Woman Killed In RV Fire Linked To Space Heater

Whenever I travel in my motorhome, if it gets too cold (especially during the morning hours) and I am at an RV park with full hook-ups, I'll plug in my space heater to warm up.

The motorhome has a built-in propane heater, but I don't like using it for long periods as it eats up the propane. 

There is one thing that I don't do. It is having a heater on overnight. I am warm enough under the covers so having a heater on overnight is not necessary.

RV Travel has posted an article on the dangers of space heaters in an RV. A woman was recently killed in her RV by a space heater.

The article begins with:

A recent RV fire in Pennsylvania turned deadly after investigators linked the blaze to a portable space heater. According to authorities, the fire spread quickly inside the RV, and despite a desperate rescue attempt, a woman lost her life.

It underscores a hard truth about cold-weather camping: Space heaters can be far more dangerous in RVs than many people realize.

Portable electric heaters are common in RVs, especially when hookups are available and propane use is something owners try to limit. They feel familiar, inexpensive, and safe. After all, many of us use similar heaters at home. But an RV is not a house, and the differences matter.

To read the full article, go here. 

RV Travel: Portable Heaters Safety Tips

Above, the ceramic electric heater I use. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RVs these days include indoor propane heaters to keep one warm during cold weather. The problem with them is that they eat up propane, which is quite expensive.

An alternative to RV propane heaters are portable space heaters. Mine (a ceramic electric heater) has saved me plenty of money over the years.

But one should be aware that space heaters come with their own set of hazards. RV Travel has posted some safety tips when using them.

They begin with:

Winter brings cold temperatures, biting winds, and even snow or sleet. Will your RV furnace keep you toasty? How much will it cost to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your rig? Perhaps a space heater can supplement your furnace heat and save you money on costly propane, too. Before you get started, it’s important to know critical safety tips for using portable heaters.

To read more, go here. 

Consider An Electric Heater For An RV

Above, The Beast at Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Six years ago, I was camping at Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas where the nighttime temperatures dropped to the 20s. 

I noticed that the built-in propane heater was eating up my supply of propane. As there was a Walmart nearby, I went there and bought a ceramic electric space heater. That did the trick. Instead of using the propane heater, I used the electric heater and saved on my propane. The heater was around $20.

MotorBiscuit posted an article with four reasons to consider buying an electric heater for the RV. One of them, per above, was to save propane.

They begin with:  

As temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall, it’s time to start thinking about keeping warm this winter, especially if you plan to take the RV out for a cold-weather camping trip.

Winter camping offers relief from mosquitoes and an air conditioner that runs non-stop with enjoyable brisk hikes, sledding, and plenty of other outdoor activities. But, once the sun starts to set, you will want a warm place to return to after playing outside. Sure, a campfire or cozy blanket can do the trick, but when it gets too cold inside the RV, an electric heater could be the answer to keep Jack Frost from nipping at your nose.

Here are four reasons you may want to consider an electric heater for an RV this winter season.

To read more, go here. 

Best Electric Heaters For RV Camping

Above, the temperatures got down into the 20s at Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka,
 Kansas, prompting me to purchase an electric space heater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2016, I camped for a few days in Topeka, Kansas while waiting for a money transfer at my bank. While there, the nighttime temperatures dropped down into the 20s. I was using my built-in propane heater in my motorhome, but that wasn't cost effective. I needed an electric heater to help save propane.

Luckily, a Walmart was nearby and I went over there to pick up an electric space heater. I bought a ceramic electric space heater and it fit my needs perfectly. I still use it to this day.

Above, the electric space heater I bought in Topeka, Kansas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The topic of what is the best electric heater for RV camping has been posted at Do It Yourself RV. 

They start it off with:

“What is the best electric heater for RV camping?” This is a question many RVers ask when cold weather rolls around each year. After all, why spend money on propane to operate your propane furnace if you have shore power (120 VAC) available to operate an electric heater?

If you search online for “best electric heater for RV” you will find a nearly endless list of comparisons, reviews, and debates on electric heaters. The problem is, you don’t need to know the absolutely best electric heater for RV use, you need to know the best choice of electric heater for the way you use your RV.

Let’s look at the different types of electric heaters and features to determine which ones fit your needs.

To read more, go here. 

Propane Heaters: Dangers and Precautions

Above, the ceramic electric space heater I use. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I camped in a pop-up camper (tent trailer), I used a portable propane heater to heat the inside. 

It worked well, but I was concerned about carbon monoxide and rarely used it. I still have it, in case I need to use it outdoors. Nowadays, if my RV is plugged into a campground's electric outlet, I use a portable ceramic space heater. I have a built-in heater in the motorhome that runs off of the coach's battery and propane, but I only use that when dry camping so not to use up the propane. In either case, I do keep a window cracked open for ventilation.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on the dangers of using propane heaters and what precautions that should be taken.

They start it with:

A travel trailer set on fire in Oregon recently after a dog knocked over a portable propane heater.

The RVer was lucky to escape unharmed in this case, but accidents like this are not uncommon.  If you’re using a portable propane heater to stay warm over the winter, you’ll want to follow a few simple precautions to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

To read more, go here. 

RV Propane Heater vs. Electric

Above, The Beast at Joshua Tree National park where the propane heater drained the house battery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2015, I spent a night at the Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Although it wasn't winter yet (it was in November), the nighttime temperatures got down into the 30s. I used the RV heater for the first time.

The following morning, I found that the house battery (there were no power hook-ups at the campground) was drained to practically zilch. The battery is needed to power the RV heater fan. Since it was about 5:00 in the morning, firing up the generator was out of the question as it is noisy and there's other campers to consider.

Instead, I started the engine and it began to charge the house battery since it is much quieter. But the charging was too slow, so I left the campground around 6:30. I didn't camp in such conditions (no electric hook-ups and cold temperatures) again.

About a year later, I was camping at a RV park in Topeka, Kansas and since there was a Walmart nearby I bought a ceramic space heater. The nighttime temperature was forecast to get into the 20s. Since I had power from the campground, that worked fine for me and I didn't have to use the RV propane heater.

RV Life has an article on what is right for a RV: Propane or electric? It discusses the pros and cons (like what I experienced) on heating a RV during winter conditions with propane and electric heaters. 

They begin with:

With winter in full swing, many campers are missing their RVs like crazy. Meanwhile, there are RVers who choose to keep on camping despite the chilly weather. The trick to enjoying winter camping trips? A heater, of course!

Most people who camp in cold weather only occasionally simply turn on the RV propane heater included with their trailer or motorhome. This is fine in some cases, but depending on your camping style and preferences, it might not be the best option for you. 

Wondering what options you have besides the traditional RV propane heater, and which heating option would work best for you? In this article, we will discuss both of these things so you can head out on your winter camping trips with confidence. 

To read more, go here.