Quicksilver with LP

[admin]

For my situation the furnace/propane package was not worth it. We started with our QS with the idea that it was a tent on wheels so everything was kept minimal. We do have a Mr. Heater Big Buddy for those nights where it gets a bit too chilly. However for the most part we just bring an extra blanket.

Generally we do bring propane for a lantern and stove, so its easy enough to use for the heater if needed. If you read enough of my posts you might get the idea I like options. So with a single 20 pound propane tank, I can run my lantern and cook stove off a "propane tree" fitting. Then if positioned right, I could even run a flex line to the heater. Optionally all these items can also be run from independant 1 pound cylinders. I can even do partial refills of the 1 pounders from a 20 pound tank, if the 20 pounder cooperates...

In short, unless you can really see yourself using it, I doubt its going to be worth it.

-Sean

[vmcmn]

We usually camp where there is electricity,so we use a small electric heater.

[rocketman]

Thought i would give a bump to this thread. My wife and i are considering purchasing a used QS 8.0. We have 3 kids under 7 and live at 8000' in Colorado. We've always been  tenters and back in the day i had a toyota pickup with a topper and built in bed. I know that sleeping in a metal box 4' off the ground is going to be cold. Having a furnace extends the camping season from summer only to 3 seasons. If anyone has any experience - good or bad - with the factory furnace/lp system and it's effectiveness in keeping the cabin comfortable we'd love to hear it.  

I did a nationwide sesrch on campingworld.com inventory and didn't see a single one equipped with the furnace option. Is the furnace a dealer installed item?

[kinyo]

Hi Rocketman, I just bought a 10.0 with the LP option. Here in Qc we dont have too many dealers and the only 10.0 that was available was equiped with the LP package. I cant tell you if the furnace is effective yet but i can tell you that it was installed by the factory and not the dealer. I like to have te option to cook quick meals inside if it's raining too much outside.

[sandyu]

I have the LP option also. I don't use it much. However, when I do use it I am glad I have it. For example, The first camping trip this year was a state park in Kentucky this spring break. That night it got down to 22°. The furnace kept us from freezing that night. The electric blankets helped a lot also. We had a electric hookups that night. The furnace fan will drain a battery fairly quick. You can get two solid nights running the furnace with just the battery. The little buddy heater is also good option. I have it also, for those times I have no electric hook ups. You might just want to keep it simple and cheap just get a little buddy, but if you plan on a lot of cold weather stuff get the furnace.

By the way I got to take my 10.0 and family to the Rockies last year. My first visit, it was a good trip. We stayed at the jellystone campground. It was a nice location and temperatures were nice at 8000ft. The national park campgrounds at lower elevation were roasting.

[rocketman]

Thanks for the responses, good info!

I called the factory. As expected what Sean said at the top of the thread is the way to go - propane tree feeding multiple appliances. The LP system is factory installed, it can be retrofitted but probably not worth the time and effort. They said the vast majority of the units they ship to the Rocky Mountain region have the LP and Off Road options (no surprise there); I expect it will work well enough for my purposes.

We already have an LP stove and lantern. We'll see what we find as far as used QS's go and take what we get. As far as battery life, good to know 2 nights with the furnace is the limit. I will keep that in mind when looking at solar charging options (we tend to camp off the grid).

Kybrowns: Glad you had a good time in the Rockies and "Jellystone"! Did you camp in the park; I didn't think they allowed tents/soft-sides due to wildlife issues? We're looking forward to getting back to all the western parks - only now with the kids. Yes, even a slight (1000') increase in elevation (in conjunction with sun/shade) can be dramatic. The trade off of course is you need your coat (and furnace). :-)

-Dan

[sandyu]

I visited one national park campsite and it was mostly tents. Perhaps there are different rules for the different campgrounds.

[rocketman]

Off topic but in response to tents/soft sides in yellowstone and since we may be headed that way...I found nothing regarding restrictions being in place at this time  when i did a quick google search or on the nps website.

[sandyu]

There is at least one campground in Yellowstone where soft sided campers are not allowed. Can't think of the name right now.  I think it's the only one with full hook ups. I stayed at the Madison campground and was very happy there. I might stop by there again this summer on the way to northwest.

[rocketman]

i found this, from June 2011. I knew I was'nt crazy but time does fly.

http://www.seattletimes.com/outdoors/tent-camping-restricted-at-3-campgrounds-near-yellowstone-because-of-bears/

Funny, we are headed to the nw in July. Yellowstone will probably have to wait until next year. I'll be sure to call the NPS before booking anything. Thanks for the info and enjoy!