About six months ago, I picked up a new toy – the Planar Heaters 4kw diesel heater. Given that those six months spanned fall and winter, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to put it through its paces. Whether I was camping in the mountains or dealing with unexpected cold snaps, this heater has kept my setup warm and comfortable without fail.
So, is this diesel heater worth the price of admission? Absolutely. It’s highly portable, easy to use, fuel-efficient, and impressively quiet—all critical factors when choosing a heating solution for overlanding. But that’s just scratching the surface. There’s a lot more to talk about, from its rugged build to its smart design, and I’m excited to share my experience.
This heater has quickly become a staple in my overlanding gear. Whether I’m setting up camp for the night or just need a reliable heat source in cold conditions, the Planar 4kw diesel heater has delivered time and time again. And because it’s built tough, I don’t have to worry about babying it—it’s designed to handle the rigors of off-grid life.
In the video above, I take a detailed look at this diesel heater in action. My original plan was to test it in deep snow and freezing conditions, but thanks to a closed mountain pass, I ended up filming in much sunnier surroundings. Even so, I’ll walk you through its features, performance, and why I think it’s one of the best investments I’ve made for my overlanding setup.
Below is a summary of my review for your reference.
Table of Contents
- Planar Portable Diesel Heater Specs and Features
- Why a Diesel Heater?
- How to Operate the Planar Portable Diesel Heater
- What if I Don’t Need a 4kw Diesel Heater?
- Six Months With the Planar Diesel Heater
- FAQs
Planar Portable Diesel Heater Specs and Features
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of this review, let’s have a quick look at the specs and features of this heater:
- Heat Output: 3,400-13,600 BTUs
- Fuel Types: Diesel or Kerosene
- Power Supply: 12-volt
- Airflow Rate: 70-168 m3/h
- Fuel Consumption: 0.03-0.14 gal/h
- Weight: 33 lbs.
- Dimensions: 25x19x19 in.
Additionally, this diesel heater is housed in a crush-proof, rain-resistant case (I can sit or stand on it without worry). The heater is equipped with a silencer for quiet operation, an air intake filter, and can operate in high altitude situations (above 8,000 ft.).
The diesel heater also comes with a wired remote controller – a critical feature since the heater unit sits outside the tent. You don’t want to have to get up and go outside to adjust the temperature on a cold night!
Now, this heater is definitely overkill for my rooftop tent. But, with 4kw of power, I can use it for all sorts of applications – heating my garage in the winter, heating critical areas of my home in case of a power outage, or if I ever get an RV, camper, or boat, this heater will get them toasty warm, too.
Why a Diesel Heater?
There are a variety of methods I could have gone with to heat up my rooftop tent over the course of my winter overlanding adventures. But for my money, a diesel heater is the best option.
A small propane heater might take the chill out of the air, but it could also fill the tent with deadly carbon monoxide. An electric heater may again warm up the tent, but I’d need to run a generator all night to keep the darn thing going.
There’s also the issue of condensation with these heating methods. Condensation inside your tent is the last thing you want (well, maybe a close second to carbon monoxide). Not only will it leave your belongings moist, but it can help introduce mold and musty smells into your tent.
But with a diesel heater like this one, there’s no concern about power consumption, carbon monoxide, or condensation.
This heater runs off of diesel or kerosene in addition to power from a 12-volt battery. The battery keeps the heater running all night long, and since the heater is so fuel-efficient, it can run for eight hours on about 3-4 liters of fuel.
What’s more, the Planar 4kw portable diesel heater sits outside the tent in an enclosed case. The warm air is pumped up into my tent via a hose, so I get the warmth I want, but with the heater on the ground below me, I don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide buildup in the tent.
This diesel heater also produces dry heat. That being the case, there are no condensation issues inside my tent.
So, in short, that’s why a diesel heater is my choice – it’s power and fuel-efficient, safe to operate, and there’s no worry about condensation.
How to Operate the Planar Portable Diesel Heater
In addition to providing safe, reliable, dry heat, the advantage of this heater is that it’s super easy to operate.
As you can see above, there are two connectors. The small one is the power cable, and the larger one is the controller.
To operate the diesel heater, simply plug those connectors in, make sure there is sufficient fuel, and get power from a solid 12-volt power source.
Next, insert the vent pipe into your tent, connect the pipe to the heater, and press the lower-right button on the controller to initiate the start sequence. That’s it! And to turn the diesel heater off, simply press the same button.
As the heater warms your tent, you can use the wired remote to adjust the temperature. It really couldn’t be any simpler!
It’s worth mentioning as well that this heater is quiet. Now, obviously, it will make some noise, but if you watch the video review of this diesel heater, you’ll get to hear it operating with your own ears, and I think you’ll agree, the silencer on this thing really keeps the heater from being too noisy.
What if I Don’t Need a 4kw Diesel Heater?
As I mentioned before, this heater is overkill for my camping needs, but better safe than sorry, right?!
Luckily, if you don’t want or need a heater this powerful, Planar Heaters has a 2kw portable diesel heater that puts out 2,700-7,000 BTUs.
Additionally, I have a 2kw diesel heater installed in the nose of my Turtleback Expedition Trailer. That unit is one that is permanently installed as opposed to being portable. The 2kw of power is just right for keeping my SMRT Summit Suite rooftop tent warm, even on the coldest nights.
So, there are plenty of options for you if 4kw of heating power is a bit much for your needs.
Six Months With the Planar Diesel Heater
After six months of use, this diesel heater has more than proven its value. The portability alone is well worth the price.
As I noted earlier, I can use this for my rooftop tent, one of my ground tents, or to provide heat to friends or family in their tents when we go on adventures together. I can also use it in emergencies to heat my house.
And then when the weather warms up, I can simply put this heater in storage and wait until fall arrives.
At the end of the day, you want your overlanding gear to be well-made, highly functional, and not take up a ton of room in your rig. The Planar 4kw diesel heater ticks all those boxes.
Add in the ease of use, the crush-proof housing, the instant dry heat, and the fuel efficiency, and you’ve got an ideal combination of features.
Check out the video at the beginning of this article to get the full review on this heater. And, of course, visit Planar Heaters if you want to pick one up for yourself!
FAQs
How much fuel does the Planar 4kw diesel heater use?
The Planar 4kw diesel heater is designed for maximum fuel efficiency, consuming just 0.03-0.14 gallons per hour depending on the heat setting. On a full tank, it can run for 8-10 hours, making it one of the best options for long overnight trips without worrying about constant refueling.
Can you use the Planar diesel heater at high altitudes?
Yes! The Planar 4kw diesel heater is designed to work at altitudes above 8,000 feet, making it ideal for high-altitude camping. Unlike some other heaters that struggle with fuel efficiency at elevation, this one includes altitude adjustment features to ensure smooth operation in the mountains.
How safe is the Planar diesel heater?
Safety is a huge advantage of this heater compared to traditional propane options. Since the heater unit sits outside the tent, there’s no risk of carbon monoxide buildup inside. It pumps in dry, warm air through a hose, eliminating condensation issues while keeping the sleeping area completely safe and comfortable.
How noisy is the Planar 4kw diesel heater?
For a powerful heater, it’s surprisingly quiet. The built-in silencer and air intake filter help keep noise to a minimum. While you’ll still hear it running, the sound is more of a low hum rather than an annoying drone – perfect for getting a good night’s sleep in the wild.
Is the Planar 4kw diesel heater worth the price?
Without a doubt. Between its fuel efficiency, reliable performance, safety features, and portability, this heater is one of the best heating solutions for overlanding and outdoor adventures. If you frequently camp in cold conditions, this is a must-have piece of gear that will make your trips far more comfortable.
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