Dave in AZ
Well-known member
Tune outdoors now using a Truma propane heater setup too.
Did you plumb your fuel tank yourself, or get an installer to do it? What type of installer (Webasto rep, RV shop)?The biggest determinant will be your budget. I have a Webasto (Air Top STC2000) gas-burning heater permanently installed behind my left wheelwell. Exhaust and intake go through a hole cut in the bed, and the fuel supply is tapped right into my gas tank. But my truck is set up as a full-time camper.
Anyone care to share their heating setup? I live in CO, so was hoping for something weatherproof. Anyone have or seen any good ideas?
Did you plumb your fuel tank yourself, or get an installer to do it? What type of installer (Webasto rep, RV shop)?
Actually more like $300 because of the multiple cheap ones I got first that failed after a single month of use, or didn't run the advertised length. Again, I'm not in the warm states and spend more nights out between Nov-April than the warm months so quality is more important and our usage higher than folks with moderate winters. Ignik's customer support has always been spot on too.A $200 12v heated blanket 😂
The biggest determinant will be your budget. I have a Webasto (Air Top STC2000) gas-burning heater permanently installed behind my left wheelwell. Exhaust and intake go through a hole cut in the bed, and the fuel supply is tapped right into my gas tank. But my truck is set up as a full-time camper.
In the past, for an old trailer and my RTT, we had one of Planar's portable units that I got from Expedition Upfitter. Just carried a section of high-heat ducting with me and would run the controls inside. Worked like a champ, but took up a decent amount of space and you run the risk of spilling diesel inside (if you don't have a way to carry it outside). It was also a pain to carry three fuels with me (gas, propane and diesel). If you go the portable route, I used a 3" sewage flange you can find in any RV supply or on Amazon. Cut a 3" hole in the side of your camper, file the flange so it's flush on the back, screw it on, caulk around it, and then add your ducting flange to the inside wall for the duct to attach to.
If you're averse to taking a hole saw to your shell, some folks have made wedges with a hole in them for the duct hose that fit in a slightly open side hatch.
Some folks use Mr. Buddy heaters. Me? Nope. They produce a ton of condensation, require a decent amount of fresh air so you don't pass out, and aren't really an option to just leave running. I also have a wife and two dogs I'm keeping comfortable for days at a time while camping year round
What are the coldest temps you have seen with the 2kw Webasto, happy with the choice?
Yeah, they’re ridiculous. largely due to the fact that Truma won’t sell directly to consumers in the US out of litigation fears. Consumers can buy them directly in Europe and I understand they’re more reasonable there.. But, they work absolutely great.If they were remotely the same price, I would get a Truma propane heater instead of my Vevor diesel heater. I love that diesel but... I already had diesel slosh out of the cr8ppy tank and spill all over in truckbed, my wife wouldn't get inside due to diesel fumes until I wiped it all up, having to tske the all in one apart to do so.
Also, the clicking is a big pain and noisy. Lastly I have to carry diesel too.
Dan Grec from The Road Chose Me, and a forum member here, is pretty adamant that he won't use propane for anything, but that is all due to his experience in S.America and Africa, where it is hard to get and fill because every country has its own valve connection standards and fill protocols. He is hard in support of the Coleman dual fuel sportster, which I've had for 40 years and love. But in the US, propane is available everywhere and easy to fill 5 or 10 lb bottles at way more places than Kerosene or white gas is sold. So as a guy who doesn't plan on leaving US unless its Baja, I think I prefer propane for cooking. Then in southwest, a lot of burn bans so need propane firepit. And since I already have it, that leads me to a propane heater.
My problem is the $3500 Tune wants for it, vs the $100 diesel heater...
We’ve been in 12-degrees (disgustingly humid East Coast 12-degrees) and comfortable with it set at 63.
So that’s a screaming deal in many ways if you can get it shipped to the US at a reasonable price. I’d look at the installation manual before ordering — there’s a some specific requirements. A few things to keep in mind:Has anyone in the US ordered the Truma Varioheat from these guys? https://us-camperinteriors.glopalstore.com/products/truma-varioheat-eco-campervan-gas-heater?variant=15354799194206**wi=off**&wi=off&wi=off&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwcqB3ujupK3Dl1vshAnW5Xq0zusyrLHtRu-Sdem-S88KXCTZVf-qIQaApShEALw_wcB&utm_source=camperinteriors.co.uk&utm_campaign=cs_w&utm_medium=wi_proxy&utm_content=en_US