Diesel heater tank outside location ideas

[jamesm113]

I purchased a Vevor 2.5kw diesel heater. I'd like to mount the tank outside the van so I don't have to worry about fumes or the tank spilling in the interior of the van in the event of an accident (or worse).

I was originally thinking I could mount the plastic tank on a frame rail and add an access hole on the side of the van for easy fill ups at the gas station.

The 10L tank that came with the Vevor heater is pretty big and would not fit on the frame rail. I could probably find a smaller tank, but getting easy access to fill up the tank might prove difficult. I guess I could add a filler hose, but I'm not seeing good options there as well. Obviously the more DIY things are, the more potential for leaks. So ideally looking for somewhat of an off the shelf solution.

I'm wondering what others with similar set-ups have done. Thanks!

 

[marret]

I mounted mine on the backside of my rear box so the tank is easy to fill (filler facing outboard) and fits in the space between the back of the box and rear door which was unused space.

If needed, I can go take a photo. Just let me know.

 

[jamesm113]

I don't have a rear box, but I suppose I could mount one to my ladder. Did you use the tank that came with the diesel heater kit or get one that can handle the elements a little better?

Also, how did you route the fuel hose? I imagine accomodating the door hinge would be tricky.

 

[86Scotty]

The Vevor tank is junk and will not make it long at all out in the elements. Go with a Rotopax or similar solution. I added a Vevor heater to my motorhome and love the heater, especially the bluetooth app control, but the tank is the pinnacle of Chinesium. Don't trust it.

Here's my solution on my van:

https://flic.kr/p/2oHhS72

 

[marret]

I don't have a rear box, but I suppose I could mount one to my ladder. Did you use the tank that came with the diesel heater kit or get one that can handle the elements a little better?

Also, how did you route the fuel hose? I imagine accomodating the door hinge would be tricky.

I used a cheap tank that came with a Chinese heater I had for several years even when I bought a Planar/Autoterm. Then this winter I bought a tank from Expedition Upfitter., Expedition Upfitter and installed that.

Eric shows his fuel mount. Yes, you could mount to the ladder. My heater is outside so no issues with the door hinge. I do have the controlled wired in through the back door and since the heater is on the swing arm, I had to account for that distance.

Because I didn’t have floor space where I wanted to install the heater I chose a different method. Found this stainless steel heater box on eBay. It is a little cumbersome in that I have to connect ducting. I installed a flange in the floor. I have thought about moving the heater behind the rear bumper.

 

[86Scotty]

Chris, your tank looks twice as beefy as the one Vevor sent me with the heater I recently got. It's paper thin and just cheap feeling and looking from every angle. It might be fine mostly covered for a few years but not out in the sun I wouldn't think.

@jamesm113, consider a translucent tank like we've shown above (which are actually designed for water) so you can easily see your fuel level. The better quality tanks, and keeping them out of direct sunlight as I recommended above, will keep them from yellowing.

 

[jamesm113]

Thanks y'all. I can probably make something work with the ladder and a tank like that. I have the chevy van, so there's not any external hinges and I'd have to figure out how to route the line directly down at the door. I think I'd invest in a standoff pipe to pull gas from the bottom of the tank vs putting a fitting on the top. Less likely to spill the entire contents that way.

I'm also curious if there's another tank I could get and setup on the frame rail. The biggest challenge I think would be getting access to fill it. There's some fuel cells, like this one that would fit on the frame rail. Could also get a metal tank like this one. But no idea how I could fill those up without crawling under the van

 

[marret]

@86Scotty, the tank is beefy and thick plastic, much better than that from the Chinese brands. I did run a Chinese brand tank for 3 or so years.

This is the tank I pictured, 7L. It is bottom draw so that is nice.
[Autoterm/Planar] Diesel Heater Fuel Tanks

@jamesm113, welcome. Personally having to refuel something on the frame rail just is too much hassle for me unless you can route a fill tube/neck somehow.

Regarding sunlight/UV damage, I don’t think that is an issue with the current tank, time will tell though.

 

[86Scotty]

@86Scotty, the tank is beefy and thick plastic, much better than that from the Chinese brands. I did run a Chinese brand tank for 3 or so years.

This is the tank I pictured, 7L. It is bottom draw so that is nice.
[Autoterm/Planar] Diesel Heater Fuel Tanks

@jamesm113, welcome. Personally having to refuel something on the frame rail just is too much hassle for me unless you can route a fill tube/neck somehow.

Regarding sunlight/UV damage, I don’t think that is an issue with the current tank, time will tell though.

Sorry Chris, I was meaning the Vevor tank re sun damage. The one you have looks just as thick as the Rotopax stuff.

 

[Vanimal]

As some have stated, I too have seen what UV rays do to plastic, this was my concern. At a garage sale, I bought a 3 gallon metal lawn mower or generator fuel tank. I washed it out and added a filler hose to the fill so I can fill it from the wheel well, that's the plan!

 

[jamesm113]

As some have stated, I too have seen what UV rays do to plastic, this was my concern. At a garage sale, I bought a 3 gallon metal lawn mower or generator fuel tank. I washed it out and added a filler hose to the fill so I can fill it from the wheel well, that's the plan!

Would love to see any pics you have of your setup. Or even details on where you got the filler hose and how you hooked it up. Thanks!

 

[Vanimal]

Would love to see any pics you have of your setup. Or even details on where you got the filler hose and how you hooked it up. Thanks!

OK when I get a chance. Busy building a just the right size trailer for my Jeep.

 

[dbhost]

For that and the fact I don't want to use different fuels where I don't have to, I coughed up a pretty penny extra to get a Velit 4KW gasoline version of the parking heater and have absolutely zero regrets. I tapped directly into my fuel tank via the Velit provided dip tube. (the camper was in the shop for a fuel pump replacement anyway)...
IF I had to do a diesel instead of gasoline, I would have gone with the rotopax behind the rear door mounted spare tire, somewhat easy-ish access to fuel, and a LOT more durable than the Vevor tanks.

 

[86Scotty]

I had heard of the Velit gasoline heater. Not a bad price for a gas unit (as of this post at $729. Linking it here for others.

VELIT Gasoline/Diesel Air Heater 14000BTU 4000W

Download user manual Smart thermostat now comes standard. Model US Canada UK Diesel Backorder Special Order Special Order Gasoline In Stock Special Order Special Order Safest Heater on the Market Equipped with built-in carbon monoxide and flammable gas sensors, the Velit heater...

velitcamping.com

 

[dbhost]

I had heard of the Velit gasoline heater. Not a bad price for a gas unit (as of this post at $729. Linking it here for others.

VELIT Gasoline/Diesel Air Heater 14000BTU 4000W

Download user manual Smart thermostat now comes standard. Model US Canada UK Diesel Backorder Special Order Special Order Gasoline In Stock Special Order Special Order Safest Heater on the Market Equipped with built-in carbon monoxide and flammable gas sensors, the Velit heater...

velitcamping.com

I can tell you the difference between my Velit and the Vevor diesel I use in my workshop in the winter is night and day. Velit goes above and beyond as far as QC goes, there was one firmware glitch that effected thermostat operation but they fixed it for me no issues. Fuel consumption is low, and you REALLY have to listen to hear the heater running at all. Best way to describe it is from within the van, it is like hearing an old grandfather clock a couple of rooms away, it is just this super soft ticking sound, the fan likewise is almost silent, they do a fantastic job with the balancing of all the rotating assemblies and it makes a HUGE difference... Being a Gasoline heater, I don't have to worry about having yet another fuel type, I just fill the tank in my van and go... As it sits I have 3 types of fuel and I CAN reduce it to 1. Gasoline runs the van, the heater, and when needed the generator. Propane runs the Coleman stove, I can switch back to my 424 Dual fuel and run unleaded gasoline though. And isobutane runs my Whisperlite Universal, which like the 424 can run on unleaded, the other isobutane device is the Thermacell, and I am finding copious (sp?) amounts of citronella candles do a better job of keeping mosquitoes and flies away...

 

[86Scotty]

I may go this direction in my van. I took a chance on a Lavaner diesel heater after getting some solid recommendations on it and it's been horrible. Thermostat seems to do nothing, I'm on my third controller after having problem after problem with it. And it was supposed to be a 'better' CDH.

I have a Vevor in my motorhome (not van) and it's actually been great. Especially for the $100+/- I paid for it. But I'd like to switch to single fuel source for the van.

 

[RVflyfish]

I was planning on going with the gasoline Velit until I read a few posts here and on other forums about how much more dangerous gas is than diesel. Does the Velit have safety features that make that no longer the case?

 

[dbhost]

I was planning on going with the gasoline Velit until I read a few posts here and on other forums about how much more dangerous gas is than diesel. Does the Velit have safety features that make that no longer the case?

Just my $.02 here, but if you are comfortable with a gasoline internal combustion engine and a propane stove, the jump to a gasoline heater shouldn't be cause for concern assuming proper installation...

I honestly think the risk of fire Gasoline vs. Diesel is no greater than the general risk of a vehicle fire Gasoline vs. Diesel. Yes it is elevated, no it is not so much elevated with a reasonably or even half a** maintained system as to be a valid concern IMHO

Everything in life is risk and reward... Is the risk worth the reward? To me it is.

 

[jamesm113]

The gas heater is about 10x the price though

 

[RVflyfish]

For Velit at least, they’re the same price. The Velit does cost more than basically every Chinese heater, but as dbhost pointed out, they’re much higher quality too. Their site explains why.