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Glamping in an RV can completely change one’s experience of the great outdoors. RVs offer many creature comforts that you can’t get with a traditional tent setup, especially running water. While most RVs come with a water tank, you might have to add a little extra if you want to heat that water up enough to do something like a shower. An RV tankless water heater can do exactly that. There are a lot of options out there, so we’ve rounded up some of the most popular and accessible heaters in the list below.
main function
- 2.64 GPM (Gallon Per Minute) instant hot water produced
- Heat water only when it is in use – no preheating required
- 6-in-1 multi-protection including fire protection, freeze protection, over temperature protection, airflow pressure switch protection and more
- Uses electronic ignition and plugs into a standard 120V outlet
- Compact design made to save space
- With digital temperature display
- Camplux offers 24-hour customer service
This Camplux heater delivers 2.64 gallons of hot water per minute. Like all tankless water heaters, there is no need to preheat the water, which means it provides instant hot water whenever you need it. This class has six types of protection including fire protection, freeze protection, overheating protection and more. It even has a digital temperature display built right in!
main function
- Instant hot water supply without waiting
- Features a forced discharge structure and a dust filter to keep the air clean as it moves through the tankless water heater
- Use low water pressure start
- Propane heating
- “Flame Out Protection” automatically turns off the device if the flame is extinguished
- “Water and gas link control” turns off heating if you run out of water, so you don’t use up propane or damage the heater
- “Frost Protection” automatically heats water if the temperature is 43°F or below
- Temperature range from 95°F – 123°F
- Applicable water pressure from 14.5 PSI – 116 PSI
The RecPro option has a lot of great features like forced exhaust construction and dust filter to keep the air clean as it moves through the heater, low water pressure start, “fire protection” and more. again. It will even automatically turn off the heat if you run out of water so you don’t use up propane or damage the heater. This unit can deliver heat from 95°F – 123°F with a water pressure of 14.5 PSI – 116 PSI.
main function
- Features an altitude-fit mode that provides usability as high as 9,800 feet
- Phased combustion technology prevents water from overheating in the summer and saves propane gas
- Produces 2.9 GPM (Gallon Per Minute) of hot water. The hot water supply lasts more than 20 minutes
- Includes a built-in pressure release valve
- With wired remote controller (2 meters)
- CSA certified with many protection features: built-in forced exhaust fan, stable burning, automatic gas shut-off and anti-freeze
If you are looking for an RV water heater that will be stable at high altitudes, then this Fogatti option is well worth considering. It offers usability as high as 9,800 feet. It also has phased combustion technology to prevent the water from overheating on warm days and will also save you propane gas. It produces 2.9 gallons of hot water per minute, has a built-in pressure relief valve, and even has a (wired) remote control.
main function
- Has a built-in microprocessor to control things like flow rate and hot water outlet temperature to keep it consistent
- Consume half the amount of propane that a six-gallon tank water heater will
- Includes digital user control panel that allows user to adjust temperature from 95°F to 124°F and displays error codes
- This water heater “fits any water heater opening in the tank and weighs 32 lbs”
Girard water heaters can be a great option if you’re trying to save on propane. This model only consumes about half as much propane as a six-gallon tank water heater. The onboard microprocessor helps control things like flow rate and hot water outlet temperature, and it also features a digital control panel that allows the user to adjust the water temperature from 95°F to 95°F. 124°F. It also shows an error code if there is a problem.
main function
- Capacity 2.4 GPM (Gallon Per Minute)
- Delivers hot water on demand “even when the ambient temperature drops to 32°F”
- Built-in sensor automatically turns off the heater if the water temperature exceeds the safe limit
- “Specifically designed for retrofit applications and use (d) as a replacement door for Suburban 4/6 Gallon Water Heater models. This door fits the required size of 16.14 inches x 16.14 inches”
- Uses Furrion VibrationSmart technology to withstand vibrations caused by rocks or uneven terrain
- 2 years warranty by Furrion guarantee
If you are planning an extremely adventurous trip, then this Furrion tankless water heater is worth checking out. It has VibrationSmart technology to help it resist vibrations caused by rough terrain. It has a capacity of 2.4 gallons per minute, can provide hot water even when the ambient temperature reaches freezing (32°F), and it is specially designed for retrofit applications and has can be used as a replacement door for Suburban 4/6 gallon water heater models. The best part? It is warranted for 2 years by the manufacturer.
What is an RV tankless water heater?
An RV water heater without a tank is what it sounds like. Instead of heating the water in the tank, the tankless water heater heats the water immediately as it moves through the system so there is no need for a tank. In theory, this system could provide an unlimited supply of hot water (or at least, it could heat as much water as you have in your RV).
Why do you need a tankless water heater?
While it is certainly not necessary to have an RV water heater, it can certainly make your trip a lot more pleasant. Sure, you can shower with cold water, but it’s definitely not fun. As for what makes tankless water heaters preferred over traditional heaters, the big benefit is that they are often smaller than traditional heaters, which is extremely useful in compact spaces like RVs. Also, as mentioned above, they heat the water immediately instead of requiring the user to wait for the water tank to heat up.
How does a tankless water heater work?
The water is heated on its way through the pipes of the heater, instead of in a large tank like a traditional water heater.
How do you use a tankless water heater?
You will need to install it first. How do you install a tankless water heater? Unfortunately, it may vary depending on the heater. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, we recommend that you speak to a mechanic familiar with tankless hot water systems.
What are the pros and cons of using a tankless water heater?
Of course the biggest advantage of using a tankless water heater is that you will have hot water on your excursions! Going the tank-free route guarantees “unlimited” and immediate supply. However, tankless water heaters can be expensive and difficult to install, so you’ll have to weigh convenience against your budget and your comfort level with DIY projects that have a moderate lift.
How much does an unheated water heater cost?
As you may know from our selection, you will be able to find water heaters available in a wide selection of prices. All in all, you can find anywhere from $100 for a budget option to $1,200 or more for something a little more premium.
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