hi all,ive recently acquired a 1983 skyline Layton trailer and while on our maiden voyage the 6g suburban water heater sprung a leak. im currently looking to replace it and am wondering if I should get the girard gswh-1m with the dial control of just use a standard rv water heater. I do enjoy my showers and have a wife and 2 kids that also need to be cleaned when the need arises.ive read a lot of problems with the first gen girard but it sounds like the second gen has fixed those problems?

Welcome to the forum. I have no opinion on the hot water heater, sorry!

personally I would get the suburban heater. the control for the attwood is about a hundred dollars if it goes out. and they will go out.

Hi,Folks have had problems with the on demand water heaters. I'd see if I could upgrade to a ten gallon that is dual powered (electric and propane) instead.

Welcome!My opinion....replace with a 6 gallon RV WHEither Brand.Suburban or AtwoodNot real confident in the instant hot tankless heaters.IF you have room install a 10 gallon. Need larger opening and depth.And if really handy install a dual heat (electric/propane) if OEM is only propane.

thanks for the info.will the 10g allow me to take a regular say 10 minute shower?ive even contemplated putting in a 20g house hwt, even went as far as framing in a sturdy platform and running a dedicated 20amp circuit for it in the closet,but then realized that boondocking or camping somewhere where theres only a 15amp hookup would render that useless.but for the price of a 10g rvtank I could install a new 6g rv tank along with the 20g!

need new hwt, first post! | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

dadmomh
Explorer
Jan 05, 2014
My vote is for the standard RV DSI water heater....complete thing, not just the tank. The minute you replace the tank only, the rest will die. Make one trick do it all.
NYCFive1
Explorer
Jan 05, 2014
Options:
Buy just the tank. About $ 200 delivered from eBay seller.But your not saving much considering the heater may be 30 years old.
Check local craigslist for someone parting out a RV.
Also look for ads "free removal for RV" ask if they sell used WH
I had a 6 gallon gas/electric WH that was good for 4 adult showers in an hour. It took about 15-20 minutes to totally reheat after 4 showers.
Consider the weight of the water added to your towing weight
dmopar74
Explorer
Jan 05, 2014
The tank itself had rusted through and developed a pinhole leak. The rv sat for many years and just allowed the tank to rust out. Surprised me too, I'm a journeyman plumber turned airplane mechanic...
RoyB
Explorer II
Jan 05, 2014
Been around the RV hot water heaters since 2004 and have yet run into one that was leaking due to the main body of the hot water heater. I have had leaks with the high pressure valve and a hot water external hose one time.

I have removed the bottom port for draining water and inspections a few times.

Just curious where your leak is at - perhaps associated with a winter freeze-up or something like that...

Roy Ken
ScottG
Nomad
Jan 04, 2014
I wish the demand heaters worked better but they get terrible reports here. I'd go with a new DSI Atwood if it were me. I have a Suburban but like the idea of not having an anode hence the Atwood suggestion.
Either will serve you well though.

Scott
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Jan 04, 2014
Your 83 likely had a "light it yourself" pilot light.

If so, do yourself a favor and buy a DSI unit (direct spark ignition)

It is very easy to wire it in and then you don't have a pilot light to light and worry about blowing out.

I did that on my last TT when I replaced my HWT. It was only 50 bucks more for the DSI and worth every penny of it.
dmopar74
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
thanks biscuit, ive been checking out ppl for a while.

with the door im still getting close to the 20/6 combo, so many choices!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 04, 2014
Check out pricing on WH.........LINK

Suburban 10 gal gas/electric with electronic ignition......$387
dmopar74
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
thanks for the info.

will the 10g allow me to take a regular say 10 minute shower?

ive even contemplated putting in a 20g house hwt, even went as far as framing in a sturdy platform and running a dedicated 20amp circuit for it in the closet,but then realized that boondocking or camping somewhere where theres only a 15amp hookup would render that useless.but for the price of a 10g rvtank I could install a new 6g rv tank along with the 20g!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 04, 2014
Welcome!

My opinion....replace with a 6 gallon RV WH
Either Brand.Suburban or Atwood

Not real confident in the instant hot tankless heaters.

IF you have room install a 10 gallon. Need larger opening and depth.
And if really handy install a dual heat (electric/propane) if OEM is only propane.