Top quality VANNON Mercedes fitouts for booming US RV adventure market feature compact and reliable Australian Duoetto water heaters

VANNON is using Aus J Duoetto MK2 water heaters as part of its Mercedes van customisations

Californian van customisation specialist VANNON has discovered a reliable, cost-effective and efficient hot water solution for its Mercedes van fitouts, as it ramps up production to meet a huge boom in demand post-Covid.

VANNON sought the help of innovative Australian company Aus J Hot Water Solutions and its 10L dual 12v/240v Duoetto MK2 water heater, which is ideal for use in caravans, campervans, boats and a broad range of RVs.

“We chose the Duoetto because we were looking for a water heating solution that was compact and reliable. The units have been highly dependable to date. As a builder and a van owner, the last thing I want to worry about is a leaky water heater,” said Marcus Valdivia, Founder, VANNON.

The VANNON team, which has been fitting Duoetto water heaters to vans for over a year now, specialises particularly in Mercedes van fit-outs, including a new range of “Ready to Roll” vans that feature pre-built floor plans for purchase through Mercedes dealers. All of these will be fitted with Duoetto water heaters.

“Our customers love the value, cost-efficiency and simplicity of the system. It’s such a simple system to use. Also, by comparison, it is solid, quiet and has no exhaust compared to the similarly priced propane tankless water heaters,” said Marcus.

Hot water is a modern luxury when travelling to isolated areas. The Duoetto MK2 sits inside the bench, left, to provide instant hot water for showering, cleaning and other tasks.

VANNON, which makes “rolling basecamps for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and the adventurous,” has seen a large uptick in business since Covid-19 restricted international travel, and domestic travellers begun seeking self-contained, hygienic RV options with hot water.

“Business is booming. We are grateful to be booked for the foreseeable future,” said Mr Valdivia, who was also very happy with the service and technical support from Aus J Managing Director Jay King.

“Jay is quick and efficient, and he really knows the product. The service has been spot-on and timely,” he said.

Mr King has seen a huge shift in the market in recent months, as adventurers and travel enthusiasts began to seek alternate ways to get around post-Covid.

“RVs have always been popular with travelling crowds, whether it’s a family, a young couple or a pair of grey nomads. Now, the level of sophistication available on these mobile homes is quite remarkable,” says Mr King.

“The sort of customisation work Marcus and VANNON do is serving an expanding market of travellers who want creature comforts like hot water, comfy seating and plenty of storage. And the builds look beautiful, too!”

Duoetto MK2 Product features

The latest Duoettos – which typically retail for under $A425 (approx. $US330, $NZ455, 235 UK pounds, 270 Euros) – feature a digital temperature control on the side for local and export markets that like their controls clear and simple, including the Middle East and Asia, North America, Africa and Europe, including the UK.

“Automatic sensors allow switching to 12V when mains power is not available, enabling the Duoetto to deliver ample hot water in remote areas such as campsites or on boats where mains power is unavailable, which it often is in large areas of major RV, marine and work vehicle markets,” says Mr King, who designs the water heaters himself and ensures production to Australian standards of toughness and quality .

The MK2 has a number of upgrades on the previous version, designed to give the new water heater even greater longevity than the original, which has become OEM equipment on major campers in Australia and in export markets because of its functionality and reliability in service over a wide range of use and climatic conditions. Upgrades include:

The Duoetto MK2 comes with internationally recognised Australian WaterMark accreditation, which means that it passed tests and requirements regarding its suitability for supplying water for human consumption. These tests encompass taste, smell, toxins and corrosive effects on plumbing and pipework.

Additionally, the Duoetto MK2 is CE certified, indicating conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards, particularly for the European region, but recognised internationally.

Drawing a miniscule 4.2 amps at 240V (1000w) and 25 amps at 12v (300w), the 409 x 262 x 267mm Duoetto MK2 retains the strengths of its predecessor, including:

Aus J Hot Water Solutions ( www.ausj.com.au ) offers a range of innovative gas and electric water heaters with models for domestic, commercial and recreational applications, including a 240v 10-litre Aqueous water heater designed to provide homes with near-instant hot water and reduce the wastage by having the heater located under the sink.