Heatso at Adventure Van Expo San Juan Capistrano 2025: Heating, Cooling, and Comfort for Every Van Life Adventure
Posted by [email protected] on 21st Mar 2026
Heatso proudly joined the 2025 Adventure Van Expo in San Juan Capistrano as an exhibitor, showcasing the latest Eberspacher and Webasto heaters, Autoplay Insulation kits, Nomadic Cooling air conditioning systems, Battle Born Batteries by Dragonfly, and other van-life essentials. From high-altitude heating performance to travelling with dogs in comfort, visitors discovered why Heatso is the go-to source for heating and cooling solutions in the van conversion world and also had a chance to get advice on the topics that matter to them.
Heatso at the Heart of Van Conversion Innovation
This year’s Adventure Van Expo in San Juan Capistrano, California brought together van builders, outdoor brands, and thousands of adventure enthusiasts - and once again, Heatso was proud to be part of it. As a company based in Costa Mesa, this show is practically in our backyard, and it’s one we’ve been part of for many years.
Each year, it’s exciting to reconnect with customers, partners, and vanlife newcomers who rely on our heating and cooling expertise. What made 2025 special was seeing how many visitors already knew us - not just van manufacturers and professional converters, but individual van owners and DIY builders too. Many stopped by to say hello, share their latest build stories, or ask for expert advice on optimizing their van comfort systems.
What We Showcased
At the Heatso booth, we displayed a complete lineup of heating, cooling, and comfort products for adventure vans and overland vehicles:
- Eberspacher heaters – Including the latest Airtronic and Hydronic S3 models known for their reliability and high-altitude performance.
- Webasto heaters – From the Air Top 2000 STC to the Thermo Top EVO, efficient diesel and gasoline models for all-season comfort.
- Nomadic Cooling AC systems – A growing favorite among vanlifers for their quiet, efficient 12V rooftop air conditioning.
- OFF by Indel B refrigerators – Compact, durable, and energy-efficient, perfect for life on the move.
- Battle Born Batteries by Dragonfly Energy – Reliable lithium power storage for heating, cooling, and off-grid operation.
- Autoply insulation kits – Keeping heat in during winter and out during summer.
- Portable AC systems – Compact cooling units ideal for flexible installations and supplemental comfort.
- Combined air-and-water heating systems – Dual-function units that provide both cabin warmth and domestic hot water in one integrated package. Most loved by the van converters.
- Heater parts and accessories – Genuine Eberspacher and Webasto components for professional or DIY maintenance.
What We Showcased
Throughout the weekend, our team answered hundreds of questions from van owners, DIY converters, and pet-loving travelers. Here’s what stood out:
High-Altitude Heating Performance
A major topic at the booth was high-altitude heater capability. Many travelers wanted to know how diesel heaters like the Eberspacher Airtronic S3 or Webasto Air Top 2000 STC perform above 7,000 ft. Our experts explained how altitude sensors and automatic air-fuel adjustments ensure reliable combustion and heat output, even in thin mountain air.
Air Conditioning for Vans
With rising summer temperatures, AC for vans was another hot topic. Visitors explored Nomadic Cooling units, designed for efficient rooftop installation without overloading solar or battery systems.
Split and Portable Cooling Systems
We also discussed split systems for vans, which separate condenser and evaporator units for flexible installation, as well as portable AC solutions for minimal setups or backup comfort during long, hot road trips.
Travelling with Dogs
A surprising (and heartwarming) trend - so many visitors came by with their dogs! They wanted to know how to keep pets safe and comfortable when living or traveling in a van. We shared tips on ventilation, insulation, and temperature control, emphasizing how Eberspacher and Webasto heaters paired with AC systems provide balanced climates for four-legged companions.
Van Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Van builders also showed strong interest in Autoply insulation and other energy-saving materials. Proper insulation not only keeps temperature stable but also helps heaters and air conditioners run more efficiently - a key point for off-grid travelling.
The “Chinese Heater” Conversation
Another recurring discussion at this year’s events was about low-cost “Chinese diesel heaters” that resemble Eberspacher or Webasto units. Several visitors shared mixed experiences and questions about their safety and reliability.
We reminded attendees that safety and certification matter, especially when working with fuel-fired systems inside enclosed vans. Many low-cost copies sold online lack proper testing or manufacturer support, which can lead to unpredictable performance or safety issues.
We had a few attendees complaining about the heater performance and when we started digging deeper, we realised that they ordered their heaters on Amazon thinking they are getting an Eberspacher heater but they actually received low quality copies.
Because this topic generated so much interest at the Adventure Van Expo (and also at the MATS show we attended earlier this year), we’ve decided to prepare a separate article about the cheap heaters from China.
Why Events Like Adventure Van Expo Matter
Participating in the Adventure Van Expo isn’t just about showing products. For us at Heatso, it’s about staying connected to the van life community, understanding what travelers really need, and seeing firsthand how our products are being used in creative ways. It is also a great opportunity to catch up with van converters.
We’re continually inspired by customers who have turned their vans into full-time homes or weekend adventure rigs powered by Eberspacher and Webasto systems. These real-world stories help us refine our technical support and product range year after year.
The Heatso Difference
Heatso continues to lead in heating and cooling systems for adventure vehicles across North America. Whether you’re building your first conversion or upgrading an existing setup, our range of diesel heaters, cooling systems, batteries, and accessories is backed by expert advice, detailed documentation, and genuine OEM parts.
Ready to Upgrade Your Van?
If you couldn’t make it to the San Juan Capistrano show, you can still explore our complete product lineup online or reach out to our team for expert recommendations.
If you are a van converter and need quality heating solutions for your conversions, please reach out as well.
Shop now: Explore Webasto and Eberspacher heaters at Heatso
Contact us: Talk to our experts about heating, cooling, and power solutions - click here
FAQs
Q: Do Eberspacher heaters work at high altitude?
Yes. Many models include automatic altitude adjustment or optional high-altitude kits to maintain clean combustion and full performance above 13,000 ft.
Q: What’s the best heater for travelling with pets?
Both Eberspacher and Webasto heaters offer safe, quiet, and temperature-stable operation – ideal for van owners with dogs or cats.
Q: What’s the benefit of combined air and water heating systems?
They offer cabin warmth and hot water from the same fuel source, saving space and simplifying installation.
Q: What kind of batteries for vans do you recommend?
Lithium batteries like Battle Born by Dragonfly Energy provide reliable power for demanding applications in vans.
Q: Where is Heatso based?
Heatso is based in Costa Mesa, California, USA.
Q: Where to find pre-assembled heater kits for first-time installers?
You can find heaters with full installation kits at Heatso. However, Heatso always recommends leaving installation to professional installers. Please also check our Eberspacher installation checklist before considering DIY cabin heater installation.
