Let's Talk About Heating our Trailers.

[jesusgatos]

What about radiant heat? All you'd need is a propane-fired tankless water-heater and a simple closed-loop heating circuit (using PEX tubing run through the floor or wherever you want to heat). You can also use radiant heat to create forced-air heaters by plumbing heat exchangers with small electric fans into the radiant circuit. Maybe even tap into the engine's coolant system? These ideas have all been tested and proven in motorhome applications and I don't see why this type of system wouldn't work equally well in a trailer. After doing a ton of research, I decided to go this route in the motorhome that I'm building right now and just thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[kb7our]

IThe WFTW Jeep and trailer will be at the Overland Expo in a few weeks as a feature vehicle. For those of you who attend, you're more than welcome to stop by and check out the heat/air conditioning unit for yourselves. If you cannot make the Overland Expo, then just hit one of the more than 20 WFTW events around the country.

I'll be there to see your setup so will stop by and say hello - taking the RV out this time so will be staying at the fairgrounds.

Wade

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

What about radiant heat? All you'd need is a propane-fired tankless water-heater and a simple closed-loop heating circuit (using PEX tubing run through the floor or wherever you want to heat). You can also use radiant heat to create forced-air heaters by plumbing heat exchangers with small electric fans into the radiant circuit. Maybe even tap into the engine's coolant system? These ideas have all been tested and proven in motorhome applications and I don't see why this type of system wouldn't work equally well in a trailer. After doing a ton of research, I decided to go this route in the motorhome that I'm building right now and just thought it was worth mentioning.

That is an interesting thought. I have a RV water heater in my trailer. The only thing you would not have would be a thermostat to control the room temp. I'm sure it could be worked out. I have a few different types of heat exchanger tubes from radiators.

I also like the Propex unit, but will wait and see what Martyn has come up with.

 

[Hilldweller]

What about radiant heat?

That would work great in my tent if the plumbing was run just under the top of the trailer --- right under our torsos as we sleep in the tent.
The downside would be the added weight up top on already top-heavy unit...

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

I just camped up in Memphis this past Friday night where it got quite cold at night. The campsite I stayed in had electricity, so I plugged in the heater and ran it all night...worked FANTASTIC. I stayed nice and warm and didn't even use my sleeping bag...just an old Army poncho liner.

Yes, the duct work the the unit goes up into the tent, which doesn't bother me in the least. The tent will be permanently up there...no reason to worry about the two holes that were drilled into the bottom for the ducts. The mattress I had was modified by Top Stitch (Fernandina Beach, Florida) so that it lays flat and does not interfer with the ducts (nor vice versa).

I must say, the set-up I have is probably the best out there right now (my personal opinion, not meant to offend others). The unit is small, light weight, efficient, and cost effective (only $500). The only thing I haven't tested it out on yet is running it on the generator. The A/C is 300w and the heat is 600w. Since the generator I have is 1000w, I'm guessing I could run the heater for about 6 hours...the A/C much longer.

The WFTW Jeep and trailer will be at the Overland Expo in a few weeks as a feature vehicle. For those of you who attend, you're more than welcome to stop by and check out the heat/air conditioning unit for yourselves. If you cannot make the Overland Expo, then just hit one of the more than 20 WFTW events around the country.

What is this unit that does both heat and air?

I must be blind or still half asleep because I don't see the brand or model listed.

The suspense is too much.

Dendy

 

[Martyn]

With all of the High Quality and well thought out componets you two come up with Martyn, I Cant wait to see what yove done and will be offering, and incorparate it into my trailer.

I'm not going to be building a heating system. What I do is research for the best products on the market from all over the world, test them extensively in the field, and then sell the products that make the grade.

It's not a quick process and sometimes there just aren't many products to choose from. After doing all the groundwork if we are still dissatisfied with the offering then we'll design and manufacture our own product.

 

[WFTW]

What is this unit that does both heat and air?

I must be blind or still half asleep because I don't see the brand or model listed.

The suspense is too much.

Dendy

Sorry...didn't mean to make it out to be some sort of secret...just thought everyone already knew about it. Here's the link:
http://www.golittleguy.com/cms/content/view/62/163/

 

[WMac]

Hey Martyn,

Just checking in on any news of a good heat source that you may have found at the show.

 

[kb7our]

Hey Martyn,

Just checking in on any news of a good heat source that you may have found at the show.

I saw something like this in the awesome Trek.

http://www.suremarine.com/manuals/assorted-information/propex.pdf

Wade

 

[Martyn]

I'm still getting our website sorted out, but you can see our heaters at http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

We fitted one to the new Composite trailer and are very impressed with the craftsmanship and performance.

 

[OlympiaFJ60]

I'm still getting our website sorted out, but you can see our heaters at http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

We fitted one to the new Composite trailer and are very impressed with the craftsmanship and performance.

Do you have installation pics of the HeatSource? Does it have to be mounted in an enclosure? Does it come with most everything needed to install and operate, except gas line and maybe some duct work?

Was looking at building something with one of the Suburban Mfg compact RV furnaces, but at twice the amp draw (but 16,000 btu) and all the work for an enclosure and ducting, may work out to be about the same price but and easier install with the HeatSource.

 

[Hilldweller]

I'm still getting our website sorted out, but you can see our heaters at http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

We fitted one to the new Composite trailer and are very impressed with the craftsmanship and performance.

Nice unit.
Could you show a few pics of mounting ideas? --- consider your Conqueror cousins... :ylsmoke:

 

[dzzz]

I'm still getting our website sorted out, but you can see our heaters at http://www.adventuretrailers.com/heaters.html

We fitted one to the new Composite trailer and are very impressed with the craftsmanship and performance.

Does it work at altitude? That's the trouble with boat heaters. The sea level thing.

 

[Martyn]

Do you have installation pics of the HeatSource? Does it have to be mounted in an enclosure? Does it come with most everything needed to install and operate, except gas line and maybe some duct work?

Was looking at building something with one of the Suburban Mfg compact RV furnaces, but at twice the amp draw (but 16,000 btu) and all the work for an enclosure and ducting, may work out to be about the same price but and easier install with the HeatSource.

I don't have pictures of the installation yet.

I installed the unit in the Composite Trailer and it was very easy.

You're provided with a template that gives you your clearances (about an inch all the way around) the location for drilling two holes for the air inlet and outlet, and holes for the mounting brackets.

Fit the stainless steel flex pipe to the inlet and outlet pipes, and attach the remote thermostat, then bolt the unit down. The flex pipes were routed to opposite sides under the trailer so there was no cross contamination. The seal between the pipe and the trailer was made with high temp silicon.

The propane enters via the back of the unit.

Comes with a short length of flexible duct and a vent (I can remember if there were 2 vents or not).

Ideal for vehicle applications. These units seem to be very popular with the VW Syncro crowed

 

[Martyn]

Does it work at altitude? That's the trouble with boat heaters. The sea level thing.

This issue usually only starts at 8500 ft with most propane appliances, and it's only at 12,000 ft that it makes the appliances impractical to use.

Changing the size of the orifices jets is the answer if you are going to be using propane for long periods at elevation.

I’m still talking to the manufacturer about different jet sizes and what their recommendations and experiences are using these units at higher elevations.