6 Best Catalytic Heaters For Enclosed RV Spaces That Nomads Swear By

It’s 3 AM, you’re parked deep in a national forest, and the temperature inside your rig has dropped into the 40s. Firing up the standard RV furnace would shatter the silence and drain your precious battery bank by morning. This is the exact moment every boondocker realizes they need a better way to stay warm off-grid.

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Why Catalytic Heat is Ideal for RV Boondocking

The magic of a catalytic heater is what it doesn’t do. It doesn’t have a fan, it doesn’t have a flame, and it doesn’t use any 12-volt power. Instead, it uses a chemical reaction between propane and a platinum-coated ceramic mat to produce gentle, radiant heat—much like the warmth you feel from the sun. This process is incredibly efficient, converting nearly 100% of the propane into heat with almost no waste.

For nomads, this translates into three huge wins. First, it’s completely silent, preserving the peace and quiet of your remote campsite. Second, it sips propane, allowing you to stay off-grid longer on a single tank. Third, with zero battery draw, you can save all your power for lights, water pumps, and charging devices, which is the entire point of a good solar and battery setup.

The critical tradeoff, however, is that most catalytic heaters are unvented. This means they consume oxygen from inside your rig and release moisture and carbon dioxide as byproducts. Proper ventilation isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a mandatory part of using these heaters safely.

Camco Wave-3: Top Pick for Small Van Builds

The Wave-3 is the smallest of the legendary Camco lineup, and it’s the undisputed champion for compact spaces. With an adjustable output from 1,600 to 3,000 BTUs, it provides just enough warmth to take the edge off a cold night in a well-insulated cargo van or a small travel trailer without turning it into a sauna. This is a classic case where more is not better; overpowering a small space leads to constant adjusting and wasted fuel.

Think of it this way: in a Ford Transit or Ram Promaster, the Wave-3 can raise the temperature by a comfortable 20-30 degrees. It’s the perfect unit for shoulder season camping or for full-timers who follow temperate weather. Its low propane consumption is a major benefit, often running for days on a low setting from a standard 20-pound propane tank.

Installation is straightforward. It can be permanently wall-mounted to save floor space or used with optional leg stands for portability. For a van dweller who values simplicity and efficiency above all else, the Wave-3 is almost always the right answer.

Camco Wave-6: The Versatile All-Around Favorite

If there’s a "Goldilocks" model in the catalytic world, the Wave-6 is it. Producing between 3,200 and 6,000 BTUs, it hits the sweet spot for a huge range of RVs. It’s powerful enough for a Class C motorhome, a mid-size Airstream, or a larger van conversion, but it can also be turned down low enough to work in smaller rigs without being overkill.

This versatility is why so many full-time nomads swear by the Wave-6. It has the power to handle an unexpected cold snap in the desert but is efficient enough for daily use. If you have a rig between 20 and 28 feet, this is likely your starting point. It provides a robust amount of heat that you can feel from several feet away, making the entire living space feel cozy.

Like its smaller sibling, the Wave-6 is silent, requires no electricity, and can be mounted permanently or used with leg stands. It consumes more propane than the Wave-3, of course, but it delivers significantly more heating power, making it a reliable workhorse for those who spend serious time in varied climates.

Camco Wave-8: Maximum Heat Output for Large Rigs

The Wave-8 is the powerhouse of the series, designed for big spaces with big heating needs. Kicking out 4,200 to 8,000 BTUs, this unit is intended for large fifth wheels, Class A motorhomes, and poorly insulated school bus conversions. If you have a lot of cubic feet to heat, especially in a rig with multiple slide-outs or older insulation, the Wave-8 has the muscle to get the job done.

However, this heater is serious overkill for most vans and small trailers. Installing a Wave-8 in a 20-foot travel trailer would be a mistake. You’d find yourself cracking windows wide open just to keep from overheating, defeating the entire purpose of an efficient heater.

The decision to get a Wave-8 should be based on a clear need for high heat output. It’s the right tool for full-timers who brave true winter conditions or those living in older, draftier rigs. For everyone else, its higher propane consumption and intense radiant heat make one of the smaller Wave models a much more practical choice.

Dickinson Newport: A Premium Marine-Grade Option

While not strictly a catalytic heater, the Dickinson Newport Propane Fireplace deserves a spot on this list because it solves the biggest issue with them: ventilation. Originally designed for sailboats, this compact fireplace is a vented appliance. It pulls its combustion air from outside your RV and exhausts all byproducts back outside through a small chimney.

This sealed combustion process means it adds zero moisture to your interior air and doesn’t use any of the oxygen you’re breathing. The result is a clean, dry heat that helps combat the condensation that plagues RVs in cold weather. Plus, the small glass window provides the cozy ambiance of a real flame, something no catalytic heater can offer.

The tradeoffs are significant. The Dickinson is expensive, and the installation is more involved, requiring you to cut a hole in your wall or roof for the flue. But for builders doing a high-end conversion who prioritize dry heat and safety above all, it’s a "buy once, cry once" upgrade that is worth every penny.

Suburban Nautilus: The Vented Catalytic Choice

The Suburban Nautilus is the industry’s answer to a safer, permanently installed catalytic heater. Unlike the portable Wave series, the Nautilus is a direct-vent appliance, meaning it’s a fully sealed unit that mounts on an exterior wall. It draws in outside air for combustion and vents all exhaust fumes directly back outside through a small, clean-looking vent.

This design gives you the best of both worlds: the silent, efficient, power-free operation of a catalytic heater combined with the safety of a vented furnace. Because it’s a sealed system, it poses no risk of carbon monoxide buildup or oxygen depletion inside your living space. This makes it an excellent choice for families or anyone who is particularly risk-averse.

The primary consideration is that it’s not a simple add-on. The Nautilus requires a permanent cutout in your RV wall and must be plumbed directly into your low-pressure propane system. It’s a fantastic option for a new build or a major renovation, but it’s not a portable solution you can easily add later.

Mr. Heater Catalytic: A Reliable Portable Unit

While many nomads are familiar with the popular Mr. Heater "Buddy" series (which are radiant, not catalytic), the company also produces true catalytic heaters under the Olympian brand, which are functionally identical to the Camco Wave series. These heaters offer the same silent, efficient, and electricity-free performance that makes catalytic technology so appealing for off-grid use.

The main advantage of considering a Mr. Heater or Olympian unit is often availability and brand recognition. They function on the same principles and offer similar BTU ranges, making them a solid alternative if a Camco unit is hard to find. They are designed for portability, with options for using small 1-pound propane canisters or adapting them to a larger external tank.

Like all unvented heaters, they come with the same critical safety requirements. They are equipped with a low-oxygen sensor (ODS) and a tip-over switch, but these features are backups, not substitutes for your own vigilance. Using one of these portable units still demands proper ventilation and functioning CO and LP detectors.

Key Safety & Installation for Catalytic Heaters

Using an unvented heater in an enclosed space is a responsibility, not a convenience. Getting it wrong can have deadly consequences, but getting it right is straightforward if you follow three non-negotiable rules.

First, provide constant ventilation. The standard rule of thumb is to provide at least one square inch of fresh air for every 1,000 BTUs of heater output. This usually means cracking a roof vent and a small window on the opposite side of the RV to create cross-flow. Never, ever run one of these in a perfectly sealed box.

Second, install and maintain detectors. You need two separate devices: a carbon monoxide (CO) detector and a propane (LP) detector. Test them regularly. The ODS built into the heater is a great safety feature, but it is your last line of defense, not your first.

Finally, respect clearances. Catalytic heaters produce intense radiant heat that can damage or ignite materials placed too close.

• Keep a clear space of at least 18-24 inches in front of the heater.
• Ensure curtains, bedding, and paper products are kept far away.
• If plumbing it in, use a low-pressure propane line tapped in after your RV’s primary regulator. Never connect a high-pressure line directly from a tank.

Ultimately, a catalytic heater is one of the best upgrades you can make for comfortable boondocking, but it demands respect. Match the heater’s BTU output to your rig’s size, commit to the safety protocols, and you’ll unlock a world of silent, efficient, off-grid warmth.