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The Truma Varioheat propane forced air furnace is touted to be the latest and greatest. It gets outstanding reviews. What’s the truth? I’m game for jumping in and trying things. One big problem. They are not sold for aftermarket installation. They are sold to manufacturers for installation in new Rvs. Regular Truma dealers around the country cannot purchase a furnace for resale or installation by their techs. Truma offers sale and installation in other RVs only at four sites across the US. One is their headquarters in Indiana and three other locations using mobile installers. With no ill intended and not saying I’m the best at everything or anything, some of the installs I’ve seen told me I would not let them touch my camper. Also, I did not know if one would fit in our small camper.
Here's the messy part. I found a unit for sale along with installation parts, instructions, and helpful advice. I expect Truma could be unhappy with this. Enough said. I don’t recommend you do this. I went ahead knowing that I’m completely on my own and expect I would not have support if the unit fails sometime in the future. I’m trusting in that much touted fine German engineering.
Once I had the unit in hand, I saw I could mount it where the Atwood furnace was installed by ATC. This is right where I wanted it. Hot air rises so I like it starting near the floor.
Out with the old.
The exhaust port can be mounted through wood, so I filled the gap.
That’s full thickness plywood in the bottom section and 1/8” plywood at the top. The top gap will be filled with insulation. I made a trip down to All Terrain Campers to have new siding placed over the exterior.
The above photo shows the hole for the exhaust port but also shows the simple bombproof bracket installation to mount the furnace to the floor – strips of 1/8” aluminum angle. The seller suggested this to me and provided a photo on how he mounts this way.
Looks great, doesn’t it? Marty and the guys at ATC do top quality work and know campers inside and out. These guys I trust.
Here's the messy part. I found a unit for sale along with installation parts, instructions, and helpful advice. I expect Truma could be unhappy with this. Enough said. I don’t recommend you do this. I went ahead knowing that I’m completely on my own and expect I would not have support if the unit fails sometime in the future. I’m trusting in that much touted fine German engineering.
Once I had the unit in hand, I saw I could mount it where the Atwood furnace was installed by ATC. This is right where I wanted it. Hot air rises so I like it starting near the floor.
Out with the old.



The exhaust port can be mounted through wood, so I filled the gap.

That’s full thickness plywood in the bottom section and 1/8” plywood at the top. The top gap will be filled with insulation. I made a trip down to All Terrain Campers to have new siding placed over the exterior.

The above photo shows the hole for the exhaust port but also shows the simple bombproof bracket installation to mount the furnace to the floor – strips of 1/8” aluminum angle. The seller suggested this to me and provided a photo on how he mounts this way.





Looks great, doesn’t it? Marty and the guys at ATC do top quality work and know campers inside and out. These guys I trust.
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