Water heater question...

[Blueswede]

We have the standard 6 gallon water heater in our new Cougar and it now seems like we run out of hot water a lot quicker than when we had our Hideout. Same shower head as before. Just wondering if anyone has swapped out the 6 gallon for a 10 gallon heater. Just trying to determine if it's possible. Thanks

[chuckster57]

You would need to make the opening for the water heater bigger. Are you using LP AND AC when taking a shower? When was the last time you cleaned out the tank?

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Blueswede

We have the standard 6 gallon water heater in our new Cougar and it now seems like we run out of hot water a lot quicker than when we had our Hideout. Same shower head as before. Just wondering if anyone has swapped out the 6 gallon for a 10 gallon heater. Just trying to determine if it's possible. Thanks

Can you elaborate on "a lot quicker"? Have you checked that the WH bypass valve is fully closed? Checked the outside shower to make sure it's not turned on at the valves and the hangle ism off? Has this been an issue from day one with no change in how you are using it? I know that's a lot of questions but logically if all things are equal and other possible causes are eliminated then I would be taking that new camper in for warrenty work on the water heater.

[Blueswede]

By quicker I mean after about 5 minutes. We’re pretty mindful about closing the shower head in between washing hair, etc. Just seems like we run out of hot water quicker. My question was more about anyone’s experience with installing a larger capacity water heater, or even going tankless.
We switched over to running it on both gas and electric and that seemed to help. The 5th wheel is only 2 months old so I don’t think the tank needs to be cleaned/flushed just yet.

[JRTJH]

Have you checked the water temperature at the hot water faucet closest to the water heater? This is "out there and seldom happens" but you could have a water heater thermostat relay that is not working properly.

The water at the faucet should be around 130F. If it's close, the thermostat is OK, if it's "off by more than 10 or so degrees, the thermostat might be causing the water heater to shut off before it reaches the correct temperature. That would make the "blended water in the shower" cooler than normal and cause the hot water to run out faster than it should.

Another possible "unicorn" is the water pump has a greater "flow rate" than your old trailer. The difference between 3.2 GPM and 2.2 GPM isn't really noticeable in a "trickle type shower head" that seldom does more than dribble on you when in use. So, you may be using 1/3 more GPM than you did with the old trailer.

The Suburban and Atwood water heaters "should" provide about 23 gallons during the first hour of use. That's the original 6 gallons and the recovery which is rated at 17 GPH (total 6+17=23). In a showerhead that flows 3.2 GPM, that means a 7 minute shower (at full "unblended" water flow). Mixed "half cold/half hot" you should be able to get close to 13-15 minutes of "comfortable water" if you're starting with a full tank of hot water at maximum temperature....

[ChuckS]

Also if your RV has an outside rinse station make sure the hot and cold water valves are closed otherwise you will never get real hot water to the inside shower