Heated trailer. How many BTU are you running?

Doo2015 · Dec 4, 2016

Just picked up a sled trailer. 26ft + 4 foot v. It is insulated and uses an airtronic D5 diesel burning heater. Super convenient because you just fill up the trailer with fuel at the pumps and it sips fuel. Thats why i went this way over propane. Anyway I think it only puts out a little over 18,000 BTU. I'm sitting in it right now and it took a little while to get the heat up. It is just ran through one vent at the front of the trailer and it's moving quite a bit of air and I can't hold my hand in front of it, too hot. I thought it would have warmed the trailer up quicker. I know some guys running 30k + BTU furnaces and they seem to work well. But the need it for helmet heaters, boot and glove dryers etc. I think this one would have to run for several hours to dry out the trailer. What are you guys running? Anyone else running similar BTU as me? Opinions?

seen46 · Dec 4, 2016

How many BTU's you need will depend how well the trailer is sealed and insulated. Get the floor spray foamed if its not insulated already, it helps a ton and helps seal the bottom of trailer from dust and road salt.
18k's might be fine, it will just run more and take longer to heat up, and put more drain on your battery. 18k does seem small thought for a 30ft trailer. My last two trailers have been 30K, and now 40k and like the 40k even better.

Merc63 · Dec 4, 2016

Buddy has 40k and she pumps the heat great! I wouldn't want any less.

iceman5689 · Dec 4, 2016

40,000btu suburban in my 28'. More the better, hardly uses any propane. I'd like to hear feedback on a diesel heater.Loose most of the heat through the floor, another option is spray foaming the belly.

Invalid Zero · Dec 4, 2016

36,000 in my Triton 22" Lowboy. Heats up real quick, wouldn't want less.

snochuk · Dec 4, 2016

40K btu and warms up fast in a 26' trailer. Have yet to use a tank of propane on a trip. Usually will last 6 days depending how much you run it.

08summit · Dec 5, 2016

40,000BTU here also in a 29' trailer....works awesome but wouldn't want to go much less.

blubbles · Dec 6, 2016

42,000 on our 28'. As many have said I wouldn't go any smaller. It can heat the trailer up pretty quick which is nice when coming down a cold trail. Also pretty nice to not have to drag all your gear into the hotel room to dry out. Spend a few dollars extra each night and let it run.

BEL · Dec 6, 2016

24' with a 6' V and 38,000 BTU propane furnace, with vents coming directly out of the unit along the floor. It is well insulated and heats up very nicely, but if it's friggin' cold (-25 or lower) and you let it run all night you'll go through a 30lb bottle over 2 nights. You'll also have to find someplace to plug it in as it will drain both the trailer and the tow vehicle batteries in about 12 hours when it's that cold.

Doo2015 · Dec 6, 2016

We will see how my little 18,800 BTU diesel heater works. I'll run it at least a few hours after riding or all night, we will see. It will have to do for this season.

skegpro · Dec 8, 2016

26ft 35,000BTU ran all the time until I spray foamed the floor.

Now a 30lb bottle lasts 4-5 nights.

grizzly05 · Jan 11, 2017

40k btu in 20 ft sled trailer......never gets used so cant tell you how great it is. when ordering trailer 40k only cost 75.00 more than a 25k heater.

flabbajabba · Jan 22, 2017

Doo2015 said:
We will see how my little 18,800 BTU diesel heater works. I'll run it at least a few hours after riding or all night, we will see. It will have to do for this season.

insulate the floor and it will be enough

Ive got a 35000 and my trailer is colder then my buddies bigger trailer with a 18000 (his floor is spray foamed huge difference)

amunro · Oct 1, 2017

Is your trailer spray foamed in the walls?
I am ordering a new trailer but plan to spray foam the walls and roof with 3" thick spray foam and the floor.
The have that same airtronic. I have been worried it won't be big enough and once the spray foam is done I won't want to change anything lol

Uturn · Oct 1, 2017

34000btu on a 27ft.

HotShotHarry · Oct 1, 2017

40,000 btu in my 28ft. works great.

cattechsummitrider · Oct 1, 2017

Have a 40000 in a 30ft trailer heats up real quick! trailer is spray foam insulation 1 inch in the walls 2 inches in the roof and 3-4 inches in the floor,,, most revelstoke nights the heater is too big ( not long enough run time ) but when it is 30 below it is the perfect size, If your trailer is properly insulated ( sorry I have not seen one that is from factory) you should be good down to -15,,,,,on most central bc night your heater should work good,,, don't forget that 4 cold sleds take a very long time to heat up,,, Once you have a heated trailer you can never go back!!lol

Joholio · Oct 1, 2017

40k -24' with insulated walls and roof. Not under floor tho....

Rusty99 · Oct 9, 2017

cattechsummitrider said:
Have a 40000 in a 30ft trailer heats up real quick! trailer is spray foam insulation 1 inch in the walls 2 inches in the roof and 3-4 inches in the floor,,, most revelstoke nights the heater is too big ( not long enough run time ) but when it is 30 below it is the perfect size, If your trailer is properly insulated ( sorry I have not seen one that is from factory) you should be good down to -15,,,,,on most central bc night your heater should work good,,, don't forget that 4 cold sleds take a very long time to heat up,,, Once you have a heated trailer you can never go back!!lol

So are you saying your furnace is too big? Meaning it heats up the trailer too quickly? I am not quite understanding?

I have a 21 ft V nose and debating between at 35,000 Btu and 42,000 Btu furnace (minor price difference).

Would I be better off getting the 35,000 Btu furnace because it would run longer to heat up the trailer? I am quite following the logic?

cattechsummitrider · Oct 9, 2017

Rusty99 said:
So are you saying your furnace is too big? Meaning it heats up the trailer too quickly? I am not quite understanding?

I have a 21 ft V nose and debating between at 35,000 Btu and 42,000 Btu furnace (minor price difference).

Would I be better off getting the 35,000 Btu furnace because it would run longer to heat up the trailer? I am quite following the logic?

It heats the trailer up quickly when you park 4 cold sleds in it. It is just that its run cycles when it is warm are quick ( doesn't stay on for long ) It is supposed to be a little harder on the furnace having shorter run cycles,,, But on the other hand it is VERY nice to have a quick warm up time,,,
There are also times in winter we have the roof vent and the lower side vent open ( gets rid of moisture ) and the extra btu's are nice
The short run cycles are the only downfall of the furnace.,,,
How well is your trailer insulated?
Do you have the floor insulated?
Do you want to dry your clothes in the trailer?

I

Heated trailer. How many BTU are you running?

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