I have a truck camper, but this question is actually for our non-profit food truck. Our food truck stays in one place at 8,000 feet altitude. We need an on demand propane hot water heater. We do not have access to enough electric to use an electric hot water heater.I’ve been trying to research heaters, but the manufactures and distributors won’t say if they will work at 8,000 feet. They only say “it won’t as well”, but that doesn’t tell me much. Most of the manufacturers consider "high altitude" to be 2,000 feet. We would need a really, really deep cave to get that low here!Two that I were looking at were:• Furrion 2.4GPM Tankless RV Gas Water https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DW4GM81/?coliid=I2MINE5Y1F3VMO&colid=2059FVN8ZDRJQ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it• GIRARD 2GWHAM Tankless Water Heater https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BWN8E2/?coliid=I13NSYHQMUDQAI&colid=2059FVN8ZDRJQ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_itHas anyone had practical experience with one of these or any other model that works at minimum 8,000 ft? The food truck will always be at this altitude, not just occasionally.The hot water will be for washing hands and light dish washing, but the water needs to be good and hot to pass health department inspections.Please help. I have been getting frustrated in my search.Thanks,Michael

RV junk.Not worthy of commercial food truck service.You need to connect with place that constructs commercial food trucks and find out what they use, most likely is going to cost substantially more than RV water heaters and the commercial grade manufacturers will pass all health codes for food service.High altitude service can be problematic, RV water heaters often have issues with high altitudes. Commercial units should be configurable for that type of service.HERE is one food truck builder you could try contacting to find out what they use.You also should reach out to your local food safety inspector folks as they are the ones that will need to build to and satisfy.Food service is not a place to skimp or cut corners.

I can try contacting a food truck supplier, but I would think that RV people out in the rockies would camp at much higher altitudes than towns with food trucks. Worth a shot though.Still would like to hear from other RVers.Michael

Michael: I'm a retired Environmental Health Specialist better known as a health inspector and worked for 30 years as a health inspector and one of my duties was to inspect and permit food trucks.Firstly, I want to answer your questions and doubts about how to equip this vehicle. I, myself have an rv with a Truma water heater and just came back from a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon which is at an elevation of 8,000+' above sea level and the unit worked just fine. What you need is a minimum of 120 deg F of hot water for hand and utensil washing. As far as the 8,000' elevation goes, I would, once you are set up on location, call a local mobile technician to have him reset the propane regulator to a pressure that's appropriate. This is especially true since you indicated you won't be moving the truck once you're setup.Secondly, if you have doubts or questions about health code compliance, try reaching out to the inspector assigned to the area you'll be operating at. Inspectors appreciate that you're trying to meet code requirements and that you're cooperating.

Michael: You stated. that your group is a non profit and I'm wondering who you'll be selling food to? If it's to only a private group like church members of a local social club of some sort you may not even need a health permit.

MichaelCO wrote:I can try contacting a food truck supplier, but I would think that RV people out in the rockies would camp at much higher altitudes than towns with food trucks. Worth a shot though.Still would like to hear from other RVers.MichaelJust because a RVr might camp at 8000 ft and is able to keep their water heater working, doesn't exactly mean you will be able to do so also.There are some RV water heaters which are not "adjustable", the fuel to air mixture is fixed, no shutters and no different orifices.Not trying to make this difficult or expensive, but the reality is if there is ever a question about your setup, it is on your shoulders as the builder for the proper operation of said equipment. Granted only talking hot water in this case but all it takes is one person to get sick and the entire operation will get shut down.On demand water heaters are not exactly known for stability in water temps and the water temps do change considerably with the input temp and water flow. The faster the flow and the colder the input water the lower the output temp will be. They also have a specific water flow requirement before the burner will turn on, not enough flow and you get cold water.For these reasons, it is imperative you get in contact with your local food safety inspectors, they most likely will be able to get you very specific detailed info on what they require and why any old RV water heater may not be a good choice.

On Demand Propane Hot Water Heater | Good Sam Community

ernie1
Explorer
Jun 06, 2022
Michael: You stated. that your group is a non profit and I'm wondering who you'll be selling food to? If it's to only a private group like church members of a local social club of some sort you may not even need a health permit.
ernie1
Explorer
Jun 06, 2022
Michael: I'm a retired Environmental Health Specialist better known as a health inspector and worked for 30 years as a health inspector and one of my duties was to inspect and permit food trucks.

Firstly, I want to answer your questions and doubts about how to equip this vehicle. I, myself have an rv with a Truma water heater and just came back from a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon which is at an elevation of 8,000+' above sea level and the unit worked just fine. What you need is a minimum of 120 deg F of hot water for hand and utensil washing. As far as the 8,000' elevation goes, I would, once you are set up on location, call a local mobile technician to have him reset the propane regulator to a pressure that's appropriate. This is especially true since you indicated you won't be moving the truck once you're setup.

Secondly, if you have doubts or questions about health code compliance, try reaching out to the inspector assigned to the area you'll be operating at. Inspectors appreciate that you're trying to meet code requirements and that you're cooperating.
MichaelCO
Explorer
Jun 05, 2022
I can try contacting a food truck supplier, but I would think that RV people out in the rockies would camp at much higher altitudes than towns with food trucks. Worth a shot though.

Still would like to hear from other RVers.

Michael
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2022
RV junk.

Not worthy of commercial food truck service.

You need to connect with place that constructs commercial food trucks and find out what they use, most likely is going to cost substantially more than RV water heaters and the commercial grade manufacturers will pass all health codes for food service.

High altitude service can be problematic, RV water heaters often have issues with high altitudes. Commercial units should be configurable for that type of service.

HERE is one food truck builder you could try contacting to find out what they use.

You also should reach out to your local food safety inspector folks as they are the ones that will need to build to and satisfy.

Food service is not a place to skimp or cut corners.

Forum Discussion

On Demand Propane Hot Water Heater

About Technical Issues

Related Content

On-demand water heaters

On-demand water heaters – do they work?

Propane heater issue

Converting from a suburban water heater to on demand heater?

Feedback on current on-demand hot water heaters