Are you a recreational vehicle owner looking for an energy-efficient, tankless water heater that distributes hot water to appliances and showers on the go? We’ve researched and reviewed the five top-rated RV tankless water heaters to supply your on-the-road, or off-the-grid lifestyle with on-demand hot water!
What are the best RV tankless water heaters on the market?
✅ 2. Suburban 5286A Learn More
✅ 3. Camplux 2.64 GPM Tankless Propane Water Heater Learn More
✅ 4. PrecisionTemp RV-550 Learn More
✅ 5. Marey GA10LP Learn More
Reviews of the 5 Best RV Tankless Water Heaters
1. Girard 2GWHAM
Girard 2GWHAM Review: Best Tankless Water Heater for RV Install a Girard tankless water heater with the peace of mind that years of research and experience support every model.
The Girard 2GWHAM tankless water heater has a regulator that helps maintain consistent temperatures. No extra gas lines or plumbing required to get hot water on demand! And every Girard tankless water heater is weatherized to protect the unity from freezing temperatures.
Using the on-board microprocessor is the key to controlling rapid water temperature changes on-demand within +/- 1°F—set temperatures between 95°F up to 124°F.
Visual diagnostics let you see the flame output and the water temperature in real-time. Silicone rings protect all parts leading in and out of the unit for easy alignment and stability.
The Girard is easy to mount, weighs 21 pounds, and measures 14.6 x 17.8 x 14.6 inches. Install a Girard, and you’ll see why it’s the best tankless water heater for an RV.
Warranty: Girard offers a two-year warranty.
To watch the Girard 2GWHAM Review on YouTube, click here.
Pros:
- Fast 25-minute installation and instant hot water
- Improved RV experience; inspired to use RV more often
- 2.56 GPM of instant hot water for up to 45 minutes
Cons:
- Poor communication from customer support regarding replacement parts
- Capacity of tank and heat exchanger don’t sync correctly
- Continual circuit board and control panel failure
2. Suburban 5286A
Suburban 5286A Review: Best Suburban RV Tankless Water Heater With the purchase of Suburban’s NAUTILUS On Demand RV Water Heater, you will begin saying good-bye to all that impatience you experience, waiting for the water to reheat in those conventional tanks.
If continuously hot showers and baths, washing the dishes, and doing the laundry with an infinite supply of hot water whenever and wherever, simultaneously from every fixture is what you want in a tankless water heater for recreational vehicle use, the Suburban 5286A is the perfect model. Here’s why.
For starters, there’s no storage tank. By reducing the unnecessary weight and increasing efficiency, the 5286A only operates when you need hot water.
Reliable NAUTILUS On Demand RV Tankless Water Heaters uses a proprietary 2-Stage Modulating Combustion Systems (MCS). Self-adjusting the gas input provides a consistent and endless supply of hot water, no matter how many points of entry require hot water at the same time.
Weighing in at just 36 pounds, the 5286A comes with a vent assembly, standard freeze protection mechanisms, state-of-the-art 3-Try Direct Spark Ignition for safe and reliable operation, all neatly arranged in a footprint that measures 12.5″ H X 12.5″ W X 20.5″ D.
Warranty: Suburban offers a two-year warranty with extension options. No registration of the product is required.
To watch the Suburban 5286A Review on YouTube, click here.
Pros:
- Well-constructed, thick-walled body and wide circular ventilation system
- Easy-to-use ON/OFF switch, or upgrade to affordable (approx. $80) LED digital temperature control system
- Innovative ventilation system
Cons:
- Send blasts of cold water through the shower in 7-minute intervals
- Units have arrived with missing pieces and no instruction manual
- Unreliable propane lighting mechanism
3. Camplux 2.64 GPM Tankless Propane Water Heater
Camplux 2.64 GPM Review: Best RV On Demand Water Heater It’s pretty impressive but not surprising that the portable 19-pound, 12.8 x 6.1 x 21.65-inch Camplux 2.64 GPM tankless water heater is the best RV on-demand water heater.
Installation takes minutes. You’re up and running and enjoying 2.64 GPM, and the Campus is designed to light when water pressure is between 3.0-110 PSI. Even when camping with low pressure, the Camplux is the perfect choice for tankless water heating.
Camplux 2.64 GPM runs rigorous safety tests on all of its products. Proprietary, built-in Safety-Flame failure device, auto-shutoff at 167°F, anti-freezing protection drain plug, with auto discharge come standard with the 2.64 GPM and provide you peace of mind and guaranteed long-time maintenance in temperate climates.
Advanced combustion technology takes the guesswork out of turning knobs and lighting pilot lights and focuses on getting the water hot fast and keeping it hot continually. The easy-to-read LED temperature gauge, and heating control system get water hot within +/- 1°F.
If you want instant, endless hot water, wherever you roam, it’s the perfect tankless water heater for all your road trips!
Camplux is known for its considerate customer support, available 24/7 through live chat, phone, and email.
Warranty: Camplux offers a one-year warranty. Contact the Camplux customer service team for a replacement or after-sales service during the warranty period via their hotline or email.
To watch the Camplux 2.64 GPM Review on YouTube, click here.
Pros:
- Great for use at higher elevations up to 10,000 feet
- Trusted to work as good as a full-sized water heater during a power outage
- Reliable enough to heat a swimming pool for up to 8 hours
Cons:
- Cheaply made plastic adaptors cause the unit to leak
- Male/female garden hose adaptors not compatible with all hoses
- Unit doesn’t light consistently or stay lit
4. PrecisionTemp RV-550
PrecisionTemp RV-550 Review: Best RV Tankless Water Heater for Output If you’re shopping for the best RV tankless water heater for output, look no further than PrecisionTemp. The RV-550 tankless water heater for RV is designed to enhance your hot water experience and save you money.
Whether you have an RV, trailer, tiny house, cabin, even a mobile washing service, the Marey brand of tankless water heaters take up half the space and weigh a third less but produce as much as a 10-gallon hot water tank! Ready for an RV experience and delivery of a steady stream of continuous hot water on demand?
The PrecisionTemp RV-550 doesn’t require a continual pilot light and operates with high propane efficiency. Built-in wall vents offer continuous airflow to keep the unit from overheating.
Translation, the RV-550 delivers hot water to your RV at higher, more stable temperatures, which directly passes economically more affordable energy savings on to you!
PrecisionTemp’s proven VariFlame technology provides a reliable flow of hot water from the unit to delivery points in the RV only when a tap or shower is turned on. The RV-550 uses innovative automatic gas modulation to self-adjust the gas usage depending on the water flow, desired water temperature, and the RV-550 can withstand four-season temperatures. No overheating when temperatures spike, and no worries of “under-heating’ in sub-zero climates.
You can even switch to a cold-weather freeze-protection to reduce power/amp usage. The PrecisionTemp RV-550 tankless water heater for RV senses colder temperatures and adjusts accordingly with a guaranteed 1.0 GPM on demand.
Warranty: With the receipt of purchase and product registration, PrecisionTemp offers a generous 2-year limited warranty against leakage, corrosion, and defects. No labor costs or fuel adjustments are covered under PrecisonTemp’s current warranty.
To watch the PrecisionTemp RV-550 Review on YouTube, click here.
Pros:
- Uses 50% less propane
- RV owners rave about this tankless unit as a “best decision” purchase
- Innovative VariFlame automatic gas modulation system
Cons:
- Cold to hot on demand delivery can take up to 7.5 minutes
- Overheats water to dangerous temperatures (150°F)
- Unit doesn’t weather modulate
5. Marey GA10LP
Marey GA10LP Review: Best RV Tankless Water Heater Made in USA Offering innovation and tradition since 1955, Marey knows a few things about the innovative technology that makes their GA10LP model the best RV tankless water heater made in the USA.
Marey ticks all the boxes. The Marey GA10LP provides your RV or small home and an endless supply of hot water on demand and can save you up to 60% on your energy costs.
The slim, compact design of the unit itself is lightweight and can be installed virtually anywhere since no electrical connection is required to power this tankless water heater.
You’re in control of the water temperature, flow rate (even low-pressure systems), and gas intake with three easy to use control dials. The unit has a unique rust-proof coating, so you can rely on the Marey to offer you decades worth of endless hot water performance.
The 10L unit provides up to 3.1 GPM, measures 6.9 x 13.6 x 23.6 inches, and weighs 21 pounds. It’s about as dot-it-yourself as it gets when it comes to on-demand endless hot water for your RV!
Warranty: With the receipt of purchase and product registration, Marey offers a generous 2–5-year limited warranty on parts. No refunds or labor costs are covered under Marey’s current warranty.
To watch the Marey GA10LP Review on YouTube, click here.
Pros:
- Cold stream water to hot tap flow in under 60 seconds
- Low propane to high hot water ratio saves energy
- Innovative and easy installation process
Cons:
- Requires a high flow rate to heat water adequately
- Limited “summer/winter” temperature control setting
- Poorly designed, difficult to engage battery panel
*RV Tankless Water Heater Review on YouTube*
2021 Buyers Guide to the Best Tankless Water Heater for RV
Tankless water heaters are fantastic choices for RVs because they not only clear up a ton more space, but they also are much more efficient than other water heater options for RVs. Instead of dealing with the old water heater you have now, invest in a tankless option.
When you’re shopping for the best tankless water heater for RV like Rheem water heaters, it’s important to keep these following three points in mind.
3 Main Points to Consider:
- Power Source: You may have noticed earlier that some of the tanks listed above were electric while others used propane. The source of power is a big decision. You have the choices between natural gas, electric and propane. However, many people feel most comfortable with propane. Electric tankless water heaters are known to go out more quickly because of their many electronic components. They’re usually not as reliable and are more expensive. Natural gas is the cheapest but makes people nervous because an RV is such a small space. Propane gives you the most control and is usually the most cost-efficient.
- Size and Flow Rate: Because each tankless water heater has a different size, it’s best to start with an estimate of your water usage. Remember that unless you’re living in your RV, your water needs are usually much less than what you would estimate for your home. It’s not likely that you’re running a laundry machine, or a dishwasher constantly. To ensure that you have 10 or 15 minutes for a hot shower though you need something that can handle about 2 gallons per minute. Instead of counting the showers and appliances as you would with a house, count your people and faucets. When people are usually camping or traveling in an RV, they plan showers and chores such as dishes all around the same time of the day. So if you are regularly camping with 5 people, you’ll need a much bigger tankless water heater than if you only camp or travel with 2 people.
- Features and Valves: When you’re looking at drain valves, you should seriously consider the more durable brass options over a plastic valve. Some of the most common RV tankless water heater problems come from less than premium materials. Other features can impact the usability and longevity. Always opt for the better materials even if it’s just for knobs or panels. Knobs and panels are there to help you adjust the water temperature and sometimes the flow rate as well. If you’re looking for some extra features, you should weigh a warranty more heavily than extra functions. Safety features, however, are necessary. Many tankless water heaters come with a 20-minute automatic shut-off or completely extinguish the pilot when the water heater isn’t in use.
Common RV Tankless Water Heater Problems
Tankless water heaters aren’t without their issues, and when they’re made in smaller models for RVs, they usually come with more problems.
The most common problem is that the burner isn’t igniting when the hot water tap is on, or open. This problem is most common on models that have an ignition off safety feature. Before anything else, check that the tankless water heater has the proper gas pressure, or that the tankless water heater is grounded.
The second most common issue is that the water temperature fluctuates, which might require a plumber. This problem could come from a dirty filter, clogged faucets, or a plumbing crossover.
Finally, if your water isn’t hot enough, you should first check the temperature your water heater is set to and correct it if necessary. However, it might be a bit more difficult and involve the temperature sensors.
Final Thoughts on Buying a RV Tankless Water Heater
Did you know that you don’t have to give up relaxing, hot showers while living in your RV, trailer, tiny house, or small dwelling?
Extend the luxury of a continually hot shower to your RV with the purchase of a tankless water heater. Many people live in their RV up to 300 days a year or have chosen to discover life off the grid.
After a day of driving and exploring, nothing feels better than a hot shower before you relax around the campfire. If you’re skipping the shower because you’re tired of waiting for your recreational vehicle water tank to fill up, it’s time to consider a tankless water heater for your RV.
The three most important factors to consider when purchasing a tankless water heater for an RV are size, water demand, and installation. Ensure you’re buying the correct size to match your old tank’s amount of water currently supplied to your RV. Knowing the tankless water heater’s size will ensure that it meets the hot water demand when you open the taps and start the shower. Finally, an installation by a professional is preferred. You’ll read plenty of reviews about “easy installation,” but if you install the tankless water heater improperly, damages are usually not covered by the warranty.
Around 11% of American households own an RV, and 100% of those RV owners have searched for a more efficient way to heat water on demand, searching specifically for a tankless water heater for an RV. For on-demand performance and significant energy savings, it just makes sense to let go of that old tank-style water heater and replace it with one of our five choices for the best tankless water heater for RV.
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Additional Water Heater Reviews
50-Gallon Gas Water Heater
Rheem Water Heaters
Tankless Water Heaters
50-Gallon Electric Water Heater
Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Electric Water Heaters
Propane Tankless Water Heater
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
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