Gas Heating for Caravans

Ask here lots of discussion about the different typesHeater discussions

Johno
I have used both gas and diesel heaters in a number of vans, and my preference is diesel. Having said that you must carefully choose the location and mounting of the fuel pump to avoid the constant clicking noise that it generates.

Each use fuel by weight, and there is considerably more heat energy in a litre of diesel compared to a litre of gas, an 8.5 kilo gas bottle contains about 15.5 litres, whereas 8.5 kilo of diesel is about 9.2 litres.

Diesel heaters can be installed by any handyman, whereas gas must be installed by a licenced gas fitter. Gas also requires an annual inspection and service by a licenced gas fitter. Gas also require the removal of an outside cover, which must be on the right hand side of the van, prior to attempting to start the unit, diesel only requires the operation of the thermostat to start or stop the unit.

Either unit can maintain internal van temps in the high 20's when outside temps in the area of minus 5 to 8, provided that there is reasonable insulation in the walls and roof and van size in the range of 19 to 25 ft.

Hope this helps.
Athol

We have a Truma gas heater in our van and have found it to be excellent and use much less gas then we thought. It is noisy, but we don't mind noise as it blocks out external noise.

Friends have a diesel heater and they find that excellent too, but make sure the pump is away from your head because there is constant clicking.

So I guess the upshot is that both are good.

Di

Hi Jonno

I have had both gas and diesel heaters in my last and my current trailer.

Personally, I find the gas to be quicker to heat (but not by much) and a lot quieter than the diesel. However, the diesel is far more fuel efficient.

I use the heater to heat both the water and the cabin air and over the last trip I did (3 weeks) I used less than 3 litres of diesel. That included some pretty heavy use of the air heating side of things - about 10 to 12 nights running all night.

Like others have said, the constant ticking of the diesel pump can be annoying as can the roar/drone that can develop in the air intake. I have over come this by straightening the pipe and shortening it as much as possible.

Over the two, I would choose the diesel.

Cheers

Anthony

After hearing a few diesels heaters from 20M away, I certainly wouldn't have one, although the concept is good. I think a generator is quieter than a diesel heater, and they annoy the crap out of us.

If they could make one almost silent, I'd be very interested !

We also have the Eberspacher D2 diesel heater. Heats inside beautifully but the noise (for the first 15-20 minutes) is an issue if anyone is nearby. Its noisier outside the van than inside. The fuel pump click doesn't bother us as we sleep at the opposite end to the pump.
There is also maintenance required every year - can't remember the details but it sounded significant.

We bought a $20 fan heater as well so we don't make noise when on 240V in the caravan parks. We also have a reverse cycle air conditioner!!!