Options to upgrade water heater?

[Robert6401]

Recently purchased a new to us 5th wheel TH. All of the research I did prior to purchase showed a 12 gal water heater. Coming from a 10 gal in previous rig, I was looking forward to a bigger tank. Unfortunately, I didn't check it in person before the purchase, and now after our first trip in the new rig realized that we have a 6 gal heater. What, are my best options to upgrade? I've read negative reviews on the tankless systems, but that would seemingly be a good option.

Please don't go into how I should be using less water, etc. We are a family of 6, so we are going to use water, that's just a fact. And wifey's not real happy right now, so I gotta do something to fix that!

[The_Texan]

I know of several that have switched to the RV "tankless" system and are super happy with it. I believe the negative reviews were from several years ago and the systems have radically improved in the past couple years. I am building a new home and we are installing an electric tankless HW system.

Also, I have been hearing good things about the Atwood XT models

[Old-Biscuit]

WHICH water heater do you have........??

Suburban or Atwood

Suburban
6 gallon water heater features 12000 BTU's andis 12-11/16" H x 12-11/16" W x 19-3/16" D.
10 gallon water heater features 12,000 BTUs. Unit Size: 16-7/32"H x 16-7/32"W x 20-1/2"D. Cut-out size 16-7/32"H x 16-7/32"W x 20-1/2"D.
12 gallon water heater features 12,000 BTUs and is 16-7/32"H x 16-7/32"W x 22-1/4”D.

You would have to enlarge opening in side of RV by 4" H/W
Note: 10 & 12 use same size opening....just need depth


Atwood
6 gallon Output: 8,800 BTUs. Cut-out size: 12.5"H x 16"W x 16.9"D.
Depth may vary between 16.9" and 18.5"
10 gallon Output: 10,000 BTUs Cut-out size: 15.5"H x 16"W x 21"D
Enlarge opening by 3" only in 'H'

OR go with the XT model
6 gal size but 9 gal 'nominal' capacity due to higher heating temp
10 gal size but 16 gal 'nominal' capacity

6 gallon Cut-out size: 12-1/2"H x 16-1/2"W x 21-3/4"D.
10 gallon Cut-out size: 15-1/2"H x 16"W x 21-3/4"D


Either way you will have to enlarge opening UNLESS you have an Atwood 6 gal and then you could go with a 6 gal XT (get 9 gal capacity)

[westend]

You sound like just the right user for an auxiliary water heater. This is a system where an additional heater is tapped into the hot water lines to provide auxiliary heating when the main heater drops in temperature.

There was a member,here, who installed this system and had praise for it. Sorry, memory fails but a search of the Forum may turn it up. IIRC, he looped the hot water supply into the auxiliary heater at the back of the RV (may have used the ladder as a holder), no alteration to the RV except lengthening the hot water supply line was needed.

[Robert6401]

Johnny G1 wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Depending on brand it should be fairly easy to swap to a 10G heater. Gas, electric and two water lines. Might require some modificstions, but nothing a compentend weekender could not do.

Quite a bit different in size, but as you say a weekend job, Just make sure it's a long one. Lol

Well, I thought about that, in fact I still have my old rig sitting here so was considering swapping the water heaters. Problem is the holes are significantly different in size. I'm not keen on cutting on the exterior of the new rig.

[Robert6401]

downtheroad wrote:
What did you pay for....what does the sales contract and build sheet say about the rig you paid for?
If you were suppose to get a 12 gal. tank and got a 6 gal one, then push on the dealer to make it right....

No different than paying for slide toppers and not getting them.

The rig is a 2012 I bought used through a private sale. My fault for not making sure beforehand, but not something I can go back and make a big deal about with the seller.

[Johnny_G1]

donn0128 wrote:
Depending on brand it should be fairly easy to swap to a 10G heater. Gas, electric and two water lines. Might require some modificstions, but nothing a compentend weekender could not do.

Quite a bit different in size, but as you say a weekend job, Just make sure it's a long one. Lol

[donn0128]

Depending on brand it should be fairly easy to swap to a 10G heater. Gas, electric and two water lines. Might require some modificstions, but nothing a compentend weekender could not do.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Run it on propane and Elec at the same time for faster recovery. Might help a little.

[downtheroad]

What did you pay for....what does the sales contract and build sheet say about the rig you paid for?
If you were suppose to get a 12 gal. tank and got a 6 gal one, then push on the dealer to make it right....

No different than paying for slide toppers and not getting them.