Currently have a 6gal water heater...big job to UPGRADE?

gozagswoohoo · 07-28-2015, 03:36 PM

How difficult would it be to upgrade to a 10 gallon water heater? Anyone ever done this themselves? Is it even possible?

SMS1115 · 07-28-2015, 03:39 PM

10 gallon unit is physically larger than the 6. If you have room, and are good with a saw you can probably cut the opening in your trailer to fit the 10 gal unit. Make sure you get the door to cover the new heater, as the old one won't fit anymore.

TCNashville · 07-28-2015, 07:21 PM

We have a 10 gallon Atwood DSI in our Eagle. On day 1 we heat it up on gas/electric, after that it stays on electric and I've taken 15 minute showers without having to turn down the cold side at all. Any future RV we purchase will have at least a 10 gallon. Steve is correct, a larger opening is required as well as a little more room for additional length/height. Plumbing the new fittings should be fairly easy especially if you have a PEX tool.

RedHorse1 · 07-28-2015, 07:28 PM

What TT do you have? I doubt that we could have fit one in the 23B (now gone). But I can't say that I recall us running out of hot. The "Navy shower" procedure is recommended (turn the spray on to get wet and again to rinse).

gozagswoohoo · 07-29-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

What TT do you have? I doubt that we could have fit one in the 23B (now gone). But I can't say that I recall us running out of hot. The "Navy shower" procedure is recommended (turn the spray on to get wet and again to rinse).

I have a 2005 JayFlight 27BH. And I could probably handle the Navy shower, but something tells me that my 29 year old wife and 2 small children would have issues with it.

ctbailey · 07-29-2015, 08:28 AM

From a practical standpoint... you might be better off changing behaviors then changing the trailer.

my guess is a 10 year old camper will have actual problems that need fixing, no?

How are the brakes? there's $600 if they need replacement
How are the tires? There's $500 if they need replacement
How is the roof caulking?
How about all the butyl rubber window gaskets? they are probably showing some shrinkage by now.

My point is not to be a perpetual wet blankie... although Im good at it... but to upgrade a working water heater for no "good" reason seems like a big project that your time could probably be better utilized on other issues.

Unless you can say for certain that trailer is "perfect." ?

Iraqvet05 · 07-29-2015, 10:21 AM

Agreed, ctbailey. My DW and 11 y.o. daughter adjusted to taking Navy showers rather quickly. I bathe my 6 y.o. son so he doesn't get carried away with the water. Both kids have learned how and why we conserve water at the sinks in the TT. Sometimes, the DW just opts to take showers at the CG's facilities if she wants to take a long shower. If you on a full hook-up site and are not concerned about water but rather maintaining hot water, run electric and gas at the same time.

mike837go · 07-29-2015, 11:37 AM

I'm still trying to get SWMBO to keep showers under 15 minutes!

Gotta get 48 gallons to last 5 days!

Nighthawk 96 · 07-31-2015, 06:59 PM

Having been in the Air Force, I can't take Navy showers. My 6 gal tank provides all the hot water for a good shower. We always use hook ups.

Macrosill · 08-01-2015, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gozagswoohoo

How difficult would it be to upgrade to a 10 gallon water heater? Anyone ever done this themselves? Is it even possible?

I have not heard of anyone doing this.

Anything is possible to do it is just a matter of how much work it will be.

If the outer panel is the same size then it may be an easy swap. I would get the dimensions of the new unit and see if it will fit in the same location. I have an 07 so my water heater is under the bottom bunk. If yours is in the same location and it fits under the bunk then it seems like it would be a relatively simple upgrade, provided the outside panel is the same size and does not need any electric upgrade.

Ela1948 · 08-01-2015, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gozagswoohoo

How difficult would it be to upgrade to a 10 gallon water heater? Anyone ever done this themselves? Is it even possible?

My suggestion would be to first change the shower head to something like an Oxgenics low*flow. And run both electric and propane when multiple showers are needed. We have the 6 gal. Atwood and never run out of hot water because the thermostat is set high enough that you are using more cold then hot when showering.

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