Webasto Heater

[underkill]

I had the 2KW version kit from Happybuy (on Amazon) in my pop up camper.

The economy was fantastic. We ran it all night for a few weeks and never had to fill the tank. No data on the fuel burn, unfortunately, but very efficient!

Even with the cloth sides on the camper, we never turned the heater up above the lowest setting. It blew super hot. The thermostat also worked well to turn the heater off and back on when needed.

Since they're used so often in big rigs and campers, I don't see a problem installing one in a 4runner, however we were extra cautious with the exhaust and intake air for the little diesel. Dying due to carbon monoxide isn't a cool way to go, so proper venting and safety should be thoroughly thought out.

Honestly, because we had such good luck with with the heater in the camper, we've been considering installing one as a standalone unit in a "tool box" that we could remove from the truck and only run the heated air pipe into the truck or tent. It would simplify the install a lot and take the entire combustion air and exhaust issue out of the vehicle.

Here it is partially installed in the camper.

 

[cb1111]

I had the 2KW version kit from Happybuy (on Amazon) in my pop up camper.

The economy was fantastic. We ran it all night for a few weeks and never had to fill the tank. No data on the fuel burn, unfortunately, but very efficient!

Even with the cloth sides on the camper, we never turned the heater up above the lowest setting. It blew super hot. The thermostat also worked well to turn the heater off and back on when needed.

Since they're used so often in big rigs and campers, I don't see a problem installing one in a 4runner, however we were extra cautious with the exhaust and intake air for the little diesel. Dying due to carbon monoxide isn't a cool way to go, so proper venting and safety should be thoroughly thought out.

Honestly, because we had such good luck with with the heater in the camper, we've been considering installing one as a standalone unit in a "tool box" that we could remove from the truck and only run the heated air pipe into the truck or tent. It would simplify the install a lot and take the entire combustion air and exhaust issue out of the vehicle.

Here it is partially installed in the camper.

Yes, venting is very important, but not as vital as it is with gasoline. Diesel fumes will/can kill you, but not as easily as gasoline.

 

[IanB]

Amazon.com: 5KW 12V Diesel Air Heater 10L Tank LCD Thermostat Monitor + Remote Control + Silencer for Bus Van Boat Trucks: Automotive

5KW 12V Diesel Air Heater 10L Tank LCD Thermostat Monitor + Remote Control + Silencer for Bus Van Boat Trucks

I spend a lot of time with my GF camping in the PNW in the back of my 2011 Trail. I'd really like to solve a few problems with this.

1. Condensation (builds up a lot in winter due to closed windows)
2. GF has poor circulation and has trouble staying warm.
3. Don't want to run engine to heat the compartment

I've seen guys put this in their westfallas and with the fuel tank can be very efficient. We have a very comfortable set up besides the heat, condensation issue.

I'd like to know where I could mount a 5L fuel tank safely and this unit. I'm thinking of putting the unit in the empty space passenger side where most put a aux batt or air comp. I'm not convinced to do this yet but I'd really like some input. As it stands I'd even consider a quick connect for the fuel so I'm not carrying it all the time.

I hear these things work wonders and are very efficient. I heard one story say he could run this thing on low 24hrs a day for like 7 days with a 10L tank so I'm thinking of purchasing this and a smaller tank since I don't need it 24hrs a day.

Why not just plumb it into the vehicle's fuel system? There is zero need to have these things on their own fuel system. KISS and all.

 

[cb1111]

Why not just plumb it into the vehicle's fuel system? There is zero need to have these things on their own fuel system. KISS and all.

But only if the aftermarket system uses the same fuel type.

On a totally unrelated note, a Bavarian employee of Webasto was diagnosed with 2019-nCoV (corona virus) following a training session that included a Chinese participant from Wuhan. He is doing better and the Chinese participant is back in Wuhan in hospital. Expect Webasto stock to take a nosedive.

This is the first known person-to-person transmission outside of China.

 

[jhguth]

Why not just plumb it into the vehicle's fuel system? There is zero need to have these things on their own fuel system. KISS and all.

Using a seperate small fuel tank is a lot easier than plumbing into the vehicles tank

 

[Sky]

Using a seperate small fuel tank is a lot easier than plumbing into the vehicles tank

Maybe- I had a diesel Espar heater I installed in my diesel 2015 Ford Transit.
It was very easy to hook up as Ford supplies the hookup fuel port on the tank as standard equipment.
That van was totalled so I bought a gasoline 2018 Transit. I really wanted to put a diesel heater in it but there is no easy way to fuel it- lots of work to come up with something.
So I bought a gasoline Webasto also self installed and just like the diesel the fuel pickup port is already there in the gas tank and was a pretty easy hookup.
What I don't like is in both vans Ford has the pickup end way too high in the tank.
Problem is most all the standpipe kits advise not drilling a hole and installing them in poly fuel tanks.
I think the 4R tank is poly, but not sure.

 

[IanB]

But only if the aftermarket system uses the same fuel type.

I'm not sure why anyone would buy a diesel heater for a gas vehicle when gas heaters are available, and vice versa, but ya...I guess. Seems like common sense to buy an aux heater that uses the same fuel as the vehicle it's being installed in.

 

[underkill]

Yes, venting is very important, but not as vital as it is with gasoline. Diesel fumes will/can kill you, but not as easily as gasoline.

I wasn't worried about the diesel fumes as much as the exhaust fumes from combustion. We had the unit installed inside the camper shell with us, whereas I think they're usually mounted outside the vehicle on the frame rails. Just something I really didn't want to get wrong!

To the other replies, I personally was running kerosene so I couldn't plumb into the vehicles fuel system. It was in a camper, so not exactly the same application. I just figured a first hand review of one of these Webasto knockoff units would be useful to someone. I liked it enough I would buy another. Really made camping in the cold comfortable.

 

[Sky]

I'm not sure why anyone would buy a diesel heater for a gas vehicle when gas heaters are available, and vice versa, but ya...I guess. Seems like common sense to buy an aux heater that uses the same fuel as the vehicle it's being installed in.

Typically the gas heaters are way more money than the diesel heaters.
So many opt for the diesel one to save hundreds- I would have done the same but adding a second small tank was problematic in a van.

A few guys have put a diesel tank INSIDE the van- which I flat refuse to do.

Most also say the gasoline heaters give more problems- I haven't had any with my gas Webasto but I really haven't used it much. Maybe a few nights and I run it an hour or so every month to keep the fuel in the lines/pump/heater fresh.