Our van is a 21ft Jayco Starcraft which we have been living in for two years. Like others, we thought we would follow the sun but that isn’t always the case. We often talked about getting some form of diesel heater for those colder times. As we work while on the road (see here) and farm sit. We go where and when is needed. Neither of us like the cold but would like to spend more time enjoying those places. Tazzie is a place we want to prepare for and enjoy!
When plugged in to power we can use our reverse cycle aircon. Alternatives are needed when free camping so we chose diesel. From what we had read, we found these points suited our situation.
Diesel is cheaper to run than gas
Easier to install if you can do DIY
Don’t need to pay extra for a tradie to install
We already carry extra diesel for the Ute
Cheaper to buy
Update June 2019: We have replaced the white 10lt diesel tank that came with our heater as it split on the top. We replaced it with a normal 10lt diesel Jerry can, drilling a small hole in the bottom for the hose fitting.
Larry had read a lot of people had been buying from Pinnacle Wholesalers. Having read reviews on them and their heaters we decided to get one. We chose a 12 volt, 2KW Diesel heater.
Pinnacale have 2KW and 5KW heaters for sale here from the Pinnacale website.
We bought our 2KW from pinnacles ebay site for $820 with a plastic 10l fuel tank
We chose to install the heater under our bed. The front of our van houses our batteries and is chokers full. Our slide out bed is towards the back of the van. We chose this area as it has heaps of space and we wanted to mount the 10 lt diesel tank at the back of the van.
We could also mount the controller next to the bed for easy reach on a cold morning.
Tools we used
When our box of goodies arrived we were very exited. I more so when the box was opened. I’m not into tools and parts but the tiny exhaust that comes with it, is sooo cute 😀 Anywayyy….
Larry had decided where under the slide out bed to place the heater and marked out the area. It took a couple of placements before he was happy.
He then started cutting out the floor so the pipes would fit through. He started with a hole for each pipe as this is what the instructions indicated. However the instructions are geared towards fitting the heater against sheet metal not 18mm think floor boards so this wasn’t practical.
One larger hole was made instead and the two supplied metal mounting plates used to sandwich the floor and be able to attach the heater. This larger hole was also beneficial so the heat of the exhaust didn’t touch the van.
Larry headed under the van to attach the fuel line and exhaust. Also to screw the diesel heater in place.
Once it was all in place we made sure it wasn’t going to let anything in. I was worried about water or bugs. Smearing heat resistant silicone between the floor and the heater mounting plates to ensure a proper seal was the go. We didn’t need to do this but I wanted to be 100% sure nothing was getting in and it wasn’t going to budge. Larry also put a sealant around the cut made in the floor so water can’t be sucked into the wood.
We had a aluminium metal plate made to house the fuel tank and to protect it. We attached it to both the caravan and the back bar. Larry also added sikaflex to the screws so they don’t try and wiggle out while we travel.
Heat: We are in Queensland at the moment and not in the freezing cold but it has been nippy. We have had the heater on a few times and it makes a big difference. Like any heater you notice it more when you come back in from the cold. I can still wear shorts in the van and not have to rug up to much.
It takes a while to warm up the van first thing on a cold morning but that might be our van? As with a house, closing the bathroom door, closing the ceiling hatch blinds etc. help keep the warmth in.
The 2kw heater is fine for at least a 21 foot caravan and they use next to no diesel when operating. A larger one may be better to heat quicker though.
Noise: On starting, stopping and re-booting you hear it the most. Nothing that your neighbours would hear. While its running it blends in to the background. I’m not sure if we would leave it on over night as once it gets below your set temperature it re-boots and then beeps on start up. This would probably wake me at night but probably not Larry. In saying that if I was in the freezing cold it would be going on!
Caravan RV Camping have a variety of heaters to choose from.
We serviced the heater as we hadn’t used it for a while and it was blowing smoke. You read how we serviced it here Diesel Heater Repair.
We asked our Facebook followers what they use and this is the feedback we got.
But you can buy them from cheaper shops, such as the Reject shop.
Extra blankets, doonas
Hot water bottle
Cook a roast, dinner or bake in your oven. This kills two birds with one stone. (But make sure you still use ventilation so you don’t gas yourself)
Sleep with the dog on the bed
Snuggle up butter cup 😉
Obviously common sense should prevail when dealing with safety and heating. We do recommend the diesel heater over the other suggested alternatives. Your decision lies in what you feel safe and happy using.
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Thanks guys,I got a small gas heater . haven’t used it in the van yet but good inside my unit.
Have a heater from Pinnicle and we are in Lower South Easr so very cold. Love our diesel heater. Try a cup of Kero in cold weather in the diesel. Always check bateries charged as if down will not power 2nd stage firing leading to more carbon in.chamber and on gloplug.
Thanks for the tip Sonia, great tip. We will keep that in mind.