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You walk into your RV and step onto wet carpet. Not just damp, but soaked. You assume it’s a leak, but the rain stopped days ago.
You check the roof, the windows, the slide seals. Everything seems fine, but the carpet is still wet.
That’s how we found out our water heater was quietly failing in the background.
Replacing an RV water heater sounds like a big, complicated job, but it turned out to be easier than expected.
If you’re dealing with a leaking water heater and wondering whether to do the replacement yourself or call a pro, here’s what we learned.
How We Knew the Water Heater Was the Problem
At first, we blamed the rain. But when the weather cleared and the carpet stayed wet, we knew something else was going on.
We checked everything (roof seals, windows, the slide) but the leak wasn’t coming from anywhere obvious. That’s when we started digging deeper.
The water heater was tucked away behind drawers in the bedroom. After pulling them out, we found a soaked compartment and corrosion on the tank. Every hose connection was secure, but the bottom of the water heater was leaking.
The cause? Tiny pinholes in the tank.
They had probably been there for a while, plugged by mineral deposits from hard water. When we installed a water softener, the softened water cleared out the buildup, exposing the leaks.
At this point, we had two choices: patch the tank or replace the whole thing.
Could We Have Repaired It?
Technically, yes. We could have taken the tank to a welder and patched the leaks, but we had no idea how well the previous owners had maintained it.
Instead of throwing money at a temporary fix, we decided to replace the entire unit with a new one.
What We Learned From the Replacement
1. The Install Was Easier Than Expected
Unhooking and reconnecting the propane, electric, and water lines sounded intimidating, but it turned out to be simple.
Our new water heater was a direct replacement, so all we had to do was take note of how the old one was hooked up and connect everything the same way.
The hardest part was squeezing through the drawer openings to reach the hose connections.
Once everything was in place, we checked for leaks. The water lines were tight, the propane connections passed the soapy water test, and the electrical wires were insulated and secure.
After testing it out, we had hot water again with zero issues.
2. Why We Never Ran Out of Hot Water
When we were researching RV life, we kept hearing that running out of hot water was a big problem.
That never happened to us. And until we replaced the water heater, we didn’t know why.
Our water heater had a mixing valve that made its 10-gallon capacity act like 16 gallons. It mixes extra-hot water with cold before it reaches the faucet, which stretches the supply.
For longer showers, we could also turn on the electric heating element to speed up recovery time.
Mystery solved. Not all RV water heaters are created equal.
3. Some RV Water Heaters Don’t Have an Anode Rod
Standard home water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod that protects the tank from corrosion. Some RV models have them too, but ours didn’t.
Instead of an anode rod, it had an aluminum tank designed to resist corrosion. That design is supposed to eliminate the need for an anode rod, but it only works if the tank is flushed regularly.
Clearly, the previous owners didn’t do that. The old tank had corroded anyway.
Lesson learned. Flush the tank regularly, even if your model doesn’t have an anode rod.
4. Buying Local Was the Best Move
Our first instinct was to check Amazon. They could have had a new unit to us in a few days, but going without hot water for that long wasn’t ideal.
We checked a nearby camping supply store, but their prices were higher and they weren’t particularly helpful.
We finally landed at Carl’s RV, a local dealer that had the exact model we needed at a lower price. They had it in stock the next day, and we got to support a local business in the process.
If you’re replacing a major RV component, check local shops first. They might surprise you.
5. Upgrade Cheap Plastic Connectors
The existing water hoses in our RV had plastic threaded connections. That was fine for the cold water hose, but the hot side got brittle and started leaking after we reattached it.
Instead of dealing with more leaks down the road, we swapped it for a stainless steel braided connection. It cost an extra seven dollars and was worth every penny.
If you’re replacing an RV water heater, check the connectors. Upgrading weak plastic fittings now can save you a future headache.
Should You Replace Your RV Water Heater Yourself?
If you’re comfortable working with propane, electrical, and basic plumbing, this is a DIY-friendly repair. If you can replace a home water heater, you can handle this.
Here’s when you should consider calling a pro.
- Your new unit isn’t a direct replacement and requires custom fittings
- You’re not comfortable working with propane connections
- You suspect wiring issues or other electrical problems
For us, the replacement was easier than expected, cheaper than hiring someone, and totally worth doing ourselves.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
If we ever had to replace an RV water heater again, we’d check the hoses before installing and upgrade any weak connectors, buy locally from the start instead of wasting time checking big box stores, and flush the tank regularly to prevent corrosion.
Replacing an RV Water Heater Is Easier Than You Think
Replacing an RV water heater isn’t as complicated as it sounds. As long as you’re comfortable working with basic connections, it’s a repair most RV owners can tackle.
If you ever need to swap yours out, we hope this helps you decide whether to do it yourself or hire a pro.
Still Here? You Must Be the Human Equivalent of Well-Seasoned Cast Iron Pan.
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