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. 

Cold Weather Camping Tips and Hazards

Above, at Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Winter camping is something that I've rarely done. 

The first time I've camped in cold weather was ten years ago while at Joshua Tree National Park. It got very cold after sundown. I had my propane heater on overnight. Early the next morning, I still had plenty of propane, but the heater's fan drained the house battery. I ended up leaving the park early.

RV Travel has posted an article on cold weather camping tips and safety hazards to avoid. It ends with a video.

It begins with:

When temperatures drop and leaves turn, plenty of RV owners start thinking about winter camping. Some do it by choice, others because they have no better housing option. Either way, cold camping can be rough on both people and rigs if they go in unprepared.

The video guide at the end of this post from Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV walks through real-world tips to stay safer, protect the RV, and avoid some very expensive and dangerous mistakes. 

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Power Certainly Helps

Above, the front yard on February 7, 2024. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was nice to be able to wake up to having power to the house after two straight days of power outages. Both outages were due to downed power lines. 

After getting up this morning, I fired up the heater to take the morning chill out. It sure beats sitting in a cold house covered in blankets and waiting for the power to come on. 

The temperature is currently 21° outside. 

I may have to invest in either a wood-burning or pellet-burning stove for future winters. I have a propane heating system, but that relies on electricity to fire it up. 

This week brought two days of rain and snow. The snow total was around two inches altogether. Even though it is meager compared to past year's, at least the ground looks saturated. It sure is a fall cry compared to last winter. We're definitely in a drought.

This has been a dry winter, so far. Even Flagstaff, Arizona hasn't seen much snow this season. Until this past week, Flagstaff saw only just 5.9 inches since Oct. 1. Jamestown, New Mexico is at roughly the same elevation as Flagstaff. 

Our next chance for rain/snow is on Tuesday (30% chance). 

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. 

How To Determine Your RV Furnace’s Propane Usage

Above, The Beast at Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first real use I put my RV furnace to was while dry camping at Joshua Tree National Park in 2015. I put it on when I went to bed, but I found myself cold when I woke up and got out of bed early the next morning. I had plenty of propane, but what I didn't count on was that the furnace drained my house battery to zilch. 

Normally, I stay at RV parks with full hook-ups, thereby providing power to my space heater and RV furnace. Even though I have access to power, I use the RV furnace sparingly to conserve the propane and rely more on the space heater. And, since l learned my lesson, I don't use the furnace until I am awake as I am warm enough under the covers. I have not had any problems since.

How much propane does an RV furnace use? To answer that question, Do It Yourself RV posted an article that tells all.

They start it with:

How much propane does an RV furnace use? This is not a question you typically hear sitting around the campfire with other RVers. You are more likely to hear questions like how long will my battery last, how long will my freshwater last, or how long will my propane last. The last three questions are totally subjective, but “how much propane does an RV furnace use” has a definitive answer. 

Note: This article addresses DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) RV furnaces found in most newer RVs—not older RV furnaces that contain pilot lights.

To read more, go here. 

P.K. Made It!

It's colder than a witch's tit outside!

I just went outside to the front porch and found the cats's water is frozen solid. Their food bowl was empty, apparently the cold prevented the food to fall into it. I gave it a good nudge and it came down.

It is now about 22° outside. At least that's according to my thermometer.

As I was outside, P.K. came running up and was hungry as hell. She proceeded to gobble up her food. At least I know she's fine. I didn't see her kittens. But at least I know the heater helped.

I was out (in my pajamas) just long enough to get these two photos:

The Big Freeze

Above, Superman says, "I shouldn't have gone to Jamestown, New Mexico last night!"

When I last checked the local temperature about 20 minutes ago, it was already down to 43°.

It is supposed to hit the upper 30s around 9:00, so I fired up the new heater for the kitties who are under the deck. Hopefully, it will keep them warm tonight. I will periodically check it before I go to bed. But it is working well.

The last I checked the National Weather Service forecast, it said it is expected to drop down to 15°. That's cold!

As of now (I just looked), it is now 39°. And it still says it'll go to 15°. That's what one has to put up with when they live in 7,000 foot elevations.

Preparing For The Freeze

Above, the heater I got at Tractor Supply Co. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before our usual morning gathering at Denny's at the Flying J, I headed to Gallup to pick up a heater for P.K. and her kittens, who have taken residence under the deck. This is to prepare for the big "killer freeze" that is expected to hit the region tonight and possibly last through the weekend.

A "kitty condo" heating pad is on order, but it isn't expected to arrive until Friday. So I needed something for the cats in the meantime.

I first went to Home Depot. While they had small heaters, the ones they had were not appropriate for outside use.

I thought I would head over to Gallup Lumber to see what heaters they have available, but decided that I would try Tractor Supply Co. first, since it was only a couple of blocks away from Home Depot.

Above, inside Tractor Supply Co. in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I did as they had what I wanted, a "barrel" heater that would blow warm air further than the space heaters used indoors. This was the second time this week that Tractor Supply Co. came through for me. They had RV holding tank anti-freeze on the shelf when others were sold out.

I put the heater under the deck already so that the cats would get used to seeing it before I turn it on tonight.

The forecast is now 15° tonight.

According to the National Weather Service, the forecast is as follows:

This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Clear, with a low around 40.

Saving On RV Propane

Above, instead of using the RV propane heater, I use this
electric space heater instead. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The 2015 Minnie Winnie 22R that I have uses propane for the stove/oven, refrigerator and heater. A tank of propane will generally last me for about a month's worth of camping days. The only times I "boondock" (camp without hook-ups) is when I go the a clampout twice a year.

When I am at a RV park or campground with hook-ups, and if it's also cold, I'll use my electric ceramic space heater instead of the RV heater. That saves on propane.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on tips for saving propane (and, therefore, money).

They begin with:

Whether you go camping in a tent, trailer, or motorhome, you likely rely on propane for a variety of purposes. It can be used to heat up your stove, the water tank, or fuel the generator for power. 

These are some of the ways that you can make your propane tanks last longer, and more importantly, save money in the long run.

To read more, go here. 

Winter RV Camping: Portable Space Heaters

Above, the Comfort Zone ceramic convection heater in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Three years ago, I was camping in Joshua Tree National Park. The nighttime temperatures dropped down into the 30s and I had to use my RV built-in propane heater to keep warm.

The heater, I found, kept me warm, but it was at a cost. It ate up propane and battery electric power (I was dry camping, so no hook-ups).

Above, The Beast at Goulding's Lodge Campground at Monument Valley. It got down into the 20s there,
but the ceramic convection heater I bought in Topeka, Kansas kept me warm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A year later, I was camping at a RV resort in Topeka, Kansas and the temperatures there (and later at Monument Valley) dropped down to the 30s and below. Fortunately, I was near a Walmart in Topeka and bought a Comfort Zone ceramic convection heater for about $20. It worked great and I still use it. In fact, I bought two more of them for the house (one for my bedroom and one for the living room or den). They arrived in the mail yesterday.

As it happens, Do It Yourself RV has an article on three types of space heaters that will make winter camping much more comfortable.

They begin with:

Don't get left out in the cold this winter! Stay warm and cozy in your RV with these three portable space heaters that are guaranteed to take the chill out. 

The cold hard fact is that RVs and winter weather are not ideal companions. With little insulation and plenty of opportunities for chilly air to leak in, it can be difficult to keep an RV comfortably warm when the temperatures drop. That’s where portable space heaters come in handy. 

No matter how many times you vow to “follow the warm weather” while RVing, the truth is that you’re going to run into cold weather eventually. 

It could be a freak cold snap, the necessity of traveling through cold northern states to get to warmer states, camping at high elevations where the nights are almost always cold, living in your RV while working in a cold climate, camping in the spring and fall when temperatures go up and down—or maybe you just like to spend time in colder places.

To read more, go here.