Suburban Water Heater Tank

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 12:27 PM

Does anybody know where to buy a tank only for a 12 gal suburban water heater ? My searching has come up empty . Is it even available or worth changing just the tank ? ( Price point wise )

Thanks guys and gals
Carl

cpaulsen · 03-23-2017, 03:02 PM

Check with PPL motorhomes.....I bought a replacement 10 gallon complete tank last year for 399.00.

PARAPTOR · 03-23-2017, 03:04 PM

We just had a recent member with a leaking HWT and if I recall correctly it was decided to purchase and replace the entire complete tank. Think decision was based on cost/overall time to install. I did a quick search and did not locate the post, may be someone has a better memory

**JRTJH** · 03-23-2017, 03:10 PM

I'm not sure if a replacement tank is even available for the 12 gallon suburban water heater. There is no listing for it in the parts breakdown. You might give PPL a call at 800-755-4775. If anyone would be able to track it down, they could. A replacement water heater with gas/electric/DSI is about $450-500. You'd also probably need the foam shroud which is available for $67, so add that to the cost of the tank and you're probably looking at $375-450 for parts. Whether it's worth it to you or not is a tough one with the pricing (if I'm close)... Keep in mind, if you're a "pack rat" and do replace it, you'll have lots of "spare parts" in case something other than the tank went bad.....

notanlines · 03-23-2017, 03:16 PM

If PPL doesn't have it, you don't need it.

**JRTJH** · 03-23-2017, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

If PPL doesn't have it, you don't need it.

Seldom are truer words spoken......

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 03:30 PM

Thanks guys.

PPL does not ship to Canada unfortunately . Or so there website said.

Best price I have found locally is $800.00 for complete unit . This is why I am trying to track down a tank only. I doubt it will happen .

Exchange rate and shipping are killing me . I'll keep digging .

**JRTJH** · 03-23-2017, 03:38 PM

WOW !!! At that price, it almost makes it worthwhile to drag the trailer into North Dakota, order the part and install it here, then drag the trailer back home...... Almost double the price, eh???

Steve S · 03-23-2017, 03:51 PM

Can I ask why you're looking for a new one? Is yours hooped?

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 03:56 PM

It is starting to look like an option John . I have it pulled from the trailer now however.

I can force it back in there if I had too , lol. ( sledge hammer install )

It is slightly expanded and did not come out the best . I do find it odd to be expanded , which lead me to dig deeper. I have never left water in it ( I pull anode after every trip out ) and especially not let it freeze with water in it.

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve S

Can I ask why you're looking for a new one? Is yours hooped?

Too say the least , yup . New something going in there soon.

PARAPTOR · 03-23-2017, 04:00 PM

Most recent PPL catalogue page 565

Suburban SW12DE 12k BTU 12 gal listed as $677.29

They also show replacement tank "call for direct replacement" avg cost around $300

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

Most recent PPL catalogue page 565

Suburban SW12DE 12k BTU 12 gal listed as $677.29

They also show replacement tank "call for direct replacement" avg cost around $300

I will check that out. Thank you . There shipping policy may still exclude me from shopping there. I will look again.

I went and looked at PPL again. I did not see a link to online cataloge . I did see this however.

Quote:

Please note that we only ship parts to the United States and therefore also only send catalogs to a U.S. mailing address.

PARAPTOR · 03-23-2017, 04:22 PM

I am looking at the latest hardcopy catalog . Forgot what other number was here is number on catalog 800-755-4775. Last time I talked to a PPL rep I was told to always call that not all their stuff was listed in there catalog.

CarKath · 03-23-2017, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

I am looking at the latest hardcopy catalog . Forgot what other number was here is number on catalog 800-755-4775. Last time I talked to a PPL rep I was told to always call that not all their stuff was listed in there catalog.

I still don't see PPl as a viable option as they don't ship to Canada . Not even a stinkin' catalog , lol Thanks for the effort however.

bobbecky · 03-23-2017, 06:09 PM

I had to replace my Suburban 12 Gal water heater last September due to a leaking tank, ordered it from Dyers.
Suburban Direct Spark/Electric 12 Gallon Water Heater, 51218, $469.95,
and shipping was a flat $9.49. Not sure what shipping would be to Canada.
I changed it out by myself, had to move the 12 volt/120 volt relay over to the new one from the old one. Removing the old one was tight coming out of the hole, and the new one was almost as tight going in. I transferred the brass fittings on the back also, one was a check valve on the hot outlet, and the cold inlet fitting was just a nipple, the check valve for the winterizing system.

ctbruce · 03-23-2017, 06:29 PM

Do you know anyone in North Dakota or Minnesota? You could ship it there and install it. Easy in, Easy out. I know nothing about this so just asking. I'd be interested in knowing what the regulations on things like this are. Good luck.

**JRTJH** · 03-23-2017, 06:31 PM

PPL currently has thei SW12DE water heater on sale for $465. Regular price is $677.29. http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ter-heater.htm It's listed in the "grid" at the bottom of the page....

It may not help CarKath, but if dragging the trailer south is an option, maybe.... I see them on sale regularly at various online RV parts houses for around $450-500. I haven't seen a Suburban water tank replacement in years, I do know Atwood still sells the tank, but I'm really not sure if Suburban still does. Even if they do, by the time you buy the tank, the foam shroud (that you probably destroyed taking your old heater out) and a few incidentals, you're very likely to spend as much as a new water heater and still be working with "old parts" for everything but the tank....

If you wanted to visit St Ste Marie, I'd order the water heater for you..... There's no need to spend $800 for a $450 part

**sourdough** · 03-23-2017, 07:31 PM

My thoughts would be to replace the whole thing. I just did that. If you're going to the expense and trouble of replacing the tank there's nothing to just replacing the whole thing....and it doesn't cost much of anything to do it.

CarKath · 03-24-2017, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Suburban Direct Spark/Electric 12 Gallon Water Heater, 51218, $469.95,
and shipping was a flat $9.49. Not sure what shipping would be to Canada.

Unfortunately Dyers does not ship to Canada either.

Quote:

Do you know anyone in North Dakota or Minnesota?

I do have a long time friend near Minneapolis . I may give him a call and see if he can help.

Quote:

If you wanted to visit St Ste Marie, I'd order the water heater for you

Thank you for the awesome offer . Never say never . I would love to make a trip across the U.P. it has been years since I have been that way. It would give me a chance to show the wife the area . Big Mac and all .

Quote:

My thoughts would be to replace the whole thing.

I am leaning that way . Mostly by having no other choice . I was trying to save a few dollars on up front cost and shipping . Exchange rate is an issue unfortunately . $465.00 US dollars works out to roughly $635.00 Canadian . This is still cheaper than $800.00 quoted locally . Then we have shipping costs , that puts local price better . ( To my door shipping )

I can get free shipping to Pembina N.D. There are parcel warehouses there that handle this kind of thing .

To do a day trip there is 3 hrs each way as I live 1.5 hrs north of Winnipeg . Plus border crossing time.

Then as a day trip , Canada customs hammers a person on "duty". I am back to way over local pricing .

Maybe a weekend trip to the casino in Mahnomen is in the cards ( no pun intended ) . We could bring home up to $800.00 each duty free then.

That would have to wait until there campground opens for the season.

Lot's to think about . Thank you everybody for the input and generous offers.

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