I'm buying a pacific coachworks northland 24IKS that me and my wife will be living in, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the hot water tank is difficult to access. Once we get it, I want to install one of those hybrid water heater kits, but in order to do so I will need to access the side of the tank in order to place the thermostat. I need to be able to cut a good rectangle out of the insulation to install it, does anyone know if that would be too difficult? Like if it's easier to remove some panels or to remove the water heater?

Are you buying NEW?If so......why not have WH swapped out to a combo gas/electric WH????IF new adding a aftermarket heat rod will VOID your 2 yr. WH warranty!Looks like Pacific Coachworks uses Suburban Brand WH. That means it needs an anode rod.Aftermarket heat rods can be purchased with an anode rod...except it is very small----only a few inches long VS OEM that is 9-9 1/2" long.And you will need to remove heat rod every time you want to drain/flush WH and inspect that little anode rod for replacement.AC Wiring for heat rod will need to come from inside thru WH Pan to outside compartment. Will need an AC outlet to plug into also.Plus the installation of t-stat for temp control.That requires a decent access to backside of WH from inside RV.That I do not know.Look at location of WH from outside....then check that area inside as to access

Never seen a water heater that might be hidden. Gas/electric water heaters always have an access door outside that you take off and see the gas valve, pressure relief valve and drain valve. What you need to find out is brand and model number.

Old-Biscuit wrote:Are you buying NEW?If so......why not have WH swapped out to a combo gas/electric WH????IF new adding a aftermarket heat rod will VOID your 2 yr. WH warranty!Looks like Pacific Coachworks uses Suburban Brand WH. That means it needs an anode rod.Aftermarket heat rods can be purchased with an anode rod...except it is very small----only a few inches long VS OEM that is 9-9 1/2" long.And you will need to remove heat rod every time you want to drain/flush WH and inspect that little anode rod for replacement.AC Wiring for heat rod will need to come from inside thru WH Pan to outside compartment. Will need an AC outlet to plug into also.Plus the installation of t-stat for temp control.That requires a decent access to backside of WH from inside RV.That I do not know.Look at location of WH from outside....then check that area inside as to accessThose water heater/electric combos are great, but I'm not interested in shelling out the hundreds of dollars for that. The heating rods have great reviews, and it does exactly what I'm looking for without a $350+ price tag plus either the $300 install cost or the loss of a warranty because I installed it myself anyway.

Yes it can be done, but I would up-grade to a gas/electric unit if buying new.

coolbreeze01 wrote:Yes it can be done, but I would up-grade to a gas/electric unit if buying new.So pacific coachworks tanks are typically accessible without removal?

Pacific Coachworks Water Heater | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2015
Never seen a water heater that might be hidden. Gas/electric water heaters always have an access door outside that you take off and see the gas valve, pressure relief valve and drain valve. What you need to find out is brand and model number.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 28, 2015
Are you buying NEW?

If so......why not have WH swapped out to a combo gas/electric WH????

IF new adding a aftermarket heat rod will VOID your 2 yr. WH warranty!

Looks like Pacific Coachworks uses Suburban Brand WH. That means it needs an anode rod.
Aftermarket heat rods can be purchased with an anode rod...except it is very small----only a few inches long VS OEM that is 9-9 1/2" long.

And you will need to remove heat rod every time you want to drain/flush WH and inspect that little anode rod for replacement.

AC Wiring for heat rod will need to come from inside thru WH Pan to outside compartment. Will need an AC outlet to plug into also.
Plus the installation of t-stat for temp control.
That requires a decent access to backside of WH from inside RV.

That I do not know.

Look at location of WH from outside....then check that area inside as to access

Forum Discussion

Pacific Coachworks Water Heater

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Pacific Coachworks toy haulers

Pacific Coachworks Sand Sport Toy Hauler

2015 Econ 18RBS Pacific Coachworks

2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 256RKS (GVWR/Tongue Specs etc)

2011 pacific coachwork 21 FBS tango towlite