WINTER VANLIFE SOLVED! - Best Winter Upgrade for my Motorhome!

[@RickandHeather]

We just had our Truma gas/electric swapped out to diesel/electric rather than adding a second heater. We now only need gas for the cooker, gas anxiety has gone. The diesel seems so much warmer and obviously it’s so easy to find. You’ll love it!

[@StephenForster-gl5fc]

It's just a pleasure to see a like minded person,,some of the negatives are totally uncalled for,,they must really sad people,, keep on smiling mate,, enjoy yourself,, Steve 😂😂😊❤

[@stevebennett6727]

The Autoterm diesel heaters are top stuff. Have a Truma 4DE in my big Dreamer camper but in my T5 have the Autoterm 2kw. It’s absolutely faultless and the pump doesn’t get heard in the van. Great choice Darren 👌🏽💪🏽😉

[@OceansEleven-sd8wf]

What a fantastic company that fitted your diesal heater. They are very professional people. They have done a fantastic job. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@pepperpot542]

How much did it cost though?

[@van-gabondramblinrose6398]

I've had an autoterm in my T4 for several years and I love it. My first trip was to Anglesey in a storm and it was lush warm and cosy. Mine is mounted underneath in a stainless steel box and I can just hear the pump tick, but don't notice it in bed. The Chinese ones are ok if you're on a budget, but the Autoterm are top quality and there's a great network for spares, repairs and advice and they're half the price of the Eberspacher's etc.

[@mickyg3820]

Another very interesting video big man 👍🏻 it’s so refreshing how you find so much happiness and joy in so many things 👍🏻 anyone could watch one of your videos and come away happier than there was before 👍🏻

[@StephenForster-gl5fc]

You keep on smiling and laughing mate,,some people don't have a sense of being happy like yourself,,take care

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Cheers mate! It's mad how many people are offended by me being happy and laughing 😆 just makes me want to be even happier

[@TheHillsExplore]

Great install mate. You've literally got that fitted at the perfect time to give it a good test over the next few months so can't wait to hear how you get on with it 👍

[@wheelersinthewild]

Love how happy this has made you Daz 😄 Great being able to wake up to a toasty van! x

[@philiproberts6947]

I have this exact same unit in my long wheelbase sprinter which I live full time in! It’s more than you could ever need! For example I got back to the van last year and it was minus 2 inside the van,I put the heater on full and in around 30-40 minutes it was over 40 degrees Celsius inside! Great bit of kit and they use very little diesel,I have a 7 litre stand alone tank which easily lasts nearly two weeks!

[@pepperpot542]

How much for it all though?

[@hellomynameisdom]

They are great if you have a separate tank as you can legally use red diesel ⛽

[@robertsanders3213]

Thought they stopped red diesel?

[@hellomynameisdom]

@robertsanders3213 not as of yet, it's more restricted on usage

[@Johnkol88]

Its good that you have the option of gas and diesel if your running low on diesel you can flick to your gas and keep yourself warm still

[@Pugwash.]

Sounds like a nice system you have, and a nice clean install. In our house I run Home Assistant, and one of my automations is to warm the bedroom. If the bedroom is below 17c at 10pm, it turns on a fan heater until it reaches 21c. I have a similar automation for the cold fan.

[@craigbourne4792]

people asking about the heater, these are the same heater that HGV's have had for years, patent ran out and china now do a exact copy at 1/4 of the price.... PS I have 2 , 1st 0ne I paid £124 2nd I paid £64. both brand new.

[@tontojones4056]

Definitely a happy camper. Good luck to you.

[@theangrygingerthebananavan4207]

So glad you fitted a genuine Autoterm Heater, they’re excellent Nice to spot my neighbour in the video fitting the heater too

[@janetjacks3406]

Great to see this happening, surprised it wasn't done sooner considering just how popular diesel heaters are, but well done.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

It's a case of having time. Plus I've had other bits on the motorhome I needed to get sorted first 😃

[@OurVanlifeAdventures]

The diesel heaters are game changes! We changed ours last year and haven't looked back.

[@stuartwrigglesworth9339]

Fantastic video again mate keep warm 👏🥵

[@simon-k7m]

I have just bought one of those and am having it fitted in January. That park up would be a handy tip if you could 😉👍

[@practicallyperfect2941]

He gave the What 3 words location at the beginning

[@peterhealey7964]

The Land Yacht looks very good underneath. Hopefully for many years to come.

[@bananasandcream8192]

My diesel heater is a cheap chinese jobby, it was £65 on ebay. Going into its 4th winter and has never let me down. They are great. It uses about £15 a week living in it full time in the coldest months. Less if you can get red diesel. To add I'd really like to just run the fan to suck cold air in from under the van in summer but its a lacking feature from the Chinese ones. Probably doable hacking the controller

[@gonzaloliralegacy]

get an old metal pot and cut a 60mm hole in it, run a hose from the diesel heater into the pot and then you can bake bread rolls or other foods

[@Ivanho-go]

Realy interesting Darran. I look forward to finding out how it performs as I have been thinking about one of these and they are just down the road from me. Noise, air quality and humidity - is it going to be good?😊

[@Mymail-z1x]

Great video, one thing left to install green/red diesel tank for the heater.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Nope, plumbed straight in to the main tank. It's not always as cost effective as people think to have a separate red diesel tank anyway, this suits me just fine 😃

[@Martins-play-ground]

Not to burst your bubble but the afterburner does this plus a lot more and no doubt a whole pile of £££'s less.

[@Wanderingwalter]

I love my diesel heater ! Keeps me nice and toasty !!

[@stuartwrigglesworth9339]

Fantastic video again mate 👏

[@BruceLauderdale]

Freudian slip… “The birds are cheep!”😂😂😂

[@nuttyoncrypto9863]

That's a beast of a machine...

[@vivienne3757]

Got a diesel heater in my small campervan, game changer. Just wondering when you’re going to review your cube water filter, waiting to see what you think, thanks 😊

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Yeah diesel heaters are great, whether it’s your sole heating or in addition to the existing gas system 👍 I will be reviewing it soon

[@Elites-asthetic]

I bought a pump from Dave browning smith it’s super silent No ticking nothing at all it’s amazing The heater I went with I wanted to be able to turn it on while out so came back to a hot van My Alexa can turn it on absolutely love it It’s connected to my Truma ducts so warms every place the duct goes to all vents Best upgrade I’ve purchased for the van Cheap but affective 🎉 amazing

[@alanhat5252]

Do you have an address for _Dave browning smith,_ please? Nothing's coming up on a web search or Maps 😢

[@alanhat5252]

JAMES Browning-Smith! It's over £100!

[@Elites-asthetic]

@ I’ve had mine a few years was £60 but he’s done a few different ones Very very good tho can’t hear a thing no ticking nothing

[@uptowndisco2]

hi by any chance you have instructions for fitting it ? , I bought one from him a couple of years ago but never fitted it , I had a look at it the other day but can't remember what colour wires go to what , there are 3 wires on mine it was the one with the xtra anti syphon valve , thanks for any info

[@Elites-asthetic]

@ yes he sent them by email I’ll look for them Very easy tho what I remember Or email him he responded straight away Great guy Best thing I’ve ever bought for the van Who else can run a heater full whack and hear nothing lol

[@pepperpot542]

Looks great,but how much does it all cost with fitting mate ?

[@leannerathmell1863]

How much was the total cost to install and buy diesel heater?

[@mickyg3820]

Sorry to bother you again, which is the best motorhome insurance company to go with?

[@fenceup07944931177]

So the heater, heats the cold air from the outside, rather than recirculating it from inside? That does mean it has to work harder and use more diesel to heat your space. But I believe a diesel heater runs cleaner when it's running high, also good for keeping condensation down, just as long as it's not pulling in any exhaust fumes. I guess the guys have thought about that if they fit them all the time.

[@alanhat5252]

outside air is drier so less condensation & mould problems

[@fenceup07944931177]

@alanhat5252 yes, I'm surprised more people in vans don't use them like this. Cold air can't hold as much moisture as warm air. Some get confused by this, as most humidity monitors show relative humidity. That's a percentage of what moisture it could hold, at that temperature. So on a cold day, the outside humidity could read higher yet contain little moisture.

[@philmay113]

I had an Autoterm heater fitted back in March at the Autoterm fitter close to Bideford in north Devon, they are brilliant and very professional and such a neat job. I also went for the upgraded controller at just over £1oo which is so much better now that I'm learning how to use it properly. It certainly keeps my motorhome nice and warm, well done Darren and keep smiling m8.

[@theangrygingerthebananavan4207]

Unless the Air intake is outside the air will recirculate the inside air. (Not to confuse the combustion air intake which is on underside of heater next to exhaust pipe, this draws air for combustion not to heat the Van)

[@fenceup07944931177]

@@theangrygingerthebananavan4207 from what Darren was saying about using it with just the fan, and pulling air from under the van. It sounds like that's how it's set up.

[@MichelleCameron]

Did you take the opportunity to do some rust checking and prevention as well. It looks clean but there’s always something

[@tonywheelybarrow]

The Motorhome on the thumb nail looks awesome

[@tonyflanagan5682]

How much is the 4kw ‘fitted’ with the modem and thermostat please Darren? Great video.

[@nigel8499]

Lots of great places to visit in North Wales. I do hope you explored while you were here.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Not this time but I will get there eventually to explore

[@richardednie5187]

You have got the same as me Darren great Bunch of guys

[@nickryan1522]

Did you not already have gas heating and vents already fitted? Would it not have been possible to connect up to that and then switch between the two depending on the fuel you’ve got?

[@alanhat5252]

I was thinking that too

[@richiebainbridge2608]

Alde heating is radiators so no vents

[@C4SMT]

That's what I have done. My Autoterm diesel heater is plumbed into the existing heating distribution vents, with a diverter to switch between diesel or gas/electric.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

No my heating system is a wet heating system with radiators rather than blown air vents. Plus I’d rather have 2 independent systems so if one isn’t working, I have the other

[@Grumfuttocks]

I went down the SIM card route to control my diesel heater and it was great until the sim expired and a monthly subscription was required to add data. I’ve since binned that and now use a BroadLink RN4 pro (30£ , no subscription) linked to Alexa to control it remotely. Appears to be working perfectly either via the app or voice control via Alexa.

[@Elites-asthetic]

Yep me too 👌 I bought the super silent pump no noise at all you can’t hear the heater one bit and it’s direct below the bed in the garage Dave browningsmith makes them amazing bit of kit I’ve not tapped into the vans fuel tank but left it at 3” from the bottom so can’t run out completely Best upgrade I’ve bought to date I now have Alexa that runs most things in my van Lights heater and vent fan tv etc Full Victron cerbo gx

[@alanhat5252]

​​@@Elites-astheticJAMES Browning-Smith! It's over £100!

[@MotorhomeBeasts]

We def need a diesel heater fitted in the future.we r new to motorhomin,and we ran outta gas on our last journey😂 I couldn't feel my fingers 🤦‍♀️

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

It's deffo good to have dual heating options if you can

[@rodbtelenetbe]

How's your battery doing because the glowplug uses some electricity.

[@rvrebel2209]

Hello. Who”s diesel heater have you now got please

[@trolley335]

Are you serious? Watch the video ffs!!!!

[@Vanlife_With_Miss_V]

@rvrebel2209 it's an autoterm heater, also fitted by them.

[@Manc_adventures]

Just out of interest how much did it cost with the install 🎉

[@billdrain5170]

Just like a big kid hope it works 😊

[@gosomewherenew]

Hi, was the file line fixed straight into the diesel tank? (I must have missed it).. cheers.. stay warm :)

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Yeah plumbed in to the main tank

[@fireblade9005]

Hi ..living in a van ..the weakest link is the breakdown of your van ..how have you dealt with that over the time youve been a full time van lifer ??

[@alanhat5252]

breakdown service, same as anyone else

[@fireblade9005]

Major problems like brakes engine problems, electrical faults that stop you moving at all .. etc...stuff the AA /Rac dont cover ..all your possesions are in your van ..so u have to give yr van to a mechanic for a few days ..and u loose yr home

[@Vanlife_With_Miss_V]

Just pack a bag, like having a little holiday. You can always book into somewhere, hotel etc or some places/ garages are OK with you stopping in your van.

[@fillipschris9510]

How much does it cost bought and fitted

[@craigbourne4792]

i brought one and fitted it myself for about £90.00 Garage would be £30 to40 per hr.

[@adrianwestwood550]

Great vid Darran, im also thinking of a diesel heater as a back up and/or to save gas👍 Btw when are you gonna transfer your urban number plate? Nice new sticker 👍

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

I will do eventually. Glad you like the new sticker 😃😃

[@mrcamper5211]

Anychance you could measure the decibels from the exhaust? Interested to know if its quieter then my Chinese unit. When you try to be stealth and it sounds like a jet engine is taking off outside 😂

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

I get what you're saying but it is what it is, they make noise. This one is definitely quieter than the cheap one I had on my old motorhome but no, I'm not going to be measuring the decibels as I don't even have the equipment for that 😆

[@russho67]

Can you use the vent mode of the exsostimg heating system to move the air around while diesel heater is running ? Just fitted one to supplement and less gas use of the truma combi . Used some of the existing ducting plus vent mode of the combi to move air around in the camper.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

No, I have Alde heating which is a wet system with wet radiators and not a blown air system

[@russho67]

@ Hmm Alde system, maybe a hybrid system using a Bobil water heat exchanger fitted to put heat into the ALde system?

[@barefoot601]

I would have thought you’d go down the truma 6de route rather than having a stand alone diesel heater.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

I don't have Truma mate I have Alde and they don't (at the time of this comment) make a diesel boiler. To be fair, I wanted a separate system anyway as I prefer to have redundancy and dual heating options

[@isobelchapman9548]

You’re priceless…..such fun watching your vlogs, thank you.

[@felixstroud-allen6283]

You aren’t far off going gasless. Why didn’t you replace the gas/ electric combi boiler for a diesel/ electric one? Then 2 induction hobs and replace the fridge and you’re fully gasless.

[@alanhat5252]

what's wrong with gas?

[@felixstroud-allen6283]

@ finding LPG at filling stations is getting harder, the price can be volatile and why run on three fuel sources when you boil it down to 2 (diesel and electric).

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Because I don’t want to be completely gasless, I can cook using electric already thanks to my power setup but I like the option of having multiple resources, especially as long as gas is still available. It’s only the uk LPG has declined. With the heating not being used as much for heating now, it will last 3x as long. Plus, at the time of writing this, Alde don’t make a diesel boiler system 👍

[@felixstroud-allen6283]

@ tbh, I’m doing the same and just keeping my truma gas/ electric water/ heating mainly because it will super expensive switching that out for a diesel/ electric equivalent. I’m then following the same principle and I’ll be using hardly any gas as I’m a summer van lifer mainly. Great vid Daz.

[@catchy1366]

Some people havnt watched all video or there deaf 😂 😂

[@bigcreator]

I have never been able to understand why so many people complain about the clicking, if you have ever slept in a van in a cold winter give me then you would be quite happy with a heater clicking away all night keeping you warm.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Yeah I have to be honest I'm not fussed about the ticking as long as I'm warm!

[@AJ-qn6gd]

We have an Eberspacher fitted under our T5 and the pump is described as “near silent” I can honestly say in two years I’ve never heard the pump either from inside or outside the van, an Eberspacher pump would make a great upgrade to any diesel heater. You’ll not regret having it fitted they really are great, they use very little diesel and minimal power from the leisure battery.

[@mpjkea2000]

Not hard at all to get lpg in the UK. Many many outlets are supplying LPG. We full-time all over and never had a problem getting LPG.

[@adrianhydephotography]

Just a quick question. Does mevi still edit your videos as I can’t find his channel anymore. Hope all is well with him. All the best. Adrian. ❤❤❤❤

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Yes his channel is still active and he’s on Instagram as well 😃

[@adrianhydephotography]

Thanks for the quick reply Darren. ❤❤❤

[@terenceseymour-tf8rptassie725]

You said " cold air goes up" actually it does not - cold air sinks and hot air rises . To be fair in your land yacht cold air cold air comes in at the bottom so only way is up.

[@GrahamJ-q8t]

*what you done to your thumb ?* 👍🏼

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

I had an accident while cleaning a knife

[@adeporter6611]

Why did your thumb have a little chefs hat on 👨‍🍳 😂

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

It was a plaster, I had an accident while cleaning a knife 🙃

[@CC-me7bc]

They say it’s best to leave those heaters on max power otherwise they soot up and give trouble…

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

You do need to give it a full power blast every few weeks or so and that will do it, I’ve got friends that have had the same one for a few years and theirs are fine doing it this way

[@stevehughes7224]

I thought you already had a heating system

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Yes I have Alde wet heating, this is in addition so I have dual heating options plus if I’m somewhere and can’t get lpg easily, I have the diesel heater option

[@michaelbratton3319]

Your a single bloke living in a massive motorhome and you haven't got space for that little heater?

[@user-zs2do4dr1o]

That's where he keeps his cheese! 😂

[@Aldo.69]

Great video mate 👍. Have a good day my friend 💯😊

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Thanks, you too!

[@mattwestby1169]

I'm glad you're now set for some cold weather ❄️🥶 do you know how much fuel it will use per hour? Nice looking under the palace on wheels, do you have plans to have the undercarriage treated to protect it from our wet and cold weather? Keep being yourself Daz , i can't believe what 💩 some people moan about..... Why do they watch your vlogs if it bothers them so much! Obviously Jealousy plays a big part in their life 🤔. Just a little something for the Trolls that message you 🖕 Get a Life, Sad sacks🖕

[@AJ-qn6gd]

Our 2.2kw Eberspacher uses about a litre every 4-5 hrs on low and about twice that on high, not that you can run it on high for long it gets too hot !

[@claywalker2938]

Hi Dazza - 🤔these diesel heaters can also produce hot water - A later upgrade to consider - Keep safe - Best wishes Clay.

[@nigelwarfield2346]

Morning Darren, did you use a separate diesel tank or did you connect into your vehicle diesel tank? Safe travels matey and thanks for sharing. All the best 🙂

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Alright mate, it’s plumbed in to the main tank 😃

[@vapingtrucker2850]

Couldn’t have it at 20 only have truck heater on 16 at night couldn’t cope with that heat

[@AJ-qn6gd]

We have ours on at 16* at night, hardly ever cuts in.

[@patriciagorn6645]

Laughed out loud .how many times you said toasty 😂

[@Vanlife_With_Miss_V]

I always take bets with myself on how long it'll take Darren to say 'bangin' makes me laugh every time :)

[@robshill7214]

I have the modem but could you tel me what app you use as there's a few available but I am not sure which one to download

[@alanhat5252]

It sounds like you send it text messages

[@robshill7214]

@ the app sends them. It’s rudimental but can work. I have a few of their apps installed but not sure which is the correct one. I have one in Russian too🙈🙈

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

I just downloaded the Autoterm Control app 😃

[@Cabin20]

What travel mug did you have at the end of the video?

[@jaspermearns4807]

Looked like a bucket.

[@harrynorcliffe-hlc6787]

OH... you poor old off gridders! going back to nature,living off the land! it must be horrendous for you.. lol

[@ianfloorslayer8096]

Hi Darren, what make is your bike?

[@stefankenson9782]

ENGWE engine

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

Alright mate my bike is a Cyrusher

[@ianfloorslayer8096]

@@TheUrbanMotorhome Have you done a video on it yet, and if so which one was it in, I have been binge watching your videos and loving your enthusiasm. Thanks

[@richardlove4287]

Can you drive your motor home on a car license?

[@GrahamJ-q8t]

Yes if its under 3.5 tonnes, most of the smaller ones are under 3.5 tonnes

[@stefankenson9782]

Yes as long as you have C1/D1 catagory. Darren’s MH is 5 tonne.

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

My Motorhome is 5 tonne so no, you need a C1 allowance or higher (hgv). Anything 3.5t or under you can drive on a standard B (car) license

[@stillvotingarewe.]

I'm surprised a motor home of this cost hasn't already got a heater.

[@adidasmanuk]

He said it's got gas heating,but as he's got refil gas (I think) and diesel is easier to get & he's hoping cheaper as well

[@GrahamJ-q8t]

It has gas heating

[@alanhat5252]

​@@adidasmanukI would be very surprised if Diesel is cheaper than Autogas though the unit has more control than the gas unit

[@stillvotingarewe.]

@@alanhat5252 I'd have gas heating over a diesel heater any day.

[@C4SMT]

Heating eats gas quickly, so constantly having to refill. You always have diesel in the tank. My 22 litres of gas will now last around 3 months just for cooking and heating water. Diesel heater.

[@kevkev6209]

That constant laughing is getting tiresome, you can't possibly find everything so funny.. so false... Mind you with all those freebies from different companies you should be laughing.....

[@andrewtaylor6737]

Silly comment, maybe you're just a miserable person & keep your comments to yourself...

[@alanhat5252]

500 _hours_ of videos are uploaded to KZbin _every single minute,_ I'm sure there's _something_ to please you? 😮

[@lj6266]

Wow, you can always unsubscribe. Cheer up mate, you must be life and soul 😂

[@kevkev6209]

2 ass-lickers who need to watch someone else instead of going and doing it?

[@PKWeaver74]

Mate, I also wish I could have such a jolly disposition as he has, but I have the maturity and self-reflection capacity to recognise that I'm a grumpy old sod and to try a bit of self-improvement rather than take pot shots at others.

[@The-Good-Life-Off-Grid]

Fabulous I need to contact them. Thank you still want to know if it makes a racket when you stand outside could you not just gonna stand out there quickly and come back and let me know 🤣👍🤠 . Do do you think they would have a look at my set up on solar I am a little concerned about mine someone fixed mine 🥴🫣

[@TheUrbanMotorhome]

You would have to contact them direct as I'm not sure they do fault finding or troubleshooting on a system they haven't installed. To be honest I don't worry about the noise, I'm more interested in being warm! It's definitely quieter than my old Chinese one on my last motorhome but again, it is what it is 😃

[@The-Good-Life-Off-Grid]

@ thank you 🙏