Ducato heating (1 Viewer)

[two]

It was -3°C this morning. I put the cab heating on full (and recirculating) but still had cold legs after 2½hrs driving. I’m sure my Merc vehicles were much better but, now that I have down-sized, I’m getting used to a Fiat base.

Is the Ducato heating system known to be poor, or is there a ‘special’ technique for getting the best from the engine heating (on a 2016 model)? I’d add a Webasto unit but don’t want to carry any unnecessary weight.

 

[pappajohn]

Unless you put curtains behind the seats to keep the heat up front it will always be crap.
An open area the size of a van or motorhome is a bloody big area to heat.
My old kontiki had floor to overcab bed shelf heavy curtains and worked well.

 

[Jo662]

My Fiat Ducato is exactly the same.So many draughts coming through from somewhere.I have taped up the bung under the cab.Where else do I need to block off?

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[Minxy]

My Fiat Ducato is exactly the same.So many draughts coming through from somewhere.I have taped up the bung under the cab.Where else do I need to block off?

Depends on your model, some have great big vent holes in the doors, also the slot where the seatbelt comes up through at the side of the door can let in a lot of draught too. I assume by 'bung' under the cab you're talking about the holes under the rear of the cab seats?

 

[Minxy]

Cab heating is always cr@p in my experience! The best thing is to wear warmer socks/trousers if expecting a long drive to prevent you getting cold in the first place as you travel.

 

[Lenny HB]

If its really cold I run the gas heating to get the van up to temp then the cab heater can maintain it.

I find with bright sun on a cool day I get cold legs and feet as the from the sun through the screen is detected by the heat sensors and it turns the heating down.

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[tonyidle]

Use the hab heating? Works for me.

 

[ABZSteve]

Use the hab heating? Works for me.

Me too if required

 

[irnbru]

We don't feel any drafts up front, nice n cosy when heating is on.

Maybe we are just so used to the cold any heating is a bonus in winter.

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[The Wino]

I use the hab heating (its diesel) and have that on while loading too toasty after a few miles

 

[jezport]

We run the hab gas heating on low while driving. Gas heating is safe to use while in motion as long as you have a crash safe regulator.

 

[Floydster]

We've got Alde heating with the heat exchanger, absolutely brilliant, toasty warm van when travelling.

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[two]

I must confess that after I'd been outside for a break and got back in, I could feel the warmth. Never had that problem before (three A-classes) maybe it's my own circulation at fault.
True, it's got to heat more than the space it was designed to do but, as said, I've not noticed on Mercs before. If it persists, I may put a blind over the radiator.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[sdc77]

Our cab heating isn't too bad but if it's very cold or we have passengers I switch the road heating on. toasty!

 

[Minxy]

I must confess that after I'd been outside for a break and got back in, I could feel the warmth. Never had that problem before (three A-classes) maybe it's my own circulation at fault.
True, it's got to heat more than the space it was designed to do but, as said, I've not noticed on Mercs before. If it persists, I may put a blind over the radiator.
Thanks for the feedback.

You could get a 12v heated blanket so you'd be nice and snug especially if you wrap it round your legs, alternatively you could get some leg warmers and wear them under your trousers unless you prefer to show them off!

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[two]

With legs like that, I'd be happy to show them off!

 

[funflair]

We've got Alde heating with the heat exchanger, absolutely brilliant, toasty warm van when travelling.

I wanted to say that but thought it was just too smug

Martin

 

[Floydster]

I wanted to say that but thought it was just too smug

Martin

I thought that about the heated seats , so I didn't mention them.

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[funflair]

I thought that about the heated seats , so I didn't mention them.

Now you are being "smug"

Martin

 

[Deleted member 29692]

We've got Alde heating with the heat exchanger, absolutely brilliant, toasty warm van when travelling.

Same here. It's great isn't it

 

[Steve devon]

We had the same with an Autotrail, the draft coming up between the seats would cut you in two, absolute litter, we too hung a curtain behind the seats and problem solved. We now have a Adria a class also fiat based, and the cab heater works fine , no drafts. Build quality is a very under estimated thing

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[movan]

... and if you're throwing old sweaters away, cut the arms off and put them on your legs under your trousers .. lovely and warm.

 

[two]

The best for keeping legs warm, in my view, are 'long johns' made from silk.

 

[Minxy]

The best for keeping legs warm, in my view, are 'long johns' made from silk.

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[Duck Truck]

I missed the last 9 comments
still considering the leg warmers

 

[two]

If in doubt about the size, get one size larger. Mine were not what I'd call generous.

 

[injebreck99]

I don't like being too warm when driving, I sometimes feel sleepy, especially driving at night , so I tend to only have the bare minimum heat on.

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[gus-lopez]

I don't like being too warm when driving, I sometimes feel sleepy, especially driving at night , so I tend to only have the bare minimum heat on.

Open the window.

 

[zac]

There is just too many places that have a draft in our Autotrail (2015 model). We have plugged the holes each side underneath at the front but this has made little difference. The cold comes in all around the bench seats as well the door wells. When it is this cold it is like being exposed directly to the outside with nothing in between. We end up putting draft excluders round everything and in the door wells. It does help but it is still drafty. One of the main reasons i am looking forward to the next MH which has Alde Heating and also under floor heating. In the new one i can also use the hab heating whilst on the move which will be a god send,cant wait.

 

[Steve devon]

There is just too many places that have a draft in our Autotrail (2015 model). We have plugged the holes each side underneath at the front but this has made little difference. The cold comes in all around the bench seats as well the door wells. When it is this cold it is like being exposed directly to the outside with nothing in between. We end up putting draft excluders round everything and in the door wells. It does help but it is still drafty. One of the main reasons i am looking forward to the next MH which has Alde Heating and also under floor heating. In the new one i can also use the hab heating whilst on the move which will be a god send,cant wait.

Ours is the same fantastic, different league to our Autotrail

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