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Born to Roam 2kW Bluetooth Diesel Heater – Full Kit with 5L Tank

Born to Roam 2kW Bluetooth Diesel Heater – Full Kit with 5L Tank

SKU: 100-02800

$1,084.00
$1,084.00
Sale Sold out
GST included.

Off-Grid Warmth, Controlled From Your Phone

The Born to Roam 2kW Bluetooth Diesel Heater is the size most campervans, small-to-mid caravans, and single-zone motorhomes run — it's the same core AU Focus platform used by Jayco across Australia, now with Bluetooth control layered on top of the LCD panel and remote. This Full Kit version includes the 5L stainless steel fuel tank, so it's ready to install as a complete standalone heating system. Rated to operate down to -41°C, it's built for genuinely cold conditions, not just a mild NZ winter.

Vanlifer stocks and installs Born to Roam diesel heaters in Auckland — so if you'd rather not run wiring and cut an exhaust hole yourself, we can fit it as part of your build.

Why Choose This Kit

  • Three heat modes — Fan Only (air circulation, no fuel used), Manual Heat (levels 1–10), and Smart Mode, which holds a set target temperature (8–36°C) and cycles off once reached
  • Control your way — Bluetooth app, included remote, or the LCD panel itself
  • Low running cost — average 0.36 L/h diesel and 36W of power while running
  • Rated to -41°C — built for genuinely harsh conditions and altitudes up to 5,000m
  • Quiet heavy-duty fuel pump — built to avoid the tick-tick pump noise cheaper heaters are known for
  • Complete kit — 5L stainless tank, mounting plate, ducting, exhaust, wiring harness and filters all included

How It Works: Modes & Startup Cycle

Starting the heater takes about 3 minutes to prepare the combustion chamber before warm air begins. Turning it off runs a 3–5 minute shutdown and cool-down cycle that burns off remaining fuel in the chamber — always let this finish rather than cutting power early, as interrupting it causes excess smoke and carbon build-up over time. The manufacturer also recommends running the unit on high for at least 15 minutes once a month, even in warmer months, to keep everything circulating and stop diesel in the lines going stale.

Which Born to Roam Kit Do You Need?

This kit — 2kW, Full Kit, 5L tank Most campervans and small-to-mid caravans; standard single-zone setup
5kW, Full Kit, 9.5L tank Larger toy haulers, multi-zone caravans, or regularly cold climates
2kW, No Tank You already have a fuel supply planned, or want a custom tank

Specifications

Brand Born to Roam (AU Focus)
Heating Power 2kW
Hot Air Volume 90 m³/h
Main Unit Weight 2.7 kg
Main Unit Dimensions 310 x 115 x 122 mm
Average Fuel Consumption 0.36 L/h
Rated Power Consumption 36W running; under 100W briefly during ignition/restart
Tank Capacity 5L, 304-grade stainless steel, with fuel level gauge and lockable cap
Estimated Run Time (full tank) Approx. 13–14 hours continuous; longer on Smart Mode
Operating Temperature -41°C to +50°C
Maximum Altitude 5,000m
Control Bluetooth app, remote control, LCD panel
Voltage 12V DC
Warranty 24 months
Certification RCM

What's Included

  • Main heater unit with heavy-duty heat-resistant casing
  • 5L stainless steel fuel tank, mounting plate and heavy-duty fuel pump
  • Full wiring harness, LCD control panel and remote
  • Ducting, exhaust, muffler, filters, clamps and installation hardware

Installation & Fitment

This kit is designed to be DIY-friendly — it includes the mounting plate, a hole saw guide, and a full wiring harness. It does involve cutting through a floor or wall panel for the exhaust and combustion air intake, plus running 12V wiring, so if you'd rather leave that to someone else, Vanlifer installs these as part of full campervan builds or as a standalone fit for an existing van or caravan. Keep the exhaust run as short as possible to avoid carbon build-up, and make sure nothing sits within 75mm of the exhaust pipe — it runs extremely hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2kW enough to heat my van or caravan?
For most campervans, small caravans, and single-room motorhome layouts, yes — 2kW is the standard size for typical RV use. For larger toy haulers or multi-zone caravans, the 5kW step-up gives more headroom.

How long will a full 5L tank last?
The manufacturer rates average consumption at 0.36 L/h for the 2kW model, working out to roughly 13–14 hours of continuous run time on a full 5L tank. Running mostly on Smart Mode stretches this further.

How much diesel does the 2kW model use per hour?
0.36 L/h on average. Actual use varies with heat setting, and drops further on Smart Mode once it reaches your set temperature and cycles off.

How much electrical power does the 2kW model draw?
36W rated consumption while running, with a brief spike to under 100W during ignition and restart while the glow plug heats up.

How long does it take to heat up, and can I switch it off instantly?
Startup takes about 3 minutes before you'll feel warm air. Shutdown runs a 3–5 minute cool-down cycle — always let this finish rather than cutting power early, since interrupting it causes excess smoke and carbon build-up over time.

Does it need regular running to stay in good condition?
Yes — run it on high for at least 15 minutes every month, even outside the cold season, to keep everything circulating and stop the diesel in the lines going stale.

What temperature range and altitude can it handle?
Rated from -41°C to +50°C, and up to 5,000m altitude — built for genuinely harsh conditions, not just mild NZ winters.

Is it quiet enough to run overnight while sleeping?
Yes — it uses a heavy-duty, super-quiet fuel pump specifically to avoid the ticking noise cheaper diesel heaters are known for. Pump placement during install affects how much you'll hear it.

Do I need a professional installer, or can I DIY the install?
It's designed to be DIY-friendly with full instructions included, but it does involve cutting an exhaust/intake hole and 12V wiring. We install these as part of Vanlifer builds or as a standalone fit if you'd rather not.

What happens if it shows an error code or won't start?
The LCD displays a specific error code rather than failing silently, making diagnosis straightforward. Most startup failures trace back to fuel not yet reaching the combustion chamber after a refill — there's a built-in priming function for exactly this. Get in touch and we'll talk you through it, or handle it directly if we installed your unit.

What's the warranty, and is local support available in NZ?
24 months, with Vanlifer handling warranty support and troubleshooting locally in Auckland.

Is it safe to run while sleeping, and where does the exhaust go?
Yes, when installed correctly — combustion air intake and exhaust are both ducted outside the vehicle, so only clean heated air enters the cabin. The exhaust routing must never be blocked or modified, and we'd recommend a carbon monoxide alarm as routine safety practice regardless of heater brand.

Warranty & Support

Backed by a 24-month manufacturer warranty, plus Vanlifer's local support and installation expertise in Auckland.

Specifications

Brand: Born to Roam (AU Focus). Heating Power: 2kW. Hot Air Volume: 90 m3/h. Main Unit Weight: 2.7kg. Main Unit Dimensions: 310x115x122mm. Average Fuel Consumption: 0.36 L/h. Rated Power Consumption: 36W running, under 100W during ignition/restart. Tank Capacity: 5L 304-grade stainless steel with fuel gauge and lockable cap. Estimated Run Time: approx 13-14 hours continuous per full tank. Operating Temperature: -41C to +50C. Maximum Altitude: 5000m. Control: Bluetooth app, remote control, LCD panel. Voltage: 12V DC. Warranty: 24 months. Certification: RCM.

Downloads

Product Manual

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People are asking

Is 2kW enough to heat my van or caravan?

For most campervans, small caravans, and single-room motorhome layouts, yes — 2kW is the standard size Born to Roam ships for typical RV use and is what most Jayco-spec vans run. If you've got a larger toy hauler, a bigger caravan with multiple zones, or you're chasing genuinely cold climates regularly, the 5kW step-up gives more heating headroom.

How long will a full 5L tank last?

The manufacturer rates average consumption on the 2kW model at 0.36 L/h, which works out to roughly 13-14 hours of continuous run time on a full 5L tank. Running mostly on Smart Mode, where it cycles off once it reaches temperature, will stretch this further.

How much diesel does the 2kW model use per hour?

The manufacturer rates average consumption at 0.36 L/h for the 2kW model. Actual use varies with your heat setting, and drops further on Smart Mode once it reaches your set temperature and cycles off.

How much electrical power does the 2kW model draw?

36W rated power consumption while running. There's a brief spike to under 100W during ignition and restart cycles while the glow plug heats up, then draw settles back down.

How long does it take to heat up, and can I switch it off instantly?

Startup takes around 3 minutes to prepare the combustion chamber before you'll feel warm air. When you turn it off, it runs a 3 to 5 minute shutdown and cool-down cycle to burn off any remaining fuel in the chamber — always let this finish rather than cutting power early, since interrupting it causes excess smoke and carbon build-up that reduces efficiency over time.

Does it need regular running to stay in good condition?

Yes — the manufacturer recommends running it on high for at least 15 minutes every month, even outside of the cold season, to keep everything circulating and stop the diesel in the lines from going stale. Worth checking ducting and inlet/outlet vents for obstructions at the same time.

What temperature range and altitude can it handle?

Rated to operate from -41°C to +50°C, and up to 5,000m altitude. It's built for genuinely harsh conditions, not just mild NZ winters.

Is it quiet enough to run overnight while sleeping?

Yes — it's built around a heavy-duty, super-quiet fuel pump specifically to avoid the ticking noise cheaper diesel heaters are known for. Most owners run it overnight without issue, though pump placement during install affects how much you'll hear it, so mounting it away from the sleeping area helps.

Do I need a professional installer, or can I DIY the install?

It's designed to be DIY-friendly — the kit includes a mounting plate, hole saw guidance, wiring harness, and full instructions. That said, it involves cutting a hole through your floor or wall for the exhaust and intake, plus 12V wiring, so if you're not confident with that we install these as part of Vanlifer builds and as a standalone fit.

What happens if it shows an error code or won't start?

The LCD panel displays a specific error code (e.g. low fuel, voltage issue, fan or sensor fault) rather than just failing silently, which makes diagnosis straightforward. Most startup failures trace back to fuel not yet reaching the combustion chamber after a refill — the unit has a built-in priming function for exactly this situation. Get in touch and we can talk you through the fault code or handle it directly if we installed your unit.

What's the warranty, and is local support available in NZ?

24 months. Vanlifer handles warranty support and troubleshooting locally in Auckland, so you're not stuck dealing with an overseas manufacturer directly if something needs sorting.

Is it safe to run while sleeping, and where does the exhaust go?

These are combustion air heaters: the fuel burns in a sealed chamber and both the combustion air intake and the exhaust are ducted outside the vehicle through the supplied exhaust and muffler kit, so only clean heated air enters the cabin. This design is what makes overnight use standard practice with this type of heater — but it depends entirely on correct installation. The exhaust routing must never be blocked, modified, or vented into an enclosed space, and we'd always recommend running a carbon monoxide alarm in the vehicle as routine safety practice regardless of heater brand.