Alde vs. Truma heating
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Sounds good! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
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Corners, our Bolero had a heating pipe that went outside the van, mainly to cross from one side (where the heater was, rear nearside under the bed) to the other (where the front lounge seating vents were, offside).
if the pipe has to cross the van, it can't do it inside the van in a single floored van, hence having to duck under the floor....
surely any designer would realise that this isn't good and ensure the heater and vents were on the same side and can this be routed forward under furniture...
we have a double floor so the heater pipes (and plumbing/electrics) are all enclosed, wherever they get routed, and this also provides for lovely warm tootsies....
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Congratulations, I think that there may be a misprint on the specs I have just seen. It claims the length is 8.1m. I am sure it is only 7.99m on a ferry or tunnel booking😉
We got used to towing a wider van very quickly, so I don’t think you will have any problems. If you have Milenco mirrors then you can get extension arms to account for the extra width.
On subject of heating does anyone know how much gas the Truma system consumes on an average winter day? I know it’s a how long is a piece of string question sorry. Just curious, because the Alde system is certainly gas hungry.
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Well done!
As for the slight extra width, if the wing mirrors go through a gap then the caravan certainly will.
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Boff and dm - thanks. I'm sure you are right re the extra width. After all, it's only 3" either side and what's 3" between friends
. I tend to be cautious and was a bit concerned about buying the TA Barcelona when we got it - but soon got used to it and now wouldn't dream of going back to a single axle.All very exciting and lots to organise before we pick it up!
Can't answer your question re gas usage - we only run ours on gas(and electricity) for about 10 minutes to give it a boost but I must agree, even with that limited usage, it does seem to use a lot. However, now being a Safefill user, it doesn't bother me too much.
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"On subject of heating does anyone know how much gas the Truma system consumes on an average winter day? I know it’s a how long is a piece of string question sorry. Just curious, because the Alde system is certainly gas hungry."
It is hard to credit there will be any real difference in the efficiency of burning the gas, possibly one or the other will "waste" a tad more in the exhaust system but that will largely depend on how long a flue is on any particular installation. The longer the better re heat recovery to the combustion.
So as both will generate the same heat then the usage of gas will be the same to achieve like conditions.
What could be very different is what gets warm and with that the distribution. Here being able to place yourself in a warm air breeze it will warm you up quicker than waiting till the whole ambience lifts up to a comfortable temperature. In that regard for short term, localised warming up the Truma will use less gas as often in our situations as we want a bit of warmth, where we will be, when rising or before retiring. That is in the shoulder seasons were heating use is short term, the day time temps inside without it being okay. As opposed to camping in such sustained cold ambient the heating needs to be on continuously and we want warmth wherever we are in the van.
Whilst a big fan of wet systems both with vans and homes I concede that with caravans/motorhomes needing heating for the short duration likely in the shoulder seasons, a good blown air is probably the "best", certainly much cheaper solution.. A van really needed for the worst of winter then it would unquestionably be our choice to go wet. But these days the deep winter caravanning is becoming more just a memory.
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We have never had a twin. We have a 8m SA and I am more than happy with its towing characteristics. The only problem we have had that might be attributable to being a SA was on a soft pitch the wheels sank slightly and the tow vechicle at time didn’t have enough traction to pull it off maybe a twin would have settled less.
We were away for three nights this weekend I have almost emptied a Safe fill mk1 bottle. So the Alde certainly uses the gas or electricity I guess. For reference it took 1hr for the indicated temperature on the controller to go from 5.5C to 13C. The van had stood unheated for 3 weeks so everything was well chilled. So there is a lot of energy required to raised the interior temperature. Of course once it got to temperature it was great, I’m sure the Truma system will work just as well.
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Some facts
max gas consumption propane Alde 3020 = 405g/hr, Truma Combi 4 = 335g/hr, Combi 6 = 460g/hr
Once van is up to temp the consumption reduces accordingly but this obviously depends on the design of the Heating installation and the insulation properties of the van.
A little light viewing which quite well explains testing and each system, Truma approx 1 hr warm up from -15C Alde approx1.5 - 2Hrs
see what you think?
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/blog/35264-a-night-in-a-freezer
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Hope you have many years of enjoyment and pleasure with your Knaus 695, it is a great looking caravan inside and outside. As I have already said that we own a Knaus, and if there is anything that you need to no about your new van and the dealer cannot help you, just e'mail Knaus direct in Germany and they will get straight back to you, because they are very helpful. Best wishes for the future. CGB.
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Thanks CGB - most kind. Yes, very excited about the new van and it looks especially smart with the cream leather upholstery! Just in the process of stripping out the Barcelona and as a consequence the house and garage are cluttered with all the accumulated gear despite my purge recently to keep everything to a minimum! At least I won't have to worry too much about that with the new van's payload of 350kg!
Bit of a logistical nightmare for when we pick it up on the 13th since we bought it from ALV at Tebay which is hardly on our doorstep but we will be staying on a site nearby for the night to make sure everything works.
Then back home and off to Chatsworth for Christmas a few days later.
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Thanks Micky - we'll do our best!
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I would imagine that the new leather smells great when you walk in your new caravan. We have 280kg of payload with our 565, because it came plated at 1700kg from the factory. We brought it from Weston-super-mere and we live in the Midlands but we go to Devon and Cornwall a lot with the van and try and work it in with a holiday if we need to call in for a service or anything. Enjoy Chatsworth, we have been there many times. and always enjoyed useing the back gate and walking in the grounds along the river. with the dogs, but always on the lead because of the sheep.
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Sometimes I wonder why we all get excited about heating in caravans, mostly for only a few days a year. I saw a stand full of mini fan heaters today that plug in directly to a socket they were only about 4" square, output stated to be 600w advertised to be enough to heat smaller rooms, cost was £40 each, no doubt cheaper somewhere on the net. You could buy a few (incl spare units just in case) and not get near the cost of a Truma or Aldi System.
I`ve just remembered - MARKETING!
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yes, I saw those, too....thay came with a remote control aswell.
they also had 400w ones at £40 a pair....no remote, but great for cold spots?
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Whilst I agree to an extent, I did point out that we use the van all year-round - as evidenced by the fact we are off to Chatsworth for Christmas. Whilst I carry a small fan heater for emergencies, it's not the same as having the van toasty warm and looking out on the snow or rain pouring down outside!
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