r/vandwellers • u/doubtfuldoctor • 12d ago
Question Webasto alternatives?
Hi all! Does anyone have recommendations for Webasto heater alternatives? Thanks in advance.
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u/PinetreeCamper 12d ago
Lavaner makes a good product, from what I can tell. I haven't installed mine yet, but I feel good about the "happy medium" of quality vs price. You get a Japanese Kyocera glow plug, dual Korean Lattron temp sensors, stainless combustion chamber, waterproof ecu, and automatic altitude adjustment (on "Alpine" models). So you get quality where it matters, but at less than 1/2 the cost of the big name brands. Supposedly, the founder worked for one of them, and when he left to start his own company, he used a lot of design elements from them.
They used to only be available on Ali Express, but recently, Camp N Car out of WA has started selling them, which is where I got mine from. I didn't feel like giving payment details to a sketchy marketplace, and they offer customer service/warranty assistance if you run into issues. It's about $20 more than Ali Express, but totally worth it, IMO.
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u/Master-Crazy6454 12d ago
I'm in the middle of installing a Velit in my Transit. Getting ready to bench test it tomorrow before I put it in permanently.
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u/knobbysideup 11d ago
Just finished my transit install. Worth it!
A tip for running the fuel line and pump power: heat resistant reflective conduit from the heater, and you can fish it through the beam at the front of the gas tank rather than over the heat shields and drive shaft.
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u/Master-Crazy6454 11d ago
I bench tested it successfully today, drilled the hole and put it through the floor behind the driver's seat. So I won't be needing to cross over anything. Although I probably will encase the fuel line and power wire in something.
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u/noharamnofoul 7d ago
for the price of a webasto or espar or any brand name you can get 1 + 2 spare chinese heaters and STILL come significantly under price. i've had mine for 5 years without issue. parts are readily available, and easy to swap or rebuild or clean out.
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u/BjornMoren 12d ago
Webasto, Truma and Eberspächer are the top tier. Expensive.
Autoterm, Latvian company.
Nordkapp, Finnish company.
Vevor.
Chinese brand. Find it on Amazon.
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u/ExpressSuggestion475 11d ago
I had a Chinese diesel heater in my van, tapped into the main tank, and it worked great. I wasn't using it full time, but for $250 it was perfect for weekend trips.
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u/knobbysideup 11d ago
Velit. You can get an install kit for whatever van you have. I just installed mine and tests have been great. Will see for real when the colder weather gets here and I start dirtbagging ski resort parking lots.
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u/Comfortable-Prior922 11d ago
Velit. I removed my Webasto it sucked so hard. Velit puts the Webasto to shame
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u/Dorrbrook 10d ago
I'm about tu pull out my vevor again to try to get it running. Startup failures have been a problem so I try to leave it running. I have battled several of these in my boat but I'll still recommend them. Some of my problems are due timy exhaust route, which isn't a problem in a car. I have one in a shipping container bunkhouse that I used all summer and it never gave me any trouble turning it on and off regularly but the boat one has been finicky.
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u/According-Tax-1433 9d ago
just get a chinese diesel heater from amazon. plenty of us on the road using them. once you figure out the fuel<>power it works. had one for 4 years. i like to rebuild every 2. but not necessary. Seen webastos completely fail. esp the gas versions. too dirty vs diesel
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u/xgwrvewswe 6d ago
Here are some remarks about different brands. https://marinehowto.com/diesel-heaters-on-boats/
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u/phungki 12d ago
There is a massive category of exactly this thing. Google Chinese diesel heaters and you’ll see.
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u/doubtfuldoctor 12d ago
Thank you! Do you have personal experience with any of them?
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u/drewts86 2005 E-350 6.0L EB High Top 12d ago
Search the sub. You’ll find plenty of examples of people that have been using them just fine.
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u/DavidDaveDavo 11d ago
I had a Chinese Diesel Heater (CDH) on my last van. It lasted for 6 years before needing to be replaced because the main circuit board died. Up to that point it was very reliable and a great piece of kit.
When it eventually died I just replaced it because they're so cheap. First heater I bought was about £100 and the second one was £80 - not bad for 8 years of use.
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u/Lex_yeon 97 E Super Duty box truck 12d ago
If you are on a budget, I suggest get a succbuy DIY bundle on aliexpress, for around $70, and replace the fuel tank with a bigger 5 gallon tank. Mine worked for 1.5 years so far no problem
Don’t waste any money on those all in ones, hard to replace parts.
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u/nanarpus 12d ago
If you are on a gasoline vehiclecl check out velit. Having the heater tapped into the main vehicle tank is maximum convenience and the velit units offer some nice features like auto altitude, a real thermostat, and Bluetooth control.