Replacing Water Heater- Suburban or Atwood?

[jerem0621]

I am going to replace my Suburban DSI water heater with a pilot light version.

Quick reason, I have been fiddling with this DSI water heater off and on since I bought it and am tired of it. I want a pilot light.

The question is my mind is, which one. Suburban or Atwood?

Is there any reason to go with one brand over the other. I am leaning towards the Suburban, but just wanted to bounce the idea off the forum and see if there is any reason to replace it with an Atwood 6 gallon.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[CavemanCharlie]

enblethen wrote:
I would use the same make as you currently have. It will save doing some minor which always turns into major structural changes. Should be bracing and different opening size.

X2, And I have had water heaters with both a pilot and a automatic light version. Never had a problem with the auto light feature. It's up to you but, I would try to fix the one you have now before going to all the trouble to swap it out. There is no reason it shouldn't light every time by itself easily.

[jerem0621]

BarneyS wrote:
I have had nothing but Atwood heaters for the past 25 years or so and have never had a problem with them. They do not use an anode rod.
Barney

Thanks Barney, I may call PPL and see if I can replace the Suburban with an Atwood. Maybe a brand change is in order here

Thanks!

[jerem0621]

Huntindog wrote:

dbbls wrote:
I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.

X2.

I ALWAYS had issues with the pilot light models. All my DSI units have been trouble free.

Man I wish I had this experience with DSI. My heater will light everytime if I have someone flip the switch on while I am holding a lighter in the burner. Lol

I know DSI is only a few bucks more but I am worried that I'll spend $300.00 and still have a no lighting water heater. Lol.

Thanks for the suggestions all.

Jeremiah

[BarneyS]

I have had nothing but Atwood heaters for the past 25 years or so and have never had a problem with them. They do not use an anode rod.
Barney

[Huntindog]

dbbls wrote:
I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.

X2.

I ALWAYS had issues with the pilot light models. All my DSI units have been trouble free.

[dbbls]

I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.

[enblethen]

I would use the same make as you currently have. It will save doing some minor which always turns into major structural changes. Should be bracing and different opening size.

[dtzackus]

I would opt for the one that doesn't have the Anerod. But I have read some things about tankless units.