VAN LIFE HEATER OPTIONS | best heater for van life
Planning to hit the road in a van? One of the things you’ll want to think about is how you’ll keep warm. Even if you plan on avoiding cold climates as much as possible, you’ll want to consider having a heater for those chilly nights and mornings.
After living van life for 2 years, here are the best heaters for van life…
VAN LIFE HEATER OPTIONS
We’ll be going through van life heater options from the least expensive to the most expensive.
1) Mr Buddy Propane Heater
This is the most inexpensive option when it comes to heaters. However, it’s important to note to NEVER leave this running overnight or while you are not in your van. You’ll also want to make sure you have proper ventilation while using the Mr. Buddy.
Pros:
under $100
easy to pull out and use when needed
doesn’t need any power
great “back up” heater if your espar/webasto isn’t working
Cons:
can’t leave running all night
needs proper ventilation
more dangerous - must be used correctly to be safe
2) Propane RV Heater
Most RVs and travel trailers come with a propane heater. These heaters can also be installed in a van and are very efficient at heating a small space.
Pros:
less expensive
very efficient - runs off of 12 volt power
no need to set up
Cons:
needs proper ventilation and set up
installation involves knowledge of propane lines and electrical
3) Webasto or Espar Heater
The most expensive option when it comes to van life heaters is the Webasto and Espar heaters. However, they are extremely efficient and do not require propane.
Pros:
uses gas or diesel from the vehicles fuel tank as the fuel source
very efficient - runs off of 12 volt power
no need to set up at each use
runs off of a thermostat and can run continuously all day and overnight
Espar heaters can be serviced at “Thermo King” in the U.S.
Cons:
more expensive - around $1,200+
harder to install
no service or troubleshooting help for Webasto in North America
