Water Heater...6 gallon or 10 gallon?

[Bob_E_]

I’m rebuilding an old travel trailer and need a new water heater. Assuming I could make either fit, would you prefer a 10gallon or should I stick with the 6 gallon?

Thanks!
Bob E.

[Bob_E_]

Thanks all for the opinions. I tried to respond a couple days ago but got denied by the stupid captcha thing. Anyways, I'm leaning towards 10 gal We almost always camp with hookups, especially when going more than a weekend. And I'm not against using the campground facilities when necessary. I've got 2 daughters (11 and 13yo) and my wife, so we use a lot of water. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some downside that may cause me to want a 6 gal.

Thanks again everyone!
Bob

[Acampingwewillg]

For two people, our 6 gal has always worked but even then, I space out our showers. With a larger group, 10 gallon would be welcome but I'm guessing your still be spacing the showers out!

[Lexx]

We are a family of 2 adults and 3 six yr olds. Our 6 gal Atwood propane electric is just inadequate. I can get a max of 6 to 9 min hot water out of ours. So we have to space our showers apart. I thinking of changing it out to a Truma AquaGo tankless unit.

[Almot]

Depends on your water needs and how much you're concerned about wasting energy or propane. Unused hot water becomes lukewarm in one hour = energy wasted.

For one person 6 gal is plenty. I usually have some hot water left in the end even when I do it slow, so - should be enough for 2 people with some self-discipline.

[ScottG]

I agree on the no mixing valve. Way too much trouble with them in every application they are used in.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

10 gallon electric/propane with no mixing valve. Since I'm in a class C I'd love to have the "engine heating" option as well.

[Old-Biscuit]

Suburban Water Heater Specs


Atwood Water Heater Info


I would go with 10 gal Minimum.

I would NOT have an Atwood EXT Model....Mixing Valve....they clog up from scale/calcium and can be a PITA

[ScottG]

We always did just fine with a 6 gallon in our last RV even when my DW and I took showers one after another but the new one has a 10 and it's a nice upgrade. Given a choice, I would go ten.

[Dutch_12078]

My wife and I do just fine with a 6 gallon water heater. We even did a three person test once, with the next person getting in while the previous person was drying off. I went last, and I let the shower run for another 2 or 3 minutes beyond what I actually needed before it started to get too cool.

[wa8yxm]

Well. Not to help but there is a 3rd choice.. Unlimited Hot Water or virtually unlimited (On Demand)

You actually have 4 choices
6, 10 10 in a 6 gallon hat and Demand

IF you plan to heat water with electric I would choose a 10 Longer shower that way

The 10 in a six gallon hat uses a mixing valve. .this is a "Complex" device and I believe in KISS (Keep it super simple)

If you plan to heat water ONLY with Propane.. Go Tankless (On demand) for showers limited only by the size of your tanks

[Bobbo]

There are only the two of us, and a 6 gallon is plenty for us, but I would definitely want a gas/electric rather than just a gas model. The 6 gallon will heat faster than the 10 gallon when you first turn it on. When not showering, we only use the electric element. Before showering, we turn on both elements for faster reheating. Even taking back to back showers, the 6 gallon with both heaters on has never run short of hot water.

[camperfamily]

Had a 10, now a 6. If possible go with the 10, gas/electric. Even one of the new models that heats the water hotter and uses the mixing valve if you could. I like a good shower when we have FHU. However, I won't go with a tankless as we do camp w/o hookups too and they cause too much water use.

[John_Joey]

Next question is will you be connected to sewer? If not, how often will you dump. A long shower is priceless until your gray is full and you have to break camp, dump, and return.

[donn0128]

10. Cost difference is nothing. Having ample hot water is priceless.