I am about to set out on a 2 day drive with our new RPOD 192.  Can I count on the battery running the fan on the heater over-night?  It is definitely going to be chilly.  I haven't used the trailer without being plugged in yet and I have no instinct for how long I can count on the battery.

I'll pay for hook-ups somewhere if its questionable.

I would say.. try the first night, be prepared to sleep chilly in case, and then you will know the answer for the 2nd night and can plan accordingly.. Or.. if you have the camper at home, tonight, unplug, turn the heat on, check back in the morning....

Thanks for the replies.  My trailer can't be parked at my house and I'm not comfortable running the heater unattended at the storage facility, so I think I'll need to arrange for hook ups and see what happens if I don't plug in.

A chilly night might lead to a very cold silence during the 2nd day's driving.  ;-)

Hi Grinkle,

As already stated, there are many variables to determine how long your battery(s) will last.  If it has been well maintained and not run below 12.2v (50% S.O.C.) before recharging, it should easily last the night.  Each time you do this, keep records (outside temp, charge of battery before using furnace and again the morning after, temp. kept inside pod, outside weather conditions- temp and wind).  The more you do this the more comfortable you will be camping in inclement weather conditions.

I carry two 12v batteries.  The oldest one will turn 12 years old next April and I can go 3 days and 2 nights when night temps are in the low 40's with some outside wind conditions, inside temp is kept at 58-60 overnight so the furnace will run a fair amount.  At the end of the 3rd day the battery will read 12.2v, time to change to the other battery.  The 12yr. old battery is an Interstate, group size 24 deep cycle.  The other battery, same weather conditions can last 3.5 - 4 days, it is a 1.5 year old Trojan T-1275 (golf cart battery) gives 150 aH of service.

I do NOT utilize either solar or generator.

Worst case scenario, if you leave your tow vehicle connected to the trailer and the battery does run down you can get some charge in it by running the engine. not a great solution but better that freezing.  

Originally posted by hogone A little off topic, but can you run the furnace while traveling; maybe turn it on before arrival at destination?  jon

I suppose you could but going from experience we have arrived at campgrounds or a destination where temps may be in the mid to upper 40's.  As soon as we arrive we turn the furnace on and by the time we are set up (leveling the pod, chalk tires, put stabilizers down, run slide out) which may take 7 or 8 minutes, it is already 60 degrees inside.  The furnace kicks out a lot of btu's for a small area, and as you know, it doesn't take long to bring the temp up inside.  Why waste the propane as long as you can wait 10-15 minutes once you arrive.