Replaced Girard with Truma water heater

[Mnwelsh]

I had my dealer replace my Girard water heater with a Truma. The dealer took care of some other modifications at the same time, took out my Direct TV receiver and switched it over to a Dish TV system and reset the satellite dish for the changes. The tv reception is now all HD and the picture is better. The Truma is amazing after two years with the Girard. We love it, water pressure is better in the shower as we now mix cold with hot. Previously we only used hot water with the Girard. With the Truma I have hot water within 10 to 15 seconds at all outlets. Consequently we use a lot less water. Jayco paid for the water heater install labor and I paid for the Truma. I also paid to have the water heater door painting and by pass valves for the Truma when I winterize it. We camped this weekend and everything ran perfect. Very happy with the changes.

[Mnwelsh]

I have no idea why the photos turn 90 degrees to the right, sorry

[Robbbyr]

Nice job!

I still don't regret changing mine to a 10-gallon tank unit, but had the Truma been available when I did make the switch who knows........!

[SloPoke]

Which one did you get? Basic, Comfort or Comfort Plus?

[Mnwelsh]

I got the Comfort model, that's the only one the dealer stocks because it provides the cold weather protection. The water heater cost $1290.00. The bypass plumbing and parts added $236. Sending the door out to an auto body shop for painting was $250.

[Mnwelsh]

Want d to ger the photos corrected

[blujay40]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

Which one did you get? Basic, Comfort or Comfort Plus?

From my understanding, the comfort plus model, which provides "instant" hot water on demand (the second you turn on the faucet) is only available if it was installed in an RV by an OEM during the build process. Since it uses hot water "loops" to supply hot water "instantly", Truma feels (from what I was told by a Truma rep) that it would be cost prohibitive to have it done after market.

I suppose if Truma allowed self installs and one was adapt at plumbing, etc, it could be done but at this point, that's not possible. Truma requires all units to be installed by an authorized dealer.

I am still trying to get the DW to write the check for one because saving pop cans (aka: soda cans for non Michiganders) is taking forever!!!!

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by blujay40

pop cans (aka: soda cans for non Michiganders)

As as Wes-kahn-sin-ite, I knew what you meant.

Of course, I can usually tell the other Wisconsinites when I ask them if they know what a "bubbler" is.

[blujay40]

Originally Posted by pconroy

As as Wes-kahn-sin-ite, I knew what you meant.

Of course, I can usually tell the other Wisconsinites when I ask them if they know what a "bubbler" is.

Visited friends in the West Allis/Milwaukee area numerous times so I knew what YOU meant!! ;-)

[Crossingover]

Really nice update. If and when we replace our Girard, it will be with the old fashioned Atwood gas/electric unit with a water tank. But the plumbing/electric fit up may be difficult I imagine, assuming the space is large enough to begin with.

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Crossingover

Really nice update. If and when we replace our Girard, it will be with the old fashioned Atwood gas/electric unit with a water tank. But the plumbing/electric fit up may be difficult I imagine, assuming the space is large enough to begin with.

Some time ago I swapped my Girard for a 10-gallon Atwood XT and have been VERY happy I did. The XT technology gives you more hot water than the tank size would indicate, we have never run it out showering several folks in a row. Using campground electricity most of the time to heat it is nice too.

The downside was that I did have to enlarge the cutout to install a 10-gallon unit. I think a 6-gallon Suburban would have fit as-is, but I wanted more. The plumbing wasn't difficult but I do have a PEX tools. But others have used Shark Bite fittings with great success and they are super easy to use and available at the big box stores.

The only part I farmed-out was painting the new door. Jayco Service did it for free when I had it there for other repairs.

[Mnwelsh]

The Truma runs so quiet its unbelievable. I wanted to hear it so I turned on the outside shower, I could not hear anything so I put my hand by the exhaust to make sure it was running. We love it.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by pconroy

As as Wes-kahn-sin-ite, I knew what you meant.

Of course, I can usually tell the other Wisconsinites when I ask them if they know what a "bubbler" is.

Wisconsin isn't the only place that calls it a bubbler. It seems to be common in much of the Central U.S., such as Missouri, Arkansas, TX (States I've been in that used the term), etc. I've heard it used in AZ but mostly from transplants.