RV owners have dreams of hot showers without rationing; no waiting for a tank to recover; less weight on the coach. Upgrading to a tankless water heater checks a lot of boxes for Class A motorhome owners, but it isn't always a straightforward swap. The right unit for your coach depends on your fuel setup, your venting configuration, and how your coach is wired. Getting those details right before you buy saves time, money, and a return shipment.
Here's what to know before making the switch.
Tank vs. Tankless: What's Different in an RV
A traditional RV water heater stores 6 or 10 gallons of water in an insulated tank and keeps it heated to a set temperature. When you open a hot tap, water from the tank flows out and cold water enters to be reheated. The limitation is straightforward: once the tank runs out of hot water, you wait. Recovery time on a standard 6-gallon RV tank runs 20 to 30 minutes. For a couple sharing a coach, that's manageable, but for many showers, or a nice long shower after a long travel day, it becomes an inconvenience.
A tankless water heater has no storage tank. It heats water directly as it flows through the unit, and when you open the tap, the burner fires and water reaches temperature within seconds. When you close the tap, the unit shuts off. There's no standby heat loss, no recovery wait, and no fixed capacity.
The practical differences side by side:
|
Tank |
Tankless |
|
|
Hot water supply |
Fixed (6–10 gal.) |
Continuous |
|
Recovery time |
20–30 min. |
None |
|
Energy use |
Constant (standby heat loss) |
On-demand only |
|
Weight |
Heavier (water + tank) |
Significantly lighter |
|
Space |
Larger footprint |
Compact |
|
Lifespan |
8–12 years |
15–20 years |
The switch makes the most sense for owners who run out of hot water regularly, travel for extended periods, or want to reduce overall coach weight. It's less compelling for owners whose current tank unit is relatively new and functioning well, or who rarely use the hot water system heavily.
Benefits of Upgrading to a Tankless RV Water Heater
The most immediate benefit is water availability. A tankless unit doesn't have a capacity ceiling, so two people can shower back-to-back without either one waiting. Hot water stops being something you have to plan around.
On efficiency, a tank-type water heater burns propane or electricity continuously to maintain temperature, even when nobody is using it. A tankless unit only fires when there's demand, and over a full travel season, that difference adds up in propane consumption.
Weight also matters on a Class A coach. A 6-gallon tank holds about 50 pounds of water on top of the tank itself, so removing that from the coach improves fuel economy (slightly) and reduces wear on chassis components over time.
Lifespan is also worth factoring in. A well-maintained tankless unit typically lasts 15 to 20 years compared to 8 to 12 for a traditional tank heater. If you're planning to keep your coach for the long term, the replacement cycle math favors going tankless.
What to Consider Before You Upgrade
- Fuel type compatibility. Most tankless RV heaters run on propane. Confirm your coach's LP system can supply adequate pressure and flow to the unit you're considering. The Truma Comfort Plus, for example, is a propane-fired unit designed for Class A coaches including Holiday Rambler, Monaco, American Coach, and Fleetwood RVs. If your coach uses different fuel configuration, verify compatibility before ordering a new model.
-
BTU output and flow rate. Tankless heaters are rated by flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). A higher GPM unit can supply more hot water simultaneously but requires more BTU output to do it. For most RV applications, a unit rated between 1.5 and 2.5 GPM is sufficient. Undersizing is one of the most common mistakes, if the unit can't keep up with demand, you'll get lukewarm water rather than consistent temperature.
- Venting requirements. Tankless heaters require a proper exterior vent pathway to exhaust gases outside the coach. Your existing tank heater venting may not be compatible with the new unit. Check the installation specs for your model before assuming the existing vent opening will work.
- Electrical requirements. Even propane-fired tankless heaters use electricity for ignition and controls, typically a 12V DC connection. Confirm your coach's electrical system can support the unit and that the wiring is accessible at the install location.
Make the Switch With the Right Parts
A tankless water heater upgrade is one of the more noticeable improvements you can make to your motorhome. The day-to-day difference in hot water availability is immediate, and the efficiency and weight benefits carry through the life of the coach. Getting the right unit is the part that requires attention before anything else.
RV Elite Parts stocks OEM water heater components specifically for Holiday Rambler, Monaco, American Coach, and Fleetwood RV. Browse the full selection of RV parts at rveliteparts.com, or shop the plumbing and water accessories catalog directly. In-stock orders placed before 4:30 PM EST ship the same day, and our team can confirm fitment for your model year before you buy.
Reach us at [email protected] or 616-330-1832.
