Diesel and gasoline heater installation
Webasto, Espar and Velit, or budget Lavaner and HLN units. The fuel matches your chassis, and every install is set up for the altitude you actually camp at.
IllustrationDiesel van, diesel heater. Gas van, gas heater.
An air heater burns a little of your van's own fuel in a sealed chamber and blows clean, warm cabin air inside. The fuel choice is made for you by the chassis: diesel Sprinters and older diesel Transits get a diesel heater, gas Transits and Promasters get a gasoline heater, and both draw from the van's tank through an auxiliary pickup.
We install the premium European units, Webasto and Espar (Eberspächer), the Velit 4000P gasoline heater with automatic altitude compensation, and budget Chinese units from Lavaner and HLN when cost matters most. Whatever you pick, it gets a proper floor mount, a sealed exhaust run away from doors and windows.
Altitude is the Utah detail most installs get wrong. Salt Lake sits around 4,200 feet and a lot of camping happens above 8,000. A heater that isn't compensating runs rich, soots up and fouls its glow plug. We match the heater and its settings to where you go.
Side section through a floor-mounted air heater. Combustion air and exhaust stay sealed outside the cabin, fuel comes from the van's own tank, and only clean, heated cabin air circulates inside.
- 1Heater Webasto, Espar, Velit, Lavaner or HLN
- 2Exhaust out under the body, away from doors and windows
- 3Fuel tap diesel or gasoline, matches the chassis
- 4Ducting warm air where you want it
Heaters we install
| Heater | Fuel | Altitude handling | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espar Airtronic S2 D2L | Diesel | Automatic, to about 9,800 ft | Quiet, proven, EasyStart Pro controller |
| Espar Airtronic S3 B2L | Gasoline | Automatic barometric sensor | Premium choice for gas Transits |
| Webasto Air Top Evo 40 / 55 | Diesel or gasoline | Automatic | More output for larger vans |
| Webasto Air Top 2000 STC | Diesel or gasoline | Set via controller, not automatic | Classic compact unit |
| Velit 4000P | Gasoline | Automatic compensation | Strong value for gas vans |
| Lavaner / HLN | Diesel or gasoline | Manual high-altitude mode | Budget option, more maintenance |
Altitude ratings are manufacturer-stated and vary by model and controller.
How we do it
Pick the location
Under a seat, in a cabinet or under the floor, with room for ducting where you want the heat.
Floor mount
Cutout with gasket and seal so combustion stays outside the cabin.
Fuel pickup
Sprinter diesels use the factory auxiliary port. Transits have a Ford auxiliary fuel provision. Promasters use an aux port kit.
Exhaust and intake
Exhaust down and away from doors, windows and the combustion air intake.
Controller and altitude
Controller mounted, altitude set for where you camp, then a test run.
Questions about heaters
Can I put a diesel heater in my gas van?
You'd need a separate diesel tank. It's simpler and cleaner to run a gasoline heater from the van's own tank.
Do I need an expensive heater?
Not necessarily. Espar and Webasto heaters are excellent and widely supported. Mid-range alternatives from China, such as Lavaner and HLN, are quite similar in quality. The really cheap heaters on Amazon are likely not worth it.
Will it work at high elevation?
Certain models from each brand automatically compensate for altitude. Older and budget units need their altitude settings adjusted. In the Intermountain West, we always recommend installing a model with automatic altitude compensation.
Do you install propane heaters?
Not often. Diesel and gasoline heaters have gotten much better and are now almost always the recommended choice.
Get a heater quote
Send a few details and we will call you back with ideas, options and a ballpark.
- 6771 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City
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