I am done (almost) with major van projects. The only thing left to do is build a slide out for the cooler on this latest project. Then I honestly think I can say I am done fiddling with the van for quite a while.
I pretty much have been talking about installing a gas heater in our van since the first-year review back in 2021. It was never the most pressing issue/project to get complete and we’ve gotten by with an electric blanket and ceramic heater. Both have their pros and cons. The electric blanket works great for staying comfortable while sleeping but does nothing for staying warm while hanging out in the van. The ceramic heater warms up the sleeping area if I put it on the sink and face it towards the bed, but it sucks a lot of power and requires a shore power connection. If I tried to power it off our 200ah battery bank it would suck it dry in 60-90 minutes.
I had my mind set pretty firmly on a Webasto Airtop 2000 gasoline heater. The most common comment on them was they were not great at altitude but could be adjusted. We do spend nights above 5,000′ a few times a year so while I wasn’t super concerned, it was on my mind. Then I learned about the Espar AS3 B2L gasoline heater that is capable of self-regulating for altitude and was within a few hundred dollars of the Webasto. That kind of seemed like a no-brainer. I wouldn’t have to fuss with altitude regulation and the controller that comes with the Espar is much nicer than the default Webasto controller.
I went down a freaking rabbit hole of research on installing the Espar. I feel like I am totally competent enough to have done it myself, but the time/effort calculation was something to significantly ponder. Plus, I would have had to acquire a couple tools that don’t currently own (like a giant hole saw) and the idea of crawling around under my van in an Oregon winter was not super appealing.
I was able to find the Espar B2L for around $1350-1600ish online. I also found out that companies like Heatso, while offering great prices, are not authorized USA Espar dealers and anything you buy from them will not be covered under warranty.
The next set of inquiries on install were the bonkers part. The PDX metro area has probably a dozen or more #vanlife builders. Anything from John Doe in his garage to more reputable companies like Van Specialties in Tualatin. Reaching out to several of them, I got quotes for a heater install ranging from $2k-$4k…..just for the install! The heater was not included.
Those prices are why I was leaning so hard towards just doing it myself. However, I am a frugal Yankee coupled with a good dose of stubbornness. More and more reading, researching and YouTube video watching led me to Rixens Enterprises in Sandy, OR. Not only are they a local, family-owned business, but they are an authorized Eberspacher dealer! And here is the most fantastic part. When I called and asked for a quote on install, I was given an all-in (including heater) price ~$2200! AND they could fit me in on a day I had off from work! Decision made!
Mia and I made a day of it during the install and headed up to Timberline Lodge to hang out for the late morning. We had hoped to get in a hike, but the weather was blah.
With heater installed and functioning properly, I reserved a night up at Stub Stewart State Park for a test run. I convinced Dean to join me at the site next door and we’d make it a guys night. He’s been working all summer on a Ford E350 buildout and I hadn’t seen the near finished project yet.
While the overnight temperature didn’t dip below the high 30’s it was still a good chance to test out the heater.
I let the heater run for 3-hours while going to bed and automatically shut down. I turned it back on for another three-hour run about 4:30am after waking up to a chilly van. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get it up to 73 degrees in the van while it was around 40F outside.
The next problem to solve was building a box to hide the heater, direct the air towards the sleeping area and give us a place to keep the 12V cooler we’ve been using for the past 4 years.
The added bonus to building the secondary box to direct the heat backwards was that it gives Codi a bit more lounge space. He likes to hang out between the two of us on longer drives, but his butt often slides backwards. I believe this will give him a bit more booty space.
Until today we have had a nice dry, but cool, run of weather. It allowed me to stain and seal the wood before final assembly. I was hoping the combo of a natural stain and the polyurethane would be a wee bit darker when dry, so it would match the kitchen galley. It’s definitely a few shades whiter but I’m not going to complain.
I will build a slide on the box top behind the driver’s seat. With the added height it is pretty much impossible to get the top of the cooler usefully open. Being able to pull it out for access to things will be nice.
I’ve got another overnight scheduled in a couple weeks to get in another test. Hoping for some cold weather to really give it a go.
I have to say I am happy with what we have accomplished. The base Wayfarer Vans Walter Kit was a fantastic starting point. I believe Mia and I could have been perfectly happy not making the modifications we have over the past four years, but I also know that I am a tinkerer. It has been part of the fun of this #vanlife thing, making it our own. Customizing it for how we use it. I think I am “done” with major projects, but you never know.
Thanks for reading,
-Pete
ON & OFF RHODES 
2 Comments Add yours