An RV water heater has one hard job: make hot water without taking too much room, fuel, power, or fresh water. The best unit for a full-hookup park may be the wrong one for a dry camp.
This guide covers tankless, tank, and propane models. I compared fit, power source, flow needs, recovery, freeze care, and service. Installation touches gas, water, power, venting, and the RV wall. Hire a trained RV tech when you do not have those skills.
Quick picks
RV water heater styles
A tankless water heater warms water as it flows. It suits long showers at full hookups. A tank water heater stores a set amount and suits owners who want simple use and low-flow hot water. A gas water heater uses propane, which helps when shore power is limited.
The choice is not as simple as “endless hot water wins.” In a long GoRVing tank-versus-tankless discussion, owners praise tankless showers but also note minimum flow, freeze care, and extra water use while boondocking. Those tradeoffs belong at the top of the list.
How I picked these RV water heaters
Fit came first. A “direct fit” claim still needs the exact wall cutout, depth, door, vent, gas line, water line, wire, and control check. Weight matters at the sidewall. So does service access.
Next came daily use. A tankless unit needs enough flow to fire. A tank unit needs recovery time after its stored hot water is used. Gas/electric tank models can give you power choice. Most RV tankless models still use propane for heat and 12-volt power for controls.
Freeze protection also matters. It may only work while the unit has power and propane. Winter storage steps still apply. Read the exact manual—then put the steps on your winter list.
The 7 best RV water heaters
Truma AquaGo Comfort Plus
The AquaGo Comfort Plus is a high-end continuous water heater. A small mixing vessel helps smooth the burst of cold water that some basic tankless units can make. A recirculation option can also cut the wait in a compatible install.
Truma uses trained installation partners for many jobs. That adds cost, but it can also protect a complex setup. This unit makes the most sense for a larger RV used often.
- Steady hot water.
- Premium controls.
- Good shower comfort.
- High price.
- Install and service access matter.
Suburban Advantage 6-gallon
This is my practical pick for owners who like a simple tank water heater. Suburban sells gas and gas/electric choices. Its current 6-gallon page is the right place to compare model details.
A tank gives hot water at a low trickle, which helps with dishes and short rinse jobs. It can run out during a long shower, then needs time to recover.
- Simple tank use.
- Power-source choices.
- Good service history.
- Hot water is limited.
- Tank and anode need care.
Suburban ST-60
The ST-60 is a tankless propane model aimed at common RV water heater spaces. A wall control lets you set the hot-water temperature instead of mixing a very hot stream with cold.
Check the water pump flow against the heater's start needs. When flow drops too low, any tankless unit may stop heating.
- Continuous hot water.
- Wall temperature control.
- Common replacement shape.
- Needs propane and 12-volt power.
- Minimum flow matters.
Girard GSWH-2
The Girard is a common tankless upgrade with a wired control panel. It can give long showers when water and waste-tank space are not tight.
Owners have mixed views on temperature change and cold-weather care. Some love it; others prefer a tank for dry camping. That split is a reason to match the unit to your camp style.
- Lower cost than premium units.
- Common RV fit.
- Simple wall control.
- Flow must stay steady.
- Freeze care is vital.
Furrion Tankless RV Water Heater
Furrion's tankless line is found in many newer trailers. It is a clean choice when your rig already has the matching opening, door, and control parts.
Replacement kits and doors vary. Check the full model number and rough opening. Do not assume the black or white door in a photo is part of the heater.
- Long shower supply.
- Digital temperature control.
- Common dealer support.
- Trim parts can add cost.
- Not ideal for low-flow use.
Fogatti InstaShower
Fogatti offers several tankless RV models at a lower price. That can work for a skilled owner with a clear fit and a nearby service plan.
Support and parts matter as much as the box price. Before buying, find the current manual, warranty steps, door size, and a shop willing to service it.
- Lower upfront cost.
- Several size choices.
- Digital control.
- Service network may vary.
- Model details change.
Dometic WH-6GEA
The WH-6GEA is a six-gallon gas/electric tank model. It suits campers who want to use campground power when plugged in and propane when needed.
It still stores a fixed amount, and the exact replacement fit must be checked. Tank care is part of the deal, but many owners like the simple hot-water behavior.
- Gas or electric heat.
- Low-flow hot water.
- Simple daily use.
- Six-gallon limit.
- Needs recovery time.
Tankless vs. tank water
| Type | Quick tradeoff |
|---|---|
| Tankless propane | Long showers; needs steady flow and fuel. |
| Gas tank | Simple off-grid heat; stored water runs out. |
| Gas/electric tank | Flexible power; more parts and recovery time. |
| Small electric tank | Good point use; can draw a lot of shore power. |
How to pick the right unit for your RV
Measure the full opening
Measure width, height, depth, wall thickness, and outside door. Check the space behind the unit. A pipe, wire, drawer, or brace can block a heater that looks right from outside.
List your power sources
Write down 12-volt control power, propane, and the shore-power service you use. A home electric tankless unit is not a simple RV swap. Its power draw can be far beyond a normal RV branch circuit.
Know your water habits
Tankless is great for long showers at a full hookup. A tank can be nicer when you use a low trickle, take navy showers, or guard fresh and gray tank space. Honestly, the best unit follows the way you camp.
Check flow rate and recovery
For tankless, compare the pump and campground flow with the heater's stated start and working range. For a tank, compare capacity and recovery with the number of showers you take close together.
Plan for freezing weather
Freeze protection is not a free pass. It may need power, fuel, or both. Drain or winterize the heater exactly as its manual says. A frozen heat exchanger can fail fast.
Use safe venting and install
Propane heaters need the listed outside door, clear space, combustion air, and exhaust path. Never reuse a part that the new heater maker does not approve. Test gas work with the approved method.
RV water heater features that matter
Flow rate and start flow
Tankless water heaters need water moving before the burner starts. The listed maximum flow rate is not the only number. Check the minimum start flow, too. A low-flow sink or a weak water pump may fall below it.
Recovery time
Tank water heaters reheat stored water after use. Gas heat may recover at one rate and electric heat at another. Some gas/electric units can use both, but only when the manual allows it. Faster recovery helps several people shower close together.
Temperature control
Many tankless units work best when you set a safe hot-water temperature and open only the hot tap. Mixing in too much cold water can lower hot flow below the burner's working range. A tank unit often stores hotter water, so users mix at the tap.
Freeze protection
Some RV water heaters have a freeze cycle. Read the fine print. The feature may need 12-volt power, propane, or a live water supply. It does not replace the winter drain and bypass steps in the manual.
Altitude and cold inlet water
Cold water takes more heat to raise to shower temperature. High altitude can also affect gas appliances. Check the maker's stated operating range for the places you camp. Do not change gas parts unless an approved service guide calls for it.
Replacement fit checklist
- Write down the old RV water heater brand and full model.
- Measure outside door, cutout width, height, and depth.
- Check gas pressure and propane line location.
- Check 12-volt controls and any 120-volt circuit.
- Compare hot, cold, drain, and pressure-relief locations.
- Confirm the listed vent door and wall seal parts.
- Check loaded unit weight against the RV wall support.
- Find a local shop that can service the chosen model.
Tankless water heater habits
Set the wall control near the temperature you want at the shower. Open hot water fully enough to keep steady flow. This can feel odd after years of mixing hot and cold, but it helps many tankless units stay lit.
Tankless does not create more fresh water or gray space. A long hot shower can empty one tank and fill another. Full hookups hide that tradeoff. Dry campers feel it fast. A shutoff shower head can save water, but the heater may cycle off each time flow stops.
Tank water heater habits
Let the tank fill before heat is turned on. Heating an empty tank can damage parts. Drain sediment as the manual says. On a porcelain-lined steel tank, inspect and replace the anode rod on its service plan.
To stretch hot water, start with a full hot tank and take short showers. If the model allows gas and electric heat at once, that may speed recovery at a hookup. Never turn on an electric element unless the tank is full.
RV water heater questions before you buy
Will this tankless water heater give unlimited hot water at my real water flow? That is the first question. Unlimited hot water still needs propane, 12-volt power, fresh water, and gray-tank room. A tankless heater does not remove those limits.
Will the water heater work for washing dishes? Tank water gives hot water at a low tap flow. Tankless water heaters may need more demand. For washing dishes or laundry, a low flow can make some units cycle.
How long is the wait for a shower? Check the pipe run and flow. Water heaters provide heat at the unit, but cold water in the line must leave first. A long run can spend water and add minutes to camp chores.
Is the unit designed for RVs? Do not put a house water heater in an RV unless both makers approve the full install. RVs move, shake, and use special vent and power systems. A road-ready design, correct valve, and listed door matter.
What will the purchase cost after installation? Add the heater, door, trim, control, fittings, labor, and disposal. The best deal is the unit a local shop can install and service. Read current reviews, but check the manual date and model first.
Best RV water heater by camp style
For full-hookup travel, a tankless water heater can give endless hot water and a long shower. For boondocking, a six-gallon tank may be the better choice because it works with low water flow and short dish rinses.
For a family that lives in the RV, hot-water comfort is a big daily issue. My wife and I would rather understand the limits before we buy. Some people love a tankless heater. Others are happy with a gas/electric tank that can run on shore power.
For cold trips, pick the water heater with a clear winter plan. High-country travel can bring a freeze in one hour. Drain steps, power needs, and parts support are all part of the investment.
How I use RV water heater reviews
Owner reviews help when they name the RV, water pump, camp style, and time in use. Reviews from one good shower are less useful than reviews after a full travel season. I also check the review date because a maker may change parts.
I sort positive reviews from repair reviews. Positive reviews can show comfort and easy use. Repair reviews may show freeze issues, control errors, or weak service. Reviews should never beat the current manual, but they can reveal questions to ask before you buy.
- Read reviews from owners of small RVs.
- Read reviews from owners of large RVs.
- Compare reviews from full-hookup RVs with dry-camp RVs.
- Look for reviews that name low water demand.
- Look for reviews that name high shower demand.
- Skip reviews that do not name the model or date.
Buy only after these checks
Buy the exact model that fits your wall. Buy the listed door and control. Buy approved gas, water, and power parts. Do not buy a home unit for RVs just because the price is low.
Before you buy, ask who will install it. Before you buy, ask who will service it. Before you buy, check the cold-water start flow and hot-water demand. Before you buy, read the freeze steps. A smart buy is not only the unit in the box.
Water heaters designed for RVs must handle road movement. They are designed around RV venting and limited space. Units designed for a house may need power and air that RVs do not have. That is one reason purpose-designed RV water heaters are the safer market choice.
Which RVs suit each heater?
Small RVs suit light units with a shallow box. Family RVs may need fast recovery or on-demand heat. Full-time RVs need parts and service support. Rental RVs need simple controls. Cold-weather RVs need a clear freeze plan. Boondocking RVs need low-flow hot water. Park RVs can make better use of unlimited shower time.
Water heaters provide comfort, but they also add daily demand to fuel, power, and water. A tankless heater follows demand as it happens. A tank unit stores heat for later. Both can work great when the heater and RV live well together.
Choose Truma AquaGo for premium full-hookup comfort. Choose Suburban Advantage 6-gallon for simple tank use and power choice. Choose the Suburban ST-60 or Girard only after you confirm flow, fit, fuel, freeze care, and local service.
RV hot water FAQ
Which unit gives endless hot water?
A tankless unit can heat as long as water, propane, power, and flow stay in its working range.
How large a tank do I need?
Check your old capacity, shower length, number of users, and recovery time before moving from six to ten gallons.
Is propane safe in an RV?
It can be when approved parts are installed and checked as the RV and heater manuals require.
Can I install an RV water heater myself?
Only if you are qualified for the gas, power, plumbing, vent, wall, and leak-test work involved.
Pair the new heater with clean water. Our RV water filter guide explains inline and canister systems. Then read the roof sealant guide before touching any outside seam.