I have read here on the forum that Keystone installed the Suburban IW60RL recirculating on-demand water heaters in Alpine fifth wheels for a short time maybe 2020-2021 ??? (sorry but I don’t know the exact time frame).
On Keystone’s YouTube channel (Camp Better) they have a video posted Nov 2022 that states they are installing Girard GSWH-2 (42,000 btu) on-demand water heaters in the 2023 models. Girard is owned by Lippert. This unit is NOT a recirculating water heater. You would need to do your own research to find an external 12 volt recirc pump to add to your system. Most recirc pumps I saw were 120 volt.
I watched a few videos and read some reviews on the Girard and it seems to be a pretty good unit. Do a search for Girard water heater videos and you will find lots of them. You might get some tips on how to maximize the use of your water heater.
You might also consider selling your Girard and replace it with an “old school” standard water heater like they used in RVs for the past 50 years. The “standard” water heaters tend to cost $500-$600…about the same for on-demand RV water heaters. However - even if you swap water heaters, the physical distance from your heater to the faucet is still the same, so the amount of “wasted” water while you wait for hot water will be close to the same. I assume the “order of the day” while boondocking is short and quick Navy showers to conserve water, so you can’t really enjoy the benefits of the Girard.
I have a Suburban IW60 (60,000 btu) non-recirculating water heater in my RV and we do not boondock. I don’t miss 50 years of Navy showers in my previous RVs with standard water heaters.
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'19 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
'18 Montana 3921FB Aggie ‘77
('17 Laredo 330RL previous RV)
In the sticks near Austin TX
Aussie Gus+Texas Heeler Jimmy
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