Keeping van warm whilst driving (1 Viewer)

[jonandshell]

We have a Spanish built motorhome and it has a heater vent in the living area that we can open to heat the living area whilst travelling. It works the same as the heating vents in the cab when the engine is running. If a Spanish motorhome can have this, why can´t other manufacturers fit them? Especially for motorhomes built for colder climates.

The trouble is, Brit vans aren't built for colder climates, despite the claims in the marketing bull!
Many French and German vans do have the facility for en-route heating. It's not just about keeping your kids warm, it's also about keeping the habitation area frost-free to protect your water system!
We travel in harsh winter conditions with our diesel-powered Webasto Dualtop switched on permanently. We arrive at our destination with an evenly heated van with a fully functioning water system.

I remember helping out a fellow motorhomer at Maidstone Services whilst en-route to Val Thorens last year. His gas locker was frozen shut in the -10 conditions! He couldn't switch on his gas to boil a kettle to defrost his gas locker door to switch his gas on!

A jug of water from our already-hot water system was all that was needed!:thumb:

 

[haganap]

It's because in this country they build vans to a price rather than build something fit for purpose and then work out the price.

Rubbish, many Brit vans are more expensive than their euro counterparts. My van is more than fit for purpose in all weathers, it's warm as toast inside. My friends van has on board heating that can be used whilst driving, it has heated water tanks too and is warm as any other. His Is a couple of years newer than mine, I have simply coppied his modifications

The trouble is, Brit vans aren't built for colder climates, despite the claims in the marketing bull!
Many French and German vans do have the facility for en-route heating. It's not just about keeping your kids warm, it's also about keeping the habitation area frost-free to protect your water system

Sorry John, wrong on two counts, our van is more than capable of being used all year long, webasto heaters are nothing more than an added option on many and can be optional on practically any van.
I think your confusing yourself with winter use and extreme sports, without the need for skiing in -20 + most vans are more than adequate. I do believe burstner and dethleff vans needed modifications too.
Secondly, go get yourself a British national caravan specification for builders rule book. You will see straight away that Brittish vans have amazing specs to be carried out to meet the standards, imported vans don't seem to have to, including the amount of drop holes required, and not allowing 12v on the move.

Having had 3 vans over 8 years and tested them in the most amazing extremes of both hot and cold, I would keep my British van over the two continentals all day long. There is nothing in a continental van I wish I would have, other than maybe an A class.

I have been skiing in my vans twice a year (including Scotland) for 7 years, never have I had to call out the mountain rescue because I'm frozen..

And oddly enough, in terms of build quality, the best van we had was the cheapest, The CI Carrioca we had was miles better than the bessacarr which new against new was 2 and a half times dearer in terms of build quality.

Would I buy another Brit van? Yes too right I would, I love it, every bit of it:thumb:

 

[haganap]

We have a Spanish built motorhome and it has a heater vent in the living area that we can open to heat the living area whilst travelling. It works the same as the heating vents in the cab when the engine is running. If a Spanish motorhome can have this, why can´t other manufacturers fit them? Especially for motorhomes built for colder climates.

Mine does , and wow it's British

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[jonandshell]

Secondly, go get yourself a British national caravan specification for builders rule book. You will see straight away that British vans have amazing specs to be carried out to meet the standards, imported vans don't seem to have to, including the amount of drop holes required, and not allowing 12v on the move.

He He, there's two good reasons for me not buying an NCC-approved van! LOL

Holes make draughts and no 12V means no heating on the move!

There are lots of Brit vans using the Webasto Dualtop nowadays as well Paul. Autosleepers and Autotrail's Excell range use them. One hopes the NCC with their over-zealous, risk-averse standards, doesn't stop owners from enabling operation on the move!

I fully agree, though that Brit vans have comfier sofas and nicer joinery, even better colour schemes! The higher-end models, such as your bessy are very nice places to be.

I think I am guilty of being over-critical of winter-specs, it's probably a symptom of working at -25 for several hours again today! I maintain electric forktrucks in the UK's biggest coldstore!

Yes, Brit vans will do a European winter more than adequately, it's just that I can't bring myself to have confidence in them following my own technical evaluation whilst viewing them!

 

[FULL TIMER]

I suppose I should have worded my post slightly differant, such as your average or most vans are built to a certain cost that they think the market will bear, of course if you wish to pay more you can add as much as you like in extra's to make things more comfortable assuming you have the spare payload, My last caravan was a large twin axle Swift and it was definately built to a cost so much so that I don't think they expected anyone to use a caravan for anymore than about four weeks of the year the build quality and reliability left a lot to be desired and it certainly wouldn't have lasted the five years we had it without a lot of warrenty work and my own intervention.

 

[Chris]

Nothing to do with heating but we have just ordered a British van:thumb:

Our present van is great in the cold, but the layout is such that I don't want to be in it when it's cold so we have gone for a comfy rear lounge.

it's apparently got some system to heat the van as you drive but it's far too technical for me to comment on.

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[Reallyretired]

We never turn our gas off except at the tunnel. We have used heating(truma) on in the rear when its very cold as we do have Secumotion (standard fitting) and we also have a diesel heater, again standard but only works in the front.
As there are only two of us the rear heating is just to make things more comfortable for the dog and so we don't freeze on loo breaks.

 

[haganap]

and my own intervention.

See that's the interesting point.

My van , is brilliant, but only because of those words you use above, filling in all the NCC drop holes, filling up pods withinsulation, re routing pipe work, adding heaters inverters batteries etc etc.

However, I'm fortunate, a) I like doing these things, it's all part of the game/hobby b) I knew what I was getting in to when I brought it, I knew what to expect and I went in with my eyes wide open.

Is it worth the money?

Well I would be poorer without a motorhome so yes it's worth every penny

 

[FULL TIMER]

See that's the interesting point.

My van , is brilliant, but only because of those words you use above, filling in all the NCC drop holes, filling up pods withinsulation, re routing pipe work, adding heaters inverters batteries etc etc.

However, I'm fortunate, a) I like doing these things, it's all part of the game/hobby b) I knew what I was getting in to when I brought it, I knew what to expect and I went in with my eyes wide open.

Is it worth the money?

Well I would be poorer without a motorhome so yes it's worth every penny

It was the amount of intervention that led me to build my own, as we live in ours fulltime I wanted a lot more robustness in the build, which is something that dosn't come from the standard manufactures who have to use lightweight materials to keep weights down, As I have also built motorhome conversions and many specialist vehicles for the emergency services within the family business over the last 35 years I decided it was time to get building one for us, The ex prison van might not be everyones cup of tea but by god its strong and so well insulated its untrue

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[Camdoon]

Hi my motorhome allows the gas to be on and heating the back of the van as I drive and very nice it is too.

Does that allow me to bake potatoes (for example) in the oven?

Also noticed that when the engine is on the 12v in the back goes off and vice versa. What is the point of that (ok I understand the engine battery being isolated so you can always start) as I have now bought a 5m extension lead to allow dvd playes etc in the back as I drive?

 

[haganap]

Hi my motorhome allows the gas to be on and heating the back of the van as I drive and very nice it is too.

Does that allow me to bake potatoes (for example) in the oven?

Also noticed that when the engine is on the 12v in the back goes off and vice versa. What is the point of that (ok I understand the engine battery being isolated so you can always start) as I have now bought a 5m extension lead to allow dvd playes etc in the back as I drive?

what van?

 

[Terry]

It was the amount of intervention that led me to build my own, as we live in ours fulltime I wanted a lot more robustness in the build, which is something that dosn't come from the standard manufactures who have to use lightweight materials to keep weights down, As I have also built motorhome conversions and many specialist vehicles for the emergency services within the family business over the last 35 years I decided it was time to get building one for us, The ex prison van might not be everyones cup of tea but by god its strong and so well insulated its untrue

THERE'S A FEW ON HERE COULD LEARN A THING OR TWO by doing a self build
terry

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[Snowbird]

Am at a slight loss here. What on earth would be the advantage of automatically switching the habitation side of a MOTORHOME off once the engine has started. No internal lights, water pump, toilet, heating. I was under the impression that the main advantage of a motorhome over a caravan was that you have access to the rear without stopping and getting out.
Who designs these motorhomes ?.

 

[rainbow chasers]

You can drive with your heating on - but you have to ensure you have the optional vent cowl (t3) fitted - this is a different vent used to enable safe use whilst driving. Most may have them already fitted, but it would pay to check!

 

[haganap]

Am at a slight loss here. What on earth would be the advantage of automatically switching the habitation side of a MOTORHOME off once the engine has started. No internal lights, water pump, toilet, heating. I was under the impression that the main advantage of a motorhome over a caravan was that you have access to the rear without stopping and getting out.
Who designs these motorhomes ?.

its a requirement by the NCC Dave. I know not why, I think its aim is to stop me from watching the tv in the back whilst driving.


Yes, Terry, some perhaps could, but I would rather leave it to those that want to thanks.

Although over the years, like most owners on many forums, I get exceedingly peed off with the constant berating of UK products namely motorhomes.

I am more than happy with mine, as I was with my last two continentals. In fact its more than fit for purpose even in reverse.

However, Ive seen some self builds out there that have had me praying they dont come and park next to me. Not through snobbery yourl understand you should know me better than that, but through pure hope in case the thing falls apart in the wind. In fact, surfice to say that would be my own self build if i ever attempted one. Hence why I don't .

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[FULL TIMER]

its a requirement by the NCC Dave. I know not why, I think its aim is to stop me from watching the tv in the back whilst driving.


Yes, Terry, some perhaps could, but I would rather leave it to those that want to thanks.

Although over the years, like most owners on many forums, I get exceedingly peed off with the constant berating of UK products namely motorhomes.

I am more than happy with mine, as I was with my last two continentals. In fact its more than fit for purpose even in reverse.

However, Ive seen some self builds out there that have had me praying they dont come and park next to me. Not through snobbery yourl understand you should know me better than that, but through pure hope in case the thing falls apart in the wind. In fact, surfice to say that would be my own self build if i ever attempted one. Hence why I don't .

I can understand what you are saying about some self builds believe me being in the trade I have seen some real death traps.

 

[FULL TIMER]

Am at a slight loss here. What on earth would be the advantage of automatically switching the habitation side of a MOTORHOME off once the engine has started. No internal lights, water pump, toilet, heating. I was under the impression that the main advantage of a motorhome over a caravan was that you have access to the rear without stopping and getting out.
Who designs these motorhomes ?.

Seems thats what happens when you get caravan manufacturers getting involved with motorhomes.

 

[Snowbird]

Well whoever the NCC is they obviously should not be building motorhomes. As an old school diesel man I know the importance of letting the donkey cool down before putting it to bed. Or in other words, letting the turbo cool before switching off the engine. If I stop for a toilet break I always leave the engine running, as it does more harm than good knocking it off for a few minutes. So when stopping for a toilet break you have to switch the engine off so you can switch the habitation lights on and flush the loo oh:. If you have children, they cant have the heater on or lights to read in the habitation area whilst on the move oh:. Cant charge the laptop or playstation on the moveoh:e oh:.
As I said before...Who designs these vans ?

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[jonandshell]

I think we can agree that the vast majority of Brit vans are built to a very good standard using modern materials and designs.

There are some lovely examples out there, including Hagger's Bessy!
I can vouch for the strength and integrity of Bessacar's floor construction too!

It is just unfortunate that the Caravan-based manufacturers can't push the design brief a bit further and not pander to the NCC's sillier requirements!

If a Brit manufacturer made a van to the same technical spec as ours, we'd have it! Quite frankly the offside caravan door on our Chausson is a real pain for access when the van is in our drive!

Back to the original purpose of this thread though, I reckon Vlad would be better off getting on of those bus-type heaters and wire it into his cab electrics and plumb into the existing heater pipes.

Either that, or Aldi will have ski kit, in kids' sizes, on their shelves again soon!:thumb:

 

[bobandjanie]

Hi, we had all this with our Kontiki, so when we changed we wanted a fully winterised van, and that was 3 years and 8 months ago. ( Blimey that's gone quick )

So we got a euramobil, they come with the truma blown air heater / water heater in the garage. A truma E240 heater in the front, and we did have the secumotion regulator fitted so you can drive with it on, but after it gave us trouble we fitted a normal one, and carry a spare. oh:

So now turn the bottles off when travelling.

The reason for doing away with it was, they have a heat exchanger with two fans blowing heat out into the rear of the van, its plumbed into the van and provides more than enough heat, in fact it gets to hot if you leave it on. So I could not see the point using gas when it cost nothing running it this way.

So check out and see if you can find any information on Heat Exchangers, its just connected into the cooling system.

And Mercedes come with a pre heat diesel heater, and its to heat the engine up quicker, but I have read of people using it to blow heat on the windscreen maybe its just a case of fitting some pipe, a bit like the night heaters I had in trucks. Bob.

 

[Vlad The Impaler]

Thanks Jonandshell that's what I plan to do ,most cost effective way.
Time to put this baby to bed:thanks2:

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[haganap]

Either that, or Aldi will have ski kit, in kids' sizes, on their shelves again soon!:thumb:

In fact when I went to buy my weather station, (which I still don't understand) they had kids thermals, so get down there!!! (not you john, they wont fit)

Thanks for the Thread Vlad, very interesting with some good discussion.

Its amazing how things change though in such a small amount of years. I remember about 10 years ago as a newbie asking a similar question about leaving gas on whilst driving. At one point I thought someone was going to actually come around my house and kick the s**t out of me because I dared suggesting that the gas could be left on, it was an absoloute NO NO NO. However, as times have moved on, there are always improvements/changes that not everyone is aware of, especially the secumotion regulator. :thumb:
Getting back to the fridge, would it not just be safe to take it off auto changeover and stick it on dedicated 12v whilst travelling to prevent you setting alight to all the Petrol stations?

 

[joner8888]

We have a Spanish built motorhome and it has a heater vent in the living area that we can open to heat the living area whilst travelling. It works the same as the heating vents in the cab when the engine is running. If a Spanish motorhome can have this, why can´t other manufacturers fit them? Especially for motorhomes built for colder climates.

Older Autotrails-you can ---- Watch tv in the rear --use the loo--have the gas heater on--use a microwave while moving ! It`s a MotorHome!

The kids do not use the loo on country roads ,only motorways, it gets messy otherwise.

 

[jonandshell]

In fact when I went to buy my weather station, (which I still don't understand) they had kids thermals, so get down there!!! (not you john, they wont fit)

Thanks for the Thread Vlad, very interesting with some good discussion.

Its amazing how things change though in such a small amount of years. I remember about 10 years ago as a newbie asking a similar question about leaving gas on whilst driving. At one point I thought someone was going to actually come around my house and kick the s**t out of me because I dared suggesting that the gas could be left on, it was an absoloute NO NO NO. However, as times have moved on, there are always improvements/changes that not everyone is aware of, especially the secumotion regulator. :thumb:
Getting back to the fridge, would it not just be safe to take it off auto changeover and stick it on dedicated 12v whilst travelling to prevent you setting alight to all the Petrol stations?

Setting alight to a petrol station is the only way to warm up your passengers!:thumb:

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[Reallyretired]

Hi, we had all this with our Kontiki, so when we changed we wanted a fully winterised van, and that was 3 years and 8 months ago. ( Blimey that's gone quick )

So we got a euramobil, they come with the truma blown air heater / water heater in the garage. A truma E240 heater in the front, and we did have the secumotion regulator fitted so you can drive with it on, but after it gave us trouble we fitted a normal one, and carry a spare. oh:

So now turn the bottles off when travelling.

The reason for doing away with it was, they have a heat exchanger with two fans blowing heat out into the rear of the van, its plumbed into the van and provides more than enough heat, in fact it gets to hot if you leave it on. So I could not see the point using gas when it cost nothing running it this way.

So check out and see if you can find any information on Heat Exchangers, its just connected into the cooling system.

And[HI] Mercedes come with a pre heat diesel heater[/HI], and its to heat the engine up quicker, but I have read of people using it to blow heat on the windscreen maybe its just a case of fitting some pipe, a bit like the night heaters I had in trucks. Bob.

Mercedes come with one of two different diesel heaters. The one you mentioned heats the water to preheat the engine and so will eventually produce some warm air for demist purposes if you wait long enough. The other, which is on my Rapido, heats the air and thus rapidly produces some warm air for demisting/de-icing/just warming the driver etc.