Ok, I see other people are also trying to compare between different brands and have most of the same concerns. However, one of my main concerns is insulation since I will be staying in the RV for extended periods, and comparing brands/models in this regard is difficult at best.
Most manufacturers list R values, but they come up with that based on estimates from the individual pieces that make up floors, walls, etc... and not from measuring the final assembled product which could vary quite a bit from the estimate. Companies manufacturing insulation products have a bit of legal fudge factor in actual R value and that adds up when you start to combine them. The ratings also rarely mention insulation of slide floors and such which could offset an otherwise well insulated RV.
I see Heartland has a 0 degree tested rating but that doesn't help me much either. Two different RVs could pass such a test, but one RV may never turn off the furnace while the other only runs the furnace once an hour. All the rating tells me is that I will be warm as long as I have propane but gives me no indication of how much propane I'll need. And I don't even know if the rating is with slides in or out.
How about telling us how how much propane is used per hour on an RV to maintain a 70 degree internal temp in zero degrees with the slides extended?
And how about how much electricity is needed to run the blower per hour?
This may determine how much you have to run a generator while boondocking.
Most manufacturers list R values, but they come up with that based on estimates from the individual pieces that make up floors, walls, etc... and not from measuring the final assembled product which could vary quite a bit from the estimate. Companies manufacturing insulation products have a bit of legal fudge factor in actual R value and that adds up when you start to combine them. The ratings also rarely mention insulation of slide floors and such which could offset an otherwise well insulated RV.
I see Heartland has a 0 degree tested rating but that doesn't help me much either. Two different RVs could pass such a test, but one RV may never turn off the furnace while the other only runs the furnace once an hour. All the rating tells me is that I will be warm as long as I have propane but gives me no indication of how much propane I'll need. And I don't even know if the rating is with slides in or out.
How about telling us how how much propane is used per hour on an RV to maintain a 70 degree internal temp in zero degrees with the slides extended?
And how about how much electricity is needed to run the blower per hour?
This may determine how much you have to run a generator while boondocking.