Will a 1,000 Watt Xtreme Heater Work in a Grand Design Solitude Basement Compartment?

Published 11/14/2026

Question:

ve got a 2022 Grand Design Solitude fifth wheel that stays parked on our property during the winter. The enclosed basement utility compartment is about 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet tall, and it's insulated. Some of my plumbing and water connections are in there, and I'd like to keep them from freezing during those cold nights. Would the Xtreme Heaters 1,000 watt heater # XH89FR be a good fit for that size compartment, and does it turn itself on when the temperature drops?

asked by: Wayne

Expert Reply:

Hey Wayne! With your basement compartment measuring 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet tall, the Xtreme Heaters Industrial Enclosure Heater # XH89FR is a good option for adding supplemental warmth around your plumbing. That's about 72 cubic feet of enclosed space, and since it's insulated, you're off to a good start. This 1,000 watt heater puts out about 3,412 Btu and uses a fan to circulate warm air around your water lines and connections.

And yes, it takes care of turning itself on and off! The built in thermostat kicks the heat on when the temperature drops to around 40 degrees and shuts it off at about 55 degrees. It comes with a 6 foot cord that plugs into a properly grounded 110V outlet on a 20 amp protected circuit, so there's no need to hardwire it.

Just make sure the warm air can circulate around your plumbing, and remember that the heater needs power to operate. I'd still winterize anything vulnerable to freezing rather than relying on the heater alone.

Do you keep your Solitude plugged into shore power throughout the winter?

expert reply by: Heather A

Wayne

11/14/2026

Yes, I keep my Solitude plugged into shore power all winter.

Heather A.

11/14/2026

@Wayne That's great, Wayne! Do you usually get long stretches of freezing temperatures where you keep your Solitude?

Wayne

11/14/2026

@HeatherA Yes we are in Minnesota

Heather A.

11/14/2026

@Wayne Oh wow, Wayne, Minnesota! That definitely answers my question about extended freezing temperatures! You guys get some serious winters up there! With those long stretches of below freezing weather, I'd be a little more cautious about relying on the Xtreme Heater alone. It'll certainly help keep your basement compartment warmer, especially since you've got shore power available, but I'd still recommend winterizing any plumbing.