Need help choosing water heater...

stevemorris wrote:
ive had both, atwood and suburban
my vote is for the atwood, aluminum tank is much lighter, no anode rod, better on/off control for the 120 system.

the atwood uses a lowvoltage(12v) relay to control the 120, suburban has a tiny switch inside the exterior cover

True......

BUT Suburban uses separate sets of t-stats......one for 120V AC and one for 12V DC.
Atwood uses just one set for both electric/propane

Atwood uses common circuit board for electric/propane
Suburban systems are separate and circuit board only for propane

Suburban electric element accessible from outside compartment
Atwood element on backside which usually means cramped working space

A separate inside 120V AC On/Off switch can be added for Suburban electric vs just the outside switch

Suburban combustion/exhaust chamber is stack ---one on top of other so water surface contact area is smaller
Atwood uses a cross tube.......combustion on right lower & exhaust on left upper so more water surface contact

Course Suburban uses a higher btu burner than Atwood does.

Atwood uses the aluminum clad alloy tank which can be welded or tank replaced.
Suburban tank not replaceable/repairable so have to replace whole water heater.

SO there are several pros/cons for both BRANDS.
Both heat water and do so fairly cheap.
Beats heating water on stove top :B