I am going on my first camping trip this weekend with my 1990 Skamper. I am curious how much propane I will use. It does have room for two 20lb tanks but I didn't know if I needed both. I plan to use the refridgerator with propance, gas furnace (at night only), hot water heater a little, and some cooking on the stove. How much do you think I will use? We will be gone for 2 nights 3 days. Thanks

I don't think you should have a concern about running out of propane.

I just filled one of my 30# bottle today (it actually still had a little propane in it) after 3 trips in our Arctic Fox 1150. Since we had the use of electricity and shower facilities during our trips, I thought I would itemize our useage.

The first 3 day trip my wife and I took we used the propane to run the refrigerator while on the road for a total of 12 hours, heat water for 4 showers and for cooking (5 meals). We had electricity at our campsite.

Our next trip over a 10 day period included running the refrigerator while we were traveling (36 hours total), heating water for 18 showers and for cooking 12 meals. We had electricity at every campsite we stayed in.

The last trip was with my son-in-law on a 4 day fishing trip. We ran the refrigerator the entire time (approx. 100 hours), used the water heater just to clean dishes (there were showers available) and we ran the propane generator 5 to 6 hours each evening to charge the boat trolling motor batteries, run the microwave on occasion and so we could watch TV. We did not have electricity available.

As you can see, a little propane goes a long way. I hope this helps!

One 20 will probably do you but I'd take both full to be safe. I hunt out of my TC late Noovember in northern WI for 2 weekends and I have come close to running through 2 20's for both weekends combined. I not top them off in between weekends. I'd hate to have to sleep in the cold or worry about plumbing freeze-ups.

Thanks for the replies!

What about battery life? If I set the thermostat at night and let it run will my battery die? I was thinking about bringing a backup and see how it works for the first time. I will use maybe an hour of lights each night, and the water pump every so often but other than that the heater will use the most electricity.

My understanding is a deep cell has approx. 100 amps any idea how many amp a standard heater will draw per hour of use?

Thanks

Seems like I get three years out of a deep cycle battery no matter if it is in my boat or camper. They seem to perform longer when newer. That being said, if you're using a battery 3 years old or older, I suggest bringing along a spare. I do when I go hunting and have used it a few times especially on really cold hunts where the furnace is running almost constantly. We do run a generator for about 6 hours each night but the charge you get through your converter is very minimal. Mine charges at .5 amps per hour so I don't gain what I have used. I know I can charge off the genny at a higher rate but i think it's easier to swap batteries. Less time in the cold after I have been hunting all day. You don't say where you'll be camping but if your weather is more moderate, like you just want to take the chill out of your TC in the morning, you may be OK with just the one battery provided it's newer.

My battery is about 2 years old.

I will be camping in Western Maryland, they are calling for highs in the 50's during the day and around 30 at night. I plan on just setting the thermostat at a low temp (50-60) to take some of the chill out during the night. I will mostly likely pack the extra battery. I have room and since I installed the air lifts weight shouldn't be a problem. More worried about my tires giving out at this point.

Thanks for your help.

I run Bridgestone Dueller A/T Revo's load range E on my 2500 HD & love them. I run them at 80 psi rear & 70 psi front with the camper on and 70/60 w/o the TC for a little better ride.

Yeah tires are definately next on the list since the rating is only 2600# I know I have to be pushing that since the camper states that it weighs 2300 loaded. After gear I am sure I am closer to 3000lbs.

Does anyone know of a small portable rod oven that uses a propane furnace to heat the rod instead of an electric heating element?