Not sure where to post (Need Water heater thoughts)

[MarineSniper26]

I have a 2015 Reflection RV. My wife and I are traveling for her job so this is becoming our home away from home. I am looking into replacing the current Atwood hot water heater with an on demand heater. What I am discovering, the Atwood is not the standard size for typical replacement models. My dimensions for the Atwood is 16" x 12.5". The replacement models a in the neighborhood of 13" x 13", with a door of 15" x 15". So, they they wont work unless I am missing something. My question is what should I be looking at to replace this to a on demand system? thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Semper Fi...

Jim

[FT4NOW]

Maybe if you can post the current water heater model number someone can help think of something, or maybe there is a retrofit kit available.

[xrated]

I'll move this over to General Tech.......Appliances, since a water heater is an appliance....and pretty much every camper has one in it.

[trailrydr]

I have a 2015 Reflection RV. My wife and I are traveling for her job so this is becoming our home away from home. I am looking into replacing the current Atwood hot water heater with an on demand heater. What I am discovering, the Atwood is not the standard size for typical replacement models. My dimensions for the Atwood is 16" x 12.5". The replacement models a in the neighborhood of 13" x 13", with a door of 15" x 15". So, they they wont work unless I am missing something. My question is what should I be looking at to replace this to a on demand system? thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Semper Fi...

Jim

Not sure your gonna find any "direct" replacement on demands. There have been some comments on the web about the Furrion FR68SR being "close" to door size - 18x18.

In my 5er, basement space would be fine for it as well. May have a little cutting to do for the opening.

[WhittleBurner]

Which Reflection model do you have ? a 5th wheel or travel trailer? this could make a difference on replacement , possible cutting of the exterior wall and accessing the area without being a worm.

I hope you don't plan on winter camping , the tankless is not very cold weather friendly.

[MarineSniper26]

Thanks for the comments. To answer some of your questions, My Reflection is a 27RL Super-Lite fifth wheel. The model # for the Atwood heater is GC6aa-10e. I have heard mixed reviews with winter camping using an on demand unit. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[Hoopy Frood]

Another thought is boondocking. I have read that some people don't care for the on-demand water heaters due to having full water flow for the water heater to work properly. Apparently lowering the flow to conserve water doesn't allow the water heater to heat water. But I don't know this personally, just passing along what I've read.

[traveldawg]

I have a 2015 Reflection RV. My wife and I are traveling for her job so this is becoming our home away from home. I am looking into replacing the current Atwood hot water heater with an on demand heater. What I am discovering, the Atwood is not the standard size for typical replacement models. My dimensions for the Atwood is 16" x 12.5". The replacement models a in the neighborhood of 13" x 13", with a door of 15" x 15". So, they they wont work unless I am missing something. My question is what should I be looking at to replace this to a on demand system? thanks in advance for any thoughts!

Semper Fi...

Jim

You really should measure the opening GD provided for the water heater. It is most likely totally framed with aluminum making enlarging the opening very difficult. Putting a smaller unit in would be ok; you could just use some blocking to fill a gap and make cosmetic changes to the outside cover.

Put me in the 'not a fan of constant hot water heaters'' but I drive around with a 12 gallon Suburban so maybe I shouldn't get a vote.

[Hoopy Frood]

"Put me in the 'not a fan of constant hot water heaters'' but I drive around with a 12 gallon Suburban so maybe I shouldn't get a vote."

So size DOES matter?!

[FT4NOW]

Thanks for the comments. To answer some of your questions, My Reflection is a 27RL Super-Lite fifth wheel. The model # for the Atwood heater is GC6aa-10e. I have heard mixed reviews with winter camping using an on demand unit. Thanks again for your thoughts.

If you are set on tankless, Furrion has one that uses a 12 3/4 x 12 3/4 opening, but is available with an 18x18 door. You should be able to make some bracing in your current opening and the face plate should be able to cover and seal your opening. I found it on etrailer if you search tankless water heaters. An email to etrailer or Furrion would help confirm if this works or not.