Is carbon monoxide poisoning a real threat in modern travel trailers?
Growing up my dad refused to run the heater in the trailer (1969) for fear of carbon monoxide poisoning. When we finally upgraded to a new trailer (1994) he used the heater sparingly and opened the windows for proper ventilation which seemed to make it colder!
Now that I am a father of a young family and have my own new trailer (2012) I have concerns of my own. Are my concerns really warranted? I was told the fuel burning appliances all vent outside so it is moot unless a catastophic failure occurs. Should I close the windows and enjoy the heat and trust the carbon monoxide detector? Is one vented window enough or should they all be opened?
Keep your windows closed and enjoy the heat, trust the carbon monoxide detector and use the test button before each trip. I think your overly concerned, especially with a 2012 trailer.
sharker6 wrote: Keep your windows closed and enjoy the heat, trust the carbon monoxide detector and use the test button before each trip. I think your overly concerned, especially with a 2012 trailer.
I thought the furnace recieved it's make up air from outside the camper. If so, not much chance of a CO build-up. The stove and oven do receive make up air from inside the camper. So if the Oxygen levels start getting low, you will have imcomplete combustion and start producing CO. I crack a window when cooking. If using gas for hot water or heat, I don't do anything.
Your father was smart. But now CO detectors are commonly available and should be installed in every trailer (and every house). Make sure you have one, make sure it works, and you should be fine.
Just remember:
"The gas sensors in CO alarms have a limited and indeterminable life span, typically two to five years. The test button on a CO alarm only tests the battery and circuitry not the sensor. CO alarms should be tested with an external source of calibrated test gas, as recommended by the latest version of NFPA 720. Alarms over five years old should be replaced but they should be checked on installation and at least annually during the manufacturers warranty period."
2008 Ford F250 diesel
2013 Keystone Sprinter 277RLS
If concerned about running heat at night and you have shore power, buy a ceramic heater. We used one....set the temp where we want...use the tt heater for backup.
I always vent our TT. Open the window over the kitchen sink 1/2 to 1 inch, and leave the vent fan open over the bathroom about an inch. Biggest reason is to have fresh air in the camper (family of four), but it also cuts down on condensation. As to CO my camper has a CO detector that I check regularly, but I don't fully trust detectors, I've seen too many fail.
By the way, good job to your Dad! Being concerned about CO back then seems unusual and very smart.
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2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
Tvov wrote: I always vent our TT. Open the window over the kitchen sink 1/2 to 1 inch, and leave the vent fan open over the bathroom about an inch. Biggest reason is to have fresh air in the camper (family of four), but it also cuts down on condensation. As to CO my camper has a CO detector that I check regularly, but I don't fully trust detectors, I've seen too many fail.
By the way, good job to your Dad! Being concerned about CO back then seems unusual and very smart.
X2- I vent to help prevent the condensation from heating inside/cold outside but it has the added benefit of helping prevent the CO issue. I test all the detectors prior to each trip as part of my before we leave checklist.
2011 Silverado Crewcab 4x4
2012 Passport 238ML
Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.
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