Heating a Camper, Van or SUV While Camping

Published:  11/05/2025

Stay Warm and Dry: Your Guide to Effective Van and SUV Heating

One of the biggest challenges of living or camping in a van or SUV, especially in cold weather, isn't just staying warm—it's doing so safely, efficiently, and without building up excessive moisture.

Choosing the right system is crucial because effective heating must be safe, efficient, and dry.

In this guide, we break down the pros and cons of the most popular heating options and, importantly, include tips on how to significantly decrease moisture (condensation) in your small space.

We recommend three primary types of heaters for van life and SUV camping, each with specific trade-offs in efficiency, safety, and moisture production:

• Diesel Heaters
• Electric Ceramic Heaters
• Propane Catalytic Heaters

Let's dive into which one is right for your adventure!

Diesel Air Heater (Most Recommended): Fueled by diesel drawn from the van's main fuel tank, this type is extremely efficient and produces dry heat because the combustion process occurs entirely outside the living space. It is very low power draw (for the fan) but its main drawback is the complex initial installation required to mount the unit and run the necessary fuel and exhaust lines.

Budget All-in-One: This Vevor is often the choice for quick installation, as all components (heater, fuel tank, pump) are housed in one box. It's great for beginners, but the large 8KW size can be overpowered for small, well-insulated vans or a smaller SUV leading to inefficient cycling. So consider the 5KW version. If you stick with VEVOR, avoid their absolute cheapest model and look for ones specifically advertised with features like Altitude Compensation. This ensures the heater runs cleanly and reliably if you travel to mountains.

If you want a bit higher quality diesel heater that is still in the budget range, consider this LF Bros 110V/12/24V 5KW Diesel Heater.  It is often rated a step above the absolute cheapest models (like basic Vevor units) in terms of build quality and component consistency and is quieter than a Vevor. 

Mid-Range / Best Value: Planar Autoterm 2D (or 4D) has high quality components, great reliability, and superior performance at high altitudes (up to 8,500 ft). The Planar 2D (around 7,000 BTU) is ideally sized for most vans (100–150 sq ft). It requires a more complex, permanent installation by tapping into your van's main diesel tank or using a separate, custom-mounted tank.

Lavaner Diesel Heaters
Why it's Better: Lavaner has focused heavily on improving the user experience of the Chinese heater design. They often sell their units with quieter fuel pumps and better-balanced fans right out of the box, addressing the two main complaints about budget models (the loud ticking pump and fan noise).

Key Advantage: Known for better noise reduction and higher quality accessories (like better hoses and remote controls), making for a much more pleasant sleeping environmen

Premium: Webasto or Eberspächer.  Highest quality, quietest operation, best performance at extreme altitudes. These are the "gold standard" top-tier quality control but at a significantly higher price.

Electric Ceramic Heater:

• Running on 120V shore power, these heaters provide absolutely dry heat with zero moisture or CO risk. Their downside is their high power consumption, making them only feasible when you are plugged into a campground (shore power) or if your van is equipped with a high-capacity inverter and lithium battery bank. We like this Dreo Atom One 
• The Micro-Draw Ceramic heaters offer a practical balance of warmth and low amperage draw. They're designed for personal or spot heating, not warming the whole van, which is exactly why they save your batteries. These are used Off-Grid/Battery: Lasko Ceramic Cube 400W Ceramic Heater or the Amazon Desktop Ceramic Heater 500 W

Propane Catalytic Heater (Ventless): These heaters use small propane tanks for quick, portable heat and are easy to use. However, they carry a high safety risk due to potential Carbon Monoxide (CO) production and, critically for moisture control, they do add significant water vapor to the air as a byproduct of combustion. If used, this type requires a STRICTLY monitored CO alarm and heavy ventilation.

The Top Catalytic Choice:  For those prioritizing efficiency and dryness, the Camco Olympian Wave (models like the Olympian Wave 3 or Wave 6) are frequently cited as the superior options. This is because it uses true catalytic heating, which is a flameless chemical process where propane reacts on a platinum surface. This method is exceptionally fuel-efficient, draws no electricity, and, most importantly for a van, produces much less moisture (water vapor) during combustion compared to other types of propane heaters. The Wave 3 (around 1,600 to 3,000 BTU) is ideal for smaller vans, while the Wave 6 (up to 6,000 BTU) is better suited for mid-sized campervans.

The Popular and Portable Alternative: The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy (and its siblings, the Little Buddy and Big Buddy) is arguably the most popular portable heater for this use. It's beloved for its ease of use, instant radiant heat, and built-in safety features like a tip-over shut-off switch and an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS). It's very versatile, running off small 1lb propane canisters or a larger 20lb tank with an adapter hose. However, it's crucial to understand that the Mr. Heater series is a radiant heater, not a true catalytic one. Radiant heaters produce a significant amount of water vapor as a byproduct of combustion. While great for a quick blast of warmth, if you run it for long periods, it can quickly lead to severe condensation on your van's interior surfaces.

Click the blue bar below to read more on how to stop condensation in your RV. 

Diesel Heater Safety: Air Quality and Carbon Monoxide Monitoring

Monitoring the air quality is non-negotiable, especially when running any type of combustion appliance (gas cooktops, propane heaters, diesel heaters).

Monitoring the air quality inside your enclosed vehicle space is not just a good idea—it is a non-negotiable safety protocol, particularly when running any type of combustion appliance, such as:

• Gas Cooktops or Stoves
• Propane Catalytic Heaters
• Diesel/Gasoline Air Heaters

These devices consume oxygen and produce potentially deadly combustion byproducts. Relying on ventilation alone is a massive risk.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
The Danger: Often called "the silent killer," Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that binds to hemoglobin in your blood, effectively displacing oxygen. High levels can lead to disorientation, collapse, and death in minutes.

Source: Produced by any combustion appliance (propane, diesel, gasoline, wood) that is malfunctioning or not venting its exhaust perfectly to the outside. A small exhaust leak from a diesel heater, or a poorly ventilated propane cooktop, can quickly build up fatal concentrations.

The Solution: You must install a high-quality, battery-operated Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm inside your sleeping area. Test it regularly, and replace the batteries/unit as recommended by the manufacturer.

• The most recommended CO Alarm units for RVs and campervans are manufactured by MTI Industries (Safe-T-Alert) and RV Safe. MTI Industries Safe-T-Alert e.g., 25, 35, or 45 Series Dual Alarm They draw minimal power, are hardwired to your house battery and meet all necessary safety standards.
• RV Safe CO/LP Dual Alarm: Another highly-rated brand that is often recommended as a universal replacement, featuring highly selective sensors to reduce false alarms.
• While the UL-certified RV alarms are great for meeting safety standards, some van dwellers prefer a second, dedicated CO monitor that is more sensitive and alarms faster, especially at low concentrations (PPM). The top recommended is Forensics Detectors Low-Level CO Detector (Vehicle Model FD-CAR002): This type of detector is designed to alarm faster (sometimes in 60 seconds) at lower PPM levels (like 25 ppm) than a standard household alarm (which might be slower to alarm at 70 ppm). 

Mti Industries Safe-T-Alert (Propane/CO Combo)

Why it's Good: This is one of the most trusted brands in the RV industry. They offer 12V hard-wired units that detect both LP Gas and Carbon Monoxide in a single device. This saves space and simplifies wiring. They are known for reliability, which is essential for safety gear.

Installation Note: Must be mounted low to the floor for gas detection, but high enough to be heard clearly for CO detection. Follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly for placement, as they often use internal sensors positioned to meet both needs.

Mastering Moisture Control in Your Van Camper or SUV

You've successfully addressed how to generate the right kind of heat, but the battle for a healthy RV or camper interior isn't over. In an enclosed space like a van or SUV, human activity—breathing, cooking, and even your heating source—constantly produces water vapor. This warm, humid air instantly turns into damaging condensation when it hits a cold window or wall.

This is why ventilation is your first and most critical line of defense, followed by targeted dehumidification. Ventilation removes humid air and replaces it with drier air from outside, keeping your interior dry and preventing mold, mildew, and structural damage.

Here are the essential daily practices for managing the moisture load in your small living space:

Ventilation removes humid air and replaces it with drier air from outside.

1.    Ceiling Fan: A high-quality bidirectional roof fan like a MaxxAir fan It should be used:

• While Cooking: Always set to exhaust (pulling air out) and crack a window nearby to create cross-breeze.
• While Sleeping: Set to a low, quiet exhaust speed to remove the moisture produced overnight.

2.    Passive Vents: Ensure lower and upper passive vents are always clear. Airflow from low to high is essential for moisture escape.

Dehumidification 

While ventilation is primary, active dehumidification can help in extremely rainy or humid conditions.

• Desiccants: Products like DampRid (calcium chloride) absorb moisture from the air and collect it as water. These are inexpensive and require no power, but they are most effective in small, enclosed spaces. 
• Electric Dehumidifiers: Small thermoelectric Peltier type dehumidifiers use low-power, but they are only truly effective in removing residual moisture and are not powerful enough for the whole van in high-humidity climates. 

Wipe Down Windows: On cold mornings, condensation will form on windows and uninsulated surfaces. Wipe these surfaces dry immediately with a microfiber cloth and wring the cloth outside. Or use a window vacuum squeegee, squeegee the condensation and pour the collected water outside.

Use an Induction Cooktop

Induction cooktops utilize electromagnetic energy to heat cookware directly without burning any fuel, which means the cooking process itself adds zero water vapor to the RV's air. This is a critical advantage over traditional propane stoves, where combustion chemically releases water and carbon dioxide into the enclosed living space. By eliminating this internal source of humidity during meal preparation, induction significantly reduces the risk of condensation, mold, and mildew buildup inside the small cabin environment.

The NuWave PIC Flex is an excellent induction cooktop choice for RVs, primarily because it's designed with adjustable wattage (usually 600W, 900W, 1300W, and 1500W). This flexibility is crucial for cooking when you are running off a limited power source like a small inverter or a campground's lower-amperage hookup, helping you prevent electrical overloads. The compact size and included pan also make it a convenient, ready-to-use solution for small kitchens.

The Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop 9600LS is a highly recommended for RV and van use, as it balances great performance with low-power flexibility. Its numerous precision settings allow for efficient, reliable cooking while carefully managing the electrical draw on limited mobile circuits. 

Choosing the right heating system for your van or SUV is the key to comfortable, four-season travel. Ultimately, the Diesel Heater (like the reliable 5KW LF Bros or the premium Planar) offers the gold standard for safe, efficient, and dry heat by venting all combustion byproducts outside—making it our top recommendation. Electric heat is perfect for when you are plugged in, and Propane, while portable, demands the strictest attention to ventilation and safety monitoring due to high moisture output.

No matter which heater you choose, remember that air quality monitoring is non-negotiable—always run a 12V CO and LP Gas alarm. Finally, never neglect the fight against condensation; ventilation is your primary weapon against mold and mildew. By pairing safe heat generation with smart moisture control, you can ensure your small space remains a cozy, dry haven throughout all your adventures.

For More on How to Reduce Moisture in Your RV and Eliminate Mold, click the blue button below.