Cubic Woodstoves

[RV Doctor]

Hi All!
Interested to see if anyone has installed a Cubic RV Woodstove in their trailer or RV.
These units are fantastic for an alternate heat source. They are completely safe as they use a dual wall flue which supplies all combustion air from outside. This means there is no issue with Carbon Monoxide as long as the hinged door is closed while in operation.
These have been used quite extensively in the Van sector with great results.
Folks are burning Presto Log chunks etc and typically a couple of chunks will burn 3-4 hours.
There is no power required and as long as they are installed properly will provide years of service.
I am thinking of putting a Cub in our Bigfoot and interested to hear any feedback.

[Glenn Baglo]

Would work really well in a 'sticky' because when you run out of Presto logs, you could use the framing for fuel.

[Jon in AZ]

Looking at the specs it seems like it might be feasible in some trailers. I'd want to read all the installation fine print before saying for sure.

Small as it is, it ties up valuable real estate in a small trailer.

Fuel is the biggest problem in my mind. Artificial logs are expensive, commonly available campfire wood is junk, and seasoned cordwood will require additional work to make it small enough for the tiny firebox. Carting it around in quantity is impractical, so you will need a local supply.

I do enjoy wood as our primary heat at home- perhaps that explains why I am not interested in messing with it on vacation (campfires excepted ).

But for the right person and circumstances, it could be a viable solution for heat without power. I have a photo on my laptop of a Casita 16' in Alaska with a wood stove similar to this one, so it has been done.

Keep us posted.

[RV Doctor]

Jon.
Agreed on the logs. I’m not a fan of the Presto logs.
And yes, you really need the proper location for clearances and safety. Safety first!
On our Bigfoot we have an area that it could work with some stainless protection plates similar to what they offer.
What is great about them is no power draw and silent operation.
For us, it would be great at the ski hill with no power.
I’m still not decided yet which is why I wanted to throw it out there.
I am a hater of cold. I will use any means possible to keep warm!
I’m not a fan of cycling furnaces either.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by RV Doctor

What is great about them is no power draw and silent operation.

That's only if you ignore the chain saws, splitter and maul and diesel pickup.

[RV Doctor]

Right Glenn!
Kind of like the guy who wants to get his own fish.
$50,000 boat
$50,000 truck
$5000.00 fishing gear.
And that fish is “how much per pound”?

[Raspy]

Wood heat is very charming, warm and inviting, but it is also very messy. I agree with Jon on his comments. Then you need the fireproof barrier between the stove and the bulkhead and you need a water proof and heatproof roof penetration with chimney.

Carrying another fuel that must be replenished as per heating needs, is expensive and inconvenient. Pretty soon you'll have a pile of pre-split Presto logs plied up near the stove so you can re-stoke it during the night. No thermostat, just a process of stove, management. And it stops if you are not there, so you can't leave for the day and return to a warm home as you can with a thermostat.

I did this on my boat for a while until I came up with a better idea.

If you do set up a wood burner, the most affective heat barrier to protect the bulkhead is either aluminum foil (not practical) or galvanized corrugated steel roofing material. It's an extremely effective radiant heat barrier.

[C&G in FL]

Someone should come up with a small, RV version of the outside wood furnaces used to heat homes, where the heat is ducted from outdoor to the inside, maybe through a window insert. It wouldn’t require a footprint in a cramped space and would be far safer because combustion would not be occur inside the trailer. It would have to be small enough to transport easily, but it would be good when boondocking in chilly locations.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by RV Doctor

Right Glenn!
Kind of like the guy who wants to get his own fish.
$50,000 boat
$50,000 truck
$5000.00 fishing gear.
And that fish is “how much per pound”?

After a $250 repair bill on a two-year-old $500 garden rototiller, we stopped trying to calculate how much our delicious home-grown tomatoes cost us and decided to just enjoy them.

[Glenn Baglo]

Well I have this idea.
Let's call propane "wood" and burn it in furnaces that are compact and already exist. Fuel is readily available, no splitting, little hauling and no bugs ( unless you have to replace a regulator ).

[rbryan]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Well I have this idea.
Let's call propane "wood" and burn it in furnaces that are compact and already exist. Fuel is readily available, no splitting, little hauling and no bugs ( unless you have to replace a regulator ). [emoji38]tu

You said it. While I love the heat from a good old fashioned wood stove on a cold night, and I like the idea of basically silent heat, I've no interest in spending time splitting wood into pieces small enough to fit a mini wood stove. I'm intentionally not addressing the installation or suitability concerns in a small trailer.

[Glenn Baglo]

I had a 'cottage' airtight wood stove in the living room at home. I would be out in the carport, in the cold, cutting down scrap 2x4s to no longer than 10" with my cheap table saw.
My insurance company demanded proof of a permit for the stove and chimney.
After looking into the cost and thinking for a bit, it occurred to me that instead of using electricity to cut down 2x4s, I could just plug an oil-filled heater into a wall outlet.

[k0wtz]

I live on a farm I have dead trees all over the place I give them away. at one time I ran a longwood furnace 5ft logs. ever tried loading one of those things at 5am?

lets see 300.00 chain saw, splitter, tractor oil backup wasteful when the wood ran out. Did I say dr bills?

how are you going to haul all this? then the mess and believe me you will have it.

good luck

bob

[Carl Pa]

Originally Posted by RV Doctor

Right Glenn!
Kind of like the guy who wants to get his own fish.
$50,000 boat
$50,000 truck
$5000.00 fishing gear.
And that fish is “how much per pound”?

Being a woodworker, it cost me a fortune in tools to make that $2.00 spice rack. Carl

[Donna D.]

Tony, so far everyone that's responded only have opinions since they haven't done it! Perhaps you'd like to talk to someone that has. I suggest Jeff in OC, I've seen his Cubic in action. Pretty neato! Here's a quick post: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post632123

[RV Doctor]

Thanks Donna!

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Well I have this idea.
Let's call propane "wood" and burn it in furnaces that are compact and already exist. Fuel is readily available, no splitting, little hauling and no bugs ( unless you have to replace a regulator ).

Originally Posted by rbryan

You said it. While I love the heat from a good old fashioned wood stove on a cold night, and I like the idea of basically silent heat, I've no interest in spending time splitting wood into pieces small enough to fit a mini wood stove. I'm intentionally not addressing the installation or suitability concerns in a small trailer.

I completely agree with both of you. If I want to be heated by wood, I sit beside the fire ring in a camping chair. But ........ the OP asked about a wood stove. Probably a legitimate question for someone who sincerely may want an alternative heat source. I too use an alternative heat source, specifically a 1000 watt quartz heater and I prefer it to propane. It is less noisy than the furnace and if it can be run, it means I have shore power for which I am paying dearly depending on the campground fee. Realistically, if one is going to be in the boonies for an extended period, I would recommend taking extra propane cylinders if it is going to be that cold. I personally would forego camping if it were that cold that I would go through two tanks of propane!

[Neto]

Be careful - The fire could deplete all the oxygen in the camper and kill you.
The new Cat propane heaters have a low OX shut off built in to prevent that.
You would definately need so e outside air coming in.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Neto

Be careful - The fire could deplete all the oxygen in the camper and kill you.
The new Cat propane heaters have a low OX shut off built in to prevent that.
You would definately need so e outside air coming in.

I believe if you go back to post #1 and read the OP’s question, you will see that oxygen depletion should not be a concern.

[Neto]

Originally Posted by CPW

I believe if you go back to post #1 and read the OP’s question, you will see that oxygen depletion should not be a concern.

My Bad.
This even presents other options. They could be converted to propane just like the old gravity stoves.