Blowing through propane

[BarberArias]

We just bought a new to us 19' reflection 31mb a couple weeks ago to live in.
The nights are getting down into the low 20's high teens and we are going through a propane tank every 2 - 3 days. We added a electric heater to help and that is getting us to 4-5 days now. Is this normal? Our last trailer would last a month + on the same tanks.

[Jkwilson]

Normal. I can’t imagine getting a month out of a tank. That is probably about what you’d use cooking. Did you have a heat pump in your previous rig?

[BarberArias]

Did you have a heat pump in your previous rig?

No heat pump but the trailer was a travel trailer vs a 5th wheel, 1slideout vs 3, and massive difference in windows.

I more or less just wanted confirmation that I don't need to go looking for a problem. I'm definitely not smelling any propane leaks.

[colan]

Yes, your usage sounds typical. Our experience even when supplementing with electric heat when highs are in the 30s and lows in the teens and 20s is a 30 pound tank every two to three days. And we achieve this usage by turning the thermostat down to 50 at bed time and a setting of 67 during the day.

I’m guessing your RV has a 35,000 btu furnace. A 35,000 btu furnace running continuously will go through a 30 pound tank n approximately 18 hours. Eighteen running hours over two to three days seems reasonable especially if your are keeping the rig fairly warm.

After saying your propane usage seems reasonable, it won’t hurt to look at the furnace and make sure the vent hoses are securely attached. Might get lucky.

BTW - if you have to pay for electric it may be less expensive to use propane. Some RV parks have electric rates set fairly high.

[Country Campers]

It is also important to keep the furnace running in cold climates to keep the belly warm and prevent frozen pipes and plumbing. If is does not get below freezing you may not have to worry about this.

Brian

[Cate&Rob]

We just bought a new to us 19' reflection 31mb a couple weeks ago to live in.
The nights are getting down into the low 20's high teens and we are going through a propane tank every 2 - 3 days. We added a electric heater to help and that is getting us to 4-5 days now. Is this normal? Our last trailer would last a month + on the same tanks.

This usage is "normal" for an RV. I can't imagine how you heated one for a month on two tanks! See this related thread for some more numbers on the the BTUs in a tank of propane and how long this will last when running the furnace. https://gdrvowners.com/forum/propane...ne-bottle-size

Rob

[bertschb]

Our last trailer would last a month + on the same tanks.

That's impressive! We winter in Palm Springs and have never made it a month on a tank of propane.

[OffToHavasu]

I'm glad we went with the heat pump. We've been in Julian for a week (cool nights warm days), 7 days in Lake Havasu over Thanksgiving week (cold nights upper 40s and cool days in the 50's) and we ran the furnace once to make sure it worked. I'm still on my original 2 tanks when we bought the trailer in May, and still on the first tank.

[Cate&Rob]

cold nights upper 40s . . .

Now there's a perspective from California LOL!. Heat pumps are a good idea if you live in the "above freezing zone". The propane furnace is the only alternative for sub-freezing temperatures.

The gas furnace in my 2000 sq ft house is not much bigger (BTU wise) than the propane furnace in my 300 sq ft Reflection. The big difference is insulation. Although the 1 1/4" thick walls with aluminum wall and window frames linking the outside to the inside, plus 4" of insulation in the ceiling are advertised as "Arctic Package" they really can't compare to the 6"+ of wall insulation, thermal break window frames with double or triple glass plus 20" or more of insulation in the attic that make "sticks and bricks" in cold climates really energy efficient in "near Arctic" conditions.

Let me tell you about testing cars at -40 (C or F) in northern Canada . . . but, I digress . . .

Rob

[TucsonJim]

Let me tell you about testing cars at -40 (C or F) in northern Canada . . . but, I digress . . .

Our normal low temperature testing in the missile business is -40. I can't tell you how many times over the years a technician would ask the engineering staff it that was C or F...

Jim

[Jkwilson]

Our normal low temperature testing in the missile business is -40. I can't tell you how many times over the years a technician would ask the engineering staff it that was C or F...

Jim

Maybe I’m a smart Alec, but I’d have just said “yes”.

[Jkwilson]

Now there's a perspective from California LOL!. Heat pumps are a good idea if you live in the "above freezing zone". The propane furnace is the only alternative for sub-freezing temperatures.

The gas furnace in my 2000 sq ft house is not much bigger (BTU wise) than the propane furnace in my 300 sq ft Reflection. The big difference is insulation. Although the 1 1/4" thick walls with aluminum wall and window frames linking the outside to the inside, plus 4" of insulation in the ceiling are advertised as "Arctic Package" they really can't compare to the 6"+ of wall insulation, thermal break window frames with double or triple glass plus 20" or more of insulation in the attic that make "sticks and bricks" in cold climates really energy efficient in "near Arctic" conditions.

Let me tell you about testing cars at -40 (C or F) in northern Canada . . . but, I digress . .
Rob

Not on RVs I’m sure, but some heat pumps can operate down to -15F now, and have pretty good efficiency down to around 0F.

[Country Campers]

We have owned our Reflection for 3 seasons of camping and I have not filled a tank yet. You guys talk about lows in the 40's or 50's , that's pretty nice sleeping weather round here. We use the electric fireplace for those kinds of temps just to take the chill off. If that don't work pull another blanky on and move a little closer. YMMV

Brian

[Chipmaker]

In sub-32F weather, we use one 20# tank every 36 hours (day and half). We keep coach 71F during day and 67F at night. This is two months experience traveling from Seattle to Chicago and staying there for two months. Moved onto warmer climates here in Texas where it is 60-73F and haven't used much gas to speak of except for the propane fire pit. As a side note on cost of gas. Many 20# tanks are only filled to 15pounds, like Walmart, but it is cheapest at $14.95. The best pricing and value is to get them filled, not exchanged. Most places will release the air and fill the tank all the way, so you get 20# for about $17, again that is for a full 20#.

[BarberArias]

So what I am understanding from the responses is head south! Thanks for all the input everyone!