Is replacing the furnace worth it?

[mtnbbud]

I have an 1989 18 ft Terry Resort I've been using for awhile now and enjoy tinkering with updates and such. About 6 years ago, I had pulled out the furnace to attempt to fix a nasty squeak from the fan shaft. After pulling the furnace, I found it was manufactured in such a way that there was no good way to service the motor. I assume the grease or whatever they used to lubricate the shaft had dried up after 30 years of off and on use. I was able to drip some oil along the shaft which worked for a couple of years, but the squeal is back. I also found the furnace is a huge drain on my battery.

When I camp with shore power, I've been using an electric heater. When I need heat when dry camping, I've use a Little Buddy Heater while being careful to monitor with a CO detector and cracking the vents.

I'm currently considering replacing my furnace with a new one. Are the newer furnaces easier on the battery? Would I be able to fit a diesel heater in the spot where the gas furnace used to be while still keeping the external opening watertight?

My Little Buddy Heater has been performing just fine although I hate using those little disposable propane tanks. Being that the cost of a new furnace or quality diesel heater is so high, would it be worth the upgrade?

[Dutch_12078]

enblethen wrote:
You should be able to replace motor and other parts without removing the furnace.

That's true for some models, but not all. The Atwood/Hydro Flame 8500 and 8900 series are easily accessed without removal, but other models and most Suburban furnaces, not so much.

[wa8yxm]

I do not think the new furnaces are all that much different in terms of battery drain.... But if you only park where you have decent electric a Ceramic type Space hearer is compact and operates at a lower temp than the hot wire type. >DO however make sure the tip over switch functions properly. If you often park w/o reliable electricity. (and from the battery draw question I suspect you do) disregard that part of this post.

[enblethen]

You should be able to replace motor and other parts without removing the furnace.

[mtnbbud]

Thanks all. I'll likely pull the furnace out sometime when I get the urge to do some tinkering. It certainly wouldn't be a big deal to pull the motor out if and when that happens. Even if I didn't fix the furnace, I could repurpose that space for storage or something.

[StirCrazy]

I have a 1991 camper with a hydro flame in it and I just replaced the motor for the furnace last year. pretty It's a pretty easy job but there are two different style motors listed, and they have different shaft lengths, so you have to watch out for that.

[Dutch_12078]

mtnbbud wrote:
I'll have to look up the make and model when I have time. It's a 1989.
I don't store my trailer at my house. I do remember checking Amazon for an exact replacement of the whole unit and it was over $700 to replace it with the exact unit. I'd assume replacing the fan would be a lot less. It might be a Suburban...

Suburban replacement motors are more expensive than Atwood/Hydro Flame motors, but are still a lot cheaper than a new furnace.

Suburban Furnace Fan Motors

[enblethen]

Good chance your furnace is a Hydro Flame now Atwood
Motors are fairly economical. Easy to replace.
For example

[Scottiemom]

You might try Northwest RV Supply in Eugene, Oregon. I don't know if he has furnaces, but he has motors, parts, galore.

Dale

[TenOC]

mtnbbud wrote:


When I camp with shore power, I've been using an electric heater. When I need heat when dry camping, I've use a Little Buddy Heater while being careful to monitor with a CO detector and cracking the vents.


My Little Buddy Heater has been performing just fine although I hate using those little disposable propane tanks. Being that the cost of a new furnace or quality diesel heater is so high, would it be worth the upgrade?

Connect the Little Buddy Heater to a 20 or 30 lb tank. I ran the line from my Kitchen (under a drawer) to the hole I drilled at the outside shower location. I have a two burner Big Buddy heater.

[cptqueeg]

Try the diesel heater, I think it would be worth the effort depending on the number of days dry camping w heat required. There are self contained setups and could be moved to your next trailer.

[mtnbbud]

I'll have to look up the make and model when I have time. It's a 1989.
I don't store my trailer at my house. I do remember checking Amazon for an exact replacement of the whole unit and it was over $700 to replace it with the exact unit. I'd assume replacing the fan would be a lot less. It might be a Suburban...

[Dutch_12078]

Make and model of the furnace would be helpful. I recently replaced the fan motor in one of the two Hydro Flame furnaces installed on our 22 year old GBM Landau motorhome. The motor was readily available on Amazon.

[valhalla360]

At 30yr old, probably cheaper to just buy a 15yr old rig with a functioning furnace rather than a new furnace.

Repairing the fan motor probably doesn't make much sense as it's likely not designed to it. Not saying it can't be done but probably simpler to just get a new fan motor. Only question is does anyone make one compatible with your 30yr old furnace.

[ScottG]

No, new ones still suck power from your battery.