Keeping warm - not easy in our Autotrail last week

[StephandJohn]

We got a Gaslow fitted after a cold autumn in Spain. Its worth the cost. We also had huge drafts coming through the fridge area and blocked these up - being careful of course not to block off vents.
We're usually on electric and keep it on low all night and all day when we're out if it's very cold. Luckily we haven't been on metered elec yet! Then just put on the gas before we get up. If you can keep it warmish it's half the battle when you're staying somewher for a few days. Survived -5 at Roses like that. The water taps outside had huge icicles but we were toasty,
Might sound like a funny question but have you got carpets? We met a couple who didn't have carpets and their can was much colder than ours.
Also. Sleep on a duvet as well as having one and a blanket above.

 

[Essgeebee]

Talking of sleeping warm in the winter, we invested in Duvalays last year, the widest ones with the deluxe filling. After a year of making up the bed from the settees (what a faff) we now use the settee seats as two single beds. My gast is well and truly flabbered. I couldn’t imagine how comfortable and snug Duvalays are. I sleep better in it than I do at home. Best investment since we bought the moho itself.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

2 caravans and 3 motorhomes with combi heaters and I must say we have never had any trouble keeping them warm on electric only.
I always keep the water on hot 24 hrs as the water jacket is around the fan tube so it acts as a heat sink, it's best to let the water get hot first with some gas assistance if necessary,
I only use the fan on eco so the air flow does not overwhelm the heat produced.

 

[Essgeebee]

We got a Gaslow fitted after a cold autumn in Spain. Its worth the cost. We also had huge drafts coming through the fridge area and blocked these up - being careful of course not to block off vents.
We're usually on electric and keep it on low all night and all day when we're out if it's very cold. Luckily we haven't been on metered elec yet! Then just put on the gas before we get up. If you can keep it warmish it's half the battle when you're staying somewher for a few days. Survived -5 at Roses like that. The water taps outside had huge icicles but we were toasty,
Might sound like a funny question but have you got carpets? We met a couple who didn't have carpets and their can was much colder than ours.
Also. Sleep on a duvet as well as having one and a blanket above.

Just looked at the price of a Gaslow system with 2x 6kg cylinders. Nearly fell off my chair. £600+. Have to think about that for a bit. Does it need professional fitting on top?

 

[Michael Rennison]

Entirely agree with previous posts about a front cover. Mine works great and with the double benefit of cutting internal condensation - when you are ready to go the windscreen is completely dry.

Entirely agree with previous posts about a front cover. Mine works great and with the double benefit of cutting internal condensation - when you are ready to go the windscreen is completely dry.

By way of an additional benefit we use our thermal cover in the summer to keep the heat out. Italy 2019 over 30 degrees and The Lakes last July similarly sweltering. Full flaps open and the screen on makes for a relatively comfortable van at night.

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[RM_Marine]

Got mine fitted here and yes you can do it yourself but I just worked a few extra shifts to pay for it and now have peice of mind

AluGas Refillable LPG Cylinders Archives

autogasshop.co.uk

 

[Gina M]

When on EHU, I use one of these. Much prefer it to an oil filled any day. Extremely lightweight, instant heat, with dual settings and no having to wait for the oil to heat up and cool down. It also lays flat for storage under one of bench seats. Cheaper than oil filled too.

Had it on every night last week while I was away, blooming lovely and cozy warm.
View attachment 585240

I agree these kick out some heat.

 

[Raul]

Does anyone use these electric heaters with an inverter when not on HU ?

We do, a small 400w fan heater you plug directly in the wall socket. We got it at the Motorhome show, it’s not reliable, but nice when it works, for quick bursts of heat. I want a better one.

This fella here
<Broken link removed>

 

[Gina M]

I now use one of those plug socket heaters, very small but really heats the van while we are waiting for heating to kick in. As soon the electrics are on that bad boy goes on, in 10 minutes the van is really toasty. If you are cold in bed, sleep with the dogs they are so warm.

 

[Lenny HB]

Just looked at the price of a Gaslow system with 2x 6kg cylinders. Nearly fell off my chair. £600+. Have to think about that for a bit. Does it need professional fitting on top?

If you are confident with DIY it's a very easy job.

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[Lenny HB]

Might sound like a funny question but have you got carpets? We met a couple who didn't have carpets and their can was much colder than ours.

Ours is warmer without carpets but we do have a double floor that is heated.

 

[Trikeman]

I’m seeing a few discussions about Autotrails being cold/draughty? We have a 2018 AT Apache 634 and ours is toasty warm, in even the worst conditions - high winds and severe UK cold snaps, we use ours in all weathers all year round.
The only things we do is turn cab heating to recycle (as mentioned) and use a tailor-made extra long screen cover when parked up.
We knock the heat to minimum when going to sleep (we use duvalays) and just turn up a notch when we wake.
Perhaps we just have a good one?????
Kindest Regards
Trikeman.

 

[Robb]

Diesel heater was a game changer for me (£80). Alde system failed and no service for 6 months during Covid. Alde system now fixed but I prefer to use the diesel heater and it costs next to nothing and heats the van very quickly!

 

[tomm]

We have a curtain rail fixed around the cab , ie above windscreen and going around the driver and passenger windows. Have a curtain going from curtain rail to floor , with a few inches extra at floor level to stop draughts from underneath .No draughts at all. And this also allows us the use of the swivel driver and passenger seats.

The heating is a eberspacher diesel D4 air heater and it works a treat , bit loud outside at exhaust , but only when running at full tilt.

The heating ducting on our van runs underneath the van , with no insulation.Have been checking out insulation foam for the ducting runs and after researching am now looking to try out armacell/armaflex class O 13mm closed cell foam sheeting . Will wrap it around the ducting and hold in place with cable ties. That hopefully will offer heat saving.

 

[RM_Marine]

I work out of my autotrail apache 700 and in the North East ans I have to admit that the electric fire left on low all the time takes the edge off it but the fire works for keeping warm

If its cold cold I just stay in the u shape lounge with the divider closed and on electric its fine

The over the top cab is cold most of the time but I've got a old itchy blanket from the marines and it's perfect as a curtain

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[two]

I'm nice 'n cosy in my modern van but don't recall being particularly uncomfortable back in 1970, when I started caravanning. Insulation was not that good then, and EHU did not even exist. Are we becoming less tolerant? There used to be frost on the inside of the windows every morning.

 

[mikebeaches]

I'm nice 'n cosy in my modern van but don't recall being particularly uncomfortable back in 1970, when I started caravanning. Insulation was not that good then, and EHU did not even exist. Are we becoming less tolerant? There used to be frost on the inside of the windows every morning.

No, we're all just getting older and feel the cold more...

 

[madroy]

If you are relying on the built in heater that sounds about right !
Sadly they only seem to be suitable for tacking the edge off so to speak
I personally would do as a LOT of others have done.. Fit a diesel heater ..
Cheap as chips to buy and cheaper to run than gas

Make sure you park so the wind is not hitting vulnerable areas

 

[Jaws]

Make sure you park so the wind is not hitting vulnerable areas

Such as my nether regions and bald head ?

 

[weefish]

Diesel heater and lots of insulation, pir is best where possible. Have a look inside your walls to see what is there.

I use a 5 kw diesel heater but have to run it at the very lowest setting.

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[Coolcats]

Put diesel heater in the search box top right of this page and it will bring up dozens of threads.

I am not saying these types of heaters are bad. But my preference would be to fit a Webasto or similar that has CE safety rating. After all it’s your life your family that needs assurance that the product has been made to a standard and is safe. Some of the Chinese ones maybe safe but personally would not play Russian roulette with a cheap heater without some reassurance of safety testing.

 

[Ivory55]

I am not saying these types of heaters are bad. But my preference would be to fit a Webasto or similar that has CE safety rating. After all it’s your life your family that needs assurance that the product has been made to a standard and is safe. Some of the Chinese ones maybe safe but personally would not play Russian roulette with a cheap heater without some reassurance of safety testing.

I guess money is the reason like most things, it seems most who want a diesel heater wants to avoid campsite costs, so buying a webastow etc would wipe out the savings.

 

[Two on Tour]

I am not saying these types of heaters are bad. But my preference would be to fit a Webasto or similar that has CE safety rating. After all it’s your life your family that needs assurance that the product has been made to a standard and is safe. Some of the Chinese ones maybe safe but personally would not play Russian roulette with a cheap heater without some reassurance of safety testing.

That fine if you are prepared to pay the current going price for a Webasto Air Top at £1300 or a Eberspacher D2 at £2500 rather than the sub £100 for an exact Chinese copy where most of the parts are interchangeable between the Webasto/Eberspacher and the Chinese copies.

I think that you are basing your perceived safety issues on a poor understanding and expect no actual dealing with any Chinese diesel heaters, whereas I have 4 for some time now and have had no issues with any of them and my up-market Chinese Lavaner diesel heater is ECE safety rated the others are CE to be imported into the EU and UK by importers. Whether the legitimacy of the CE certificates in the box that arrives has been approved by the relevant authorities, I can't say.

As with many things in life, it's normally the idiots and chancers fitting the heaters in an unsafe environment and manner that give rise to the belief that a product is either useless or dangerous.

 

[Coolcats]

That fine if you are prepared to pay the current going price for a Webasto Air Top at £1300 or a Eberspacher D2 at £2500 rather than the sub £100 for an exact Chinese copy where most of the parts are interchangeable between the Webasto/Eberspacher and the Chinese copies.

I think that you are basing your perceived safety issues on a poor understanding and expect no actual dealing with any Chinese diesel heaters, whereas I have 4 for some time now and have had no issues with any of them and my up-market Chinese Lavaner diesel heater is CE safety rated as are the others have to be imported into the EU and UK by importers. Whether the legitimacy of the CE certificates in the box has been approved by the relevant authorities, I can't say.

As with many things in life, it's normally the idiots and chances fitting the heaters in an unsafe environment and manner that give rise to the belief that a product is either useless or dangerous.

My understanding is not poor, I totally get that some Chinese products are well made however would you put your life and that of your family on the line for a device that has not been safety certified which is my point. You may recall there was a time when people were exposed to carbon monoxide in property abroad. Save money where safety is not a concern.

 

[Two on Tour]

My understanding is not poor, I totally get that some Chinese products are well made however would you put your life and that of your family on the line for a device that has not been safety certified which is my point. You may recall there was a time when people were exposed to carbon monoxide in property abroad. Save money where safety is not a concern.

Again my point is that was the product to blame, no, it was the poor installation or maintenance which proved to be the case with the properties abroad.

A badly installed Webasto/Eberspacher heater is just as dangerous as a badly installed Chinese heater.
You can not be exposed to carbon monoxide gases on a Chinese diesel heater as the combustion side can not come in contact with the heated air from the heat exchanger if fitted correctly, that simple !

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[Coolcats]

Again my point is that was the product to blame, no, it was the poor installation or maintenance which proved to be the case with the properties abroad.

A badly installed Webasto/Eberspacher heater is just as dangerous as a badly installed Chinese heater.
You can not be exposed to carbon monoxide gases on a Chinese diesel heater as the combustion side can not come in contact with the heated air from the heat exchanger if fitted correctly, that simple !

All I am pointing out is cheap is cheap and somewhere someone or something is compromised and safety is something that should never be compromised so unless there is a safety conformity certificate it could be bad news

 

[jimairi]

Two dog heater works for my wife. Unfortunately there is no room for me.

 

[PaulandChrissy]

If you are only using electric for heating with a Truma Combi the van will really struggle to get warm in cold weather.
The heating elements are only 2 x 900 Watts so only 1.8kw, on gas the heater kicks out 6kw.

There should be no draughts around the fridge if there are it's been incorrectly installed and is dangerous as if will allow fumes from the burner into the van.

That’s exactly right. I’m astonished how many vans have draughty fridges. If the wind is blowing the fumes from the back of the fridge through to the inside, you may not wake up in the morning. They bang on about you must have an annual gas test, and then gas you with the appalling fridge fitment. In my opinion most fridge installations are not fit for use.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Just back from Cornwall where we spent a lovely dry four days in our 2019 Autotrail Tracker. However, at night we struggled to keep the van warm enough. I’m reluctant to use gas for space heating as it’s still hard to get replacement cylinders at times so we just had the electric on full. We noted on the windy last night that the hab door is very draughty - the seal is in place but clearly doesn’t work very well. Add to that the gale blowing in from behind the fridge and elsewhere and SWMBO was not a happy bunny.
I’m going to have to see what I can do to improve things as we want to use the moho at all times of year. Any tips or advice welcome.

We carry an electric fan heater which can run below 1KW. It keeps our 6mtre van (see pic for my posts) lovely and warm when it gets cold

 

[Gellyneck]

Fit a refillable system instead of buying expensive cylinders of gas
It will pay for itself in the long run

Does that mean you'll be back on CT then?

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