Over the last week or so there has been much discussion about the inexpensi=
ve Chineese diesel space heaters. At $150 to $250 they are certainly cheap=
alternatives to the 30,000 and 40,000 btu furnaces that came in our coache=
s, but do not have anywhere near that same heat output and require the addi=
tion of a diesel fuel tank. These Chineese units appear to just be space h=
eaters. There is a German combination space heater and water heater that o=
perates on propane and uses very little 12vdc power that appears to be a go=
od, although far more expensive ($1500-$2500) alternative. This unit is no=
w being used by both Winnebego and Airstream in their MB chassis small moto=
rhomes. Here is info from one review site: "The benefits of the Truma=
Combi are numerous. First, the dual capable unit takes up half the space i=
n your RV since only one appliance is needed rather than two. Small rigs, l=
ike truck campers, can really benefit from the smaller footprint by utilizi=
ng the extra space for things like storage or an extra battery. The other s=
avings, of course, is in weight. The smallest offering by Truma=E2=80=94the=
Combi 4=E2=80=94weighs only 31 pounds. The combined weight of your typical=
American 30,000 BTU furnace and American 6 gallon water heater is 54 pound=
s (30 pounds of the furnace and 24 pounds for the water heater with an empt=
y tank). That=E2=80=99s a pretty significant savings in weight, especially =
for truck campers when every pound matters. Moreover, the versatile Truma C=
ombi can run on propane (a diesel version is also available), 12 volt power=
, or both. The amp draw of the unit is quite low, too, with an average powe=
r consumption of only 1.1 amps for air heating and 0.4 amps during the wate=
r up heat cycle. The Truma Combi offers additional benefits to the own=
er. The Combi 4 utilizes a two-burner flame, making it more efficient by pr=
oviding two temperature settings (the larger, more capable Combi 6 provides=
a three burner flame for three temperature settings). Moreover, the unit i=
s nearly silent when it operates. Gone are days of being awakened in the mi=
ddle of the night by the roar of your furnace. In addition, the heating ele=
ments of the Truma Combi are mounted outside the water tank not inside like=
the traditional water heater. If you=E2=80=99ve ever had to replace a corr=
oded anode rod in a traditional water heater, you=E2=80=99ll really appreci=
ate this feature. Not only that, but draining the 2.6 gallon water tank for=
winterizing is easier, too=E2=80=94all you have to do is flip a switch. Fi=
nally, the Combi has a programmable thermostat that makes operating the uni=
t a breeze.=E2=80=9D At what appears to be about a 14,000 btu output, =
these units still have only about 1/3 to 1/2 the heat output of the stock G=
MC furnace but they do heat both the interior of the coach and provide hot =
water in one unit. If you add up the cost of a new heater and a new hot wa=
ter heater you might find the benefits of this all in one unit attractive e=
ven though it may have to run longer to keep your coach warm in the winter =
time. The very low electric power requirement is certainly appealing. =
Jerry Jerry & Sharon Work Kerby, OR glwork http://je=
rrywork.com Prevost Country Coach Formerly 78 Royale with most ev=
erything done to modernize a GMC mechanically 77/94 Clasco that looked li=
ke it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them both.
ve Chineese diesel space heaters. At $150 to $250 they are certainly cheap=
alternatives to the 30,000 and 40,000 btu furnaces that came in our coache=
s, but do not have anywhere near that same heat output and require the addi=
tion of a diesel fuel tank. These Chineese units appear to just be space h=
eaters. There is a German combination space heater and water heater that o=
perates on propane and uses very little 12vdc power that appears to be a go=
od, although far more expensive ($1500-$2500) alternative. This unit is no=
w being used by both Winnebego and Airstream in their MB chassis small moto=
rhomes. Here is info from one review site: "The benefits of the Truma=
Combi are numerous. First, the dual capable unit takes up half the space i=
n your RV since only one appliance is needed rather than two. Small rigs, l=
ike truck campers, can really benefit from the smaller footprint by utilizi=
ng the extra space for things like storage or an extra battery. The other s=
avings, of course, is in weight. The smallest offering by Truma=E2=80=94the=
Combi 4=E2=80=94weighs only 31 pounds. The combined weight of your typical=
American 30,000 BTU furnace and American 6 gallon water heater is 54 pound=
s (30 pounds of the furnace and 24 pounds for the water heater with an empt=
y tank). That=E2=80=99s a pretty significant savings in weight, especially =
for truck campers when every pound matters. Moreover, the versatile Truma C=
ombi can run on propane (a diesel version is also available), 12 volt power=
, or both. The amp draw of the unit is quite low, too, with an average powe=
r consumption of only 1.1 amps for air heating and 0.4 amps during the wate=
r up heat cycle. The Truma Combi offers additional benefits to the own=
er. The Combi 4 utilizes a two-burner flame, making it more efficient by pr=
oviding two temperature settings (the larger, more capable Combi 6 provides=
a three burner flame for three temperature settings). Moreover, the unit i=
s nearly silent when it operates. Gone are days of being awakened in the mi=
ddle of the night by the roar of your furnace. In addition, the heating ele=
ments of the Truma Combi are mounted outside the water tank not inside like=
the traditional water heater. If you=E2=80=99ve ever had to replace a corr=
oded anode rod in a traditional water heater, you=E2=80=99ll really appreci=
ate this feature. Not only that, but draining the 2.6 gallon water tank for=
winterizing is easier, too=E2=80=94all you have to do is flip a switch. Fi=
nally, the Combi has a programmable thermostat that makes operating the uni=
t a breeze.=E2=80=9D At what appears to be about a 14,000 btu output, =
these units still have only about 1/3 to 1/2 the heat output of the stock G=
MC furnace but they do heat both the interior of the coach and provide hot =
water in one unit. If you add up the cost of a new heater and a new hot wa=
ter heater you might find the benefits of this all in one unit attractive e=
ven though it may have to run longer to keep your coach warm in the winter =
time. The very low electric power requirement is certainly appealing. =
Jerry Jerry & Sharon Work Kerby, OR glwork http://je=
rrywork.com Prevost Country Coach Formerly 78 Royale with most ev=
erything done to modernize a GMC mechanically 77/94 Clasco that looked li=
ke it just left the Clasco facility. Loved them both.
