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 > Is replacing the furnace worth it?

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TenOC

On the road -- Full time

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Posted: 06/02/23 09:14pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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.


Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

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Scottiemom

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Posted: 06/03/23 04:34am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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

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enblethen

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Posted: 06/03/23 08:51am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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


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Dutch_12078

Winters south, summers north

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Posted: 06/03/23 09:21am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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


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StirCrazy

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Posted: 06/04/23 06:25am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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.


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mtnbbud

Oregon Willamette Valley

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Posted: 06/04/23 11:59am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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.

enblethen

Moses Lake, WA

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Posted: 06/04/23 01:08pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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

wa8yxm

Davison Michigan (East of Flint)

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Posted: 06/04/23 02:51pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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.


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Dutch_12078

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Posted: 06/04/23 09:21pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

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.

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