RV water heater replacement costs the unit plus labor. A Suburban SW6DE 6 gallon heater listed at $650.00 at Panther RV Products in September 2026, and Camping World put tank-swap labor at $200 to $400 in July 2026. Measure the wall cutout before you buy anything.
Figures checked September 2026. Unit prices are retailer listings loaded on that date. Labor figures are published ranges, not quotes.
| Unit | Type | Wall cutout | Gas input | Listed price (publisher, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban SW6DE (5239A) | 6 gal tank, LP + 120V | 12.75" × 12.75" × 19.19" | 12,000 BTU/h | $650.00 (Panther RV Products, Sep 2026); $666.87 sale (PPL Motor Homes, Sep 2026) |
| Suburban SW10DE (5243A) | 10 gal tank, LP + 120V | 16.38" × 16.38" × 20.50" | 12,000 BTU/h | $716.88 (Panther RV Products, Sep 2026); $857.49 sale (PPL Motor Homes, Sep 2026) |
| Dometic WH-6GEA | 6 gal tank, LP + electric | 12.75" length, 19.5" depth (manual) | 10,000 BTU (PPL listing) | $774.51 sale (PPL Motor Homes, Sep 2026) |
| Girard GSWH-2 (2GWHAM) | tankless, LP, 12V | 13" × 13" rough opening | 42,000 BTU/hr | $849.95 (PPL Motor Homes, Sep 2026); $815.95 (Nomadic Supply, Sep 2026) |
Replacing an RV water heater runs the unit price plus labor. Six-gallon tank units listed between $650.00 and $774.51 at PPL Motor Homes and Panther RV Products in September 2026. Per Camping World, July 2026, labor runs $200 to $400 for a tank swap and $600 to $800 for a tankless install.
Doors and wall switches are often extra. PPL's September 2026 listing for the Dometic WH-6GEA states that the door and switch are sold separately, and Nomadic Supply listed Girard's door installation kit (2022107537) at $79.95 in September 2026.
A worked example, using only the sources above:
| Line | Tank swap (Suburban SW6DE) | Tankless swap (Girard GSWH-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit | $650.00 (Panther RV Products, Sep 2026) | $815.95 (Nomadic Supply, Sep 2026) |
| Door kit | reuse existing, $0.00 | $79.95 (Nomadic Supply, Sep 2026) |
| Subtotal, parts | $650.00 | $815.95 + $79.95 = $895.90 |
| Labor, low (Camping World, Jul 2026) | $200.00 | $600.00 |
| Labor, high (Camping World, Jul 2026) | $400.00 | $800.00 |
| Total | $850.00 to $1,050.00 | $1,495.90 to $1,695.90 |
It leaves out fittings, sealant, tax and shipping. To check a shop estimate line by line, see our guide on how to compare water heater quotes.
Match the wall cutout, not just the gallon number. Per Suburban's spec sheet (file dated December 2021), its 4 and 6 gallon models need a 12.75" × 12.75" opening, while 10, 12 and 16 gallon models need 16.38" × 16.38". A 10 gallon tank will not drop into a 6 gallon hole.
Depth changes too. The same Suburban sheet lists cutout depths of 19.19" for 6 gallon, 20.50" for 10 gallon, 22.25" for 12 gallon and 27.00" for 16 gallon models.
Dometic's two sources disagree slightly. The WH-6GA product page, checked September 2026, lists a 12.88" × 12.88" cut-out with 19.5" depth. The October 2019 installation manual (Form 94035, section 4) lists a 12.75" cutout length and 19.5" depth for the WH-6GA and WH-6GEA, and 24" depth for the WH-9GEA. Measure your own framed opening and depth, and compare it with the document for the exact model you plan to buy.
Yes, if the opening, propane supply and water flow fit the unit. Girard's GSWH-2 owner's manual, effective November 2020, calls for a 13" × 13" rough opening with square corners, a 42,000 BTU/hr propane supply and 12 volt power under 3 amps. It also needs at least 0.60 gallon per minute of flow at each hot faucet.
Doors are brand-specific: per Girard, November 2020 (manual section G), there are separate door kits for Suburban 6 gallon openings,, Dometic/Atwood 6 gallon openings, and 10/12 gallon openings from either brand. Order the kit that names your old brand and size.
The Truma AquaGo comfort is the other common retrofit. Truma's product page, checked September 2026, lists 20,000 to 60,000 BTU/h input on propane and a 12 V DC draw under 2.5 A.
What changes with tankless:
For a house-sized version of this decision, see our tank-to-tankless conversion costs for a home.
No RV water heater manufacturer we checked publishes a service life in years. Lippert's replacement guide, dated November 2024, lists a unit over a decade old as one sign to replace it, along with inconsistent heating, strange noises and visible leaks. Warranty length is the only firm number manufacturers give.
Per Suburban's operation guide (Part 206244, March 2023), the unit carries a two year limited warranty and the inner tank is covered through the third year, with no labor reimbursement in that third year. Running it without its anode rod voids the tank warranty, per the same guide. Our anode rod replacement cost guide covers the part itself.
Dometic and Atwood tanks are aluminum and take no anode. Per the Atwood Water Heaters service manual (pages effective 1998 to 2007), Atwood's limited warranty ran two years.
Shut off propane, 120V and 12V, drain the tank, then remove the old unit and fit the new one to the cutout. The steps below follow Dometic's installation manual (Form 94035, October 2019, section 4) and Suburban's operation guide. Both manuals say a qualified technician should do this job.
Our camper water heater repair costs and winterizing page covers bypass and draining in more depth.
Often yes on size, but the parts, door and upkeep change. Suburban uses a porcelain-lined steel tank with an anode rod; Dometic and Atwood use aluminum tanks, and Dometic's October 2019 manual warns against installing an anode rod in its heater. The 6 gallon cutouts are close (12.75" per Suburban, 12.75" to 12.88" per Dometic), so measure first.
Plan the door and wall switch for the new unit before the old one comes out. The Suburban guide puts the DE model's electric switch behind the outside door and the DEL model's switch inside the coach.
RV safety before you start. Per Suburban's operation guide (March 2023), if you smell gas, get everyone out, shut the gas off at the container, and do not touch switches or start the engine or generator. The same guide warns that running the heater with an empty tank can damage the tank and controls, and that damage is not covered by warranty.
Keep the two electrical systems separate in your head. The 12V DC circuit runs the control board and ignition; the 120V AC circuit feeds the electric element. Per the Suburban Service & Training Manual (file dated February 2021), even brief operation of the element without water burns it out. Atwood's service manual (pages effective through 2007) says a dry-fired tank must cool for 2 to 3 hours before water goes back in, or the tank could collapse.
Stop and call an RV technician if you smell propane after reconnecting, if a gas joint keeps bubbling, if you are not sure which wire is 120V, or if the new unit will not light after the purge cycles.
Suburban's warranty flat-rate schedule shows how small most part jobs are. Per the Suburban Service & Training Manual (file dated February 2021), those allowances are in hours and include diagnosis and a gas leak test. They are what Suburban pays a warranty shop, not what a shop will bill you.
| Problem | Suburban flat-rate allowance | Usual call |
|---|---|---|
| Electric element failed | 0.50 hour | Repair |
| Control (module) board failed | 0.50 hour | Repair |
| 120V thermostat and ECO failed | 0.40 hour | Repair |
| Electrode failed | 0.50 hour | Repair |
| Gas control valve (electronic models) | 0.50 hour | Repair |
| Tank shell leaking or cracked from freezing | not listed | Replace the unit |
| Unit past warranty with repeated part failures | not listed | Compare repair total to the unit price table above |
For part prices, see the camper repair guide and our element replacement costs for home units. If the heater only stopped heating, first work through our guide to an RV water heater that is not working on electric or gas.
Check the listing. PPL Motor Homes' September 2026 listing for the Dometic WH-6GEA says the door is sold separately, and Girard sells brand-specific door kits for its tankless unit. Ask the seller whether your existing door fits the new model before you order one.
No. Suburban's March 2023 operation guide says non-Suburban accessory parts such as add-on electric elements are not approved and void all warranties. Dometic's October 2019 manual warns that aftermarket heating elements can lack safety controls and lead to uncontrolled tank heating.
Not without cutting the wall. Suburban's spec sheet (December 2021 file) lists a 12.75-inch square opening for its 6 gallon models and a 16.38-inch square opening for its 10 gallon models, so the larger tank needs a larger hole and more depth.
Check the terms first. Suburban's March 2023 guide says warranty repairs go through a recommended Suburban service center and that damage from incorrect installation is excluded. Dometic's manual says installation must be done by a qualified professional installer.
Independent Research
Published ranges for tank, tankless and heat pump replacement, the failures that justify a repair, and the ones that do not. Sourced, dated, and free to read.
