Heating a trailer...
 

I don't know if this would go in Adv. Tech... anyway I'm building an offroad trailer with a folding tent that will button into/onto my xj with the rear hatch up. I'll have about double the floorspace of an XJ with the seats folded down and I've already built it so that while the engine runs exhaust gases are vented far from the enclosure. I want to use a Mojave heater from Flex-A-Lite so that when I warm my engine I can use it's heat in the back. What issues am I going to run into if I intercept the heater hoses in the engine bay and run about 16' (~8x2 out and back) of heater hose along the inside of the frame to the rear bumper? Will the pump be able to handle it and would anyone recommend an insulation along the coolant lines?

the pump will not handle it, but I would not do it.

even rock buggies run hard lines all the way and a mid way pump on most rear mounted rad's (same concept)

also if a hose breaks you are SOL.

What I would do is a get a propane heater, they are cheap, HOT and effecicient

moved to other vehicles as it is boarderline cherokee related

I used to have a late 70s Stoner ambulance Built on a 1 ton GMC van. Had a floor heater in the back that was just a heater core with a fan behind it. Had soft lines to it and no extra pumps. It did have valves under the hood to isolate it from the rest of the system.

I had a modified Cargo Van when we were showing dogs. The Front end was full custom, Captains seats all the bells and whistles. The rear was just White Paneled. Hung on the roof was an amazing AC unit that also had a heater in in from just the engine coolant. I blew 1 high pressure AC line in the 10 or so years I owned it, and that was my own fault for not re-insulating it when I knew it was running. So you have got to figure the hoses were at least 15 feet long from the engine to the roof of the rear of the van. Its doable!

Ron

You shouldn't have any trouble. The water pump on an engine puts out enough pressure to do it nicely. Lots of vehicles have rear mounted heaters. I would suggest running 3/4 inch line if you can.