Chinese Diesel Heater in a Van: Worth It or Waste

What Is a Chinese Diesel Heater and How Does It Work?

I researched for months—maybe even years—before finally pulling the trigger on one of those "cheap Chinese diesel air heaters." The lure is real: a low price tag, promises of silent warmth in sub-zero nights, and the dream of being snug while wintering off-grid. But after installing a Vevor 3 kW diesel heater in my van—and watching it throw error codes, mess with my electrical system, and drain my wallet more than expected—I’ve got strong opinions.

These little heaters go by many names: Chinese diesel heater, diesel parking heater, diesel air heater. At heart, they burn a small amount of diesel, draw in air (often from the cabin), heat it via a combustion chamber, then push warm air back into your living space.

They’re appealing because:

• They don’t require propane

• They can run off your van’s diesel supply

• They offer “dry heat,” which can cut down on condensation

• They have modest fuel draw compared to propane systems

But they also come with caveats: poor instructions, inconsistent quality, sketchy support, and a fragile web of parts. Facebook groups like “Diesel Keep You Warm,” “Chinese Diesel Vehicle Air Heaters – Troubleshooting & Parts,” and “The Chinese Diesel Heater Community” are loaded with both success stories and absolute nightmares.

Chinese Diesel Heater Review: Vevor 3kW in a Van

I researched for months. The Lavaner Pro had some support online but wasn’t going to ship in time. So I ordered the Vevor unit from vevor.ca for under CA$300. I chose the 3 kW version because the 2 kW was unavailable and my van is only 21'. I figured the 5 kW would be overkill. The unit arrived quickly and looked good. But I swapped out the included fuel line and clamps for better quality ones, and used high-gauge wire to reach from the rear batteries to the heater up front.

Against advice from the community, I tapped into my van’s diesel line.

The product arrived super fast, it looks good, and it has all the things one might need for installation, but I did what all the groups said, and I bought an upgraded fuel line and clamps.  I bought high gauge wire to run from my battery at the back of the van to the unit at the front. I was super nervous about being able to pipe directly into the auxiliary fuel line on my precious van, but my installer was able to do that just fine. 

The Install

It took me and a handy friend 10 hours to install the thing. For reference, a local RV tech charges $100+/hour. I paid my guy $50/hour, but that budget heater quickly became less budget-friendly.

The included manual? Total joke. YouTube saved us. Getting the pump angle right, the airflow direction, wiring—none of it is intuitive. If I hadn’t had help, I would’ve been crucified in the Facebook groups.

We got it working. I tested it at my parents’ house while plugged into shore power. For a few glorious hours, it worked.

The Crash

Then came the error codes. The heater shut down. My generator wouldn’t start. My house battery wasn’t charging. Everything went sideways. Vevor support told me to replace the controller, but the new one wasn’t compatible with my motherboard and caused different errors.

Eventually, I got a full refund from Vevor Canada. But I was still out hundreds in installation and diagnosis. And by the time replacement parts arrived? Spring.

How I Fixed My Chinese Diesel Heater Setup in a Van

Since that disaster, I’ve made two key upgrades:

1. Two 100 Ah lithium batteries in my van (game changer)

2. Acknowledging I never should’ve tapped into the van’s main diesel line

My current electrical setup is far more stable. The heater no longer tanks my battery life. And I now understand that fuel line pressure issues can wreak havoc on these systems. A standalone fuel tank would’ve saved me a lot of grief.

If you’re going to run one of these heaters, invest in your power system and respect the fuel routing advice. Seriously.

Pros and Cons of Installing a Chinese Diesel Heater in a Van

Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

• Mount the fuel pump at a 15–30° angle

• Don’t mount the muffler sideways

• Avoid tight bends in the hot air duct

• Use supplied parts (most aftermarket swaps backfire)

• Install exhaust carefully to avoid fumes

• Isolate the heater from wood or foam insulation

• Put the fuel filter before the pump

When to Choose a Chinese Diesel Heater (and When Not To)

It Might Be Worth It If:

• You’re confident with DIY installs

• Your van has a robust electrical system

• You like solving puzzles (because you will)

• You’re in mild-to-moderate cold climates

Probably a Waste If:

• You want reliable, plug-and-play heat

• You don’t want to tinker constantly

• Your fuel system can’t be modified easily

• You’re dealing with extreme cold or remote travel

If I had to do it all again? I’d likely save for a Webasto or Espar—or at least avoid the fuel tap mistake and upgrade my power system before installation.

Chinese Diesel Heater Verdict: Worth It or Waste?

For me? Closer to waste. But if you have the right setup and a tolerance for trial-and-error, you might just win the diesel heater lottery.

If you're thinking about heating options, I also wrote about other van heating methods here's what I learned about alternative RV heaters.

And if you're contemplating full time RV or Van life, my eBook Rolling Solo includes more tips on heating, battery management, and surviving cold nights without losing your mind. Grab it for CA$5 here.

About the Author
I’ve been living the van life since 2009, and I’ve made more mistakes than I can count—and I write about all of them. No fluff, no filtered versions. Just real stories from the road, told from the comfort of a van that finally stays warm (most nights). Find more grit and guidance at missadVANture.com.