Are you on the lookout for the best RV tankless water heater?

Well, in this post, I would be walking you through some of the best RV tankless water heaters available on the market.

Moreover, I would also be throwing light on the “must-have” parameters in the buying section in order to help you make an informed buying decision.

Lastly, I would be responding to the queries related to RV tankless hot water heaters in the “FAQs” section in order to help you clear your doubts.

But, before we dive deep into the discussion, I would be needing a small help from your end.

Would you be interested in helping me?

If your response is “YES”, then all you need to do is to respond to a couple of questions that I would be asking in a while.

Does it make sense?

So, which is your favorite RV tankless heater brand?

How much are you willing to spend on your favorite tankless water heater for a camper?

Would you be interested in RV electric tankless water heater or propane counterpart?

Anyways, enough questions, right?

So, without any further ado, let’s begin…

Which is the Best RV Tankless Water Heater for the Money?

Well, to be honest, all the RV tankless water heaters that made our list are of high quality and worth the investment.

However, if you wanna me to pick one then it would be none other than GIRARD 2GWHAM Tankless Water Heater.

I’ve been using it quite a few times now, and it has not only matched my expectation but exceeded it.

If I’ve to review the product in a single statement then all I’ll say is that it comprises all the essential parameters that you might be looking for in your favorite RV tankless water heater.

The thing that I really liked about this idiosyncratic superlative product is that it is consumer-centric.

From time to time,  Girard takes feedback from its end customers’ and inculcates the features requested by the customers making the unit one of its kind.

In fact, the Girard RV tankless water heater is equipped with a microprocessor that is responsible for monitoring incoming cold water temperature, flow rate, and outgoing hot water temperature.

By keeping a close track of the aforementioned parameters, the unit is able to maintain a constant, steady hot water flow.

Also, the unit is equipped with a wall-mounted digital controller that not only shows the operating functions but also allows temperature settings.

Most of my clients have appreciated the pre-set features that allow the presetting of the temperature to a lower level and thus, ensure that the water doesn’t get too hot.

Irrespective of whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned professional, the trouble-shooting is easy and less time-consuming, and the credit goes to the visual diagnostics features.

Moreover, you can also buy separately a water heater door that is easy to operate and provides you with an additional layer of safety, isn’t it?

The 42,000 BTUs provide optimum performance for an RV’s plumbing, and the best part is, you don’t require any special LP gas lines or special plumbing.

All in all, one of the best RV tankless water heaters on our list that you’ll NEVER regret investing in.

Rest assured, the RV tankless heater is worth the investment.

Top 10 Best RV Tankless Hot Water Heater Review

Before we start reviewing our top 10 winners, please allow us to explain the comprehensive testing process that we follow.

First and foremost, our core team members do the brainstorming and come up with a set of parameters on which we need to evaluate the products.

In this case, the product is RV on-demand gas water heaters.

Secondly, each evaluation parameter is given a certain weightage depending upon its ability to influence an end user’s buying decision.

During the evaluation process, each product scores certain marks across all the evaluation parameters.

Finally, we sum up the scores and shortlist the “top 10 scorers” for the review process.

In case, you still have any doubt or query feel free to contact us, and our team would be more than happy to assist you.

We’ve further segregated the RV tankless water review into propane tankless water heaters for RVs and RV electric tankless water heaters.

I hope and believe the comprehensive buying guide on the tankless water heaters for a camper that we’ve come up with will satisfy your query and user intent.

Propane Tankless Water Heaters for RV

In this section, I would be walking you through some of the best propane tankless water heaters for RVs.

All these tankless RV heaters have performed extremely well in our evaluation process and could be a great investment too.

Excel Pro Tankless Gas Water Heater 

Definitely, the  Excel Tankless Gas Water Heater is one of the most efficient units available on the market, and for numerous reasons.

In fact, it is equipped with idiosyncratic features and advanced technology to help end-users like you and me achieve optimum results effortlessly.

Being an RV owner, you might be looking for an instant flow of hot water from your shower and faucet, right?

And, trust me, the Excel Pro tankless will definitely match your expectation, if not EXCEED.

When we tested the unit, what really enticed us is the series of applications that can sync well not only with the RVs but also cabins, small apartments, boats, campers, etc.

In simple words, the unit is multi-functional and flexible in the true sense.

On top of it, a low start-up pressure of 2 psi and high psi of 150 makes the propane tankless unit a preferred choice for RV owners.

Unlike some of its competitors that require a pressurized pump to get started, the EXCEL PRO doesn’t need any such helping hand resulting in customer happiness and enhanced overall productivity.

Trust me, I literally loved the way the Excel Pro is designed.

It is small, compact, sleek, and uniquely designed to grab your eyeballs for sure.

The unit is vent free so you can install it indoors without any hassle.

Since the water flow is 6.6 GPM so you can easily use two faucets simultaneously.

Not only that, but the manufacture also claims that the unit is capable of doing anything and everything that a 40-gallon tank-style heater can do for you.

With 140,000 BTU maximum input and 84% thermal efficiency, the unit is bound to deliver high-performance with ease, and definitely, could be a great fit for your RV.

Do I still need to convince you?

Eccotemp FVI12-LP Liquid Propane Gas Tankless Water Heaters

Personally, I’ve always loved products that are user-friendly, and convenient to use.

And, the Eccotemp FVI12-LP Liquid Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater is definitely, one such product that most RV owners would love to carry with themselves on long-trips.

For error messages and water temperature readings, you’ve got a user-friendly LED display unit.

Irrespective of the RVs model, the unit can be installed without any hassle, and the credit goes to the compact and sleek design.

On top of it, the unit is equipped with efficient and safe power ventilation that makes it a preferred choice among RV owners.

Like other RV owners, I also like to carry tools and devices that operates quietly while I’m on a long trip, and definitely, the Eccotemp FVI12-LP would match your expectation in this regard as well.

Moreover, water flow and gas flow are controlled by two separate regulator knobs in order to make things simple and easy for the newbies.

Even the water temperature can be adjusted by a simple nob turn which clearly depicts the usability that the unit possesses.

In layman’s language, the unit is equipped with almost all the “must-have” features that you might be looking for in an RV tankless water heater.

Not only do you’ve got better control over the unit performance but also, you’ll always have a shower that is enough hot and suffices your hot water requirement for sure.

With 80 PSI maximum pressure and a flow rate of 4 gallons per minute, the unit could be a great addition to your RV.

Lastly, the 33 lbs FVI12-LP is backed by 2 years limited warranty which clearly depicts the trust and confidence that the manufacturer has in its offering.

Camplux 5L Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater

So, here I come with yet another high-efficient tankless heater for RVs, and the best part is, the Camplux 5L Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater is highly portable.

Not only is the unit small and compact, but also comes with folding handles that make the transportation a cakewalk, indeed.

On top of it, the energy efficiency makes the unit a preferred choice for RV owners who are energy conscious and are on a constant lookout for energy-efficient and cost-effective products.

In case, you’re a frequent traveler like me, then definitely, you’re gonna love this little beast not only because it consumes less energy but also, due to its easy portability.

In layman’s terms, the tankless heater could be a great fit for the off-grid areas seeing its ability to run on a cost-effective fuel, that is, propane.

Moreover, it comprises two regulator knobs in order to help you with better control over gas and water flow.

The unit is descent and most probably will match up to your expectation if it’s not unrealistic, indeed.

I give the unit full marks for the kind of safety features that it comes with including freeze protection, oxygen depletion safety shut-of.

The manufacturer boasts about the unit being classified as a flame failure device.

In short, you and your family are safe while traveling with the little beast for sure.

Needless to say, the unit is affordable and one of the top-rated tankless heaters on our list for sure.

All I can say is, if you love nature, outdoor life, and camping trips, then this unit is for you.

Marey Power 10L Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater

Well, the Marey Power Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater is definitely one of those products that believe in delivering high-performance irrespective of the circumstances.

Needless to say, the unit doesn’t compromise on usability, convenience, and advanced technology.

In fact, it is equipped with almost all the essential features that might be looking for in a tankless water heater for a camper.

Being rust-proof, compact, and lightweight qualifies the unit for longevity, durability, and of course convenience to use and transport.

Not only is the unit easy to install but also, to operate.

At the same time, the unit will save you up to 60 percent on energy bills as compared to traditional models which are definitely something to brag about, isn’t it?

In times of crisis or in those off-grid areas, this unit can be a great rescuer as it doesn’t need an electric connection to run, and trust me, many of the RV owners would definitely like this characteristic of the little beast.

In layman’s language, a portable unit that offers you high-performance without compromising on features such as convenience, usability, cost-effectiveness, quiet-operation, and what NOT.

The MAREY GA10LP Indoor Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater can supply endless hot water on instant demand for 2 to 3 point-of-use simultaneously.

Moreover, it is uniquely designed in the USA and is capable of providing up to 2.7 Gal. per minute for a perfect shower at 115°F output water temperature.

The unit comes with a self-explanatory user manual and boasts about its customer support service.

Lastly, the 21 pounds GA10LP is backed by 5 years warranty.

Precision Temp RV 550 Tankless Water Heater

The Precision Temp RV 550 is definitely one of the most versatile tankless water heaters on our list.

In fact, we’ve tested the unit in various conditions and found it to work perfectly with ease.

To be honest, Precision Temp RV 550 could be a great fit for not only your RV but also, small house, cabin, trailer, etc, and the credit goes to the idiosyncratic features that it comes with.

Needless to say, you’ll not have any problem with the portability as the small and compact device can be easily moved from one place to another.

Most of my clients have appreciated the simple installation steps involved in the unit.

And, trust me, the Precision Temp RV 550 has the simplest installation process on our list, and thus, makes it a preferred choice among the RV owners.

At the same time, I would like to bring to your notice that the flow rate of this unit isn’t the best on our list.

However, with a power of 55,000 BTU and a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, the unit is meant to provide you a high-quality shower whenever you need it.

The RV-550 is equipped with advanced technology including automatic gas modulation that is capable of self-adjusting the gas usage depending upon the input water temperature.

On top of it, the unit is equipped with cold-weather protection which will consume 3 amps of power when activated and ensures a longer lifespan even in cold climatic conditions.

And, of course, the unit is highly appreciated by the RV owners for its quiet operation.

Honestly speaking, considering all the aforementioned features, I can affirm that the RV-550 would be a great fit for RV, and you’ll never REGRET buying it.

Eccotemp i12-LP water heater

So, here I come with yet another high-energy-efficient RV tankless water for you.

The Eccotemp i12-LP Water Heater takes user-friendliness to the next level.

Trust me, the Eccotemp i12-LP is equipped with idiosyncratic features that grab the eyeballs of prospective buyers in most of the cases if not all.

For example, the tempered glass black front panel that includes easy-to-use LED controls clearly depicts the usability of the unit.

Some other popular features of this unit are fully automatic temperature controls and child lock technology.

The manufacturer understands very well the importance of being cost-effective, and as a result, has inculcated the energy-saving features as well.

Furthermore, the 3 GPM water flow might not be the best on our list still qualifies to provide you with sufficient hot water at adequate pressure.

The installation process is simple and less-time consuming.

However, if you’re a first-time buyer then you can opt for the expert installation add-on.

In layman’s language, the manufacturer is well aware of what the customer wants and tries to the best of its capabilities to match the end-users expectations.

Rest assured, as per my knowledge and experience, you’ll never REGRET investing in this unit.

Lastly, the Eccotemp i12-LP is backed by two years limited warranty.

RV Electric Tankless Water Heaters

Well, in this section, I would be having an in-depth discussion about some of the best RV electric tankless water heaters available on the market.

Needless to say, the RV electric tankless water heaters that we would be discussing are of high quality and worth the investment.

EcoSmart ECO 11 RV Electric Tankless Water Heater

So, here I come with my favorite unit and trust me, it’s worth the praise.

The EcoSmart ECO 11 RV Electric Tankless Water Heater is perhaps the most efficient RV electric tankless that I’ve come across so far.

It goes without saying that the ECO 11 RV electric tankless is equipped with idiosyncratic features in order to help you achieve optimum results effortlessly.

The advanced technology and built-in features help you to save up to 60 percent on the electricity cost and are definitely something that will grab the eyeballs of quite a few RV owners if NOT ALL.

Furthermore, the small, compact, and sleek designed ECO 11 can be easily installed in a tiny space with ease, and most importantly, you can easily free the floor space by mounting the unit on the wall.

In fact, you only need to run the unit when you need a hot water supply, and the best part is, it is 99.8% energy efficient.

You can change the temperature as per your wish and requirement with the help of the digital temperature control feature that the unit comes with.

Of course, the ECO 11 is one of the lightest models on our list so portability wouldn’t be an issue for you.

In fact, you can install the unit without any hassle irrespective of you being a first-time buyer or a seasoned professional.

In layman’s language, ECO 11 is a unique blend of efficiency and high-performance.

Lastly, the unit is backed by a lifetime warranty on electronics, exchanger, and element that clearly shows the trust and confidence that the manufacturer has in its offering.

Tankless Instant Electric Water Heater By DLT

Frankly speaking, the tankless electric water heater by DLT is small and compact and could be a perfect choice for your RV.

The unit is highly flexible and can be mounted 360 degrees which makes it possible to be used for a wide range of applications including kitchen, bar, school, hospital, community, hair salon, and off-grid, cabins, etc.

For convenience and usability purposes, the manufacturer has inculcated features including small touch control, remote control, digital display, etc to help set the temperature without any hassles as well as get better control over the heater.

Once you’ve installed this compact and portable RV tankless water heater, you don’t have to worry at all about the temperature fluctuation or endless hot water supply.

Other than the aforementioned features, the unit is also equipped with multiple safety features dry combustion, flame failure device, anti-freezing protection, overheating protection, etc in order to ensure your as well as your family’s safety.

I hope many of the RV owners would opt for this idiosyncratic tankless heater seeing the features that it offers at an affordable price.

Rinkmo Electric Tankless Water Heater 

So, here I’m with yet another enticing RV tankless water heater that will blow up your mind with the features that it offers.

In case, you love sleep and unique design then definitely, you’re gonna love this product.

The Rinkmo Electric Tankless Water Heater is a unique blend of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, that is, a value for money, tankless water heater in the real sense.

In fact, you can easily install this unit at non-traditional places such as utility room, basement, garage, etc, and the credit goes to the unique space-saving design that the Rinkmo tankless comes with.

The company boasts about 50% saving on electricity bills as compared to a traditional water heater.

Moreover, the unit comes with an auto shut-off feature as well.

It comes with a built-in screen that will show the actual outlet water temperature instead of setting the temperature, so you would be well aware in real-time about the degree of hotness that the water possesses.

And, the best part is, the unit is fireproof.

Furthermore, the unit is equipped with advanced and innovative technology that negates the fluctuation in temperature and pressure in order to help you with a constant supply of hot water.

Vinmax 2019 Hot Tankless Water Heater

The lightweight electric water heater is a unique blend of quality and appearance.

Moreover, Vinmax 2019 Hot Tankless Water Heater comprises the environmental-friendly materials of international standards.

The unit comes with a simplified installation process, and could easily suffice the needs of different water pressure at different locations.

Even though you’re a first-time buyer, you can expedite the operation effortlessly with the help of the self-explanatory manual that the unit comes with.

Like the aforementioned RV tankless heaters, the Vinmax 2019 is also small, compact, and sleek, and can be installed in tiny spaces including the kitchen, restroom, bathroom, etc.

All in all, a decent product equipped with essential features to help end-users experience convenience, quiet and smooth experience.

EZ Tankless EZ 202 Tankless Water Heater

Well, frankly speaking, the EZ 202 Tankless Water Heater could be a great fit for you only if your requirement of hot water is less, in fact, not more than one bathroom.

However, the portable EZ 202 could be a great fit for your RV, camping, or even hunting.

For camping expeditions as well as hunting, you need a lightweight water heater with simple functionality, right?

Don’t worry, the unit will definitely meet your expectation in terms of convenience, transportation, energy efficiency, and performance.

Nonetheless, it couldn’t be a great fit if your everyday hot water requirement is huge, maybe for 5 to 6 persons.

The built-in auto-ignition feature will save you on energy consumption making it highly energy efficient.

With a water flow rate of 3.2 GPM, you can expect it to provide adequate pressure for your outdoor shower as well.

Since the unit doesn’t require any plug-in so it will definitely thrive in off-the-grid areas.

If you’re wondering from where does the unit gets its power, then let me tell you, two “D” cell batteries are in place to provide adequate power to the unit.

If you go on a camping expedition on a frequent basis and require occasional hot water in limited quantity, then definitely, this little beast would do the trick for you.

Buyer’s Guide

Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned professional, the buyer’s guide is gonna help you with the necessary piece of information needed to make an informed buying decision.

We as a team have tried to the best of our capabilities to club all the information in one place.

In fact, the information that I’m gonna share with you in a while would help you in deciding which RV heater is best for you in a particular situation.

Things to Know Before Buying a Tankless Water Heater For RVs

To be honest, if you’re a first-time buyer then you must have certain basic knowledge about the RV tankless hot water heaters.

Trust me, finding the right RV tankless heater isn’t as easy as it might seem to you.

In fact, you need to take a lot of things into consideration in order to find the product that not only caters to your needs but also falls well within your budget.

Power Source

It goes without saying that you need to decide initially and jot down on paper about the power source that you’re looking for.

Generally, you’ve got three options for the RV water heater’s power source, that is, electric, liquid propane, and a combination of the two.

If you’re not on a shoestring budget then definitely, my suggestion would be to opt for RV water heater model that comes with both the option.

But, as you very well know, that it will cost you some extra bucks.

Having more than one option to access the hot water is always good, and puts you on a safer side.

On the other hand, if you’re on a shoestring budget, then you need to choose the one that syncs well with your requirement.

For me, a propane tankless hot water heater has always been a better choice than an electric tankless one.

The propane models I feel sync well with my RV requirement and have a lot of variation, indeed.

Rest assured, all the models that made our list are of high quality, and you’ll never REGRET investing in them for sure.

Again, there could be an exception, and it happens anywhere and everywhere, isn’t it?

RV Tankless Hot Water Heater or Tank-Styled: Which one should I opt for?

Like many of the first-time buyers, I too had the aforementioned question in my mind when I was buying an RV heater for the very first time.

So, if you’re inquisitive to know, then nothing wrong with it.

Trust me, both tankless and tank-style RV heater comes with their own sets of pros and cons.

For instance, a tank-style model will cost you less upfront as compared to its tankless counterpart.

But, at the same time, you also need to understand that tank-style water heaters may lack the most advanced and innovative technology as well as occupy more space.

Moreover, a tank-styled hot water heater can provide you water only till it is present in the tank, you can even dream of an endless water supply in this case.

On the other hand, RV tankless water heaters instantly heat up the water and the unit does so only when it is required so standby loss is almost negligible.

As a result, an RV tankless heater will reduce your electricity bills drastically, and you would definitely be able to save a good amount of money in the long run.

If we try to find out the gist of the entire discussion, all I can say is, RV tankless water heater, according to my requirement, has an edge over a tank-styled heater.

And, this could also be understood from the fact that more and more RV owners are moving from tank-styled to tankless models.

Nonetheless, a tankless water heater also involves a complex installation process which could be a pain in your butt so do thorough homework before opting for any of them.

Tank-Based Water Heaters

Most of the tank-styled models use propane as fuel and will comprise a tank that falls in the range of six to ten gallons.

Again, it depends on the size of the tank-styled model.

At the same time, I’ll not deny the fact that there are outliers that come with more than 15 gallons tank or less than 5 gallons tank.

Similarly, there are certain models that solely work on propane.

On the other hand, you’ll also find models that are flexible enough to give you the option of propane as well as an electric hook-up to power the heater.

What I’ll say is, do proper research before opting for a particular model.

Some models will either use a direct spark ignition or a pilot light to get started.

In case, you’ve got a pilot light model, then you’ll have to light it but only after you’ve safely spark and leveled your RV.

On the other hand, things could be a lot more simplified, if you’ve got the RV hot water heater with the direct ignition.

In simple words, all you need to do is to turn on a switch inside your RV after you’ve parked.

In fact, these models are known to possess a simplified process and a lot less effort from the RV owners as compared to the pilot light models that can become quite tricky at times for sure.

For the safety measures, the tank-style water heaters mostly rely on built-in safety systems to ensure nothing goes wrong.

Considering all the aforementioned information, you can easily figure out that the tank-styled water heater has a less upfront cost as well as are easier to install.

Tankless Water Heaters

The tankless water heaters for RV don’t work exactly the same way as a tank-based water heater does.

From time to time, the RV tankless hot water heaters incorporate the latest and most innovative technology in order to help the end-users with the best possible user experience.

The way these types of tankless heater works sound very interesting to me.

In fact, as soon as you’ll turn on the hot water knob, the water heater switches on and the water starts flowing through pipes along with a heating element that will heat the water instantaneously.

So, as the owner of the tankless water heater, you’ll get hot water instantly, and some tankless models are equipped with recirculation technology which is known to further reduce the wait time.

These types of units typically use LP gas as it provides the quickest water heating results.

Since the RV tankless heater spends energy in heating the incoming groundwater only when you need it so energy doesn’t get wasted in form of standby loss.

On the contrary, a tank-based water heater stores hot water in the tank so energy gets lost to the environment and the unit needs to keep spending the energy in heating the water.

All in all, with the aforementioned information, you can easily figure out the sudden surge in the popularity of a tankless water heater in the last couple of years, and trust me, all of it is for a good reason other than the higher price.

Size

Honestly speaking, you need to be well versed with the size that caters to your RV hot water requirement.

I’ve previously experienced many of my clients doing the mistake of selecting the correct size hot water heater for their RVs.

Failing to do so might put you in a disgusting situation.

It wouldn’t be a surprise or shock for me if you’ll complain online that the newly bought RV heater isn’t getting installed in the place where the old heater was located or whatever.

My advice would be to figure out the dimensions of the older heater correctly before buying a newer heater.

With the dimension handy, it would be easy for you to compare the size of the older heater with the one that you’ve finalized or shortlisted.

Even if you’ve made up your mind to buy a tankless water heater for your RV, you need to be very careful with the model type in order to prevent any last-hour misadventure.

Just for your information, some tankless heaters are capable of handling multiple fixtures simultaneously while others can handle just one faucet or shower at a time.

So, before selecting a unit, you need to be well versed with your daily water requirement so that you can easily figure out which size would be a perfect fit for you.

Heat Output

I’m assuming that most of you would be aware of the fact that the heater’s energy output is measured in British Thermal Unit (BTU).

In layman’s language, the higher the BTU the more efficient the unit would be and vice-versa.

A simple way to find out a more efficient water heater in your budget is to find out the model that has the highest BTU.

However, in the way to find out the most efficient water heater don’t overlook other important and “must-have” parameters.

Water Capacity

Definitely, water capacity is an important buying parameter that you can’t afford to overlook.

It isn’t a difficult task to find out the water capacity if you’ve done your homework correctly.

All you need to do is to find the answers to a couple of questions, indeed.

For example, will I be running multiple showers a day?

The more questions you would be asking yourself related to the capacity the better clarity you’ll have regarding your water requirement.

Similarly, how many people would be a part of my trips?

There could be numerous questions for which you might be needing the exact answer in order to narrow down on the RV water heater options.

As per my knowledge and experience, if you’re traveling with your family, then water heaters with a capacity of 10 to 16 gallons will do the trick for you.

However, if you’re not able to find the hot water heater as per your family requirement, then my best advice would be to narrow down on the hot water consumption by reducing the shower time, etc.

Durability

It goes without saying that durable RV hot water heaters are meant to have a longer lifespan.

Always look for units that are made of high-quality materials capable of resisting rust and corrosion.

Well, we never buy an RV hot water heater every next day, right?

So, it is always advisable to do some online research to ensure that the product you’re planning to buy is worth the investment.

In case, you want to dig more than you can refer to the customer’s reviews of the aforementioned products on various eCommerce websites including Amazon.

By doing more research, you would be able to find the products that you shouldn’t opt for.

Ease of Installation

Ease of installation may be a top priority for many of you and vice-versa.

I prefer and recommend the RV hot heater that comes with ease of installation.

Especially, the newbies should look for an RV heater that can be easily installed without the help of a professional or a technician.

In the case of propane RV heaters, you might have to expedite the installation process under the guidance of the technician.

To know more about the ease of installation, you must go through the customer reviews.

About a particular RV heater model, the users’ are the best ones to get in touch for knowing the pros and cons of it.

Warranty

Honestly speaking, warranty is an important parameter that you shouldn’t ignore at all.

The more the warranty period the better it is.

Always look for the products that come with at least a couple of years of warranty if NOT MORE.

A higher duration of warranty simply shows the trust and confidence of the manufacturer in its offering.

At the same time, I advise my clients to refrain from buying an RV heater that doesn’t come with a warranty.

The good news is, most of the RV heaters that made our list come with a decent warranty duration.

Price

It goes without saying that price is an influencing factor and can make or break a buyer’s decision.

Always look for products that are well within your budget and also, caters to your requirement.

It is quite obvious that if you’re on a shoestring budget then you wouldn’t be able to afford a premium product.

But, it’s wonderful, there are quite a few good RV water heaters in the budget category, and we’ve reviewed them as well.

What are different types of RV heaters?

I would be walking you through the different types of RV water heaters based on the power source.

Already we had a comprehensive and in-depth discussion on tank-based and tankless heaters, right?

Electric Water Heaters

An electric RV heater will typically use about 120 volts of electricity.

All you need to do is to plug and play, that’s all.

It gives you more flexibility in terms of where you want your electricity to come from.

What I mean is, you’ll be able to either run your RV heater on generator power or directly through the power provided by your campground.

I hope you would have some idea about the level of flexibility that an electric heater comes with.

The electric models are the most energy-efficient as compared to propane RV heaters.

But, at the same time, the electric RV heaters might cost you a little more upfront which you can easily recover in the long run.

Liquid Propane Heaters

The most common of all three types is a liquid propane RV water heater.

Needless to say, the liquid propane RV heaters are old, reliable, and trustworthy, and because of all these reasons, many of the RV owners still stick to them.

Most of these models can be started in one or another way, that is, manual pilot light or direct spark ignition.

I recommend the models that come with a direct spark ignition as they are more technologically advanced as well as easier to use.

The benefit of the direct spark ignition model is that it can be operated through a control board that will detect when it needs to light the ignitor automatically.

On the other hand, if the pilot light goes out, you’ll have to light a match and get it running again.

I hope till now many of you would’ve definitely understood why I always vouch for the direct spark ignition model.

However, if you want to go with the spark ignition model then let me tell you, it will cost you more upfront as compared to the basic pilot light liquid propane RV water heater model.

Electric and Liquid Propane RV Water Heaters

Frankly speaking, most of the RV water heaters will give you options to choose from, that is, you can either opt for liquid propane or electricity.

As an RV owner, I always look for the models that come with both options.

The best part is, you always have a backup if your current option isn’t working for you, and it really pays off in the off-grid areas.

To be honest, there are other models that are powered by natural gas, etc.

So, depending upon your requirement and budget, you can opt for the one that caters to your needs.

How to Install an RV Water Heater?

Frankly speaking, there isn’t any hard and fast rule for an RV water heater installation.

The installation process may vary from one model to another.

However, all the products that made our list come with a self-explanatory user manual in order to help you expedite the installation process without any hassle.

Let’s have a quick look at some of the general steps involved in the installation process.

You can take it as a reference, and just for information, your unit might have similar steps or might not.

So, what I’ll suggest is to go through the users’ manual thoroughly, and in the case of doubt, please do contact an experienced professional.

• First and foremost, you need to hang L10 using the mounting bracket on the top/back of the unit
• In the next step, you need to connect the gas pipe with the supplied gas hose and regulator
• Once you’re done with the aforementioned steps, carefully connect the water hose to the hot water outlet
• Then, connect the water hose to the water inlet
• Moving further, insert 2 “D” cell batteries into the unit
• Now, it’s time to power the on/off switch
• Your wait is over, enjoy the instant hot water

Before I move further, I would like to bring to your notice that the aforementioned steps are just for reference and resembles Eccotemp L10 2.6 GPM Portable Tankless Water Heater’s installation instructions.

Trust me, if things are done in the right manner, then you’ll not face any problem with the RV water heater installation.

The process is simple, easy, and less time-consuming, indeed.

Again, I’m repeating my words, don’t hesitate to contact a technician in case of discrepancy or doubt.

How to Use an RV Water Heater Effectively?

I’m gonna walk you through 5 steps that will give you some idea about the best practices that you need to follow while using a water heater for an RV.

But, at the same time, you also need to understand, all these steps are generic, and the use depends on the specific model that you’ll end up buying.

There may be some addition or reduction in the steps for a particular model.

Connect RV to a Water Supply

Whether you end up buying an electric RV heater or a propane counterpart, first and foremost, you need to connect your RV to the nearby water supply.

Once you’ve done the connection, make sure the water heater is off.

Wait, till the heater becomes full.

Afterward, turn on the hot water faucet or shower and let it run until the sputtering stops.

Turn on the Propane Tank

In this step, you need to make sure that the water heater is connected to the fuel supply, in this case, it is a propane tank.

Unfortunately, without this connection, your water heater wouldn’t work as it will not have access to the fuel.

Plug-in RV into Power Source

To be honest, a power source can be into your home outlet or somewhere else.

All you need to do is to get the required amount of power for your RV.

Turn on RV Hot Water Heater

This step could be a bit tricky as the method of turning on your RV water heater may vary from model to model.

Most of the recent models come with an electric starter to make things simple and easy for the end-users.

For the electric starter, a switch is present that can be accessed with the help of the RV’s primary control panel.

But, in the case of the older RV heater models, a pilot light or starter is present that can be activated manually.

On the other hand, you might have an RV heater that comes with a manual start, right?

In such a scenario, you need to open up the access panel and turn it on, which you can do with the help of a push-button starter.

Well, if you’ve got the top-rated tankless hot water heater for your RV, then you can switch it on by the switch present in the RV’s primary control panel.

Wait Until the Water Gets Heated

Have some patience, and wait until the water heater has done its job.

Allow the water heater sometime so that it can heat the water to the required temperature.

Once you’ve got the hot water flowing from your faucet, shower, etc use it as per your need.

Just to remind you, the process would differ from model to model so you need to be careful, indeed.

Maintenance Tips

To be honest, maintenance may vary from model to model.

For example, tankless RV electric heaters are quite easy to maintain as compared to other models.

Most tankless RV heaters come with detailed maintenance instructions in the manual.

In short, you don’t have to worry too much about the tankless RV heaters cleaning process.

On the other hand, a tank-based system might require something outside the manual instructions in order to maintain the unit properly.

In fact, the anode rod inside the unit needs to be handled with care, as failing to do so might lead to further complications.

The anode rod plays a significant role in protecting the tank from rust and corrosion, and in the process, it has to sacrifice itself.

What I wanna say is that the damage of the anode could create big trouble for you as it will expose the tank to corrosion and rusting.

So, I always advise my clientele to inspect the rod at least once every six months so that you’re sure about the good health of the anode rod.

As soon as you find out that the rod isn’t in good condition, you need to replace it to prevent any further damage.

Another important thing is the tank should be completely drained in case, you’re not using your RV.

To sum up, in the case of a tankless RV heater, all you need to do is to follow the instruction manual and expedite the instructions accordingly.

In the case of a tank-style RV heater, you need to follow the instructions as well as be mindful of the anode rod and regularly flush the tank.

FAQs

As promised to my readers, in this section, I would be responding to their queries in order to help them clear their doubts and make informed buying decisions.

What is an RV Water Heater?

Frankly speaking, an RV hot water heater is a waterproof device used by RV owners to access hot water in both warm and cold climates round the clock.

If you love RVing life, then you can easily understand the importance of an RV water heater, right?

Would you love to bathe with cold water in a cold climate?

Well, it’s even wrong to imagine such a scenario until and unless, you’re intentionally doing it, right?

In fact, in such a scenario, where you want to use water in a cold climate while RVing, you definitely need an RV hot water heater.

And, trust me, if you love RVing in winter, then you shouldn’t ignore an asset like a water heater for your RV.

In layman’s language, an RV hot water heater would help you deal with cold water, snow, etc in an effective way with ease.

Once you’ve properly installed a tankless RV water heater, you don’t have to worry at all about the hot water anymore.

So, how does an RV water heater works?

Well, it depends on the model that you’ve opted for.

A tank-based water heater would work differently as compared to a tankless counterpart.

Again, tankless RV water heaters can be further segregated on the basis of fuel.

An RV water heater that uses propane/natural gas has a different mechanism as compared to a tankless electric hot water heater.

Nonetheless, whatever mechanism the heater uses, the end goal is to provide you with hot water without any hassle.

What are the most trusted RV water heater brands?

To be honest, all the brands that made it to our review list are of high quality and worth your investment.

Let’s have a quick look at some of the most popular and well-established brands in the RV water heater domain.

Suburban

The brand specializes in water heating and cooking equipment and has been a well-known name in the RV part marketplace for quite a few times now.

Moreover, the primary focus of the brand is customer-centric products and quality.

The brand is known for manufacturing products that are a unique blend of performance and longer lifespan.

And, as RV owners, we definitely love products that are long-lasting, reliable, and efficient.

Atwood

The brand Atwood entered the RV market with a trailer coupler in 1936.

Since then the brand has been supplying its customers with high-quality RV parts and has become a pioneer in this domain.

Ecotemp

If I’m not wrong then Ecotemp is recognized as the #1 seller of portable tankless water heaters in the world.

Over a period of time, the brand Ecotemp has established itself as a trustworthy name.

The brand always boasts about its customer service and customer satisfaction.

Moreover, the brand believes in positively impacting the life of the end customers.

Why should I convert a hot water heater to tankless?

I wouldn’t say that it is not possible to convert an RV hot water heater to tankless, but at the same time, it needs some effort and time.

To be honest, you need to choose the right heater model and must be equipped with the right set of tools in order to expedite the conversion process.

At the same time, I would also like to bring to your notice that it will cost you significantly which includes upfront initial purchase and installation cost.

Nevertheless, the benefits of converting to a tankless hot water heater overshadow the upfront cost for sure.

Not only does an RV tankless hot water heater will save you a tangible amount in the long run by lowering your heating cost but also, will take less space and last longer as compared to a tank-based water heater.

So, I don’t spend some extra bucks for the professional installation that would bother you. right?

How to remove an RV water heater?

After a couple of years most of the RV water heaters need to be removed, and of course for a good reason.

Especially, extreme climatic conditions such as an extended stay in low temperature or desert-like climatic conditions can cause severe damage to the RV heater including the bursting of the tank.

Whatever be the reason, you need to remove an RV tankless heater at some point in time.

So, here I’ve come up with some general steps that you can consider as a reference for the RV hot water heater removal.

In case, you’re expediting the removal process for the very first time, then I would request you to expedite it under the guidance of an expert.

Locate the heater access point from outside your RV

In most of the RVs, the water heater access point would be present near the back usually behind a hinged hatch.

It is quite possible that the location of the access point in your RV may be at a different location, and even the set of instructions are a bit different.

But, the basics will remain the same.

Make sure that everything is shut off and nothing is flowing into the water heater

All you need to do is to turn off the water connection and shut off the propane tank at the tank source.

Most importantly, avoid having an open flame near you.

Locate the water heater rear access from inside your RV

In most cases, the rear access would be present under the kitchen skin.

Unscrew the screws holding down

This is a crucial step and needs to be expedited carefully.

In fact, you need to unscrew the screws holding down the cover to the water heater’s rear access.

My preferred tool would be a screwdriver rather than a drill because it’s always better to be safe than sorry, isn’t it?

Remove propane intake from the tank

You need to remove the propane intake from the tank, and it can be easily done by going back outside to exterior rear access.

Be careful while expediting the process as tubing tends to bend easily.

Remove your water heater’s door cover

In this step, you need to remove your water heater’s door cover as well as the screws holding it in place.

Once you’ve removed the screw, allow the unit some time to rest.

With the removal of the door cover, working on the water connections inside the unit would be easier as you’ll not face the problem of dim light.

Water intake and outtake hoses need to be removed

The hoses are easily accessible by the rear port.

Once the hoses are located, you can easily turn them by hand or with the help of pillars.

I would suggest you should use a towel or something similar to navigate between the connections.

Refraining from doing so might create trouble for you as it could end up damaging the plastic parts, which are highly susceptible because of being soft.

Once you’re done, water will empty out the unit.

Remove water heater from outside your RV

Frankly speaking, you’re done with most of the part.

Since you’ve disconnected both the water and propane supply, it’s high time that you pull the water heater out from the access point on the outside of your RV.

All you need to do is to pull out the heater carefully so that no damage is incurred.

I hope you’re clear with each and every step, and if you’re not sure that you can expedite the entire process on your own, then it’s always a good move to hire a technician who can expedite the process on your end.

How to light an RV water heater pilot?

If you’re a first-time buyer then you might face some difficulty in lighting an RV water heater’s pilot light.

Moreover, if your RV heater is using propane or natural gas as fuel then you need to be a bit careful in expediting the process.

What I would advise is to check for the instruction manual about the directions regarding the lightning of the pilot light.

The instruction can vary significantly from model to model so it wouldn’t be possible to highlight or discuss the general steps.

Wrapping Up

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.

I along with my core team members have tried to the best of our capabilities to come up with a comprehensive buying guide in order to help you make an informed buying decision.

Moreover, if you’ve liked our effort and wanna appreciate us, then please do share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.

After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?

Cutting long-story-short, all the RV tankless heaters that made our list are of high quality and worth the investment.

To be honest, the term “best RV heater” is a relative one and not absolute.

What I mean is the RV tankless heater that might be best for me may not even cater to your needs and vice-versa.

So, always look for the RV heater models that not only cater to your needs but also falls well within your budget.

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