How To Stay Warm In Your Caravan In Winter
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- I've been talking to other RVers lately about this topic - how do you stay warm in winter? My UK caravan has been designed to handle the colder temperatures with double glazed windows and insulation, but it can still get cold inside.
I talk about:
my Truma Heater
Oven and stove
Hot water bottle
Favourite winter socks
Electric blanket
Desiel heater
Heated blankets
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![Solving Caravan Condensation [Caravan Life UK]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VG1fveAmwOw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Solving Caravan Condensation [Caravan Life UK]](/img/tr.png)
Thick carpet,thick curtains,make sure the windows and doors are shutting properly,cooking food,a skirt around the caravan,a little wood fire (safely installed),your cuddly partner,onesie,drinking hot chocolate lol
Hi I’ve been sleeping in a tent for six months in the UK and the best thing that I have for keeping warm there is a weighted blanket
Helpful video K :-) I live in a caravan full time in the UK and just preparing for my first winter. I also have an awning and I intend to keep it on!!! As for staying warm, I love my electric blanket, but I have mine under the sheet :-) So I can come in to a warm bed. I agree that when you live in a camper or a caravan you adjust to shorter, colder days and hit the bed early! Stay warm!
Sounds great! Glad to hear your electric blanket does the trick.
Hi Kasia where about are you camping for a full year in UK?
My and my husband we want to do the same thing we live in Surrey but we can't find a site near us to allow us to stay that long
The human body loses a lot of heat via the head. If you wear a beanie even to bed your body will retain more heat. In days of old folk used to wear nightcaps, I guess they must have known something.
Can my hair count as a cap instead?!💇♀️
@@TravellingK It can to a point, I guess your head is a point. However to do it better you can shave your head then use a woolen beanie that will have closer contact with your head. I think, sort of but maybe not.
Shave my head?!!?🤣haha I can already imagine the comments on UA-cam.
A decent thermal long sleeve shirt and 'long johns' !
That's sure to keep me warm!
I am a truck driver ,and i know how well are diesel heaters work , they are very efficient, like 1 liter diesel per day .if it is on all day long , they are original from Scania trucks , or Volvo ,or Mercedes of course , but a tip is to go buy a used one from scrap truck and a mechanic will fit it in ur caravan ! Ok it is used not new ,but i thing is much better then a Chinese one , and at about the same price , idk , i am from Romania ,don„t know prices in ur country ! Hope is a good advice ! Take care !
Keep roof blinds shut to stop heat escaping. Also keep bedroom and bathroom blinds down and curtains closed. These are low use areas, so the lack of light isn't a problem.
Hmmm these are good tips for keeping in the warmth! Thank you
We have caravaned throughout the year in the UK for the last 33 years and used one of your heaters for many of them. They work very well even down to -10C. Had the same issue with the fire on gas a couple of times and each time it was just dirt across the electrode. More of a problem in the winter is water management. It is a real pain when the waste outlet pipes freeze up and you can’t use the sink and shower. Get the fire fixed and good luck. Never been cold in a caravan.
So cold the pipes freeze! That's a challenge I haven't faced yet. I am now thinking a wire might have been disconnected from the ignitor button when I took the front off... otherwise, I'll try cleaning it some more! Thank you.
Hi TK...I've just come across this video. I have found my caravan warmer than my house was. I've put it down to the smaller space as I'm doing the same things. I'm connected to power so using a small fin oil heater - works really well to keep temp above freezing. It was good to see what you are doing and peoples comments so when I do go off grid I now have more ideas going forward. Thanks again for sharing your journey - each time I watch a video I feel more and more confident about going off grid 😁 oh and I also use a very good sleeping bag over top of my duvet - made a massive difference (Comfort -1, transition -7, risk -25). Also I am now using your advice from the video on summer temps, its only October in NZ but hot! Thanks TK 😁❤
Hi. Just watched all of your 121 videos from start to finish oh and the one where you meet up with David from Cruising the Cut. Brilliant. I love them. I’m in the UK and whilst I don’t live in a caravan or motor home, I spend a lot of time of my boats. One has a Webasto Diesel Heater and the other has a Chinese version. Whilst they are almost identical, the Chinese one has had no problems but will only last about 4/5 years compared to my webasto which is now 10 years old. If on a budget I’d suggest the Chinese one and be prepared to change it out after 4 years or so. Although for 3/400 each time for the Chinese one, you could get 20 years worth compared of heating for the price of one Webasto. Hope that makes sense and you’re having a great time touring the UK.
Please keep them coming.
Thank you.
This is great to hear! Good to hear your views on the heaters, thank you.
We have a 2011 bailey unicorn Almeria and it has full central heating and special coated windows for winter living...has 4 radiators built into the walls and even a heated towel rack in the toilet just like your house and is absolutely brilliant...toasty warm all year around ....
Oh wow, sounds like you're set for the cold weather!
@@TravellingK I wish.... Onky used the van 3 times last year.. What a waste.. Will need to use it more in 2020 lol
I would opt for repair of your Truma. Here in the states all the rv’s come with carbon monoxide alarms and also have oxygen depletion sensors on the propane heaters for additional safety. The diesel heater would require another fuel source and onboard fuel tank. I’ve been around a couple of them and diesel odor was noticeable in the cabin area...
Oxygen depletion sensors - I've never heard about this before. Good to know that you found there's a diesel odor - not so keen on that!
@@TravellingK the diesel odour is only for its first use. it is recommend you blast it on full power in a well ventilated area for approx 30 minutes. After that, there is no odour in normal use unless there is something wrong. usually a build up of carbon which will give off a tell tale sign of throwing out black smoke. When this happens you need to ideally clean your heat element inside the heater. But a temporary solution is to remove the hose from the fuel and set it a high setting until the remaining of the fuel runs out. It is normal to have a little white smoke. However, there is another odour which is only during first use or not been used in some time and that odour is like melting plastic. This is expected and will clear.
My 5kw heaters on full power consumes 0.3 litres per hour. My 2kw heater consumes less than 0.1 litres per hour on full power.
Today in the wet, windy and snowing Lake district. I had my diesel heater set to constant 20 degrees Celsius from 0730 to 1930 UK time for 12 hours (in case time works differently your part of the world) it was a 5kw and it consumed about 200 mils of diesel. Works out cheaper than gas heating.
Just to add, the odour of diesel is not as strong as the odour from gas heating. The diesel heaters turn themselves off if there is a fault that can have an effect on safety.
If you were still in the UK, I would have arranged for you to see it working in one of our minibuses to give you a better idea. I wasnt convinced at first. But I prefer diesel than gas. Gas gives me a headache in the caravan.
Never heard of the depletion sensors they sound like a life saver. I’ll have to get me some of those for my caravan👍
I remember staying in a static caravan years ago during a cold time of year. We had a gas fire and we used the cooker a lot to heat up the caravan!
Never use your oven or cooktop for heating, keep good ventilation when they are in use. If there is a chance of snowfall, the chimney needs an extender.
Your presentation has a good pace. Not too fast or slow. I find watching your videos relaxing.
Thank you - I personally felt like a repeated myself a little this video...
Never heard of this for caravanning or R.V'ing, but a little tip that I have used when tent camping is to use the larger size heat pads (the first aid kind to help ease sore muscles and joints) and place them into my sleeping bag.
Oh I like this tip! Nice idea.
Husband and I are due to go camping, in a tent next weekend, that being February (winter) in the uk! I’m confident that our arctic wear clothing, from our visit to the arctic circle will keep us warm, thermal base layers, down filled coats, rab under gloves to go under our down mittens, sheepskin hats etc.
My fear is waking up in a freezing tent and having to strip off my pyjamas before I can dress.
Edit: I still have a supply of those little heat pads that you snap to activate and pop into your gloves etc.
I will take them with us too.
Yikes! Very brave. Hope it’s a successful trip!
I find a goose down comforter keeps me nice and toasty. Other than that, my propane furnace works just fine. It's connected to a residential-style thermostat on the wall, which allows me to select the temperature I want to maintain. I would replace the furnace if the current one can't be fixed. Electric devices are fine, but a lot of RVing in the western US is done in areas without electricity. I have a generator that I run during the day, but at nighttime it's turned off and I sleep with my goose down comforter. In the morning I turn the furnace back on.
A propane heater does seem to make sense for your set-up!
Reading some of these posts there is some real DANGEROUS advice given by one particular poster Let me just say this On two recent occasions here in the UK death has occurred most recent in the New Forest where TENT campers used a disposable BBQ cooked their meal outside but decided to bring the BBQ tray in the tent for a bit of warmth JUST the embers ……...IT KILLED THEIR DAUGHTER ! Carbon Monoxide They don't call it the silent killer for nothing Remember this was in a drafty TENT !
I am nervous and cautious with my gas... having an alarm is very reassuring to have.
i stayed in my caravan 2 nights ago i left the gas heater on for 2.5 hours from around 8.30pm went to sleep at 11pm woke up at about 2am felt like i had the flu and was weezing. the flame was blue and i have a carbon monoxide alarm which was fine but im sure it was that heater. i was freezing at 4 degrees insid but no way am i using that heater again. id rather freeze
Yes I remember that happening. Whole family wiped out because they thought they were being responsible by putting the BBQ in the tent. Absolutely tragic!
02canhamr buy some smoke pellets and make sure your flu is clear and passing all combustible gases. Otherwise it can be lethal.
me and my family live on a travelers site, i have done for all my life- (im 15). Unfortunately my room (which is a caravan) only has this glass single galzed windows, and very thin walls. I do in fact, have a wood burner though, but this means its way too hot in the day, and then when it goes out at night, its freezing cold. just thought id say because i feel like there is nobody else in my situation:(
Hi K, Diesel Heaters are the way to go, a simple check on UA-cam will allay any fears on Chinese heaters, they are safe inexpensive, warm, reliable, easy to install, and now you can buy all in one diesel heaters which make it easier, they dont smell of diesel, noise levels are minimal, diesel use is about 180ml an hour, most come with 5 or 10 litre tanks so very economical.there is hardly any difference between the expensive heaters and the Chinese heaters, heaps available on E bay, and lets be honest if they were not safe they would not be allowed in to Australia or New Zealand
I like the part about easy to install! And good to know they don't smell... that seems to be the biggest issue. You're persuading me to give it a go...
The gas fire might smell from dust and other contaminents burning off, but it should be quite safe otherwise and stop smelling after a while. It should only use the 12v supply for the fan if you turn that on. The ignition spark is generated by the energy of you pressing the button on your unit. Ours is in the same range but has the AA batteries and auto ignition. The electric heater has an output power of up to 2kw and the gas is 3kw so that explains the difference you have noticed in the heating ability. As far as I recall, you can use both at the same time if it's really cold. I agree, get the fire fixed and install a CO (carbon monoxide) alarm.
Great advice here, thank you. I do think the issue now is a wire to the ignitor! Need to have a proper look this weekend. I've installed an alarm, so feel safe in that area😀
Hi Karen, I can definitely identify with you being cold there. It is freezing here in Melbourne at the moment. Thanks for sharing another interesting and informative video. All the best. Robert.
I lived in Melbourne for a couple of years and was surprised at how cold it got in winter!
Actually I found that Melbourne can be similar to Wellington NZ temperatures in winter. Then in summer, Melbourne can sometimes experience very hot days in the mid 40's. Incidentally, where were you living in Melbourne, when you were here?
Yep many in the U.K think Australia is hot all year round. I have family in Geelong and I was over last year for the winter and some days it’s was like being back in the U.K🤣🥶
Hi Matt, here in Melbourne today, it has reached about 12C and with the wind it feels much colder. One place in Australia, where it is hot most of the year, is Darwin NT, though according to the locals there, they would more likely call 29C a winter's day. All the best. Robert.
A good puffer jacket and down quilt/doona in Aus. Please take notice of all the warning re the gas stove and heater also get a monoxide alarm. Move neat the coast inland is colder.
Good advice, thank you😀I've just moved further north and closer to the coast and have noticed that the temperature is much warmer now.
We use diesel and are very happy with it. They put out good fume free heat, use very little fuel and are about as noisey as a fan heater.
Great to hear! I am so curious to learn more about them...
Good tip with the kettle, those cheep diesel heaters look the goods not to hard to fit would make a good vid. you installing one.
I am curious about giving one a go...
I put a diesel heater in my fleetwood heritage and havent put the aldi heating on in 2 years, use mine in uk, the electric hookup fee and gas usage on aldi was very expensive as was living in mine for work, was using easy £30 pounds a week
Wedged the chinese heater in the front of van, works amazing and max 5 pounds a week in winter now, happy days 😁😁
This might seem a bit late by a year, but I found with an electric blanket having a top blanket to trap the heat in does wonders for the cold, in particular I have a crocheted blanket that helps a lot
Oh a great tip - thank you!
Travelling K your welcome, it’s been how I’ve survived through winter since Christmas. Only downfall is having to turn off the blanket and then back on in the night. I don’t do well with cold
Yeay!!! Rushed home and into bed with my hottie to watch... and a wine of course... we always used a small fan heater, and it worked really well, and had hotties too. We were plugged in tho so power wasn’t an issue 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️ I think that could chew up power if not plugged in... I think diesel is the way to go... I have seen some people have tiny little fire places but then you have to worry about a chimney.. hmm was just thinking don’t you have a grid in the floor that you open, gas is heavier than air, so it will escape out the vent... keep warm n take care... 😁
haha wine would be warming too! There are holes at the back of cupboards for gas to escape. I suspect if I couldn't fix the heater and wasn't running away to the UK soon I'd probably just plug into powered sites so I could use the heater on electric🔥
Travelling K aaah... well u off soon... so exciting!!! Wud love to chat some time some day if u have a chance xx lots of love and take care okay
A small controlled fire can be lit in a metal bucket. Just use some kindling, newspapers and a squirt of kerosene to get it started, then added larger blocks of wood. Have a fire extinguisher handy.
This is a joke right ? or are you a special needs person ? There must be help out there for you
alex will excuse me sir but I’m suggesting that it is done safely.
@@trailerparksupervisor7046Now I know this is a wind up LOL Lol I just pissed myself laughing …... I’m suggesting that it is done safely. lol lol lol a squirt of kerosene lol lol lol
OPEN FIRE IN A BUCKET IN A CARAVAN lol lol lol lol Oh I just wet myself lol
Anyone know that song " Smoke gets in your eyes"?
Hi , love your videos, I have put a multi-fuel stove in my R V I live in the west of lreland Galway.its the best thing I ever did it's dry heat which is good for the R V and me ..gas puts moisture in the R V and it will course a lot of damage through dampness. .. Hope this helps.regards stephen..
That's sure to be warming in winter! Thanks Stephen
I am new to your channel I saw you on cruising the cut. I am a truck driver in the states I have had many diesel heaters and they work well but with anything as they age you have problems plus the extra fuel tank I have used a new clay flower pot turned upside down over a burner as a heat radiator in some campers with out stoves but be sure to pay check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector I love the channel keep living your dream. Jay
Hi Jay. Glad you’ve had a look at my channel! Good to know about the diesel heater. And the clay pots is a great tip 😀
i have a chinese heater, for 2 years now, its great, also cast iron pot keeps the heat going for a while
That's great to hear! Sounds like a lot of people in the comments have had good experiences with Chinese heaters.
You should always ventilate! To keep condensation out of your caravan. Otherwise you get mold problems! Electric blanket is a very suitable option to get a bit of basic warmth....and I have an electric rug. Which is very nice. Also my dogs love it. I've been living in a caravan for two years now. I bought an qluima petroleum heater with inbuilt thermostat , so it automatically switches on when it gets below desired temperature. And it's safe with carbon monoxide poison. Otherwise get good woolen clothes. A nice blanket and sheepskins also help.loads
Not in an RV but a tiny home. My tip cuddle under a blanket with fur babies. Either in bed or on the couch.
I'm happy with any tip suggesting getting a dog!!🐶
@@TravellingK dogs are the best cuddle buddies
Hi Karen i have had diesel heaters a chinese one in the old van this newer van i got an eberpacher installed they are the best thing since sliced bread no fumes inside and it doesnt matter how cold it is outside even snow you only need a light blanket on during the coldest nights zero the other night set heater on 19c warm as toast yes late in the arvo may have it set on 23 i going to start mine up very shortly
That's great to hear! Really helpful to hear that your Chinese version is so good. What brand is it?
not sure the brand i brought in on ebay from pinnacle
The Days Of Being Cold In A Caravan Are Well Gone Thanks To Blown Air and Alde Central Heating , Looking Forward To Christmas and New year Once again In The Caravan..👍
Hi Karen
Your forget one important thing, it's the TRUMA VENT , it's a a little blower who can run on 230 V or 12 V.
This blower is fitting behind the aliminium casing of the heating and under the gardrobe (the piece of wood).
It's sucks hot air behind he heater and with duct, hot air come near the floor all around the caravan ( until behind the bed and in the shower ).
When this device in off, it's very hot in height and very cold at your foot, but when it's on , it's like the caribbean !
I think if you have a inverter so you could buy a 230 v or with a12v model directly with your battery.
Some people don't whant to use the TRUMA heating , but it's a mistake, it's very secure the gas is burning into a heater which take fresh air under he caravan and the outlet is at the outside at the roof, it's like a tube from side to side.
or you can take a man, but i think there will be lot of claiming to keep you warm.
On youtube someone have a wood burner ( a little ) :vantastic.
But you are closer to your UK travel and right now the temperature in DUNKERQUE at 15 pm ( at the work ) is 25 °C.
So don't forget taking your bath suit !
See you later, by
Denis.
Hi Denis, I do have the option of hot air blowing around, but for some reason I prefer to have that setting off! Good tip about having a man to keep me warm😝Nearly heading towards summer!
Just buy a clay pot, like you grow plants in. Use a 1 or 2 quart size. Invert it over a propane burner on low, and the heat will radiate horizontally rather than rising to the ceiling. We have been doing that on shrimp trawlers for at least 40 years that I know of. It won't create more heat, but it directs the heat you have.
The other thing is to just accept the cold, and not get too excited by it. Warm weather will return, and in the meantime dress warmly and expect it to be a bit chilly.
I forgot about the pot idea! I've seen it working on a boat. Simple but efficient.
Get the gas heater fixed for safety sake and you'll keep toasty for sure. Take care K
I might have figured out the issue... just need to try fixing it this weekend!
I use to warm up kitchen salt 🧂 then wrap it all in kitchen towel. Close it on the way the salt cannot get out. Keeps heat longer than water since salt is Sodium chloride (Natriumklorid). Learned from my mum she said grandmother survived the world war 2 because she kept warm this way.
The best way would be to have a proper vented heater. Propex makes some that are ducted and burn propane, and they exhaust through a tube outside. Alternatively, Truma makes a combination water heater and ducted heater which also vents exhaust to the outside. Alde also makes good heating systems but those are trickier to retrofit I believe. Heat isn't difficult, you just have to get the proper equipment.
So a few options then!
I live in a shared house and have bedroom window open all year round and never use the radiator
This is the last of the playlist of 121 videos of yours that i have watched over 3 days and really enjoyed it
I take it you don't feel the cold?! And sounds like I need to add a few more videos to that playlist🤣Glad you enjoyed them.
@@TravellingK I do feel the cold now and then just not as much as most people.
Why not start another playlist ie all your UK videos as a play list
Re your laptop drawing up to 6.5 amps, it should have a power saving mode if you don't need the full grunt of the the processor(s) you can wind it back a bit and save some power. Of course, as I write this, its about 20 degrees and 9:30pm. I love summer ;o)
My laptop seems to suck a lot of power... the joys of a Mac!
Hi, just found your vlogs, thanks Andrew Ditton... looking into camper vans but loved your vlogs especially the driving in our beautiful Lake District..thanks for sharing and hey, you keep warm 👍
Oh welcome! And glad you found me through Andrew - he's such a lovely guy. Very exciting about your camper van plan.
Tea lights and terracotta flower pot and plate, gets very warm cheap too.
Ah yes! Good tips 😀
Must be careful with a naked flame. The terracotta pot in itself doesn't provide any energy, only the tea light can do that.
Here in Colorado it does get quite cold so, I use my cat to keep warm. 😻
Hehe that’s the best tip!
I have two cats for warmth😁
The ignition for the gas fire is called a piezo ignition it creates it's own spark and should be visible in low light. If you can see the spark which is most probable it is then a gas problem, check to see that you have not turned the gas valve off. You said it was working before you got it serviced, maybe the service man just forgot to turn the gas back on after reassembling the heater. You could also get a low wattage fan heater that should work off your inverter. Please do not be using the gas cooker for heat and do make sure you have a CO. alarm.
Forget the fan heater running off an inverter batteries wont last long AND its winter in NZ with shorter days and less sunshine to recharge batteries You will end up with flat batteries
Oh, I'll have a look but suspect there's not a spark! I now think there is a loose wire involved...
wear a onesie, plus make sure you’ve enough batteries, ie if you charged the battery with solar and it’s done in a few hours then rest of day is a waste, also increase solar if can that will give you chance to install more batteries
I don't know about NZ but here in the UK Gas is expensive in most cases its an exchange bottle basis and the gas suppliers have a monopoly on prices charged. Although bottles can be filled at petrol stations if you buy your own special bottle but these come at a high cost and not all petrol stations allow you to self fill So the gas companies have us by the short and curlies and rip us off price wise So back to heating it is cheaper for us in the UK to stay at a EHU campsite in really cold weather paying the extra fee per night easily out weighs the price we have to pay for gas. Obviously the bigger the bottle the cheaper the gas comes but a huge 47kg bottle is just not portable so you are stuck with 6kg or 13kg and they don't last long with heating on gas.
Oh, I'm now curious to go over and compare gas prices! Our larger bottles normally cost around $35 to fill.
I always take my German "Fashy" brand silicon hot water bottle with me when I travel to NZ. So much better than cheaper rubber ones. Still hot as in morning! Not cheap, but highly recommended. Plus I wear a merino tube style neck band from "Buff" to bed. Keeps the drafts out.
I'll need to Google Fashy! Still hot in the mornings?! That would be handy.
@@TravellingK They are brilliant, water is hot enough to wash your face with in the morning, and still fresh as a daisy, no nasty rubber smells. Wouldn't make cup of tea with it though 🤣🤣
Check out the diesel heater on crusing the cut v blog heating
I’m keen on a diesel heater!
Fix the heater will be your cheapest option. We lived in a camper in the French alps for 9 winters and had the same heater as you but the 5kw version. They are ultra safe as none of the air burnt by the heater is drawn from inside the van and all of the exhaust gasses are flued through the roof vent. If it was serviced recently the flue would have been checked. Ours was super toasty and we often on had it on level 1 or 2 and level 3 all night which was often -10 outside! It should have a thermostat so maybe get that checked too. Obviously gas is the expensive bit to running it but one bonus is that you dont need electricity to run it so no battery problems which you may run into with electric heating. If it's like mine was then the fan on the back is 12v and puts heat through the vents but only when the heater works! Get it fixed of replace it. Do they have caravan recyclers here? Maybe a cheaper replacement option. Best of luck.
Really reassuring to hear that the heater is safe inside. I'm overly cautious with it. You're motivating me to get it fixed! haha. It's great on electric at the moment.
Have you checked the thermocouple? I'm about to change mine , You could use an oil filled radiator, similar to what your kettle is doing. Caravaning.... such fun 🤗
Oh no I haven’t!
@@TravellingK you can get them on Ebay, I've bought 3 universal as I wasnt too sure lol and they were only £5 ish , cheap as chips Haha but as always the fire is working now but I'll still replace it In case it plays up when I'm away,hope your get it all sorted, Chris
Bottom line...
Heating a caravan, motorhome or campervan will always take , 1. Fuel (at the very least) and/or electricity.
It doesn't matter which type of heater you go for, it will still take either one or both.
So what's the answer ? .... Get the most practical heating for your needs !
Often it's cheaper to spend more to start with if you want to save costs over time. So, if you are full time in a mobile unit it's worth the homework and the spend.
There are different upsides and downsides to different appliances.
LPG/Butane installed heaters are very toasty indeed BUT they definitely go through some serious fuel over a season. Also they need servicing for your safety because they are fed by small gauge pipes under the floor which need a yearly check (at least) and the heater itself also needs the same check-up. If they are serviced and used correctly, they are good and also intended for mobile applications. Ergo, the right tool for the job.
Diesel heaters. WEBASTO and ERBSPACHER have been as solid and reliable as a rock and people in northern European countries have been using them forever. Very reliable and will save your life in the winter. Truck drivers have them installed, 4×4's, motorhomes, caravans and sheds etc..
They cost a fair whack to begin with but they really deliver.
Upsides, they only use about 5L/1 gallon of fuel a week and once they are running at temperature they pull relatively low amps.
Downsides, 1. you will still need an electrical power source to keep a battery charged for running one. 2. They blow fast hot air around which can be a problem full time.... dust, bacteria, allergens in the air.
The cheaper Chinese diesel heaters seem to be proving their worth and here in the uk some campervan fitters now install them instead of the more expensive versions. I haven't heard any horror stories about the Chinese heaters so far.
If you are gonna go electric...
Maybe a mobile radiator/space heater.
Oil filled radiators are favourite in the uk, then there are convectors, infa red and fan heaters.....which all cost money to run.
The basic principle of spending more to begin with still applies. A cheap space heater will likely do the job for you but a better quality one will cost less over time, so it's worth the investment and homework. A 2kw radiator turned down halfway is likely cheaper to run than a 1kw radiator turned up full.
Any LPG/BUTANE flame without an external flue will fill your space with unwanted chemicals and gasses including CO2.
I live in a 2 berth uk caravan and this winter I will be using an electric oil filled radiator and maybe an electric blanket although I'd rather use just the radiator.
My previous home, a campervan was heated by the diesel heater and I'm considering installing it in the caravan too....maybe.
An Efoy battery charger is also interesting. But you need a safe space to install it.
I am looking at putting a blown air heater in my caravan and I believe from my research that a diesel heater it requires it to be dismantled every now and then to clean out carbon deposit inside the heater where a gas fired version is basically install and forget. Also diesel heaters compared with a gas heater is quieter in its operation due to being able to vary the blown air fan speed. The big thing for me would be having to carry a different fuel source around where gas is readily available on the caravan. I think for me gas is the way to go.
Really nicely put. You've given me plenty to think about.
Line all curtains.if you can do a summer set and a winter set
Another thing you can do is look around the charity shops.i insulated my Volkswagen camper for winter use,with some crash mats.the type schools use.another alternative.use children's play mats.usualy jigsaw shaped.easy to cut with a craft knife.line your floors and put rugs on top.
Hi Karen,
Your gas fire is sealed and vented to the outside, so no need to open a window for ventilation. They’re notorious for breaking down, especially on vans that are towed frequently like yours. We’ve got a fantastic specialist repairer here in the UK who welded a new gauze on the gas burner on ours.
Using the stove top and oven also works well to heat the space but be cautious as you’ll need to ventilate the space to prevent a build up of carbon monoxide. Have you got a carbon monoxide alarm? They’re relatively inexpensive and could save your life!
Hopefully, it’ll be a bit warmer for you over here in the UK!
Really reassuring to hear about the heater. Can we talk heaters when I visit? haha.
I do have an alarm and am overly cautious with windows open when using gas.
Heard it's a bit chilly in the UK so far??
I have a chinese diesel heater in both of our minibuses and one in our caravan in the UK.
I paid £135 each for the 5kw models that are in my minibuses that are always used. I paid £97 for a 2kw that is in the caravan.
main draw backs are that they draw a lot of amperage on start up for about 5 minutes. But it is fine after that.
They smoke if not been used for a long time if it had diesel sitting in the heat chamber. But you can easily clear by removing the fuel line from the tank and run the heater until all the fuel in the chamber and the fuel line has been used up.
There are more positives than negatives to having a chinese diesel heater, the main one is cost. They are about 10% of the main brand here in the UK.
The simple to fit. Especially in a caravan. We have ours under the double bed to the front by the battery box. It comes with a metal template that bolts onto the base of the heater. Use this to draw out the outlines of the holes you need to cut. I did mine by eye but my caravan is 35 years old. They plug and play for the electrics, just plug them together and connect the live and the negatives to the battery terminals. The live is pre-fused so no worries on that. I would recommend you find somewhere for the fuel pump to be situated where it wouldnt get wet or cause excessive noise when pumping, although you do get used to it and forget about it. I have my fuel tank underneath the storage cupboard above the drives side wheel arch behind the gas fire which we do not use. i drilled a hole in the lid of the fuel tank and pushed the hose through then run it down to the wheel arch, out through a small hole in floor and back up through the floor in the heater.
The clean Air intake I have directed toward the front drivers side corner of the caravan and the exhaust going off towards the chassis towards the rear centre of the caravan.
You can program your heater to kick in at certain times at your desired temperature and program it to turn off again later and a second program to do the same later in the same day. Although you do get a remote where you can turn on the heater from where ever you are within range of the heater. so if you are driving somewhere and when you are 10 minutes before arriving. you can turn it on from your car.
The digital display also display error codes and battery voltage.
I do have a 4th heater that I not fitted yet but I have been experimenting with it by fitting some kind of drive belt to the fan to a second alternator to charge the battery as the heater is in use. It is not fool proof yet, but I had it working spinning the alternator to charge the battery.
I also use a separate 12v battery for the sole purpose for the heater and charge it when I am on hook up.
I have never had any major issues using my heaters in the minibuses that been in use since 2017.
Gosh this is interesting to read. And glad to hear you’re happy with your heaters! Could I ask what brand you bought? Nice idea about having a seperate battery for the heater too...
@@TravellingK I don't actually know the brand as all the text on it is in hieroglyphics or whatever Chinese writing is called.
The instructions are also in Chinese. I am out with one of our minibuses at the moment with a group of students kayaking in the Lake District. I think I am actually parked on that road you don't like just a couple miles south of Keswick at the moment with a kayaking trailer on the back of my Ford Transit terrorising the locals. When I get back to the bus I will try take a picture to so how I got it installed, although. It does look a bit tatty the way it is on the bus I am driving today.
I send you a link to the heaters I have. They all look similar.
You can also get them in a case around the size of a of an old style pc tower. It has the heater and fuel tank inside all wired together. All you need to do is connect the exhaust and air hoses and secure it. But it is bulky.
Are you still in the UK?
@@TravellingK I forgot to take the picture of my heater while I was in Keswick. My minibus was left in an utter state with the way the students behaved. I do have photos and a video or 2 on my phone. I see if I can send them to you. There might actually be a video of one of ours on my channel. I cant remember as I mainly post up crap lol
I found that if your "hottie" starts to leak at the screw in stopper, you can replace this item alone . saves the cost of buying a new bottle
Nice tip!
how much is it for a new bottle where you are? they are around £1-£4 in the UK for a basic one
Hi. Great tips. Do you live full time on your caravan? Thank you
Similar in principle to the diesel heater is the Propex heater. It runs on propane.
Hmmm I need to look into that!
Hey. Friend of mine lives in cold 3 months every year, just runs a small generator for about 1 hour every evening, uses microwave and some other stuff, but also uses electric blanket on 3 to heat up the bed while the genny is on. After dinner goes into warm bed.
Ah nice! That would be one way around it.
Sounds like your heater needs sorting out. You should be able to get a sparker for it. A couple of friends have just installed the cheap diesel heaters. One had its own litlle tank. Theory is if it lasts a couple of years so what at 300 dollars. I love my fire but it is a messy wee thing, 😂
Oh that's good to know more about your friends success with their heater! I'd be curious to hear how they find it. Nothing beats a good fire though!
HI KAREN
PLEASE GET THE HEATER FIXED AS IT IS FLUED TO THE OUTSIDE & THE COOKER ISN'T, IF YOU USE THE GAS AS WE DO IN THE WINTER TRY PUTTING THE SETTING ON AUTOMATIC OR SELECT 5 OR 6 ON THE HEATER CONTROL & THE FAN SPEED AT 2 TO 3, THIS SHOULDN;T MEAN YOU GET TOO HOT.
BEST OF LUCK
Craig & Kristen.
Thank you Craig and Kristen. I think I've figured out the issue with the heater! Going to give it a go this weekend.
Come and live in Australia and move north or south with the climate.
That is a tempting idea!
Travelling K. It’s what BusLifeNZ did. You’ll love it
There's a simpler way to keep warm in your caravan and works really well, your hot water service is a Truma 14 litre system add a water pump 20 Aus$ a radiator not expensive and three 100mm computer fans $15 EA connect radiator to pump and radiator and on a 60deg C HWS you can keep as warm as toast, one of the best things I added to my Adria caravan.
I’d be curious to learn more about this...
@@TravellingK I will try to do an explanation video on my system when I get a bit of time
I would advise repairing the Truma over using the cooker for space heat. The Truma exhausts the combustion gas outside whereas the products of combustion from cooker go into the living space. That's dangerous if you drop off to sleep and leave it running.
That is very true...
Hi K my truck has a diesel heater and the two best manufactures are Webasto and Eberspaecher and its lovely but they are a bit noisy. Did narrowboat David demonstrate his central heating ?
Oh that's good to know! Interesting too that they are noisy... it was a boiling hot day when I met David so no heater demonstration.
@@TravellingK Well from his demo vid it seems that he hardly uses his and his is a bit different to mine as mine blows warm air and his heats radiators. But I've been given a new truck by my boss and the new one is amazing. I stopped on Stainmore summit in Cumbria U.K. two weeks ago when it was freezing and used to getting up in the morning shivering I was amazed to get up and get breakfast on in a tee shirt shorts and slippers and it was like being round my mums house it was so cosy. MMMMMM
Please be careful when using those 12v blankets/throws. Obviously some will be alright but there are a lot of negative experiences out there.
I bought one of those Chinese heaters for £120 & it has worked like a dream for the past 3 weeks in this cold weather. Stay safe
Oh good to know about the blankets! And since this video I’ve actually heard a lots of good things about the Chinese heaters... I’m now tempted to try one out!
Good old nz cold weather that’s why I moved to Brisbane
haha it's a pretty good idea
This is my personal view on how to stay warm, so I can be wrong :-)
Do not keep seated for to long, stand up, move around a bit. Your heart rate will rise and get your blood pumping around more quickly. Use thermal underwear like Craft, Helly Hansen or the like. Wear merino wool socs, if your feet gets cold your whole body start to get cold. Don't fall into the trap of getting to many layers upon your body while asleep, the pressure of the top layer(s) will remove the air cussion which is the insulation layer, just keep it fluffy.
And get your heater going in a proper way, have it checked regurarly...
Do not use your oven as as heater...
Great list Marcel!! Thank you
My vans gas heater is amazing hot efficient cheap to run where I am it never gets too cold so I tend to use the heater only when it’s bitter the diesel sounds interesting 🚐
Sounds like you're set for heating!
We live in our bus. We have a diesel heater and it's the only way to go. We have eberspacher model. We leave it going for weeks on end. They use bugger all power. Take up no room. Get one fitted you wont know why you didnt sooner
Thank you for sharing the model. Really great to hear that they take up no room... I must look into this more, I think.
@@TravellingK they really are so good. You would only need the eberspacher d2 model. And very easy to fit your self. I have fitted my own and a few for friends. If you need any advice feel free to ask. Ps love you videos keep them coming 👍
I have been freezing in a very cold house and got thermals for daytime as I can't hide in bed all day. I also go for walk, sit in the sun, but layering up has been the answer. I have one north face shirt I wear to excess, and wool socks help too. I am loving the bamboo thermal wear the best as it seems to keep me toasty. I shower at night time so I am going to bed warm and clean, and the electric blanket is good too. We are using our van this winter and I am going to use my pressure cooker, take lots of blankets, beanies, scarfs, the electric blanket is already there and I am wondering if we can do the 1-2 degree night time temperature I want to go to. It's good to support caravan parks this winter around the world I am guessing.
Oh good luck this winter! At least it's a smaller space to warm up??
I would google tiny house heaters... they have a lot of great wood and gas options which are very popular
I’m strongly tempted by the diesel heaters...
Buy a portable radiator. They're not expensive and work great.
UK here, long johns but rarely cold here now, mostly mild and miserable
I live on a sailboat but I also have a caravan.
Bay a woodstove. You will not regret the new heat.
I took out the middle bedroom and walls so I have a open static where we sit I put a woodburner in and where there was a bedroom I put a big woodburner in the middle of the floor like summer all year around now
In an ideal world in an off grid situation you'd have a woodburner.
also I'm thinking you'd probably want to have a dehumidifier running, although they use a lot of power unfortunately.
That model of heater uses a piezo spark hence why the click when you press it. It doesn't require battery or connection to caravan battery to light the heater. The caravan power is for the fan assisted central heating that distributes heat from the fire to the living area and the shower/toilet cubical. A great alternative heating system is a small gas cylinder heater great for awnings and when the main heater is out of action. In my experience the Truma heaters in caravans are economical and reliable so keep it well maintained and it should be good to go when you need it. all the best Sean
Thanks Sean. I really need to get it fixed before next winter! Have a bit of time though :)
I have a back up valid gas heater. I also have an emergency single stove burner with a heating element attached. Hotties are wonderful, electric blanket too... I have fleece throws, thermal vests.. Hats gloves scarves, and thick socks... It gets pretty cold at night at the moment so I wake up to cold but my little heater works great.
Are you in the UK or NZ?
Glad to hear you've got a good system going to stay warm! I'm now back in NZ where it's summer!
Love mine on gas as it feels so much more warming, bit like wood burner over a heat pump! I’d haul that thing to a shop and get it fixed like yesterday... I do not like cold!🤨
It's a bit colder in the South Island though! Think I've figured out the issue... just need to sit down and fix it.
Hi Karen, love your vlogs but please for your own safety please don't use the stove to warm the van due to carbon monoxide poising risk, also can't recall if you ever got yourself the carbon monoxide alarm for when you are using your gas fire. I'm in the UK and have replaced my gas fire with a Chinese diesel air heater👍, installed correctly they will run without fault and cheaper than gas. In the U.K. The full kit is around £130, can't understand why they are more expensive where you are 🙁. Keep warm stay safe x
EVERYTHING is more expensive in NZ! It's a good thing we produce our own Gravity down here or we'd be stung big-time for that too
I do have an alarm now😀And the stove is more about making the most of warming up the kettle☕️Good to hear that your Chinese diesel air heater is working great! As Brendan mentioned - everything seems to be expensive here!
Diesel heaters put a tremendous load on the battery, every time they start a glow plug has to heat up enough to ignite the diesel plus the fan to draw the air through is a constant drain. Also being a UK van the roof vents do not seal shut but have permanent ventilation through them. Do not restrict the air flow through, them the ventilation is for your safety.
Destination mobileone The problem with electric consumption comes when the heater is used with a thermostat which results in multiple restarts, not a problem when it is really cold and the heater fails to reach the set temperature. I had problem on a hired narrow boat and was unable to start the engine. I was told the engine starter ran from a second isolated battery, it wasn't.
Because it’s New Zealand, Australia is the same. They keep forgetting that the internet will give the correct price and not the inflated price. Husband wants to buy something here, which would cost $300 Australian dollars. He can get shipped from the states including shipping for $205 Australian dollars.
K the best option is get your heater fixed they are safe enough as there is no open flame the gas heats up what's like a metal radiator all the exhaust gas fumes should go up the chimney BUT its ALWAYS best to had a carbon monoxide alarm anyway particularly as you have been heating your van with the oven and gas rings GET ONE they are not that expensive now. Also you might have noticed you get loads of condensation burning open flame gas Oh and the smell you can probably smell is general dust on the convector inside as you say it gets hotter on gas than electric PS You might want to bring your hottie over to the UK as its chilly here right now Think they said coldest June for 23 years Lets hope it improves for your visit
Reassuring to hear that the gas heater is completely safe with the windows closed - great advice. I do have an alarm installed now... although it did take me a while to get one! Hmm I really hope the UK warms up soon.
Do you have a CO2 alarm? I wouldn't be without it. A lot of folks I know if use the Chinese diesel heater with no problems... A wood burner sounds like a great idea... How much solar do you have?
Yes, I finally installed an alarm. So tempted to try out a Chinese diesel heater now!! I have one 330W Monocrytalline Solar Panel which is fantastic.
Do you get much sun in the winter. If not you may struggle to keep your batteries charged, best to get a professional to take a look at your heater so you can run it safely on gas
I have no issues with charging my battery in winter now. I do have an inkling with what might have gone wrong with the heater...
Your caravan sterling 470 in the uk comes with truma blown hot air heating, does yours have it?
Yes, but when the heater was working, I actually preferred not to have that running.
@@TravellingK get the heater fixed, gas is not to be messed around with, but you know that anyway, 😐
I should have mentioned more about gas safety in the video🤦♀️Aiming to get the heater fixed as I think I've figured out the problem!
Electric throws are neat. Have used one for over 4 years. Diesel heaters are the bees knees.
Ah good to hear. I am curious about the diesel heater...
👍 would be a good idea to get the fire fixed 👍 is the pilot not lighting at all?
That does sound like the cheapest and easiest option!
Having a closer look, an important gas ignitor wire might have disconnected🤦♀️Planning to have a play with it this weekend and hoping that'll fix it!
You need a small dog (I'm not talking about a lap dog), just a small dog, not only for the company but for security also! Trust me, small dogs can deter intruders just fine. :)
I’m seriously keen to have a dog one day 😀
Hotties are so comforting. What would the diesel heater fumes be like I wonder.
No fumes inside, they have a separate air intake and exhaust that are outside!
I really need to learn more about these diesel heaters!
Would you sit in the carvan when driving
Which are the best diesal heaters? Who installs them?
I remember on a holiday trip with some buddys in February we had a few beers bought a massive industrial diesel powered space heater it melted the doors of the cupboard from a cabinet and very neerly burnt the caravan down morel of the story you can have to much heat
How noisy are diesel heaters? Would there be room for a small gas heater? Wear lots of layers 🥶.
I have an Eberspacher 2KW heater and it's a bit noisy on full power (like a fan heater) but on low you can barely hear it. What I do hear is the fuel pump which 'ticks' but it shouldn't be as loud as it is, I need to get underneath and fix it.
I'm now thinking there's really is plenty of room under the wardrobe if I do want to install something else. @eatsleepvan I think I'll be asking you plenty of questions!
Oh, it's so cold God help you, my love🙋♂️🙋♂️🙋♂️🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🌷🌷🌷
My main tip is 2 duvets = toasty. More layers trap more body heat in bed.
www.heatspace.co have found some Chinese heaters they give a good warranty. A great option, from $500ish. So a bit more than buying direct from China but you get that NZ support. They are a bit complicated to install. In a caravan you'd have to have a small diesel tank which they usually come with.
As for electric blanket power, turn 1.5A into Watts = 1.5*12 = 18W. 18W for 1 hour = 18Wh. Run it for 2 hours = 18Wh x 2 = 36Wh. If you have a 200W solar panel, and assuming they are generating around ⅓ power max at the moment (60W?) then 1 hour of charging at 60W = 60Wh. So should cover your electric blanket power needs easily if it's sunny :)