Catalytic heater placement and entry steps

[Russ K8AF]

I have a '65 10 ft NCO with no heater. I am planning on installing a Catalytic heater (Wave-3). I've seen them mounted on the bottom entry door or along the sides near the floor. Anyone have user experience as to the best place to mount the heater? What are people using for entry steps? Step ladders, folding steps...?? Truck Camper Magazine had an article this summer of some steps that were welded up and slid into the rear hitch. I was thinking of doing that project, but wondered what others were doing. Thanks!
Russ

 

[Kansafornia]

We use a Mr Heater Portable to heat the old girl. It works great and stows in the small space directly beneath the refrigerator.

As for steps... We use a step stool currently but plan to graduate at some point to a stair system. I'd love to hear others' comments/insights.

 

[Russ K8AF]

We use a Mr Heater Portable to heat the old girl. It works great and stows in the small space directly beneath the refrigerator.

As for steps... We use a step stool currently but plan to graduate at some point to a stair system. I'd love to hear others' comments/insights.

That was my other thought, just stow the heater and bring it out when needed.
Russ

 

[Buckshott]

We mounted a Wave 3 on the lower entry door of our '78 CO. We've not used it very much yet, so the jury is still out on whether we like the placement. I got the location idea from Reparadise, I'm guessing you saw that video. They did an awesome restoration job on an old NCO. It's worth watching if you haven't yet.
We also use another Wave 3 in a small camp trailer to supplement the stock rv furnace. In the trailer application, we love it. The stock furnace will bring the trailer up to a nice temperature very quickly and then the Wave will maintain the temp., quietly, very efficiently and not deplete the batteries.
We're still working on what we will settle with for stairs.

 

[Vic Harder]

The wave 3 style (catalytic) heaters put out a lot of water vapor as well. Do you not have as much of an issue with condensation in Alaskan campers vs ATC/FWC?

 

[pawpaw]

Alaskan campers installed Catalytic heaters in many of their early campers including my 1972 10" CO. The placement on mine was at the rear of the camper next to the back door on the left. It is mounted on a small cabinet door directly below the stove top that swings open to access the hydraulic pump. I took the time to blow out the accumulated dust before testing and voila it definitely works well. I cannot comment yet on the condensation added but typically propane does include water vapor as a by-product of combustion. I have used it for several hours for testing purposes but with the top CO seciton basically removed and lots of ventilation. I will likely replace the original in the attached picture with a newer wave 3 with external 02 combustion and a auto-shut off if the O2 becomes to low. This heater was manufactured by Cata-Lytic CO from Seattle WA.

 

[Bos_Trok]

I use these aluminum Torklift ones now, I fold them up and store them to the right of the back door on my "porch" when I am in motion. One tie down keeps them secure. They cost too much, but you can find them used if you look for a while. These were designed to be mounted to the side of an RV, but they are easy to modify and make work for whatever the application. I like mounting them offset like so vs. smack dab in the middle.

 

[Kansafornia]

I use these aluminum Torklift ones now, I fold them up and store them to the right of the back door on my "porch" when I am in motion. One tie down keeps them secure. They cost too much, but you can find them used if you look for a while. These were designed to be mounted to the side of an RV, but they are easy to modify and make work for whatever the application. I like mounting them offset like so vs. smack dab in the middle.

Love your low profile, single tire service bed! I've been looking since I picked up my Alaskan (08/23) but haven't yet found one that I like. Having all of that unused space be usable would solve many of my storage issues. That's a great setup you have. Cheers!

 

[Bos_Trok]

Thanks Kansafornia, once I knew I was going to make the switch to an Alaskan from a tall contractor canopy that I had built out, I realized storage would be limited. I searched high and low for that low service bed and am so glad I found one. The long horizontal doors make perfect counters for outdoor living.

Ideally an aluminum 8 foot would have been perfect, but now that I have the 9 footer, I like having the back porch. Overall length is only 5" more than stock bed and bumper was.

Alaskan really had it right in the 60s with the camper and Haldon bed combos!

Found an image where the stairs are stowed. Tailgate is open, stairs are strapped to the side of the bed.

 

[Russ K8AF]

That looks very nice. I've been keeping my eye out for some of those steps (used). I still might attempt to weld some steps if I can't find anything used. Thanks for the pictures. Your set up looks great.

 

[Buckshott]

The wave 3 style (catalytic) heaters put out a lot of water vapor as well. Do you not have as much of an issue with condensation in Alaskan campers vs ATC/FWC?

We have not had any problem with the Wave 3 as a source of water vapor issues. We have used one quite a lot in our trailer and like it so much we got another for the Alaskan.