caravan diesel heater

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:30
ThreadID: 82537 Views:11135 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
This Thread has been Archived
Hi, I am having a caravan built and was thinking of getting a diesel heater installed, are they worth the money? or is it just as good and safe to run one of those coleman ones. Thanks
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Warwick D (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:39

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:39
Greetings, I have a Webasto diesel heater, would not be without it. It is one of the right decisions I made. I was suprised how often we use it. It makes getting up on cool/cold mornings much easier. If it "broke" I would buy anoither immediately. Good luck with your decision. WD
AnswerID: 436160

Reply By: braggy - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:46

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:46
We have a KK with Webasto heats water and van best thing ever as already said
AnswerID: 436161

Reply By: Member - mazcan - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:47

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:47
hi julio c
i dont know if they are worth the money or how the perform
but i was looking at the new conquoyer camper trailer from south africa at the 4wd show op lock stand at the weekend and was told it has a diesel water heater in itbut not sure what the brand name is
mind you the camper unit is in the $58th bracket so dont know what the heater is worth
cheers
AnswerID: 436163

Follow Up By: KiwiAngler - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 20:09

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 20:09
They use a Webasto, around $2,100.

How do I know this?

I have ordered a Conqueror UEV490 Evolution and am actually flying up from Wagga to Brisbane on Saturday to have a look at it

So whose a little bit excited them ?? :-) :-)
0
FollowupID: 707376

Follow Up By: Rosco - Qld - Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 08:15

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 08:15
Kiwi

You won't regret your decision. We've had ours for a couple of months. A few teething problems but all sorted now (most of which will be incorporated into your unit). Very happy little campers indeed.

They were telling me the other day that a number of their orders are from ppl who have sold their Ultimates to make the swap, which I found interesting.
0
FollowupID: 707399

Follow Up By: KiwiAngler - Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 16:57

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 16:57
Hey Rossco

Good to find another Conqueror on the site :-)

What were the 'teething ' problems ?

Rds

KA
0
FollowupID: 707447

Follow Up By: Rosco - Qld - Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 17:26

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 17:26
G'day KA

Our's was 4th out of the starting blocks so they were still somewhat feeling their way around. Guess you might say we were Beta testing it for them.

Had a few issues with the water tanks leaking and some leaks in the annex etc.
Most of the issues arrived with the unit from RSA.
Biggest problem was the shocks. We drive a Landy and to match it they had to narrow the track a wee tad to suit + I only wanted 235/85's, not big fat whoas. This caused big probs with the shocks not adequately damping the rebound of the springs.

In their defence I must add they couldn't do enough to get it all OK, not only the shocks but also all the other little niggling issues.

They changed the shocks to external canister jobbies yesterday and we're off on a little jaunt this weekend so will put them to the test.

All in all I can't speak more highly of their professional attitude towards getting it right. They did say yesterday that our list of defects together with that of others has resulted in their quality control checklist growing somewhat exponentially, so that's to their credit.

The other thing they mentioned was that they are now getting out 2 per week so your delivery date may be moving closer ;o).

We've made a few other adjustments which may be of interest to you down the track + you may come up with some which would be of interest to us.

Feel free to drop me a line anytime for a chat.

ross@nicollengineers.com.au

Cheers cob

Rosco
0
FollowupID: 707452

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:53

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 18:53
They are great technology - I have been considering such a unit for my van. The thing is, while many owners are entirely happy, there seems to be plenty of others who have had issues with performance and reliability - troubleshooting faults etc. - the mess / smell asociated with any spilt diesel too is any issue for many it would seem. From what I've read, a lot of owners are opting for the LP gas version of these type of automated units. No mess and it runs from your van's cylinder. Might be worth a look - I'm yet to do that.
AnswerID: 436166

Follow Up By: dieseltojo - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 19:25

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 19:25
Mine is a Truma gas unit and is fantastic,and on a van you are not up for positioning the extra diesel tank. The diesel units are very good though.
0
FollowupID: 707356

Reply By: Racey - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 19:59

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 19:59
Hi Julio,

I believe all the diesel heaters are the same make , different label. That said they are a great investment , particularly if you have someone who feels the cold. Whilst they are not cheap (as an after thought) it is the best addition we have made to our van. We opted for the electronic control which enables you to wake up to a warm van. Don't forget te silencers, inlet and exhaust.

They are very frugal on fuel. AS I said our best after market investment. Do it now when your van is being built.
Cheers

Racey
AnswerID: 436184

Reply By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:00

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:00
Hi Julio

While i have said i wouldn't go to the trouble and expense to add one to our caravan (we don't holiday in the snow country), i would certainly have one built in if having a van built from new. Get one that has dual venting to the van and to the bathroom (if you have one). Aside from a warm bathroom on a cold night, the bathroom also makes a great clothes drying cabinet.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 436195

Follow Up By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 at 02:07

Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 at 02:07
MMMMMM...good thinking there, a drying cabinet, will make a mental note of that..thanks :)

.
0
FollowupID: 707542

Reply By: Who was that again? (Vic) - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:19

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:19
Julio, others have said they are good, frugal and aren't particularly expensive but aren't cheap either.

There are two different types, the ones that heat water first and the others that heat air directly. Webasto and Dometic Eberspacher are two of the brands, and not the same I believe.

Diesel heathers are made for motor homes and so for small environments can nearly cook you. I know there have been some of the air type put into Kimberley Karavans and they really need to tone down or you can get pretty hot. The KK normally uses the hot water one where you can control the heat transfer with a fan speed.

I wouldn't use a Coleman one in enclosed space because of carbon monoxide.
AnswerID: 436197

Reply By: Holiday Maker - Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 08:03

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010 at 08:03
Our caravan came with a Truma gas heater and because we live in Tasmania and like to free camp it does get used on those cold mornings.

The air is ducted throughout the van and into the ensuite plus they have punched small holes in the ducting where it goes through various lockers.

This keeps the lockers free from moisture, the internal walls alongside the beds have a double panel with the air able to come up the sides.

We have also just fitted an Eberspacher diesel heater to our yacht with ducting and outlets to all cabin areas.

The Eberspacher we have fitted has an output of 4Kw and on the lower settings uses 1 litre of diesel every 10 hours. The control panel lets you adjust the heat from a low of 10degrees to a high of 34degrees. The unit automatically adjusts fan speed and furnace temperatures according to the information it receives from the thermostat.

The gas heater in the caravan uses minimal gas and is also controlled by thermostats, you do not cook!

Dusty
AnswerID: 436206

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)