Hierarchy of hard sided campers that handle the snow/winter?

simple

Adventurer
Here is a data point from our composite panel camper. During our winter travels, the Webasto ThermoTop burns around a litre of fuel every 2 1/2 hours. Since it can be running 18+ hours a day, (that is, when not driving and using the engine hydronic circuit) that consumption is significant enough to factor into our range calculations. I had OEV seal up a small pass-through into the cab to eliminate one hole in the envelope but then we need to keep some cross-ventilation for air quality.
Interesting data. Burn rate is higher than expected. Do you notice much difference in consumption between 32F and 0F?
 

Trail Talk

Well-known member
Interesting data. Burn rate is higher than expected. Do you notice much difference in consumption between 32F and 0F?
For sure, as temps drop the Webasto cycles more frequently and runs longer. Run times seem to increase noticeably once it gets below 5F/-15C outside. The unit adjusts its output in stages and cycles on and off to maintain coolant temps between 65C and 79C. These parameters are not adjustable. We generally maintain 20C air temperature inside during the day and reduce the setting to 10C overnight.
 

Trail Talk

Well-known member
Another interesting data point on Webasto consumption in a semi‘s sleeper cab; likely the most prolific application for these units. I read a blog post from a Calgary installer advising his customers to expect 0.7 litres fuel burn per hour of operation, nearly double what we experience.
 

rruff

Explorer
Here is a data point from our composite panel camper. During our winter travels, the Webasto ThermoTop burns around a litre of fuel every 2 1/2 hours.
It would be interesting if you can convert that to an average W/F of heat supplied. That's Fahrenheit between indoor and outdoor temperature. I think our campers are fairly comparable in size. Mine is ~13 W/F in testing (For instance a 50F delta T, would be 650W) after saturating for 3 days, and it was 18 W/F the first day. That's with no one in it, BTW. Body heat can help a lot if the insulation is good!
 
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