So as I start to finalize the option list for my next camper, I'm on the fence about a hot water heater. I'd like to hear from TC'ers in particular as we 1) have limited water, 2) have smaller showers and 3) have a bigger premium on the space the H2O heater would take up. So what do you think folks - do you use a hot water heater that much? We haven't missed not having one in the Sunlite, but you don't know what you don't know, right? And if so, 4 or 6 gallon?Thanks in advance - Vic

don't have a TC but I grew up with one. For me, I've always liked having hot water to wash my hands. It was easy to heat a pot of water in the morning to use for washing face, brushing teeth, etc., but when you want to wash your hands, it's usually an immediate "yuck" moment and waiting for water to heat is awkward. It feels great when you have that 3 a.m. call of nature and it's cold as heck.

Shower and hot water tank are on the essential list.

Humm... depends on the kind of camper YOU are.Does your current rig have a fresh water tank? Do you use it? What do you use it for? (some folks won't drink the water out of their water tank)Do you use paper plates+plastic ware for eating? Eat out of sealed containers? Do you use pots+pans for cooking? How do you clean your pots, pans, dishes and flatware?We use our on board water supply for three main things: cleaning, toilet and drinking (we use a filtered water pitcher in the fridge, which we'll refill from the sink). Many modern TC's carry +25 gallons of water (or much more) I suppose its intended to be used for SOMETHING?While we've sometimes not used the hot water heater and just heated water in a tea kettle on the stove, nothing beats a good pressurized hot water spray from your kitchen faucet to help wash and rinse up after a meal!We rarely camp long enough to "get ripe" and when we'll use the campgrounds facilities before using the built in shower in the TC. On those even rarer times where we no other choice - we'll use the shower in the TC.While I think it ranks as the #2 propane use out of the other TC appliances, we like to have hot water on tap.- Mark0.

It depends on what you do while using your TC. I fish, Kayak, Mt Bike and Hike. I get fairly filthy every day. I am rarely in a campground that has anything more than a vault toilet. Hot shower navy style is a must. Wet up, shut off handle, soap up, turn water back on to rinse off. Maybe two gallons gets used. We have 30 gallons on board and a 6 gallon water heater.

Wouldn't have a TC without a HW heater, inside shower and toilet.We try to use state and national parks- many have no bathroom facilities at all.If we are at a campground, we never use their shower facilities.

hot water heaters in TC's | Good Sam Community

47 Replies

Geewizard
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015
whizbang wrote:
The problem with water heaters while dry camping is that you waste precious water down the drain before the hot water reaches the faucet.

We've gone back to stove top sponge baths and don't miss the water heater. (We also don't have a TV, Stereo, slide, or North-South bed. Traveling light is traveling right).

Not mine. The cold water heater is right beneath the kitchen faucet. Hot water hits my hands almost immediately. Not so the shower and you're right there.

No TV, Stereo, slide, or N-S bed here either. I agree with you, traveling light is traveling right. No need to detach the living room at home, put wheels under it, and haul it out to the woods. :R
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Mar 13, 2015
whizbang wrote:
The problem with water heaters while dry camping is that you waste precious water down the drain before the hot water reaches the faucet.

We've gone back to stove top sponge baths and don't miss the water heater. (We also don't have a TV, Stereo, slide, or North-South bed. Traveling light is traveling right).

We collect that cold water in a bucket and then use it for flushing, rinsing dishes etc rather that letting it go down the drain. We do the same thing at home here in CA with the drought water restrictions.
whizbang
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2015
The problem with water heaters while dry camping is that you waste precious water down the drain before the hot water reaches the faucet.

We've gone back to stove top sponge baths and don't miss the water heater. (We also don't have a TV, Stereo, slide, or North-South bed. Traveling light is traveling right).
bcbouy
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015
move the electrical current conveyance receptacle closer to the sleeping apparatus.
billtex
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2015
Geewizard wrote:
MKish wrote:
My popup only has an outdoor shower (which I've used and it's better than no shower). Love the water heater. I can turn it on before I get out of bed (suspect that's just a popup feature) and have warm water pretty fast. We have a decent sized water tank for a popup so we don't have to be too conservative. It's nice to be able to clean the kids up. And adults. And dishes. After the morning dishes, we turn it off and it keeps water hot enough for warm handwashing all day.

We don't stay places with showers or dishwashing stations so hot water is good. An inside shower would be super neat...but for now hot water at the sink and outside is good enough.

Likewise on turning on the cold water heater before I get out of bed. I just have to lean out of bed and flip the switch. Same with the cold air heater. Wish it was that way with the unmade coffee making apparatus......

The darkness elimination activation device is key also.
mbloof
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
billtex wrote:
MKish wrote:
I can turn it on before I get out of bed (suspect that's just a popup feature)

?

Maybe they are saying that they can reach the on/off switch while still in bed?

:h
Geewizard
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015
MKish wrote:
My popup only has an outdoor shower (which I've used and it's better than no shower). Love the water heater. I can turn it on before I get out of bed (suspect that's just a popup feature) and have warm water pretty fast. We have a decent sized water tank for a popup so we don't have to be too conservative. It's nice to be able to clean the kids up. And adults. And dishes. After the morning dishes, we turn it off and it keeps water hot enough for warm handwashing all day.

We don't stay places with showers or dishwashing stations so hot water is good. An inside shower would be super neat...but for now hot water at the sink and outside is good enough.

Likewise on turning on the cold water heater before I get out of bed. I just have to lean out of bed and flip the switch. Same with the cold air heater. Wish it was that way with the unmade coffee making apparatus......
billtex
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2015
MKish wrote:
I can turn it on before I get out of bed (suspect that's just a popup feature)

?
MKish
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2015
My popup only has an outdoor shower (which I've used and it's better than no shower). Love the water heater. I can turn it on before I get out of bed (suspect that's just a popup feature) and have warm water pretty fast. We have a decent sized water tank for a popup so we don't have to be too conservative. It's nice to be able to clean the kids up. And adults. And dishes. After the morning dishes, we turn it off and it keeps water hot enough for warm handwashing all day.

We don't stay places with showers or dishwashing stations so hot water is good. An inside shower would be super neat...but for now hot water at the sink and outside is good enough.
Gripnriprod
Explorer
Mar 10, 2015
Jfet wrote:
What is a hot water heater? if the water is already hot, why do you need to heat it?

:B