How to properly set up your van to stay warm in winter?

February 17, 2025

When winter sets in, many vanlife enthusiasts store their second home while patiently waiting for spring to return. But why miss out on new adventures and magical winter landscapes when it is possible to travel by van while staying warm during the winter? The solution: effectively insulating your van and choosing a heating type suited to your needs. 

Retain heat with good insulation

Unsurprisingly, insulation is essential to keep your van's interior at a comfortable temperature. Good insulation improves the efficiency of the heating system and reduces energy consumption. Indeed, a four-season converted van can be insulated without problem down to -25°C, allowing you to travel all year round!

What is the best material for insulating your van?

Two main materials are used for insulating converted vans: Rockwool and Thinsulate.

Rockwool, mainly known as insulation for homes, is used in the conversion of some vans. However, this material tends to absorb moisture over time and becomes waterlogged after 2 to 3 years, making it ineffective. That is why Thinsulate is often considered the best choice for this type of project. It is regularly used for van conversions, both by individuals and professionals. Thanks to its synthetic fiber composition, Thinsulate does not absorb moisture at all. This type of fiber is also used in the high-performance textile industry, which attests to its reliability. Furthermore, it is commonly used in the automotive industry, particularly for its sound insulation properties, making it an ideal choice to soundproof your van from outside noises.

What are the main steps to insulate your van?

1. Remove the original finishing panels from your vehicle and make sure the surfaces are clear before starting the next steps.

2. Clean the vehicle surfaces and check that there are no traces of rust. If signs of rust are present, sand the affected areas and apply a paint primer. This step will help prevent the spread of rust.

3. Move and relocate the electrical harnesses so they do not interfere with the next steps of the process.

4. Apply a material that limits vibrations on the large sheet metal sections of the vehicle without reinforcement. We suggest using a material such as Kilmat and apply it approximately on 20-30% of the non-reinforced surfaces. 

5. Use an adhesive spray to fix the insulation to the walls of your vehicle. Depending on the area, it is recommended to get between 50 and 60 feet of insulation. An approximate quantity chart is available in the insulation section on our website. It is also advised to add a second layer of insulation to the ceiling, as it is an area where heat is easily lost. You will benefit from this both in winter and summer!

6.  Install the interior finish of your choice (plywood or other) without adding a vapor barrier. It is important to let everything breathe. 

Finally, the van's insulation creates an effective barrier against outside temperature and helps minimize heat loss. However, even with optimal insulation, it is important to consider how to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle during the coldest periods. Thus, it is essential to have a heater that meets your expectations.  

Choosing the ideal heating for your van: fuel or propane?

In the camper van industry, there are mainly two types of heating: fuel or propane.

Fuel heating

The fuel heating connects directly to your vehicle's tank, whether it is gasoline or diesel. This method is both practical and economical, consuming mostly between 0.12 L and 0.51 L per hour. Thus, you can efficiently heat your cabin without compromising on duration. Moreover, fuel heating requires little electricity, as the energy is mainly used for managing the onboard computer, which controls the heating, as well as for the injection system. This type of heating is generally equipped with a Bluetooth controller, allowing you to activate the system remotely. What could be more pleasant than finding the warmth and comfort of your van after a day in the mountains?

Most vehicles are designed to accommodate this type of heating. For example, the Mercedes brand provides an auxiliary outlet to connect the device to the vehicle's tank. Additionally, under the passenger seat, a space is usually provided to install an additional heater. Finally, you should budget around $2000 to acquire this type of device.

Propane heating

Propane heating consumes between 0.3L and 0.5L per hour. On average, a 20-liter tank must be refilled every week in cold weather, excluding the use of appliances. Compared to gasoline heating, using propane requires installing an additional tank under the vehicle. Installation must be carried out by a certified professional. Choosing propane heating is therefore economically justified when you want to install a propane stove. Indeed, you should budget about $2000 for the purchase of the tank and its installation. Rest assured, using propane is safe and a leak detector can be installed. 

Note that if you plan to travel to the United States, it is important to know the restrictions related to transporting a propane tank, especially when passing through certain tunnels. In some cases, this may require modifying your route. Moreover, you may be asked to close your propane tank during a boat crossing. A remote control valve can be installed for this purpose. 

The main difference between these two types of heating lies in the management of different energy sources. By choosing propane heating, you will have to manage an additional energy source, besides electricity. However, to simplify monitoring the propane level and avoid any manual management, you can install a wireless sensor that will allow you to monitor the status of your tank in real time.

Main features of different types of heating

	Fuel heating (Airtronic)	Propane heating (Propex)
Price (Device and installation)	About $2000	About $2000
Consumption (l/h)	0.12L to 0.51L	0.3L to 0.5L
Advantages	Low electricity consumption 2A  Remote temperature control possible.	Low electricity consumption 1.4A Allows you to have a gas stove.
Disadvantages	Installation possible by an individual, but relatively long.	Restriction due to propane tank in the United States  Additional energy source to manage.

In summary, thanks to quality insulation and efficient heating, your winter adventures will be most enjoyable. So, don't wait any longer, set off on your adventure and enjoy comfortable warmth throughout the winter in your van!

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Also in Guide pratique pour van aménagé