Wood burning stove

Don20 · 10-28-2021, 02:20 PM

Hi everyone! I am interested in installing a wood burning stove in my camper. Specifically a cubic mini and I was wondering if anyone else has done this. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Wingerdinger · 11-04-2021, 02:44 PM

A couple things come to mind. First, any wood burning stove is probably going to void any warranty. I would think your insurance company would really frown on it. You should check on both.
Another issue is you are going to have to cut a large hole in the camper, presumably the side. Any chimney is going to have to have a very large clearance to combustibles, meaning potentially a 12" hole.. not something I'd do.
Also, any wood heat is going to get way too hot, too fast. Do you really need that much heat?
Also, if you don't use your furnace, and you have the 'extreme weather package', the belly and duct area of the camper don't get heated as intended, and you have a higher risk of freezing the plumbing and tanks.
I have a similar unit, and find that the furnace does a nice job of keeping the camper warm until about freezing. After that, I have very little interest in camping, and put it away for the winter.

Tonyg2724 · 11-04-2021, 03:06 PM

Been around a lot of RV’s in my time and cant recall ever seeing that. May I ask why you’re considering this? I find myself agreeing with all of the points wingdinger has pointed out. I’m sure it’s possible but wonder how practical it is.

**mark5w** · 11-04-2021, 03:38 PM

Doug hit the nail on it's head. Seems like a dangerous undertaking to me.

Don20 · 11-04-2021, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the advice. I live in my camper full time and with the cost of propane and moisture problems, and with wood being free, I plan on installing a very small one called Cubic Mini. ( see pic ) As for the " Extreme Weather Package" it's only a gimmick. The mini stove installation is very popular for campers, cabins and tiny houses. ( see youtube ) only need a 7" diameter cut in the roof. (easily repairable for installers remorse) I also haven't a warranty so there's no problem there.

**Lloyd** · 11-04-2021, 06:39 PM

Is that a Grizzly?

**dagst1** · 11-05-2021, 09:22 PM

I did some research on this and yes some do put them in campers but that raises another question - Are your water lines in the underbelly or are they inside the cabinets? If they are under the camper then you would still need to run the furnace to keep them from freezing. Also I would check with your insurance to see if they would even cover it.

After seeing a camper burn and how quickly it was gone I personally would not but that is my opinion regarding me.

Don20 · 12-14-2021, 09:22 PM

With the cost of propane approaching 6.00 gal I went ahead and installed a wood burning stove in my rig and glad I did! Free heat!

Gladiator · 12-22-2021, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don20

With the cost of propane approaching 6.00 gal I went ahead and installed a wood burning stove in my rig and glad I did! Free heat!

Are you able to run just the fan on the furnace to circulate the heat throughout the RV?

Don20 · 12-22-2021, 06:53 PM

Yes it works well doing that. Also the fan on top of the stove does a good job of pushing the warm air. Fan also uses no power.

**dagst1** · 12-22-2021, 07:41 PM

Just curious -- How do you run just the fan on the furnace?

Don20 · 12-22-2021, 07:54 PM

New technology. The fan produces its own power from the heat from the stove. The hotter the stove the faster the fan turns.

Don20 · 12-22-2021, 07:59 PM

Brief explanation

**dagst1** · 12-22-2021, 08:04 PM

My bad. I misunderstood Gladiator's question about the fan. I thought he was referring to the campers furnace.

Back in the late 60's i got one of those Stirling fan kits as a Christmas gift -- Still have it today.

Don20 · 12-22-2021, 08:33 PM

My bad too.....I run the fan on air con to circulate not furnace. Actually not needed anyway.

RVCRUISER34 · 12-23-2021, 06:35 AM

Nice job Don 20, pics really explain it

Papa-T · 12-23-2021, 08:58 AM

Nice job. How about a pic of outside where the pipe exists.

Don20 · 12-23-2021, 02:08 PM

Outside pics

Papa-T · 12-23-2021, 04:01 PM

Thanks for sharing.

PhilCee · 09-10-2023, 02:06 PM

I'm a recent member here and just saw this post - I hope the original poster still visits occasionally!

I am undertaking the same project - but mine will have to mount in the slide out area, which poses additional problems concerning the flue.

However, my question is about the diamond plate you used as backing - is there some sort of insulating layer between the diamond plate and the wall, or is it simply air space?

Nice work on your install - Thank for sharing your project and I hope to hear from you.

You may also like: