Hot water is something we all take for granted at home. But when you’re in your caravan, it’s a different story. It instantly becomes a luxury because not everybody has access to it on the road.
That’s why many people invest in a caravan gas heater.
These small gas heaters for caravans make life a lot more comfortable. You can have warm showers when you’re on holiday and enjoy a greater quality of life. But which system is the best?
Check out this guide to find the best caravan LPG heater for your needs.
| Truma Vario Eco Gas Heater | Truma Vario Eco Gas Heater with Black Cowl and E-Kit 1800W Bundle | Truma Combi 2E Kit, Gas Heater / Hot Water System |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Pick  |  | |
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | *Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | ||
2,800 W | 2,800 W | 1,950 W | |
N/A | 1,800 W | 1,960 W | |
2,800 W | 4,600 W | 3,900 W | |
No | No | Yes | |
12V | 12V/240V | 12V/240V | |
220 g/hr | 220 g/hr | 130 g/hr | |
2.75 A | 2.9 A | Max 6.5 A (avg. 1.2 A) | |
N/A | 7.8 A | 8.1 A | |
124 x 284 x 437 mm | 124 x 284 x 400 mm | 300 x 450 x 510 mm | |
5.5 kg | 7.7 kg | 16.2 kg | |
2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Best Caravan Gas Heaters Australia
Truma Vario Eco Gas Heater
Most people agree that a Truma gas heater is the best option for their caravan or RV.
Their standard Vario Eco Gas Heater is one of the best in the business. A 12-volt ignition powers a propane system and heats the water in your van. Meanwhile, there is a high-end LCD control panel so you can synchronise your system as you prefer.
This caravan LPG heater has multiple settings that enable a better experience for its users. Boost mode heats your van quicker than the standard settings. There is even a night mode so you can sleep without any annoying noise.
The heater is relatively compact and weighs just 5.5kg. This is the smallest and cheapest of the gas heaters on the market, yet it is still quite expensive. It comes in at a bit under $2,000 with a warranty of 2 years.
Truma Vario Eco Gas Heater with Black Cowl and E-Kit 1800W Bundle
Our Pick
The Vario Eco Gas Heater with E-Kit offers a step up from the previous Truma gas heater.
On the face of it, these are very similar products. The Vario offers all of the same high-end features. These include two standard output levels with a boost mode for improved output.
Meanwhile, it still has night mode so you can enjoy a good sleep. It’s almost silent which is fantastic because nobody wants to deal with background noise.
The difference between this and the previous Truma gas heater is the E-Kit.
This heats your vehicle even quicker because it adds more electrical power. One of the main advantages is that you can run this entirely from electricity. However, you can also use a combination of gas and electric power.
Essentially, the E-kit makes caravan gas heaters portable because you can use them anywhere. It enables you to save on gas and instead use electricity if you prefer. This is great if you’re spending time at campsites as well as off the grid.
That’s because you can operate your system from LPG bottles or hook it up to the mains.
The main disadvantage is the price. It costs about $500 more than the base model and comes with the same 2 year warranty. However, there is no denying that the E-Kit offers a lot of advantages.
Truma Combi 2E Kit, Gas Heater / Hot Water System
Finally, let’s look at this combi unit from Truma.
The advantage of combi systems is that you can choose between electric power or gas. It requires a 12V connection to ignite the latter. Otherwise, you’ll need a 240V power source to run it with electricity.
This system’s main advantage is that it is very powerful and has a large hot water capacity. It will heat water in just 20 minutes with an impressive heating output of 2000W. Meanwhile, there is a large 10L stainless steel tank to hold the heated water.
Another great aspect is that you can configure the air and water systems to your preferences. This means you can choose to run them together or individually.
On the flip side, it may not be suitable for some caravans because it’s larger and heavier than the previous systems (see specifications above). At 16.2kg, it’s a hefty piece of kit.
The other problem is that it’s very expensive. It’s almost $2,500 (with a 2 year warranty) which is extremely costly. If you don’t need the water heating functionality (maybe you already have a hot water system) then you may prefer the E-Kit as a viable alternative.
Points To Consider When Purchasing A Caravan Gas Heater
Now it’s time to consider some different aspects before you decide which caravan gas heater is best for your needs.
Let’s get started!
Do I Need It?
It may seem counter-intuitive in a guide about small gas heaters for caravans. But you should think carefully about whether or not you need one for your camping vehicle.
These are expensive caravan accessories. Of course, they’re worth it if you get enough use out of them and plan to travel regularly. You can camp in all weathers and a wider variety of locations.
However, if you plan on setting up at a powered caravan site for your entire trip, you might be better off with a different type of heater.
In fact, you may prefer to get a diesel heater for your caravan, which can be cheaper.
How Long Does It Take To Heat?
How long it takes to heat up your van depends on the heater you go with and the settings you choose. Look at the heat output ratings in the table at the beginning of this article. Being able to use gas and electricity at the same time will give you an advantage here.
Bear in mind that the Truma Combi can also heat up your hot water. In fact, it heats up the 10L built in tank in just 23 minutes which is impressive.
How Long Will The Gas Last?
If you don’t have the option of an E-Kit or a combi unit, then you may run through gas quite quickly. That’s especially the case for larger vans in cold conditions.
It’s important to plan before you leave because you don’t want to be stuck in your van in the freezing cold. Remember to bring an extra gas bottle in case something goes wrong.
You might not always be able to get your hands on one easily while out in the bush. Not to mention that they also tend to be more expensive on the road.
Trust The Brand
We understand the desire to save money but this is one area where you should invest in a respected brand. The likes of Truma and Camec provide trustworthy products that meet all the necessary safety requirements.
They also come with warranties which are crucial in case something goes wrong. Sure, you might pick up a knock-off heater for a quarter of the price, but you’ll be in trouble in six months if something goes wrong.
Truma and Camec provide strong support systems and have excellent customer service. This makes the difference in a pinch and could even save you money in the long term.
Safety First
Remember that there is no messing about when it comes to a gas system.
A licensed gas plumber must install and service your caravan gas heater. This isn’t optional because it’s Australian federal law. If you don’t fit your heater correctly it could be dangerous and leak carbon monoxide.
Don’t take the chance. Also, don't install a portable camping heater that releases exhaust gas directly into the air - these are not designed for indoor use and can be dangerous.
For more info, check out this info from the Queensland government on gas appliances in caravans.
Final Thoughts
There are several great caravan gas heater options available today.
We can’t say that one system is better than the other because it depends on your budget and lifestyle. However, it’s worth noting that an E-kit or a combi-unit allows for a lot more flexibility on the road.
If you can invest another few hundred dollars in one or the other, you won’t regret it.
As ever, if you’ve any questions about the products above or camping and caravanning in general, please leave a comment below!
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
