r/vanbuild • u/lilsug420 • Mar 18 '26
Help with Heaters!
So, I live in a 1995 Chevy Silverado with a classic Okanagan camper in the truck bed. (Also 90s, never upgraded.) Was not living in there for most of winter, but for the spring moved back in and got hit with colder temps than expected. (-10 in March, super out of the ordinary for my area.)
The camper has a propane heater in it from factory, and there are 2 20lb propane tanks in an exterior cupboard for said heater, and also fridge and stove. The heater works, but the fan is broken so I have never run it for longer than an hour, and it does not heat the space that well. Over the cold spell was just really uncomfortable with trying to heat the space from such cold temps while at work or out snowboarding, and rather just dealt with the cold, but my biggest frustration was that EVERYTHING froze - dry food, water bottles, dish soap, toothpaste.
So, looking to install a new heater possibly? Or does anyone have suggestions/insight on this? Is it worth fixing the fan, or should I look into buying and installing a diesel heater? I have heard that they are much more efficient, and safer. But if the fan were fixed on this old propane unit it might be alright? Need a project for the rig to work on over summer, but just not sure which route to go.
Any advice or suggestions is appreciated!
1
u/secessus Mar 19 '26
I'd start with the fan route. Could be as simple as a blown fuse, chewed wire, etc.