Hi , i know this is a common topic and I have researched it to some degree but just wanted to know people's thoughts and opinions on there choice and experiences . I know some people have multiple sources of heating but I just want the one and keep bouncing between the 2 . Van will be used for a mixture of offgrid and sites , some winter trips but nothing to cold or for multiple weeks in the cold . Thanks .
Gas or diesel powered truma heating.
- Thread starter SHARPY
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Wittsy
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I haven’t made the leap to a Crafter/TGE yet, though much planning has been done. My T6 is a petrol TSI, and I have had it converted to also use LPG. This means that it has a dirty great big 85 litre toroidal tank where the spare wheel usually sits. I often regret my lack of foresight that meant that I have a Webasto petrol heater fitted and did not make use of that existing gas supply. So when planning my upgrade to a Crafter/TGE, I would seriously consider getting a fixed LPG tank fitted for heating purposes, and probably a BBQ gas connection on the side as well. I’m not so keen on gas on the inside for cooking, but have not made my mind up on that yet.
Hi wittsy, thanks for the reply, hindsight is a wonderful thing ay lol . My van will be fitted with an underslung 30 litre gas tank for the gas oven ( thats what the Mrs wants so can't argue with the chef lol ) and for external bbq so I will have a fair amount of gas available but as ive never used gas for heating before ive only had diesel so unsure on how long it would last but I think thats only something u know when trying it . I've read that gas burns alot when used for heating in colder climates . Is that a triumph 400 scrambler I see in ur profile pic ?
We've had VW campers with modern heating systems for the past twenty plus years all those prior to the TGE having diesel Eberspacher versions. Cooking in these has always been with gas.
Now with the TGE we have a Truma 4e (gas & electric) for heating and hot water, a two burner gas hob and a gas oven / grill all supplied from an underslung 25litre gas tank. This all works well although the oven / grill is not the best. Additionally, now having lithium leisure battery and inverter we also have a small microwave and use a low wattage electric kettle.
After the first few months of ownership of the TGE I spotted a new 4kW Eberspacher at a reasonable price so have also fitted that under the floor right side in the factory position which we use as the basic heating system. Installation details here.
All of this may seem serious over kill but it means that we are not constrained by availability of fuel supply or any need for an EHU.
Here is the van that we now have.
Now with the TGE we have a Truma 4e (gas & electric) for heating and hot water, a two burner gas hob and a gas oven / grill all supplied from an underslung 25litre gas tank. This all works well although the oven / grill is not the best. Additionally, now having lithium leisure battery and inverter we also have a small microwave and use a low wattage electric kettle.
After the first few months of ownership of the TGE I spotted a new 4kW Eberspacher at a reasonable price so have also fitted that under the floor right side in the factory position which we use as the basic heating system. Installation details here.
All of this may seem serious over kill but it means that we are not constrained by availability of fuel supply or any need for an EHU.
Here is the van that we now have.
Hi rod thanks for the reply , you've certainly got a well done set up there that covers all bases . My set up is pretty much identical to yours all except the lack of the eberspacher heater and ill have a 5 liter bigger lpg tank , it will have 1600 watt inverter 230ah lithium battery and 300 watt solar so im thinking like yourself I should be all good to run small powered kettle and toaster that will reduce the need sometimes for gas . So would the gas consumption be ok for my set up or should I go with the truma diesel / electric. I know its kind of an impossible question as we use power differently but be interested to know your thoughts as an experienced camper . Thanks .
We were away over Christmas and new year in Brecon in our lwb crafter with trauma gas/electric system. I made a schoolboy error and switched the heating on before connecting up hook up and the system through my error stayed on gas. It was a full tank 30 litre (so 22-25 litres actual gas) and it was gone in just over two days
. Admittedly it was 2-3 degrees in the day and -2 to -4 overnight. Admittedly the van also has poor insulation (it’s an IH 680 CRL) nice van but very sub standard insulation. Given the choice I’d go diesel/electric given the choice. Luckily there were two garages within 20 miles that had gas but that’s unusual especially as they were within 5 miles of each other and both had stock.
. Admittedly it was 2-3 degrees in the day and -2 to -4 overnight. Admittedly the van also has poor insulation (it’s an IH 680 CRL) nice van but very sub standard insulation. Given the choice I’d go diesel/electric given the choice. Luckily there were two garages within 20 miles that had gas but that’s unusual especially as they were within 5 miles of each other and both had stock.
