Heat in the basement

[Davelati]

Anyone know how to get heat in the basement and waste tank areas when use electric heaters to warm the main rv? We have an 03 Big Sky Montana.

[linebiker]

Would seem to me putting heat system on fan only and running electric heaters would put some heat below. How effective it would be for very cold temps would be difficult to determine.

[geo]

We have an Alpine 3640RL. You can see from the Keystone website that the Alpine is supposed to have the extra insulation and construction for cold weather. However, my own admitted OCD (that's Obsessive/Compulsive but I don't really think I have a Disorder) tendencies dictate that I need to have a backup for what supposedly Keystone has supplied to keep the plumbing and holding tanks warm. Because of an earlier problem (fresh water line kink), I was able to familiarize myself with the sub-basement area behind the basement. Keystone has done a good job of putting the plumbing in an area that should stay near the same temperature as the living area of the fiver. However, the freshwater tank is in a position removed from this common area - down a long run to end above the axles. The grey and black water tanks reside under the basement and sub-basement warmed area and are isolated from this warmed area by a plywood encased 6" styrofoam sub-floor. True, furnace heating ducts run to these areas (plus the WaterWorks area), but not the heat pump ducts. Also, there are no ducts that supply constant sub-basement warmed air to these two remote areas.

So, here comes my own modifications. Note: I will post more on this and pictures as I complete this modification during the Christmas holiday period.

I plan on using an Inboard/Outboard ski boat bilge blower (235 cfa/m) along with woodshop dust duct and fittings to outfit a quiet but constant air flow to these areas to hopefully keep the fresh water tank, waste tanks, and waste valve areas warmer.

I almost have all the parts gathered from ordering at Amazon.com. I'll try to post my progress by the end of the year. I haven't dug into the Montana basement area, so I don't know how it compares to the Alpine. But, with any luck, I might convince myself that I could camp with -40C temps and not have any freeze up. Just got to find those two 100# propane tanks to fit in the port side propane storage area, eh!

Regards,

Ron

[antiqfreq]

We have been living in our RV for about 1 yr 3 months now; mostly traveling so not in one spot for too long. But often in snow and freezing states.
Now we are back in central Georgia (our new home for the RV) and it is 16-20 degrees every day and night). We decided to put some insultation boards around the base of the RV. The DH has climbed under there several times and it is definitely warmer than before. It is windy here lots of days and that eliminated that cold air traveling under the trailer. (Not to mention the squirrels can't get in!) You can go to our blog and see some pics. He actually built a framework, then cut boards to size, then screwed them to the framework. Took us just one day and cost about $90 total.
We will be living in our RV at least until February when our house should be done.

The blog site is: http://jjpadventures.blogspot.com

Jo

[mikell]

We just picked up a 3640rl and will be in it this winter in Michigan. So far no problems but I haven't had time to snoop around underneath. Looking forward to what your doing. We have lots of heat in the bedroom but little at the other end so thats my first project

[Outbackmel]

We "had" the same issue in our 2011, 36' Outback. We have the rear BR model with a front bunk house. After considering all options we could gather, we simply had a light bulb go off in our heads and thought about an adjustable vent from Home Depot....BINGO....$9 and issue gone....fits right in there...standard size.

If it does not cure your particular situation, it certainly will help....

[mikell]

I've blocked a vent partially but it gets so hot yoy can't step on it and it doesn't help thr far end. I think it needs a bigger duct or get the kinks out.