What Kind of Diesel Heater Should I Get for My Caravan?

If you ring and speak to me I will generally offer you 3 kinds of heaters - the cheapest Chinese version (our Kimberly or Pilbara versions ), the mid range Chinese (Au Focus) or European (Autoterm or Eberspacher).

The price rises with each type as does the quality. I think the Au Focus is the best value for money, but if you offered me a free Eberspacher then I'd take it every time (once they get a remote control sorted!)

So here is a brief comparison of cheaper and more expensive heaters:

🔥 Cheap Generic Chinese Heaters — (Kimberly / Pilbara) Pros and Cons

👍 Pros (Why People Buy Them)

• Super low upfront cost — a tiny fraction of the price of a Euro heater, so the wallet doesn’t cry immediately.
• Heats your space — they do produce heat and can make a van, caravan or ute comfortable.
• Easy to snag online — heaps of sellers, quick delivery.
• Simple design — basic units with few bells and whistles, sometimes easier to hack or adapt yourself.

👎 Cons (The Stuff You Don’t Always Hear Upfront)

• Inconsistent build quality — one might run fine, another might fail or be DOA. It’s honestly like a lottery.
• Parts = low quality — glow plugs, fan motors, electronics and housings tend to be cheaper stuff that wears fast.
• Short lifespan — many units don’t last long and are prone to carbon buildup or early failure.
• Safety is not always nailed down — cheaper plastics, potential poor combustion control, and missing thermal protection can be real issues.
• No solid support or warranty — sellers overseas often don’t answer when you need parts or help.
• Noise & performance wobble — these units can be louder and less efficient than claimed.
• Installation guesswork — manuals are often sparse or confusing, so you’re piecing it together from YouTube or forums.

👉 In other words: cheap cost now, but potentially expensive headaches later.

🔥 Mid Range Chinese Heaters  - Au Focus — Pros and Cons

👍 Pros (What You’re Paying For)

• Value for money — a very good product at a fraction of the price for a Euro heater.
• Thermostat — they have a built in thermostat that controls air temp.
• Easy Access to spare parts — Australian based (in Moorrabin) with distributors all around Oz.
• 2 Year Warranty — a good sign they back their product. My experience of working with these guys has been that they bend over backwards to resolve any issues
• Uprgraded Parts - all components of the unit have been upgraded and feel much better quality than bottom end heaters.

👎 Cons (The Not So Good)

• Lower quality digital panel - the higher end heaters have a logic controller that is high quality. The panel of the Au Focus is used on other cheaper heaters.

I really can't think of any more... they are a decent quality product!

🇪🇺 European Heaters (Autoterm, Eberspächer,.) — Pros and Cons

👍 Pros (What You’re Paying For)

• Engineered quality & reliability — solid build, proven performance, and components that go the distance.
• Safety standards compliance — designed to meet European safety directives for mobile heating.
• Cleaner, quieter operation — optimized combustion, better noise control, and stable heat delivery.
• Diagnostics & service support — built-in diagnostics make troubleshooting way easier, and parts + service networks are usually available.
• Long lifespan — these are heaters people buy once, not three times every winter.

👎 Cons (Why Some People Hesitate)

• Price tag — they’re expensive, period. Expect to pay many times what a cheap Chinese unit costs.
• Spare parts can be pricey and harder to come by  — but at least they exist.

🧠 The Bottom Line (No BS)

Chinese heaters are like buying a toolkit from the discount aisle: great value for now but you might be rebuilding it next winter.European heaters are like a quality drill you keep for years — expensive upfront but dependable, safer, and built to last. Au Focus are like a Camry - a decent quality product that will last and be easy to service

If you’re itching to save every buck and you’re comfortable with DIY troubleshooting — Chinese heaters can work. But if you want peace of mind, proven safety, and longevity — the Euro options are what seasoned travellers swear by. Personally I have an Au Focus in my own van!

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