Heating Question Camper/Caravan Setup.

[Vanhere22]

Hi All,

Be interested in what people think here, I'm looking to solve replacing the refillable gas bottles (11KG) which are constantly emptying out this time of year. Probably should mention we are currently travelling long term and will be living in though the winter. Already feeling the bite.

Our setup is a caravan and a camper/support van. We live mainly in the caravan which has a Truma Combi 4E (gas), we are often camped up for long periods without moving the caravan, we want to keep the weight in the caravan as low as possible.

We can't rely totally on EHU & the Truma is as weak as a kitten running on mains electric only.

I'm doing extra insulation but it's not going to get us that much further forward.

My options so a far are;

Swap the Combi out for the diesel version, should be easy enough but will mean fitting a diesel tank to the caravan, fuel lines & pump, probably around a £2000 mod. Definite option.

Thought about switching to an ALDE or Webasto system completely but just too expensive with fitting and difficult for me to do on the move.

Get refillable bottles, we're going though about 1 bottle a week.

Get a big exchangeable cylinder and stand it outside. (A lot of campsites don't like you doing this. Maybe OK if we can have the awning up but frequently being taken down for incoming gales!)

Connect a LPG system on the support van to feed the caravan (my current favourite), perhaps using the external BBQ point on the caravan?

Any others?

Be interested to get opinions.

 

[Landy Andy]

What about a Chinese diesel heater as an extra heat source. Diesel is easily sourced

 

[Vanhere22]

What about a Chinese diesel heater as an extra heat source. Diesel is easily sourced

Yes thanks, should have put this one down as well. I could put one in but we really need the hot water side of the system as well, we're in most days and do plenty of washing etc... We're often away from big sites with washing machines etc.

The Chinese heaters really look good these days. It think I saw some water heater versions as well but trying to keep things simple and not going into a big project as we need to live in it as well... They'd be on the list if I was going this setup from scratch.

I'm considering the Diesel version of the Truma heater, I like the idea of just getting 20l diesel can.

 

[Terry]

I’d go with a diesel combo heater (like Andy said ) but failing that you can get a stand alone heater in a box with its own fuel tank

 

[Terry]

I’m certain Gromett has figures on how much diesel they take and did a thread on his install.

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[tonka]

Maybe another alternative.. Safefill for the gas..
Intergrates into your current gas system, bottles can be transported in car / camper to be re-filled ( subject to knowing a local fill point of course).
No modification needed, maybe a propane pigtail if your currently using Butane.

Add in a diesel heater, maybe a free standing one that has it's own fuel tank an built it into a box outside ( see videos on youtube).

 

[Landy Andy]

If you heat the van with diesel heater I would think that would over half your gas usage. It’s a keep it simple solution. But understand there are alternatives.

 

[tonka]

If you heat the van with diesel heater I would think that would over half your gas usage. It’s a keep it simple solution. But understand there are alternatives.

If they can source some red diesel as well that will help reduce cost.. I use so little for my "man cave" heater that i dont worry and just buy regular diesel but there is a cost saving to be had if it's used regular.

Same with the gas, i filled my 10kg Safefill yesterday for under £14...

 

[Rapido925M]

During COVID my son, partner and 3 boys lived in a touring caravan with awning in the garden. They used our EHU for a couple of panel radiators inside the van but bought a Chinese diesel heater for the awning. It stood in one corner and the exhaust was through an insulated pipe under the van skirt then out the far side away from windows. I appreciate that you are not looking for such a “permanent” solution but please think carefully about waste gases.

Good luck - Gordon

 

[Rapido925M]

RED DIESEL: I looked at getting some for my son but it was actually more expensive than ordinary, unless bought in bulk!
I think Amazon sells it in boxes and a local garage would also supply it. He ended up syphoning heating oil from my tank which proved to be very cheap (for him ).

Gordon

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[headlight]

Hi All,

Be interested in what people think here, I'm looking to solve replacing the refillable gas bottles (11KG) which are constantly emptying out this time of year. Probably should mention we are currently travelling long term and will be living in though the winter. Already feeling the bite.

Our setup is a caravan and a camper/support van. We live mainly in the caravan which has a Truma Combi 4E (gas), we are often camped up for long periods without moving the caravan, we want to keep the weight in the caravan as low as possible.

We can't rely totally on EHU & the Truma is as weak as a kitten running on mains electric only.

I'm doing extra insulation but it's not going to get us that much further forward.

My options so a far are;

Swap the Combi out for the diesel version, should be easy enough but will mean fitting a diesel tank to the caravan, fuel lines & pump, probably around a £2000 mod. Definite option.

Thought about switching to an ALDE or Webasto system completely but just too expensive with fitting and difficult for me to do on the move.

Get refillable bottles, we're going though about 1 bottle a week.

Get a big exchangeable cylinder and stand it outside. (A lot of campsites don't like you doing this. Maybe OK if we can have the awning up but frequently being taken down for incoming gales!)

Connect a LPG system on the support van to feed the caravan (my current favourite), perhaps using the external BBQ point on the caravan?

Any others?

Be interested to get opinions.

So are your current gas bottles refillable or exchange, I can't tell from what you've said ?

 

[Vanhere22]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

I'm thinking a combination of a refillable cylinder and diesel heater. That as you say there, the heater will help with gas use and a refillable gives us some options on cheaper gas.

Read the first pages of Grometts thread, really interesting so thanks for that.

Will probably fit a diesel heater as space is a premium round here.

A lot to be said for keeping things simple

So are your current gas bottles refillable or exchange, I can't tell from what you've said ?

Currently on exchange bottles, Calor propane.

 

[Gromett]

I use a chinese diesel heater using Red diesel and it is a magnitude cheaper to run even in the depths of winter.
At worst I was using 1 FloGas bottle per week at a cost of £32.99
Now on Diesel at worst I use 1 Jerry can of red diesel (20 litres) at either 99p or £1.15 per litre depending on the availability.

For hot water I use one of these.

Propex 10 Litre Mains Water Heater - Magnum Motorhomes

New from Propex, and update of the popular mains storage water heater This is a 10 litre storage water heater that runs on mains 240v The great advantage of being mains only is that there is no need for any external flue Simply secure in position, plug into a mains supply, connect the water and […]

magnummotorhomes.co.uk

I still use my flogas bottle for cooking and in emergency can be used for heating.

For fuel storage I used one of these.

SEAFLO 24L Universal Fuel Tank Marine Boat Outboard Durable Fuel Tank W/ Pointer | eBay

SEAFLO Outboard external fuel tank is anti-static, anti-aging, corrosion-resistant red plastic fuel tank. The fuel tank with fuel to ensure clean fuel, traveling thousands of miles worries. • 24L Fuel tank constructed from double layer HDPE.

www.ebay.co.uk

I was intending to install this in my gas locker but did a temporary install with it sat outside near the caravan and have never got round to moving it inside as it is convenient.

I use a diesel transfer pump to pump the diesel from the jerry can to the tank to avoid glugging and spills.

Fill up the tank, then ensure you have jerry cans full and I can last almost 4 weeks.

Avoid using the chinese heater on less than 1Hz and turn on on and off once or twice a day and you shouldn't soot up. I have not had an soot problem since Jan or Feb this year since doing this.

I highly recommend the chinese 2Kw diesel heaters for motorhomes/caravans, VERY effective and cheap to run.

 

[Vanhere22]

Thanks for all the advice on this. Got a feeling this years going to be a cold one and been going around the options for a bit. Nice to get feedback and see what's really worked. Will read the rest of the thread on your install later.

Will order up one of those tanks as well, like the level gauge. Looks like you can chain it up to the chassis to stop it walking off.

 

[Gromett]

Will order up one of those tanks as well, like the level gauge. Looks like you can chain it up to the chassis to stop it walking off.

order one of these while you are it to save you some time.

1/4 NPT to 4mm 5mm (3/16) PUSH ON BARB TAIL Hose Pipe Fitting Adapter Fuel Oil | eBay

1/4 NPT to 4 - 5mm (I.D of your hose) push on barb straight adapter, male to male union for adapting from NPT to barb, allows easy connection of your hose to NPT fittings. 1/4 NPT to 4 - 5MM PUSH ON BARB STRAIGHT ADAPTER.

www.ebay.co.uk

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[Vanhere22]

Is the one on the tank too big?