Need Help Operating Furnace

Burdbunch5 · 09-23-2016, 08:03 PM

Hi there,

We bought a 2014 Maple Country rv trailer last year and we love it! We moved over the summer this year though, and we have lost our owner's manuals (they are buried in our boxes somewhere.)

Is there anyone who knows how to operate the furnace for these trailers? I have turned the middle switch to 'Heat' and put the fan on 'Auto' and have upped the temperature. The problem is, the furnace kicks in only for a few minutes and then shuts off. We live in Alberta, Canada and it gets below freezing at night and our kids want to sleep in it tonight.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Please? LOL

Thanks so much.

Papa-T · 09-23-2016, 08:07 PM

Is the gas on?

Papa-T · 09-23-2016, 08:09 PM

And you might need to light the stove gas burners and let it purge any air in the lines.

Burdbunch5 · 09-23-2016, 08:12 PM

Hope I don't make myself look stupid - we are totally new to camping. We are running it electrically right now. Do we still have to have the gas on? I understood we could run it either with electricity or by using the gas.

Burgy · 09-23-2016, 08:22 PM

The furnace is gas but does need 120V to run its blower. Turn your stove on and light the burners, once lit, you have removed most of the air from the gas lines.
Then try to fire the furnace again.

On an older camper i had the AC unit would produce MILD heat but it was the gas furnace that really cranked out the BTUs of warmth.

Burdbunch5 · 09-23-2016, 08:26 PM

Thanks so much! We really appreciate the tip. We'll give that a try. We didn't realize we had to have the gas/propane on too, even though we have the trailer plugged in. Fingers crossed this will work. Lol

Thanks again!

Burgy · 09-23-2016, 08:29 PM

Remember that the ac blows air from ducts above your head. Furnace from ducts at your feet, on the floor and under the fridge. When the furnace is on the AC unit will be off.

Burdbunch5 · 09-23-2016, 08:31 PM

Lol....believe me - no AC needed up here this time of year. Lol. Hubby is out turning on the gas as we speak, and doing what you suggested. It totally makes sense and I bet you have solved our problem. Thank you so much!! Greatly appreciated!

Burgy · 09-23-2016, 08:38 PM

You're welcome. Let us know the results. Hopefully I'm right.

Burdbunch5 · 09-23-2016, 08:43 PM

The furnace is working like a charm! You were absolutely right! And it's heating the trailer rather quickly too! You have no idea what this means to us. We are a blended family, so we only get my hubby's kids every other weekend. It means so much to them to be able to 'camp' in the yard tonight - and it means even more to us. We are so grateful that you reached out with your advice. Truly, we didn't have a clue. Lol. Nice to see good people are still out there! Thanks again! (If I knew how to use the emoticons here, I would...lol)

Burgy · 09-23-2016, 08:54 PM

You are very welcome. Yes, that little heater will RUN you out of the camper in no time. There's also a vent between the queen bed and the back of the TV on the floor. It will make your feet sweat like its a hot summer day.

Enjoy your night camping!!

(Click Post Reply instead of Quick reply. )

johnboytoo · 09-24-2016, 05:49 AM

Good deal _ way to help out !

You deserve some 'Atta Boys'

harley · 09-24-2016, 07:51 AM

just a little correction for the furnace...it needs 12v (not 120v ) to run the fan , you do no need it plugged in to work as it only needs propane/battery (12v) to work. Plugging it in charges the battery while it is plugged in.
you may want to use a micro furnace or some kind of electric space heater so you do not burn up to much propane.

Papa-T · 09-24-2016, 08:22 AM

No question is stupid. We have all been Newby's at one time and had to learn just like you. Just wish I'd had this forum years ago to help me. Glad it was the gas. Enjoy

You may also like: