I'm getting an inverter. I'm learning more everyday. I'm going to buy the vent pillows through your Amazon store.
I am one of those guys that like Reflectix. When staying in my Airstream Basecamp 20X in subzero temps every night in Jan/Feb at Breckenridge I put it in all my windows and, trust me, a warm cave is better than a cold window view! I also insulated all my pipes with the foam insulation and placed more Reflectix between the pipes and the outside walls. The only other area of concern was the dump pipes between the tanks (which were heated) and the release valves. I corrected this by wrapping the pipes with heat tape, then insulation and finally waterproof tape. The heat tape was plugged in to my external outlet. One night it actually got to -31F but I never was cold…..went through lots of propane but stayed warm!
Thank you so much for your input and information. Sharing your experience and knowledge helps the RV community. It sure sounds like you have everything under control. Stay toasty my friend.
The first winter I spent in a RV ,the furnace had a problem and it felt like trying to heat a huge tin can in freezing weather 😲😒 I had no idea they were so poorly insulated!!!!! Thanks!!
Addressing your bedroom heating situations: I, too, use a heated mattress pad. I've found by insuring you're using a comforter or blanket (or two) over the top sheet/bedspread, it helps the pad to heat faster and more thoroughly. Additionally, I keep the bedroom door closed/cracked to contain the heat and not let it out into the hallway, etc. Love so many of your other suggestions; makes TOTALLY sense, to me!! Keep up the good work. Y'all Be Safe!
Very informative video. Thanks for posting. A little help in staying warm while sleeping, is to put flannel sheets on your bed. It really does help in that department.
Yes they sure do!! I use them on my bed at home! We also use an electric blanket, which we put on the mattress then put the flannel sheets on! If it's not very cold we don't have to use the electric blanket but it's so nice to get into a nice warm bed! We live in the mountains of East Tennessee, got a few inches of snow on the ground now! Thanks for the great ideas!! Stay safe and stay warm Semper Fi.
I cannot thank you enough! I’m a newbie and bought a 2020 Forest River Cardinal Fifth Wheel as temporary housing. Well let me tell you NOTHING about this RV has been recreational!! Seriously a nightmare and this video is the absolute BEST I’ve seen about winter living. I’m so grateful and headed to Home Depot now! You have a new and appreciative subscriber and follower! 🍀😊
Oh one more thing and it’s a question about the cost of propane versus electricity. Everything I’ve found on line indicates that propane is always the least expensive fuel and I’m wondering what I’ve missed since you’ve said exactly the opposite and frankly I now trust you more than Google. 🤣. I’m in Central OK if that helps. Thank you again Sir!!! 🍀😊
When I did this video I was basing electric prices vs propane pricing on our experiences over last 2 years traveling the south, over central USA and the upper east coast. But many others that are in different regions have commented where they are, that propane was cheaper. So..........it just depends on where you're located.
Thank you Denise so much. 💗 Stay calm, don't worry, take your time and you'll be able to work thru everything that's going on. You may feel over whelmed right now since this is all new to you but "recreation" will be in your future.
I've used the reflector lamp method to keep the water lines in my house downstairs bathroom from freezing. The builder did not put insulation in that wall. Works great. Have since insulated the wall and all is well.
I can confirm that. I live in a warm climate so my coach isn't winterized. I was in Colorado with temps down to 12 degrees over 3 days. I packed the underneath bays with towels and blankets and kept the coach propane heat on. That was enough to keep the water lines and tanks from freezing. Many of our neighbors weren't so lucky!
If you put a small electric heater in your lower area, it does the same thing. Farm and fleet sells a thermaticlly controlled outlet that turns on at 35, and off at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It only cost 15 dollars.
@@imnotarobot3600 def a good ideal. I got a 250 watt heater on clearance at Wal-Mart for $10. I leave it on coach just in case freezing weather comes and I can turn it on in the wetbay.
Great job on the insulation. You actually did a better job than almost anybody out there. The wet bay was fantastic. Here’s the answer why people should not use propane to heat their RV in any temperature propane when it’s burns it omits CO2 and unless they have a fan or some type of ventilation to pull the air out through the roof or some other area and keep the CO2 levels low. They’re gonna poison themselves and they won’t wake up. The Best if you can hook up run your electric ceramic heaters and oil heat is also really good and make sure they don’t have any wheels on the heaters. On the subject of condensation having a dehumidifier they’re small electric sheep to operate and the pull the water out of the air and the moisture but you’re right again everything you’re doing I don’t think anybody out there is doing better. Great job. !! I’m a new RV my wife and I am watching your video has really helped me. Thank you very much.
I admire the hard work that you and Joanie have done to bring some great ideas and solutions to the forefront of RV living. I especially like when you have an idea that I have also thought about and have a solution for. Thanks to you both for the hard work and commitment needed to make these videos! ❤
My folks use propane heater. They would knock over or trip over electric floor heaters as their mobility is limited. space is limited ited and they get up a lot during the night.
Just now came across your video, wish I had seen this a couple of weeks earlier! Now I know for next winter! I might still do some of the things you mentioned, like the foam under the slides, plus those l ceiling windows thingy's.
Very good tips. The foam (blue) board is great. The fiberglass R19 is only good in a cavity, either 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 thick, when it is compressed it's almost useless. The RV industry could use a good spray foam as insulation, but won't spend the extra money. Keep up the good work.
Ya, I didn't mention it in the video but I DID NOT compress that insulation in those larger cavities. To insulate properly you need some air space and that's what I did. But what I did put in there made a HUGE difference. thx David.
I have a pull behind Toy Hauler. I have 2 ceramic heaters in my trailer, however, I have been using my propane furnace. I use the ceramic heaters if I am low on propane. I never knew I should be using the electric when I'm at full hook up sites. What a great idea. I'm doing it right now. I'm in Florida and its darn cold. I have one ceramic heater running. It is keeping me comfortable. Tomorrow I'll search for areas to use insulation to warm up empty spaces. I'm so glad I saw this video... thank you. You just saved me a lot on propane. I've been on the road since October. I'm heading home to Michigan for Christmas then back south. I can't wait to put some of your suggestions to work.
I use the coach's central propane heater at night exclusively to keep the bay / plumbing from freezing because that heater keeps the bay warm. But during day I use space heaters to supplement
Try getting a camping wood burning stove or better yet an old 1890s one burner cast iron stove. Stove pipe can go out sun roof or side window or take out air conditioner and cut rond hole in CENENT BOARD for window or air conditioner opening on side wall I you have one.
Great video !!! Thanks, saved this video so when I go full time I'll remember to do this, lots of people have 20- 30 min videos, don't worry about that, love your channel !!!!
I agree with using an electric heater when you have power. I used one of the oil filled heaters that look like a little radiator. I usually run it so it stays in the 60s. I use a Big Buddy heater with the dual tanks and built in fan. It has a low oxygen and carbon monoxide shutoff sensor as well as the tip over shutoff that is really sensitive and a slight bump shuts it off. I bought an adapter so it can run on a larger propane cylinder with a regulator
I run propane on my fifth wheel when it’s cold with chance of freezing because it heats the pipes in the floor of my four season. If furnace runs pipes don’t freeze
Great video, wish I would have seen it before I went on our first cross country trip. 90F in Arizona then we hit Utah and it dropped to 27F. I used the propane for heating, and we ran out in 3 days. Had to unhook go get propane. Now I carry 2 small electric heaters. We were in a full hookup park and never thought of buying some small electric heaters, since we predominately are always in a full hookup park. I do carry the Mr Heater standup heater when we have boondocked, on a low setting which is enough to heat our 26ft it will use 1lp of propane in about 6hrs. I hook it up to a separate small 5lb tank. I also reinsulated the entire RV with R19, specially under the bed which like you said was a total empty space and we did feel the cold radiating from there. Again, tks and great video
When I use my furnace, the heat comes from the floor vents. When I use my heat pump(electric) the heat comes from the ceiling vents. Completely ineffective in Temps less than 50 degrees. Space heaters are the way to go if I need to spare propane.
We're just getting ready to insulate our travel trailer. We plan to use the panels you showed, but hadn't thought about the R19. We'll look at doing that also. Thanks for all of your tips. We'll implement other suggestions too.
Thanks Martin! We are stuck in Canada this winter or should I say COVID season.LOL We use a 1500 W floor model ceramic electric heater and our RV propane furnace. Our 32' motorhome has a 30 amp service so we can't run our 1500W electric heater when we are using high amp appliances like the toaster oven or microwave. The furnace comes on when the electric heater is off. Other than meals, the electric heater is on. We also use Reflectix in some not all of our single pane windows ie bedroom and bunk bed windows because we never sit in those areas. The dinette and bathroom windows have the clear plastic membrane that helps with draft. Both help keep the rig comfortable, although I agree the Reflectix makes the motorhome cave like. Regarding the entry door, we bought thick fabric from a fabric store that covers the entire length of the door and steps. We installed some snaps above the door and the sides so it is easy to snap on and off. We also have a spare pillow on the bottom step that fits perfectly into the step well. Question: Does anyone have a tankless water heater in their rig? I'm wondering if I can add fibreglass insulation to that cavity without creating a fire hazard.
Hummmmm....can't use a 1500watt heater with 30amp when using other high amp appliances? Ya I get that. You can't use them all at once for sure. Maybe one or two items at a time. We spent all summer in Maine and was on a-get this-15amp wall outlet with an extension cord from Joanie's brothers garage all summer and we ran our 1500watt floor heater at night fine. Any other time when we had to use the microwave or some other appliance, water heater etc, we would just constantly switch things ON & OFF as we needed them and just manage our electric usage carefully. Once in awhile we'd turn on something else which was to much amp draw and pop a breaker. Whoops, turned on to much stuff. Go reset the breaker in the garage and back in business. But we're a 50amp coach and ran off 15amp for 4 1/2 months. I found that kind of incredible. A lot of people don't believe me when I tell them that. Now of course we didn't ever run the AC's because up in Maine you don't need AC. But ya, a lot of folks don't realize that you don't need much power if you carefully manage your power usage when your in cool climates. Good comment Neil. Stay warm as possible in Canada my friend. 👍
Best RV channel on the planet. I'm getting some of the dehumidifiers because I have problems with humidity. I don't use my furnace anymore because it's broken. I used it before it quit and the popping noise kept me awake at times. So I went to a big box store and bought a couple of oil-filled heaters. They are not going to be a fire hazard because they are sealed up and difficult to turn over. I don't use the refrigerator on the propane source. It just seems safer to run it on electricity. What's your viewpoint, anybody?
I'm sorry to say that Martin has passed away and I have no idea what an oil filled heater is because we always used an electric one. We always used the refrigerator with electric because it was cheaper and easier to use than propane.
Thank you so much for making this video! This is the most detailed video I’ve seen on how to insulate your RV. I’m a full time RVer but we are stationary - we are living in our RV until we build our house. We are coming up on our second winter in the RV and I’m definitely going to apply all of your suggestions. One thing about the propane furnace, we found it was pretty much the same to heat with that and the electric space heaters we had. Maybe it was because we had a lot of drafts in the RV or where were parked had a lot of wind? We actually used both the furnace and space heaters simultaneously. I tell ya, we spent about $300-$400 a month on electricity and propane in the winter months. 😳 Last year I used the heat shrink wrap on all our windows. It was nice because we still could look out and have light. I don’t like living in a cave either! It seemed to help but not as much as I had hoped it would. Maybe this year after insulating the draft areas it will work better! Thanks again! ✌️
The RV furnace also heats the area of the water and wastewater tanks, thus preventing water lines and trank freeze up. Also, the fan in the furnace will move more air around the coach. We use both the furnace and electric space heaters. During times of extreme cold weather we depend on the furnace 90% and the space heaters 10%. In our insulated water bay, we use a 200watt ceramic heater and heated water hoses
If you check the wall warts on your dehumidifiers they probably run off 12v DC, you can buy 12v DC cords that will fit those and then just run them off the house batteries if you are boondocking since that is more efficient than the inverter.
@@RVstreet I appreciate that you admit you don't know everything. It seems easy but you'd be surprised how many people try to bluff knowing all the answers. I would like to know if you keep a notebook with everything that needs to be done prior to setting up and prior to getting ready to leave? If not I would suggest that you do for 2 reasons 1. Like me as we get older we sometimes forget little things, especially when rushing or stressed. 2. Heaven forbid something happens to us and someone else has to prep our RV to be moved to a safe place. I'm a new subscriber. Love your work!! 🤗✌️🤟🖖🙈🙉🙊👵🏼
@@mslinstrot4643 When we first started FTing, the first year yes we did have a printed list. Two of them actually. One for Joanie for inside stuff and one for me for outside stuff. And we always check each other at the end. But since then it's pretty much rote and we don't use the list anymore but we still check each other once done. However, your comment of-Heaven forbid something happens to us and someone else has to prep our RV to be moved to a safe place.-is a good point but IMO a highly unlikely event. Besides where would I put that list where I could rely on the fact that the someone else would find it. But still a good point. When we get older and start to forget stuff we'll probably go back to the lists. thx Bruce and thank you so much for subscribing. 🙏
@@RVstreet When I still worked I always created a "bible" of how to do my job. I started doing this because I kept going into jobs with no one to train me. When I moved into management I had my teams create the same thing but by this time I started calling it "Procedures for Dummies". I told them that they should imagine a flood happened and the only person able to get into the office was the CEO and their procedures had to be dumbed down enough for the CEO to be able to figure everything out successfully. The problem with most procedures is that they are created by someone who ALREADY knows how to complete the task(s). A good procedure assumes that the next person to use them will know absolutely nothing. So if you need to use a tool to say, adjust something, then the procedure will tell you where to get that tool etc... As for where to keep your procedures for departure and arrival, I would suggest taping an ICE (In Case of Emergency) instruction card no bigger than 3"x5" card. The only thing on the card would be something like: "In Case of Emergency if this vehicle must be moved correct procedures MUST BE FOLLOWED to avoid collision while moving. The procedures are located (list location of procedures notebook)." The note card would need to sound scary enough to ensure your procedures are followed. I would also put the note card in a ziploc bag to be waterproof and probably use a red permanent marker to write on the bag "EMERGENCY ONLY"
Cobra Kai Strong! The one advantage of using your propane furnace is that it uses the duct system to distribute the heat more evenly. I'm with you tho, if I'm paying for electric I'm using plug in heaters. I'm someone that prefers some ambient noise and the cycling of the propane furnace has woken me up many times. Great information!
I use shrink wrap tape and tyvek to wrap around the whole bottom of my RV. No air drafts get through and the floor stays so much warmer. Just food for thought
Just bought a Mr. Heater for emergency heat during power outage for the great room ... not used it yet. Did learn that with the right fitting (and knowing how -- lots of vids on the subject on You Tube), you can refill the smaller Mr. Heater propane cans from a larger BBQ grill sized tank.
⭕⭕ The furnace is vented. They make an adapter for the Buddy heater so you can use a 20 lb. bottle. The biggest reason for the windows open is when propane burns it also converts to moisture. Try damp rid. You can get it at any home center. Comes in plastic tubs like butter. Make sure the holes are open or it will not work. 😎 love your info.
Ya we use Damp rid containers too in other places-like in our basement-but in our rig they don't work near as good up front like those dehumidifiers do. Our dehumidifiers actually circulate the air and pull out the moisture in the air. They work fantastic. Didn't know about the adapter. Good tip. thx 👍
Oh also a suggestion. I use to be a home builder. When using the insulation you should leave the paper on inside the cabin. Fiberglass fibers do come loose and it's not good to breath in.
Just found your channel and really learned a lot about insulation in a camper. We are “newbies” to the RV world. We have a 1990 Prowler with a slide. Will definitely be doing the pipe there and check some of our other places that could use the extra insulation. We haven’t really been winter camping but plan on it in the coming months. We brought our little electric fireplace from the house and have used it a few times just to get the chill out during our fall trips. Will definitely check out your other videos. Thank you so much for the helpful information.
Loved your video. I don’t camp in the cold weather, but if putting insulation in will help keep out the heat too, I’m all for it. QUESTION: why do you take the paper backing off the insulation before installing it?
I'm sad to say that Martin has passed away but I do recall asking him the same question BUT I don't remember the answer he gave me. When he explained it to me I understood it at the time. Sorry
@@RVstreet oh NO! I’m SO sorry to hear this. My sympathies go out to you. I too lost my husband, but back in 2010. I loved watching your husband’s videos and so I feel like I lost a friend with your news. I hope UA-cam doesn’t take his channel down now due to no more new posting in the future. He was a wealth of knowledge and his way of presenting his content was so warm and inviting. His voice just kept drawing me in. You may not believe me now, but a time will come when you will be able to watch his videos and hear his voice and love every minute of it. I don’t have any videos of my husband, just pictures. Thank you for sharing your husband with the rest of us. He will be missed, greatly!
95% of people don't rv in cold climates. Rv's are built for that 95%. Unfortunately you can't custom order more insulation. All but the million dollar units are built on a assembly line and they don't want to slow production with custom options.
@@RVstreet I have a mobile home same concept- my issue is below 20 degrees at the city water connects it is freezing. So my question for you is why did you take off the paper on the R-19? I’m going to stuff the pit with insulation... not sure how far down the heat tape goes in the pit. I also have a remote thermostat like you do as well
Great idea! Thank you for the work you put in to show us those ideas. Every RV model is different so i won't be able to use all of them. I will point out a word of caution about the electric heaters, some RVs use electric receptacles that will over heat when pulling the wattage of a heater. You can change them out but you need to make sure the electric line is good all the way to the outside. We found running the vent fan when we shower helps with the humidity. Thanks again.
Great info, going to have to run to the hardware store and prepare myself for the rest of the winter. Never would have thought of adding plumbing insulation to the slides. Ive used my propane when I get up in the morning to warm up the bathroom/bedroom while I get ready for work (aprox 10mins to heat the camper to 70). Current temperatures in Albuquerque in the morning has been in the high 20’s in the morning. I haven’t insulated my front bay on my fifth wheel yet. I have one of those built in fire place space heaters and a additional space heater. I’m able to keep the camper at 70+ until through the day until I shut everything down for the night. Over the period of the night the front of the 5th wheel gets cold. Definitely need some of that blue board for the Bay Area
I use my motorhome furnace but if I stayed where the electric was part of the flat rated rent. The heated mattress pad is a must have in a coach. I also have an electric blanket but it's not being used so far. The only concern I have about using an electric ceramic heater is exceeding the service amperage. The plug on my power cord has been overheating at some point. Possibly when the AC unit was running all the time.
Thank you for another informative and useful video. I look forward to them and never fail to learn, which is my goal in watching. The length of the video, which others have commented on, is immaterial to me as long as my knowledge has increased. I leave the 10-20 minute videos to others when the only purpose it serves is to blow thru a topic so quickly that I cannot do it myself. I appreciate your effort to educate others.
Thanks for those words of encouragement Robert. So just in case others read your comment and my reply here.... Sometimes I do worry about a video being to long but if I don't cover what needs to be covered then I leave a lot of folks hanging with a partial message. So for example, if I took a video that covers one subject (like the one you just wached) and it's on the long side and broke it up into say into 2 parts, then when part 2 comes out a lot of folks didn't watch part 1. And won't take the time to find Part 1. Therefore they only got half the info. However, I do try hard to keep my vid's as tight as possible, to make them as short as possible but at the same time cover what needs to be covered. So again thank you again for recognizing that I'm not one that just "blows through a video".
Very well done. Thank you for all the suggestions. I do use my furnace if it is going to get down in the 20's and I crack open my kitchen cabinets and the drawer above where the water pump and plumbing lines run from the water tank so the heat can get in those areas. Otherwise, I use ceramic heaters or the heat strip on my roof air. Since I have a 30amp Class C, for safety I will only run 1 ceramic heater on the house, but I have a 20 amp cord that I will use (if the campground offers a 20 amp outlet) and run it thru the kitchen window to run a 2nd ceramic heater.
Yep, in very cold temps, keeping your cabinet doors open inside is another way to keep all those plumbing lines warm back in there. We do the same. I should of mentioned that in the video but forgot. However, I did put that info in the description text. Many folks go down below each video and read the description for additional information I put there. Good comment Cap. 👍
When you get much below 40 degrees it's a good idea to run the propane furnace to keep the underbelly warm where most of the water lines, tanks and valves are located. Tank heaters will keep the tanks from freezing but the furnace keeps the water lines from freezing. 1st time watcher and loved this video. Lots of great practical and useful information.
Great tips👍
Also depends on where u live price per kwh vs lpg vs btu.
Assuming the underbelly is heated
Absolutely, found this out this winter
@@aaroncottrill7426 it doesn’t matter where you live. If freezing is a potential problem, running the propane furnace is the only heat source keeping water in the underbelly from freezing.
That being said, running the fan on always play circulates warm cabin air to the underbelly.
I needed the dad vibes. This was so much better than the average millennial influencer, just felt like listening to Dad
I love this comment.♥️
I miss Martin..I love watching these old vedios....thanks for keeping his memory alive Joanie, hope your doing well❤
Thank you so much. I will keep them up as long as I possibly can. I like to see Martin and hear his voice.
@RVstreet thank you. sending love!!! never met him. but he was the best!
I am a craftsman...motorcycle restoration...your solutions are all excellent...you are what I call a thinking craftsman.
When buying the silver tape, make sure it's the Cold Weather HVAC tape otherwise you will be replacing it frequently.
I put hay bales in plastic contractor bags around mine in the worst of winter and it helped tremendously
What about mice?
Thank you for your input and sharing with the RV community.
Martin, many motor homes including our Georgetown Class A use the coach furnaces and ducting to circulate heat to the storage bays (especially the wet bay) to keep your water and waste lines from freezing. If you don't use your furnace NO Heat gets to the bays below. In addition we have heating pads on our Fresh water, Black and Gray tanks. You gave many great solutions to keep warm in the cold temps. One thing you might want to mention is to make sure you don't use too high an Amp draw electric heater on those electrical circuits. 15 and 20 amp are typically usually in most circuit design. But you can easily put too big a draw on a circuit when using these electrical heaters. I know because I had a LED lamp and a ceramic heater on the same outlet and I could smell electrical insulation starting to melt with that distinct odor. I turned off the lamp and the smell went away. Strange thing is the Circuit breaker never tripped. I must have been right at the edge of the wire rating. Wishing you safe travels during these difficult times. Mike and Mary Davis
5Th Wheels are done the same way to keep the underbelly warm. And if your Ciruit breaker did not trip when overloaded, your circuit breaker likely needs replacing.
Resistive Overheating is the term, and it can -- and does -- occur well below any breaker's rated capacity. It is seen in boating, too. I have lived aboard for years, and I have seen dockside power pedestals melted from resistive overheating, yet the 30 amp breaker never tripped. I strongly recommend *not* using any electric space heater on the highest setting, at least not for extended periods. If you do, check the temperature of the plug often (you will be surprised how hot plugs can get). Also, check the temperature of your main shore power plug. If you add all the various electric draws, especially in cold weather, you risk resistive overheating at your main power pedestal, too.
Great tips on RV life in cold weather! Please consider that residential outlets and RV outlets are quite different in construction. RV outlets typically use pinch point connections as opposed to screw terminals and they can overheat more easily. The use of electric heaters can place a very large demand on the wire circuitry so please use caution when using them and be careful to distribute the load to outlets on different circuits. I really enjoy your videos and maintenance ideas keep up the great work!!
I'm on fhu but for the reason you mention, I have a separate 120v outlet at the post that I use for high-amp appliances such as a space heater, vacuum cleaner, portable AC. I do have a radiant heater that draws 600 watts on its high setting and 300 on low. That is set on the floor near the sofa. It's not designed to heat a room, only objects or people/pets near it. Has a tip-over switch. Puts out a decent amount of heat on low.
never even have a resistance heater in your life. they do a very poor job of making heat. and will burn you out. if it has not depleted your cash for electric power first.
buy one/two of the oil heaters that look like a old steam radiator. but only ONE per circuit. as they can pop the breakers easily.
those small propane heaters will kill you in hrs. in a closed up rv, building. kind of strange. you burn fuel, must keep a window open. that lets in cold air. that defeats everything.
Thank God for circuit breakers.
All I’m going to say is, I like you and first impressions mean everything.
I watch a lot of RV DIY VIDEOS and I must say, you are the most in-depth. You don’t rush through and that’s very important.
Thank you for your information and your time involved it takes to make and edit.
Be Blessed and have many safe travels.
I love how you have insulated the rig I think they should all be done that way from factory.
Ya, but they don't on most. Just something you have to do to protect your house better. 👍
Yeah but imagine how much money they save! Lol.
Totally agree! This video in a nutshell… find and fill the many spaces that lazy, cheap manufacturers leave empty and uninsulated!
@@harvdog5669 This question has been answered in the comments below many times but here it is again....
In a nut shell, the faced insulation is normally used as a vapor/moisture barrier when used in home walls application but is not needed in this situation and especially when I’m putting in several layers in those large empty cavities. If Home Depot had unfaced in stock at the time, I would of bought that.
I agree!!
This is absolutely the BEST video I have watched about insulating the RV. Filling all those vacant spaces with R19 is golden. Thank you very much. Your ideas are sensible and easy to apply.
My family and I are so GRATEFUL to have found your channel...one of the best videos we have seen! It’s like having an awesome Dad/Uncle teaching us things we’ve never learned. Thank you soooo much! Many blessings to you and your loved ones on your adventures!
Thank you so much Kristina. For you....you can just call me Uncle Martin. 😜
@@RVstreet I just found this feature out 😝safe and happy adventures Uncle Martin😜HAPPY HOLIDAYS where ever you two special hearts are🙏🏼
@@k_harmony8430 💗
The ceramic heaters is a great idea....wish I had thought of it sooner. The heated mattress pad is the best invention since the shirt pocket; we have one in the RV and at home, because I am very cold natured. When not in use, we store our Class A Thor POS in a covered RV parking facility. When it gets cold enough to worry me about pipes freezing, I put drop lights in the wet bay and we turn the furnace on and open all the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bath. Yes, it uses propane, but propane is cheaper than having plumbing fixed that I can no longer do. This method has never failed us, even in the cold snap here in Canyon Lake, Texas back in FEB, where it got down into the low teens. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
Great ideas you presented. In sub-freezing weather and staying in a full hook up site, we use both a portable heater and the propane furnace. First to keep the basement from freezing and secondly to move warm air around in the living spaces for more even heating. If we only use the space heater, then we end up with cold dead spaces such as in the bathroom. When we are not worried about freezing the basement, we use a portable heater solely, but move the warm air around using small fans.
Love how you took us through Home Depot and showed everything and explained it so clearly! Great video.
Going to home Depot is rotten advise - it is part of the super pac that brought trump and magats - go to Lowe's - they aren't politicized but support humane organizations
I'm amazed at how many appliances going at one time! I live in an older camper and found out real quick I couldn't run a heated blanket in here! Or even run the hair dryer with the microwave. Its a 2007 model
I can only assume that you have a 30 amp RV. With that being said I totally understand what you are saying, during the summer we have lived on 15 and have to be very careful of what we are using.
The propane furnace helps to keep your tanks from freezing. I used a combination of both electric and propane.
I use them for the same reason. My tanks are and plumbing located in the underbelly stay warm from the warm air flow of the furnace.
I take a thermostat controlled heat tape wrap it around a steel pipe (make sure the heat tape doesn't cross itself) hang the steel pipe at a 45 degree angle and put the thermostat outside. The heat tape warms the pipe and due to the angle of it hanging it creates air circulation flow works nicely. When the temperature outside rises high enough the heat tape shuts off if it gets cold enough the heat tape will come on and heat. I have been using on my water well pump house for years now with no problems.
I think this would work anywhere you need a little heat.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the RV community.
I use alot of electric heat However most campers need the propane heater running to prevent plumbing
and compartments from freezing. I also prefer an electric blanket over me vs a heated pad under me because if you get hot it is easy to remove covers but if the heat is under you it takes longer to get away from.
I only run our propane furnace in the morning to get it warmed up quickly, and then let the 3 floor heaters take it from there. We do have it automatically set to kick on if the interior drops below 60 degrees and it’s too cold for the electric heaters to maintain. 👍🏽
You've reached a million viewers because you've helped people out there so much you are an asset to the community thank you Martin
Thank you Mark so much. We do our best. 👍
This has to be the most informative and useful video on insulating your RV seriously really good video!
Running the propane furnace allows heat not only into the trailer, basement but underneath the trailer to warm the water lines and sewer lines. Electric heaters are a great additional source of heat but you still need to heat the underbelly of the beast.
This is the purpose of him using utility lights and insulation since no heat in underbelly on his model
I lined all my inside cupboards with reflectics, keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
That trick with the pipe insulation on the slides is really neat! Never used a RV with slides so I hadn’t ever thought of those issues.
We use pool noodles for stuff like that. We also use pool noodles, split them lengthwise and put them on the bottom edge and corners of our slide walls. It keeps you from braining yourself when you have to do something under your slides.
We use pool noodles. It helps us to remember to pull them out since they are a bright color. They also help keep out bugs when it is that time of year in a buggy area.
Yeah it's a great IDEA. I USE THE POOL Noodles.. I HAVE FOR YEARS...
Also use pool noodles to insulate water hoses and other lines you want to keep off the ground.
Some RVs use duct work under floor for freeze protection..I set my electric heater lower than propane heat when below 32..
Thank you for your input.
use your metallic tape and tape one joint of your "slider" blockers to make a hinge of sorts, would help avoid pushing that little piece too far in and having to pull the bigger piece to retrieve it. I'd also consider adding a hook and loop or magnetic fastened over-lap apron around the whole edge to really prevent dust/drafts from getting in.
Good idea.
Or over the small piece for sliders, glue a single wider piece, creating "wings" that stops it from being pushed too far. This allows the small piece to slide upwards. You will see at 6:54, the notch that prevents a hinge action.
This was so informative. I have an 1995 RV and heading through some cold territory. At one point I thought, I only have 30 amp service for the ceramic heaters but I was thinking augmenting my furnace with them, not using them INSTEAD of the furnace. So smart. Now I just have to see how well it will heat the RV! Your videos are so good and that’s the reason why you’ve got the following. Well done!
I also use an oil filled radiant heater that plugs in.. Surprisingly efficient...
your the best.... thanks
VERY GOOD!!! 😷😷
Those units are great- we use them in our travel trailer and don’t have to hear the fan buzz when we’re sleeping.
I think propane is much warmer than electric ....though i do use electric when its not real cold at night. But I use propane when its freezing temps outside. And I use a Mr Buddy heater when electricity/power goes off!!
I got those vent pillows last summer, and boy do they stop the heat/cold from coming in the coach...highly recommend them
LOL--I have used chair cushions for years!
Do they have them for the bathroom skylight? That is where so much heat comes in the summer. Was going to change mine out for a smoke colored one thinking it may help. Why do rv manufacturers put them in, light?
I use the furnace overnight to insure I maintain a certain temperature and I like warm walls and floors especially in my bathroom first thing in the morning.
By far, this is one of the best How To videos I’ve watched, and I’ve watched plenty! Thank you! And dumpster diving picture is hilarious!
Brother, keep up the great work! Watching lots, very informative. I live in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan all about Boondocking here and Cold. I am rebuilding a 2004 Georgie Boy Landau, F53 with only 30k miles. Got it to a point now where it will cross my great country multiple times. I just got back from a few days in the bush, moose season, I found running small electric heaters caused the generator to work much harder and burn much more fuel. The answer for me was use the generator to charge batteries, it idles along sipping fuel and I have 2 in floor furnaces. 70 liter propane on board and 85 Gallons of fuel, easily keep me warm for a week, I was impressed. Totally different situation here than you are used to, I drove 50km gravel to get to Elaine lake, Bush whacked willows to get in lol! Have a good one, Darin
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the RV community.
Great video! But clarification: Most models of Mr Heater have an oxygen depletion sensor. If any Carbon Monoxide is sensed, the heater automatically shuts off. Seen several videos where people have set the up with external CO monitors in the RV for hours and the sensor was never tripped. The only time they “forced” it to trip was running it on high in an enclosed bathroom. Government regulations require the warning on the label, but you are generally safe even without venting any windows. Since you have a propane cooktop and oven, your camper should already have a CO alarm if it’s not combined with your smoke detector. Really learned quite a bit from your video -thanks
I use the propane furnace when possible myself. Propane isnt to expensive here. But my reasoning is so I can conserve the electric for other devices when Im awake. Im on 30amps and enjoy crafts like sewing. But I have electric heaters just in case because temps can get below zero for me and the propane will stop flowing/working properly at that time.
Martin & Joanie, all your ideas are brilliant!! The part about insulating behind cabinetry, under the sink and bed, is pure genius!!! Love times infinity!!!! Just one more idea to share (you may have already and I missed it), is picking up a portable"soGen" power generator like a Jackery 1000 to run at the very least the little space heater, and/or perhaps the bed warmer, in case of a power outage----to get you thru a chilly night, for example.
Not sure about a portable generator like a Jackery 1000. I don't know anything about that particular genny. If you have your battery bay set up right with multiple house batteries like we do you could just run the inverter and plug into one those outlets and plug in an electric heater. Then just recharge the batt's the next morning. Or like us, we could just run our regular on board generator. Or as a third choice get a Mr. Heater. Thanks so much for your kind words Shiammi. 💋
@@RVstreet You're right
@@shiammi907 👍💋
I use propane under 30 degrees space heaters just don't work good when cold like that, floors stay warm helps pipes
Where do you place them?
Great idea for stuffing the slide seals with piping insulator and fill voids with fiberglass. "BZ" I will be stuffing this week. We normally just dress warm and use park electric but underway the wife is blasting the propane furnace and electric blankets,
when i saw the thumbnail saying no one knows these tricks, i thought i was going to end up giving this video a thumbsdown for click bait. but it actually full of useful information i've never thought of before! so thank you!
Great video and very helpful. In regards to why we use our propane heater instead of the electrical ones, a few reasons;
Prep: We have a 32 foot gas rig with no slides and 30 amps. So very tight on space and power. And it depends on if we are living in a cold northern climate or down south and just need to get through a cold snap.
1. It’s easy and quick. There’s no reason to haul out the extension cords and heaters, just flip a switch and within 10 minutes we’re toasty.
2. Room and storage is at a premium so there’s not a great place to store and setup heaters.
3. Power. We only have 30 amps so adding additional power hungry heaters along with everything else that requires 120v we have to be very careful.
Now, when we lived up north and lived in this rig in the winter we used both the electrical and propane solutions and of course had to think about what we had on before using the microwave or anything else that draws a lot of current.
Anyway, down here in Melbourne Beach Florida, especially today 12/27/2020 it’s cold and windy so we just turned on the propane heater and boom!, we’re warm!
Again, thanks for the video, very helpful and WHEN we get a newer rig with slides I will do the same thing you did to keep out the wind!
Thanks Paul. Great comment. 👍
I live in a 24 ft fifth wheel in Northern California and I’ve done some renovations and insulation on my own. Keeping the RV warm in 30 and 40 degree winters has been a challenge. I tested four different types of heaters in 2020, including ceramic, fake expensive wood burning fire stove, and I finally found that the radiator oil heater works best. I like the bedroom cold so I close the bedroom door and I hung a pretty decorative curtain in the hall that separates bedroom and living room and it has absolutely been a game changer. And most importantly I feel safe enough to leave it on when I’m gone for the day so when I come home during a cold day it’s comfortable and I don’t have to wait hours for it to warm up
Way to go Shannon on figuring out what works best for your rig.
I've watched a lot of RV videos. This is the best, Super informative. This man is the real deal. I look forward to learning a lot more from him.
thx Jules so much. 🙏
@@RVstreet Thank you and Happy New Year. I just got my RV Thanksgiving day. I live in it full time and love it. I just got 2 solar panels; next I'm getting an inverter. I'm learning more everyday. I'm going to buy the vent pillows through your Amazon store.
@@julesfalcone Thank you so much for supporting us Jules 😜
I am one of those guys that like Reflectix. When staying in my Airstream Basecamp 20X in subzero temps every night in Jan/Feb at Breckenridge I put it in all my windows and, trust me, a warm cave is better than a cold window view! I also insulated all my pipes with the foam insulation and placed more Reflectix between the pipes and the outside walls. The only other area of concern was the dump pipes between the tanks (which were heated) and the release valves. I corrected this by wrapping the pipes with heat tape, then insulation and finally waterproof tape. The heat tape was plugged in to my external outlet. One night it actually got to -31F but I never was cold…..went through lots of propane but stayed warm!
Thank you so much for your input and information. Sharing your experience and knowledge helps the RV community. It sure sounds like you have everything under control. Stay toasty my friend.
Wow! This is the best video I have seen for keeping an RV and the people inside safe and comfortable in the cold weather. Happy trails!
thx Lissa. 💋
Agreed ! Awesome ideas and very valuable info !! Ty so much for sharing your wisdom !
The first winter I spent in a RV ,the furnace had a problem and it felt like trying to heat a huge tin can in freezing weather 😲😒 I had no idea they were so poorly insulated!!!!! Thanks!!
You're welcome Lara. 💗
Martin.....you should be the engineer at the factory of these rigs. What an educational vid and I really need to thank you.....Thank you.
Addressing your bedroom heating situations: I, too, use a heated mattress pad. I've found by insuring you're using a comforter or blanket (or two) over the top sheet/bedspread, it helps the pad to heat faster and more thoroughly. Additionally, I keep the bedroom door closed/cracked to contain the heat and not let it out into the hallway, etc. Love so many of your other suggestions; makes TOTALLY sense, to me!! Keep up the good work.
Y'all Be Safe!
Thanks Ray for the encouragement and tips on what you do.
Very informative video. Thanks for posting. A little help in staying warm while sleeping, is to put flannel sheets on your bed. It really does help in that department.
Yes they sure do!! I use them on my bed at home! We also use an electric blanket, which we put on the mattress then put the flannel sheets on! If it's not very cold we don't have to use the electric blanket but it's so nice to get into a nice warm bed! We live in the mountains of East Tennessee, got a few inches of snow on the ground now! Thanks for the great ideas!! Stay safe and stay warm
Semper Fi.
Flannel sheets is the most important for me. When you get in your warm instantly !!!
I cannot thank you enough! I’m a newbie and bought a 2020 Forest River Cardinal Fifth Wheel as temporary housing. Well let me tell you NOTHING about this RV has been recreational!! Seriously a nightmare and this video is the absolute BEST I’ve seen about winter living. I’m so grateful and headed to Home Depot now! You have a new and appreciative subscriber and follower! 🍀😊
Oh one more thing and it’s a question about the cost of propane versus electricity. Everything I’ve found on line indicates that propane is always the least expensive fuel and I’m wondering what I’ve missed since you’ve said exactly the opposite and frankly I now trust you more than Google. 🤣. I’m in Central OK if that helps. Thank you again Sir!!! 🍀😊
When I did this video I was basing electric prices vs propane pricing on our experiences over last 2 years traveling the south, over central USA and the upper east coast. But many others that are in different regions have commented where they are, that propane was cheaper. So..........it just depends on where you're located.
Thank you Denise so much. 💗
Stay calm, don't worry, take your time and you'll be able to work thru everything that's going on. You may feel over whelmed right now since this is all new to you but "recreation" will be in your future.
I've used the reflector lamp method to keep the water lines in my house downstairs bathroom from freezing. The builder did not put insulation in that wall. Works great. Have since insulated the wall and all is well.
Reflector lamp method?
Wow your brilliant. Loads of good information that a lot of wouldn't have even thought about. Thank you for taking the time to show us and help us
Martin if it gets real cold be run our propane heater because it Heats that underneath storage
I can confirm that. I live in a warm climate so my coach isn't winterized. I was in Colorado with temps down to 12 degrees over 3 days. I packed the underneath bays with towels and blankets and kept the coach propane heat on. That was enough to keep the water lines and tanks from freezing. Many of our neighbors weren't so lucky!
If you put a small electric heater in your lower area, it does the same thing.
Farm and fleet sells a thermaticlly controlled outlet that turns on at 35, and off at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It only cost 15 dollars.
@@imnotarobot3600 def a good ideal. I got a 250 watt heater on clearance at Wal-Mart for $10. I leave it on coach just in case freezing weather comes and I can turn it on in the wetbay.
Great job on the insulation. You actually did a better job than almost anybody out there. The wet bay was fantastic.
Here’s the answer why people should not use propane to heat their RV in any temperature propane when it’s burns it omits CO2 and unless they have a fan or some type of ventilation to pull the air out through the roof or some other area and keep the CO2 levels low. They’re gonna poison themselves and they won’t wake up. The Best if you can hook up run your electric ceramic heaters and oil heat is also really good and make sure they don’t have any wheels on the heaters.
On the subject of condensation having a dehumidifier they’re small electric sheep to operate and the pull the water out of the air and the moisture but you’re right again everything you’re doing I don’t think anybody out there is doing better. Great job. !! I’m a new RV my wife and I am watching your video has really helped me. Thank you very much.
Great information and thank you for sharing with the RV community.👍
I admire the hard work that you and Joanie have done to bring some great ideas and solutions to the forefront of RV living. I especially like when you have an idea that I have also thought about and have a solution for. Thanks to you both for the hard work and commitment needed to make these videos! ❤
Thank you Greg as always 🔧
My folks use propane heater. They would knock over or trip over electric floor heaters as their mobility is limited. space is limited ited and they get up a lot during the night.
Love the dumpster diving picture!
Just now came across your video, wish I had seen this a couple of weeks earlier! Now I know for next winter! I might still do some of the things you mentioned, like the foam under the slides, plus those l ceiling windows thingy's.
😁 I'm glad the video was helpful.
Very good tips. The foam (blue) board is great. The fiberglass R19 is only good in a cavity, either 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 thick, when it is compressed it's almost useless. The RV industry could use a good spray foam as insulation, but won't spend the extra money.
Keep up the good work.
Ya, I didn't mention it in the video but I DID NOT compress that insulation in those larger cavities. To insulate properly you need some air space and that's what I did. But what I did put in there made a HUGE difference. thx David.
I have a pull behind Toy Hauler. I have 2 ceramic heaters in my trailer, however, I have been using my propane furnace. I use the ceramic heaters if I am low on propane. I never knew I should be using the electric when I'm at full hook up sites. What a great idea. I'm doing it right now. I'm in Florida and its darn cold. I have one ceramic heater running. It is keeping me comfortable. Tomorrow I'll search for areas to use insulation to warm up empty spaces. I'm so glad I saw this video... thank you. You just saved me a lot on propane. I've been on the road since October. I'm heading home to Michigan for Christmas then back south. I can't wait to put some of your suggestions to work.
You just saved me a lot on propane......
Yep and a lot of trips back and forth to fill those tanks. Your welcome. 👍
I use the coach's central propane heater at night exclusively to keep the bay / plumbing from freezing because that heater keeps the bay warm. But during day I use space heaters to supplement
I am spending my first winter at 6,000 feet and I am going to try many of these ideas ASAP. Thanks.
Try getting a camping wood burning stove or better yet an old 1890s one burner cast iron stove. Stove pipe can go out sun roof or side window or take out air conditioner and cut rond hole in CENENT BOARD for window or air conditioner opening on side wall I you have one.
Great video !!! Thanks, saved this video so when I go full time I'll remember to do this, lots of people have 20- 30 min videos, don't worry about that, love your channel !!!!
lots of people have 20- 30 min videos, don't worry about that,......
Thank you Duane for that. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I agree with using an electric heater when you have power. I used one of the oil filled heaters that look like a little radiator. I usually run it so it stays in the 60s. I use a Big Buddy heater with the dual tanks and built in fan. It has a low oxygen and carbon monoxide shutoff sensor as well as the tip over shutoff that is really sensitive and a slight bump shuts it off. I bought an adapter so it can run on a larger propane cylinder with a regulator
I run propane on my fifth wheel when it’s cold with chance of freezing because it heats the pipes in the floor of my four season. If furnace runs pipes don’t freeze
Great video, wish I would have seen it before I went on our first cross country trip. 90F in Arizona then we hit Utah and it dropped to 27F. I used the propane for heating, and we ran out in 3 days. Had to unhook go get propane. Now I carry 2 small electric heaters. We were in a full hookup park and never thought of buying some small electric heaters, since we predominately are always in a full hookup park. I do carry the Mr Heater standup heater when we have boondocked, on a low setting which is enough to heat our 26ft it will use 1lp of propane in about 6hrs. I hook it up to a separate small 5lb tank. I also reinsulated the entire RV with R19, specially under the bed which like you said was a total empty space and we did feel the cold radiating from there. Again, tks and great video
When I use my furnace, the heat comes from the floor vents. When I use my heat pump(electric) the heat comes from the ceiling vents. Completely ineffective in Temps less than 50 degrees. Space heaters are the way to go if I need to spare propane.
RIP Martin! We sure do miss all your videos of great RV tips.
Joanie we think of you often and pray you are doing well🙏
Thanks for the tips. I've never come across this info before.
I freakin adore how excited you got about spooning right away! That was priceless!!! 💗
We're just getting ready to insulate our travel trailer. We plan to use the panels you showed, but hadn't thought about the R19. We'll look at doing that also.
Thanks for all of your tips. We'll implement other suggestions too.
How did it go? I will be doing the same to my travel trailer... looking to learn
Thanks Martin! We are stuck in Canada this winter or should I say COVID season.LOL We use a 1500 W floor model ceramic electric heater and our RV propane furnace. Our 32' motorhome has a 30 amp service so we can't run our 1500W electric heater when we are using high amp appliances like the toaster oven or microwave. The furnace comes on when the electric heater is off. Other than meals, the electric heater is on.
We also use Reflectix in some not all of our single pane windows ie bedroom and bunk bed windows because we never sit in those areas. The dinette and bathroom windows have the clear plastic membrane that helps with draft. Both help keep the rig comfortable, although I agree the Reflectix makes the motorhome cave like.
Regarding the entry door, we bought thick fabric from a fabric store that covers the entire length of the door and steps. We installed some snaps above the door and the sides so it is easy to snap on and off. We also have a spare pillow on the bottom step that fits perfectly into the step well.
Question: Does anyone have a tankless water heater in their rig? I'm wondering if I can add fibreglass insulation to that cavity without creating a fire hazard.
Hummmmm....can't use a 1500watt heater with 30amp when using other high amp appliances? Ya I get that. You can't use them all at once for sure. Maybe one or two items at a time. We spent all summer in Maine and was on a-get this-15amp wall outlet with an extension cord from Joanie's brothers garage all summer and we ran our 1500watt floor heater at night fine. Any other time when we had to use the microwave or some other appliance, water heater etc, we would just constantly switch things ON & OFF as we needed them and just manage our electric usage carefully. Once in awhile we'd turn on something else which was to much amp draw and pop a breaker. Whoops, turned on to much stuff. Go reset the breaker in the garage and back in business. But we're a 50amp coach and ran off 15amp for 4 1/2 months. I found that kind of incredible. A lot of people don't believe me when I tell them that. Now of course we didn't ever run the AC's because up in Maine you don't need AC. But ya, a lot of folks don't realize that you don't need much power if you carefully manage your power usage when your in cool climates. Good comment Neil. Stay warm as possible in Canada my friend. 👍
I am a big time winter camper............great info! You have out done me! I need to get to work................Thomyt
Add the silverback foam board under the floor to help and run the lower fan to help keep the bays warm.
Bob
Where did you get the small dehumidifiers?
Best RV channel on the planet. I'm getting some of the dehumidifiers because I have problems with humidity. I don't use my furnace anymore because it's broken. I used it before it quit and the popping noise kept me awake at times. So I went to a big box store and bought a couple of oil-filled heaters. They are not going to be a fire hazard because they are sealed up and difficult to turn over. I don't use the refrigerator on the propane source. It just seems safer to run it on electricity. What's your viewpoint, anybody?
I'm sorry to say that Martin has passed away and I have no idea what an oil filled heater is because we always used an electric one. We always used the refrigerator with electric because it was cheaper and easier to use than propane.
Thank you so much for making this video! This is the most detailed video I’ve seen on how to insulate your RV. I’m a full time RVer but we are stationary - we are living in our RV until we build our house. We are coming up on our second winter in the RV and I’m definitely going to apply all of your suggestions. One thing about the propane furnace, we found it was pretty much the same to heat with that and the electric space heaters we had. Maybe it was because we had a lot of drafts in the RV or where were parked had a lot of wind? We actually used both the furnace and space heaters simultaneously. I tell ya, we spent about $300-$400 a month on electricity and propane in the winter months. 😳
Last year I used the heat shrink wrap on all our windows. It was nice because we still could look out and have light. I don’t like living in a cave either! It seemed to help but not as much as I had hoped it would. Maybe this year after insulating the draft areas it will work better! Thanks again! ✌️
Thank you Chrissy. Yeah these kinds of insulation tips will make a BIG difference in the summer and the winter.
The RV furnace also heats the area of the water and wastewater tanks, thus preventing water lines and trank freeze up. Also, the fan in the furnace will move more air around the coach. We use both the furnace and electric space heaters. During times of extreme cold weather we depend on the furnace 90% and the space heaters 10%. In our insulated water bay, we use a 200watt ceramic heater and heated water hoses
If you check the wall warts on your dehumidifiers they probably run off 12v DC, you can buy 12v DC cords that will fit those and then just run them off the house batteries if you are boondocking since that is more efficient than the inverter.
Ya know, I never thought about that, using 12v adapters that is. I'll have to look into that. thx 😜
@@RVstreet I appreciate that you admit you don't know everything. It seems easy but you'd be surprised how many people try to bluff knowing all the answers.
I would like to know if you keep a notebook with everything that needs to be done prior to setting up and prior to getting ready to leave? If not I would suggest that you do for 2 reasons
1. Like me as we get older we sometimes forget little things, especially when rushing or stressed.
2. Heaven forbid something happens to us and someone else has to prep our RV to be moved to a safe place.
I'm a new subscriber. Love your work!!
🤗✌️🤟🖖🙈🙉🙊👵🏼
@@mslinstrot4643 When we first started FTing, the first year yes we did have a printed list. Two of them actually. One for Joanie for inside stuff and one for me for outside stuff. And we always check each other at the end. But since then it's pretty much rote and we don't use the list anymore but we still check each other once done. However, your comment of-Heaven forbid something happens to us and someone else has to prep our RV to be moved to a safe place.-is a good point but IMO a highly unlikely event. Besides where would I put that list where I could rely on the fact that the someone else would find it. But still a good point. When we get older and start to forget stuff we'll probably go back to the lists.
thx Bruce and thank you so much for subscribing. 🙏
@@RVstreet When I still worked I always created a "bible" of how to do my job. I started doing this because I kept going into jobs with no one to train me. When I moved into management I had my teams create the same thing but by this time I started calling it "Procedures for Dummies". I told them that they should imagine a flood happened and the only person able to get into the office was the CEO and their procedures had to be dumbed down enough for the CEO to be able to figure everything out successfully.
The problem with most procedures is that they are created by someone who ALREADY knows how to complete the task(s). A good procedure assumes that the next person to use them will know absolutely nothing. So if you need to use a tool to say, adjust something, then the procedure will tell you where to get that tool etc...
As for where to keep your procedures for departure and arrival, I would suggest taping an ICE (In Case of Emergency) instruction card no bigger than 3"x5" card. The only thing on the card would be something like:
"In Case of Emergency if this vehicle must be moved correct procedures MUST BE FOLLOWED to avoid collision while moving.
The procedures are located (list location of procedures notebook)."
The note card would need to sound scary enough to ensure your procedures are followed.
I would also put the note card in a ziploc bag to be waterproof and probably use a red permanent marker to write on the bag
"EMERGENCY ONLY"
@@mslinstrot4643 I like that. Thanks for taking the time to explain a good way to do this. I especially liked the "Procedures for Dummies" part. 😝
Cobra Kai Strong! The one advantage of using your propane furnace is that it uses the duct system to distribute the heat more evenly. I'm with you tho, if I'm paying for electric I'm using plug in heaters. I'm someone that prefers some ambient noise and the cycling of the propane furnace has woken me up many times. Great information!
Awesome job showing and explaining the insulate, warm and protect!!!!!
I use shrink wrap tape and tyvek to wrap around the whole bottom of my RV. No air drafts get through and the floor stays so much warmer. Just food for thought
Thank you for sharing and helping others 👍
The one thing that is awesome for sure is, Those foam boards add NO weight to your coach
We believe in “Light is Right” less weight is good great job
So true! Thanks Jeanie. 🔧💗
We stayed in -20 in our coach. We used three 1500 watt ceramic heaters set on low!
That's cute... I just did -64c
11:44 "How do I know that?" I can tell you are staying sharp! Good video!
Just bought a Mr. Heater for emergency heat during power outage for the great room ... not used it yet. Did learn that with the right fitting (and knowing how -- lots of vids on the subject on You Tube), you can refill the smaller Mr. Heater propane cans from a larger BBQ grill sized tank.
This man is a genius , he has to be a engineer, he is brilliant!
Thanks so much Veronica. One of my favorite girl names BTW. And no, I'm NOT an engineer. 💗
He is just a brilliant man!
⭕⭕ The furnace is vented. They make an adapter for the Buddy heater so you can use a 20 lb. bottle. The biggest reason for the windows open is when propane burns it also converts to moisture. Try damp rid. You can get it at any home center. Comes in plastic tubs like butter. Make sure the holes are open or it will not work. 😎 love your info.
Ya we use Damp rid containers too in other places-like in our basement-but in our rig they don't work near as good up front like those dehumidifiers do. Our dehumidifiers actually circulate the air and pull out the moisture in the air. They work fantastic. Didn't know about the adapter. Good tip. thx 👍
@joe blow I also got a larger tank. The larger Coleman screw on cylinders only last for about 3 hrs.
I don't even have an RV but I watched the whole show !
Very informative.👍
💗
Oh also a suggestion. I use to be a home builder. When using the insulation you should leave the paper on inside the cabin. Fiberglass fibers do come loose and it's not good to breath in.
Just found your channel and really learned a lot about insulation in a camper. We are “newbies” to the RV world. We have a 1990 Prowler with a slide. Will definitely be doing the pipe there and check some of our other places that could use the extra insulation. We haven’t really been winter camping but plan on it in the coming months. We brought our little electric fireplace from the house and have used it a few times just to get the chill out during our fall trips. Will definitely check out your other videos. Thank you so much for the helpful information.
thx Marilyn. 👍
Loved your video. I don’t camp in the cold weather, but if putting insulation in will help keep out the heat too, I’m all for it. QUESTION: why do you take the paper backing off the insulation before installing it?
I'm sad to say that Martin has passed away but I do recall asking him the same question BUT I don't remember the answer he gave me. When he explained it to me I understood it at the time. Sorry
@@RVstreet oh NO! I’m SO sorry to hear this. My sympathies go out to you. I too lost my husband, but back in 2010. I loved watching your husband’s videos and so I feel like I lost a friend with your news. I hope UA-cam doesn’t take his channel down now due to no more new posting in the future. He was a wealth of knowledge and his way of presenting his content was so warm and inviting. His voice just kept drawing me in. You may not believe me now, but a time will come when you will be able to watch his videos and hear his voice and love every minute of it. I don’t have any videos of my husband, just pictures. Thank you for sharing your husband with the rest of us. He will be missed, greatly!
At the prices charged for some of these units, insulation like this should be done by mngr.
Agreed but most don't. Rv's are a bred of there own. It's just an item to pay to play IMO.
95% of people don't rv in cold climates. Rv's are built for that 95%. Unfortunately you can't custom order more insulation. All but the million dollar units are built on a assembly line and they don't want to slow production with custom options.
@@matthewerwin4677 Insulation helps with heat as well. It keeps really hot out and allows a/c to not have to work as hard and cool air stays in rig.
1q
@@RVstreet I have a mobile home same concept- my issue is below 20 degrees at the city water connects it is freezing. So my question for you is why did you take off the paper on the R-19? I’m going to stuff the pit with insulation... not sure how far down the heat tape goes in the pit. I also have a remote thermostat like you do as well
Great idea! Thank you for the work you put in to show us those ideas. Every RV model is different so i won't be able to use all of them. I will point out a word of caution about the electric heaters, some RVs use electric receptacles that will over heat when pulling the wattage of a heater. You can change them out but you need to make sure the electric line is good all the way to the outside. We found running the vent fan when we shower helps with the humidity. Thanks again.
Great info, going to have to run to the hardware store and prepare myself for the rest of the winter. Never would have thought of adding plumbing insulation to the slides. Ive used my propane when I get up in the morning to warm up the bathroom/bedroom while I get ready for work (aprox 10mins to heat the camper to 70). Current temperatures in Albuquerque in the morning has been in the high 20’s in the morning. I haven’t insulated my front bay on my fifth wheel yet. I have one of those built in fire place space heaters and a additional space heater. I’m able to keep the camper at 70+ until through the day until I shut everything down for the night. Over the period of the night the front of the 5th wheel gets cold. Definitely need some of that blue board for the Bay Area
I use my motorhome furnace but if I stayed where the electric was part of the flat rated rent.
The heated mattress pad is a must have in a coach. I also have an electric blanket but it's not being used so far.
The only concern I have about using an electric ceramic heater is exceeding the service amperage. The plug on my power cord has been overheating at some point. Possibly when the AC unit was running all the time.
You gave some great tips and I'm going to put some of those to work. Thank you and stay warm
you were right.. got some really good ideas.. we just bought 2 acres near Elko Nevada.. gets down in the teens at night.. thanks for the ideas!
Some of the best advice I have found on this topic. Thank you.
Thank you for another informative and useful video. I look forward to them and never fail to learn, which is my goal in watching. The length of the video, which others have commented on, is immaterial to me as long as my knowledge has increased. I leave the 10-20 minute videos to others when the only purpose it serves is to blow thru a topic so quickly that I cannot do it myself. I appreciate your effort to educate others.
Thanks for those words of encouragement Robert. So just in case others read your comment and my reply here....
Sometimes I do worry about a video being to long but if I don't cover what needs to be covered then I leave a lot of folks hanging with a partial message. So for example, if I took a video that covers one subject (like the one you just wached) and it's on the long side and broke it up into say into 2 parts, then when part 2 comes out a lot of folks didn't watch part 1. And won't take the time to find Part 1. Therefore they only got half the info. However, I do try hard to keep my vid's as tight as possible, to make them as short as possible but at the same time cover what needs to be covered. So again thank you again for recognizing that I'm not one that just "blows through a video".
This man is a gift from God!
Very well done. Thank you for all the suggestions.
I do use my furnace if it is going to get down in the 20's and I crack open my kitchen cabinets and the drawer above where the water pump and plumbing lines run from the water tank so the heat can get in those areas. Otherwise, I use ceramic heaters or the heat strip on my roof air. Since I have a 30amp Class C, for safety I will only run 1 ceramic heater on the house, but I have a 20 amp cord that I will use (if the campground offers a 20 amp outlet) and run it thru the kitchen window to run a 2nd ceramic heater.
Yep, in very cold temps, keeping your cabinet doors open inside is another way to keep all those plumbing lines warm back in there. We do the same. I should of mentioned that in the video but forgot. However, I did put that info in the description text. Many folks go down below each video and read the description for additional information I put there. Good comment Cap. 👍