For weekends and longer trips
Heating turns chilly mornings and evenings into useful time in your van. Tell us whether you travel through winter, stay mainly on campsites or spend more time away from electric hookup.
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MORE DAYS AWAY. MORE COMFORT.
Diesel Heaters
South Devon Vehicle Installations at Motorquip
Make your campervan or motorhome a place you want to spend time in, even when the temperature drops. We supply and fit Autoterm diesel air heaters in Newton Abbot, with a choice of output, mounting position and controls.
Get a heater fitting quote ↗AUTOTERM · SUPPLIED & FITTED
Choose the warmth.
We’ll plan the installation.
Four starting packages, with the Simple Controller included and a Comfort Controller upgrade available.
For new and existing conversions
A new build gives us the chance to plan the heater around your furniture. In an existing van, we work through the available space, access and wiring before recommending a position.
A complete fitted quote
The packages below are starting prices including VAT. Your quote confirms the heater, controller, installation position and any work particular to your vehicle before you book.
CHOOSE YOUR INSTALLATION
2kW diesel heaters
For many smaller conversions; suitability depends on size, insulation and layout.
AUTOTERM 2kW
Autoterm 2kW Diesel Heater — Internal Installation
£999.00
Starting fitted price · VAT included · final installation confirmed in your quote
Enquire about this option ↗Installed inside the vehicle, with exhaust routed beneath it.
- Simple Controller included
- Three-year parts and labour warranty
- Fuel supply, wiring, ducting and exhaust routing planned for your vehicle
Comfort Controller upgrade: +£125.00 inc VAT. Adds thermostat temperature control and timer settings.
Full product details & options ↗
AUTOTERM 2kW
Autoterm 2kW Diesel Heater — External Installation
£1,199.00
Starting fitted price · VAT included · final installation confirmed in your quote
Enquire about this option ↗Installed beneath the vehicle in a suitable external enclosure to help preserve interior space.
- Simple Controller included
- Three-year parts and labour warranty
- Fuel supply, wiring, ducting and exhaust routing planned for your vehicle
Comfort Controller upgrade: +£125.00 inc VAT. Adds thermostat temperature control and timer settings.
Full product details & options ↗CHOOSE YOUR INSTALLATION
4kW diesel heaters
For suitable larger campervans and motorhomes, with output matched to the build.
AUTOTERM 4kW
Autoterm 4kW Diesel Heater — Internal Installation
£1,099.00
Starting fitted price · VAT included · final installation confirmed in your quote
Enquire about this option ↗Installed inside the vehicle, with exhaust routed beneath it.
- Simple Controller included
- Three-year parts and labour warranty
- Fuel supply, wiring, ducting and exhaust routing planned for your vehicle
Comfort Controller upgrade: +£125.00 inc VAT. Adds thermostat temperature control and timer settings.
Full product details & options ↗
AUTOTERM 4kW
Autoterm 4kW Diesel Heater — External Installation
£1,299.00
Starting fitted price · VAT included · final installation confirmed in your quote
Enquire about this option ↗Installed beneath the vehicle in a suitable external enclosure to help preserve interior space.
- Simple Controller included
- Three-year parts and labour warranty
- Fuel supply, wiring, ducting and exhaust routing planned for your vehicle
Comfort Controller upgrade: +£125.00 inc VAT. Adds thermostat temperature control and timer settings.
Full product details & options ↗OUTPUT THAT SUITS YOUR VEHICLE
2kW or 4kW?
Choose the right fit.
The bigger number is not automatically the better choice. The space you need to heat and how your van is built both matter.
Compact heating for smaller spaces
The Air 2D is a useful starting point for many smaller campervan conversions. Its compact heater body helps when furniture, a seat base or storage space leaves limited room.
We look at the living area, insulation, windows and any pop-top, alongside where you want the warm air to arrive. A short wheelbase van used mostly in milder weather has a different requirement from a more exposed winter setup.
Compare the 2kW packages ↗More output for a larger interior
The Air 4D provides a higher maximum output for suitable larger conversions and motorhomes. It also needs the space and air distribution to support its specification.
We consider the whole layout, including whether you want warmth at the lounge, sleeping area or more than one outlet. Vehicle length alone does not tell us which heater will work best.
Compare the 4kW packages ↗| Specification | Air 2D | Air 4D |
|---|---|---|
| Heat output | 0.8–2.0kW | 1.0–4.0kW |
| Diesel consumption | 0.10–0.24 litres/hour | Approximately 0.12–0.51 litres/hour |
| Electrical use while running | 10–29W | 10–57W |
| Heated-air flow | 34–86m³/hour | 70–168m³/hour |
These are manufacturer operating ranges, not a promise of fuel use or battery runtime in your vehicle. Starting the heater uses extra electrical power. The exact model, installation and operating conditions matter.
Technical references: Autoterm Air 2D specifications ↗ and Autoterm Air 4D specifications ↗.
TWO WAYS TO PLAN THE FITTING
Inside or outside the van?
Both are available. We confirm the position after checking the vehicle and the usable space.
Internal installation
The heater sits inside the vehicle in a suitable planned location. This may suit a conversion where there is useful space in a seat base or furniture area and a practical route for the necessary connections.
- Consider the space the heater and ducting will occupy.
- Leave room for access rather than boxing everything in permanently.
- Agree the outlet and controller positions alongside your furniture plan.
- The combustion exhaust still goes outside the vehicle.
A tidy result starts with a sensible position, not simply the first gap available.
External installation
The heater is mounted beneath the vehicle in a suitable protective enclosure. This can preserve valuable interior storage, but suitability depends on what is already underneath the van.
- Ground clearance and underbody access need checking.
- Water tanks, steps, exhaust components and other equipment can affect the options.
- Warm-air ducting still needs a route into the living area.
- The enclosure and fittings need to suit the proposed position.
We will explain the practical choice for your vehicle before you commit to an installation.
MAKE IT EASY TO USE
The control that suits your routine.
Simple Controller
The Simple Controller is included in our listed packages. It is the straightforward choice when you want convenient day-to-day control without the extra scheduling functions of Comfort.
Comfort Controller
The Simple Controller is included in our listed packages. Upgrade to Comfort for £125.00 including VAT. It adds an integrated temperature sensor, thermostat mode and timer settings, so you can plan heating around when you use the van.
Comfort supports up to three timers and several heating modes. We will show you the settings available with your heater and help you get started.
Position matters too
Think about where you will reach the control from, whether you use the van mainly in the day or overnight, and where the temperature will be measured. We discuss these details while planning the fit.
Phone or remote-control accessories are not included in the four starting packages. Ask about compatibility if this is something you want.
FITTED IN NEWTON ABBOT
The heater is only part of the job.
Fuel, power, air distribution and access all need to work together.
What we plan with you
We start with your vehicle and how you use it. Your registration and make/model let us establish the starting point; tell us whether the interior is already converted and whether another heater is fitted.
The installation plan covers the heater position, fuel supply, electrical connection, warm-air outlet and controller. Furniture, existing equipment and the finish you want are part of the discussion.
If you are building the van yourself, speak to us before finalising the furniture around the proposed heater space. It is easier to make the layout work together at the planning stage.
What can affect the final quote?
Restricted access, an unusual fuel arrangement, additional outlets, longer ducting routes or changes to the existing electrical system can alter the work required. We explain the proposed specification and any additional work rather than assume every van is identical.
Our advertised Autoterm fitted packages include a three-year parts and labour warranty. We confirm the applicable warranty details and care requirements with your installation. Keep the fitting paperwork for future support.
Campervan and larger-vehicle work is arranged through South Devon Vehicle Installations at Seale Hayne. Visits are by appointment: we will confirm the correct workshop when booking.
FUEL, BATTERY & EVERYDAY USE
What does it need to run?
A suitable diesel supply
Fuel can be taken from a suitable vehicle diesel tank or a separate tank arrangement. The best solution depends on the vehicle and installation; having a petrol engine does not turn a diesel heater into a petrol heater.
Tell us the vehicle’s fuel type so we can discuss the correct arrangement. Any separate tank is considered in the quote.
A reliable electrical supply
The heater burns diesel for heat, but its controls, fan and starting system still need electricity. The listed packages are planned around a suitable 12V supply.
We consider your leisure battery and charging alongside the heater. Low battery capacity or an unsuitable connection can spoil an otherwise good installation. A heater does not replace a battery or charging upgrade.
Costs that depend on use
Fuel use varies with the heater output and how much heat the van needs. Your insulation, outside temperature and chosen setting all affect the result.
To estimate fuel cost, multiply litres used by your diesel price per litre. Battery runtime also needs to allow for your lights, fridge and other equipment; we do not promise a fixed number of nights from a heater specification alone.
Warm air, independently of hookup
A correctly specified diesel air-heater installation can provide warmth using its fuel and battery supplies, without needing a mains-powered fan heater. Your battery still needs to be kept charged for the time you plan to stay away.
That makes heating worth considering alongside leisure batteries, solar and charging upgrades ↗.
Air heating or hot water?
The Air 2D and Air 4D packages on this page heat the interior air. They do not include a domestic hot-water system.
If you want space heating and hot water as part of a wider conversion, include both in your enquiry. We also discuss other heating and hot-water systems, including Truma diesel and electric options, as a separate installation proposal.
AFTER THE FITTING
Get to know your heater.
Use the supplied operating instructions and the controls demonstrated at handover. Switch the heater off through its controller and allow its shutdown cycle to finish before isolating power. Keep air inlets and outlets unobstructed, and switch the heater off before refuelling.
Follow the manufacturer’s routine care guidance, including running it periodically when it is otherwise unused. If you notice a fault, unusual fumes or repeated failed starts, stop using it and arrange an inspection.
Before a winter trip, give yourself time to check the heater and battery condition. Tell us the model, controller message and symptoms if you need help; do not wait until the night before travelling to investigate an existing problem.
A heater should complement the vehicle’s ventilation and safety arrangements. We can discuss its position and use as part of the fitting plan.
Autoterm operating and installation manual ↗BEFORE YOU BOOK
Diesel heater questions.
Clear answers before you choose your installation.
Which diesel heater is best for my campervan?
Start with the space you need to heat, the insulation and how you travel. We compare the 2kW and 4kW options with your layout and intended use. You do not need to know the answer before enquiring: tell us about the van and we will help specify it.
Is a 4kW heater always better than a 2kW heater?
No. More maximum output does not automatically make a heater better suited to a small space. The aim is useful, controllable warmth with a sensible installation. We consider output, air distribution and the vehicle together.
Can you fit a heater to a van that is already converted?
Yes, subject to checking the available space and access. Existing furniture, flooring and underbody equipment may influence the position and the work needed. Tell us that the conversion is already complete so we can plan around it.
Can it be fitted underneath the van?
External installation is one of our four package choices. We check clearance, underbody equipment and routes into the living area before confirming it. It is an option to assess, not a position we promise for every vehicle.
Do the advertised prices include installation and VAT?
Yes. The four listed packages are starting supply-and-fitting prices including VAT and the Simple Controller. Your confirmed quote sets out the final installation and any vehicle-specific extras. Select a package to see its controller choices.
What does the Comfort Controller add?
Comfort adds an integrated temperature sensor, thermostat mode and timer settings to the package. It is useful if you want more control over when the heater operates. The current upgrade is shown with each product, and we explain the available modes at handover.
Can a diesel heater run when I am off electric hookup?
It can run from the suitable battery and fuel supplies specified for its installation. It still uses electricity, especially when starting. Your battery capacity, condition, charging and other loads determine how long you can stay away from hookup.
Can you fit a diesel heater in a petrol van?
A suitable separate diesel fuel arrangement may be possible, subject to the vehicle and installation space. The heater still requires the correct diesel fuel. Tell us that the van is petrol-powered when enquiring so the fuel arrangement is included in the assessment.
Will this heater provide hot water as well?
The Air 2D and Air 4D packages shown here are warm-air heating installations. Hot water is not included. If you want both heating and hot water, tell us about your wider conversion and we will discuss a suitable separate system.
Can you replace an old heater?
Ask us about the existing make, model and installation. A replacement is not automatically a direct swap: its fuel system, wiring, controls, ducting and exhaust arrangement need checking for the new equipment. We confirm what needs replacing in the quote.
How long does fitting take?
The time depends on the vehicle, access and the work included. We confirm the appointment arrangements once the installation is specified, rather than advertise the same fitting time for every van.
Where do I bring the vehicle?
We arrange campervan and larger-vehicle work through South Devon Vehicle Installations at Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot. All visits are by appointment. Your booking confirmation will tell you which workshop to use and any access arrangements.
What information do you need for a quote?
Your name, contact details, registration, make and model, plus your preferred internal or external position and 2kW or 4kW size if known. Mention an existing heater, a completed conversion or any battery concerns. The enquiry form has a dedicated Diesel heater option.
Can I combine heater fitting with electrical upgrades?
Yes, include everything in the same enquiry. We can plan the heater alongside leisure-battery, charging, solar or other electrical work and confirm the complete proposal. This is particularly useful when the van is being built or refurbished.
AUTOTERM FITTING · NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON
Make the next trip a warmer one.
Choose a package or let us help you decide. Tell us what you drive and how you use it, and we will work through the heater and installation with you.
Based in Newton Abbot, we welcome enquiries from Torbay, Teignbridge, Totnes, Exeter and across Devon. Please arrange your visit with us first.
Browse all diesel heater packages ↗ · Build & Upgrade Guide ↗ · Read customer reviews ↗