Do you ever use your EVC or Westy Furnace?

[Vanhilda]

Do you use your furnace?

I so distrust the propane system on my 95 EVC that the most I've ever used it for was heating a tea kettle on the stove and then immediately turning the tank valve off. I can't comprehend the trust required to fire up the furnace and then go to sleep. The coldest night I've slept in it was just around freezing and my sub zero sleeping bag was more than enough.

Honestly I'd love to have a little tankless water heater connected to the sprayer hose and would use that.... I'm considering at the least not putting it back in and capping that propane line - is that a bad idea, value or otherwise?

[xEVC]

I don't get the mistrust - the combustion chamber is vented outside, the van comes with both a CO2 detector and a LPG leak detector.

Doesn't the '95 have these features?

I don't love that it's fairly loud - not something I could necessarily leave on at night and sleep with.

Here's the thing: if you replace the MagneTek charger (which you are required to do, by The Samba overlords) and were to also get rid of the furnace, you would have a TON of space.

What to put there?

There are combination RV furnace/water heaters, and I've always wondered if one of those would fit?

Example: https://www.truma.com/us/products/heating-systems-us/combi-us/truma-combi-eco/

I think the main problem would be your pocketbook.
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2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[HeyCrutch]

We traveled all over the western US and into Canada for a total of 5-6 in 2003 & 2004 in our EVC, with the occasional flight home to check in on things at home (we'd store the van somewhere while at home).

We used the LP gas heater plenty! It gets gold in the desert, even on days when it might be warm out. In fact, we used to so often that I'm reluctant to camp in my Weekender if the weather will be below 40 at night.

We also cooked in the van everyday (using the LP gas), and used the LP system to keep items in the Norcold nice and chilly (which worked great after I cleaned out the burner box and replace the orifice). Keeping that LP tank full is just as important as having water in the fresh tank.

The design might be dated, but it's still pretty functional, if maintained.
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-2003 EV MV Wk - Forest - 51k
-2002 EV Camper - Ghost - 82k
-2003 EV GLS - Fluffhead - 176k

-1997 EVC - 12vVR6 (SOLD 5/2025)

[dsh1705]

[Vanhilda]

[dsh1705]

[kourt]

See the Eurovan Furnace Upgrade thread for how to make your furnace new again.

When we use ours overnight, we usually set the thermostat to 45F, and that keeps the van from becoming too cold, but also not too much furnace cycling.

Like others have mentioned, we use ours to take the sting off the mornings. There is nothing like waking up at 5 and setting the furnace at 65, and then pulling the covers back over. In a few minutes, the air is very welcoming, and the furnace noise is just right for breaking the silence of somnolence.

It would help to know exactly what fear you are dreading.

Carbon monoxide poisoning from the furnace is extremely unlikely, due to its design. It's a heat exchanger, and the inside air of the van never comes in contact with combustion flame.

I suppose a propane leak and fire are a risk. Turn on the propane master valve, and then spray soapy water on all the joints and see if they bubble.

kourt

[mikemtnbike]

I really like the furnace. Haven't slept with it on yet, but I'll just last weekend as an example. It was much colder than expected for North Carolina in late may- low 40's. . We had a big group fire and enough clothes, but turning the furnace on made our van a luxurious warming station that my wife and I really, really appreciated.

If the furnace hasn't been used for a while, I'd take it out to check for debris etc especially in the firebox- I had rodent debris in mine. Re-install, possibly with a new core as I think is highlighted in kourt's link, check for propane leaks, and honestly it's just as safe as having a gas furnace in your house.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[xEVC]

Of course, I meant to write CO detector (carbon monoxide) not CO2 above.

Here’s a thread about replacing the LPG detector:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=792579
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2000 Eurovan Camper (Winnebago)
Upgraded with 16" wheels

[OB Bus]

We tested the furnace when we bought our 2002 EVC in 2019. It has never run since. We just have never stayed anywhere *that* cold.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.
People deserve the Government they voted for.