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Best Rv On Demand Water Heater

3 expert-curated picks ranked by performance, value, and long-term reliability

RV on-demand water heaters replace traditional 6-10 gallon RV storage tanks with tankless units that heat water as it flows. The conversion offers weight savings, footprint reduction, freeze-protection during winter storage, and continuous hot water — at the cost of needing reliable propane supply and properly-sized regulators.

Top RV on-demand picks

Best overall RV tankless: Furrion FWH09BL

60K BTU propane, 2.4 GPM peak, sealed exterior venting, 12V DC ignition. Specifically engineered for travel trailers and fifth wheels. About $600 unit, $300-$500 install.

Best for larger RVs: Truma AquaGo Comfort Plus

Premium European-engineered. Hybrid tankless + small buffer for instant hot at startup. Higher BTU output. About $1,700 unit.

Best replacing Atwood/Dometic storage: PrecisionTemp RV-550 NSP

55K BTU propane tankless that fits in existing 6-gallon storage cutouts. 1.5 GPM peak. About $800 unit.

Best portable for occasional use: Eccotemp L10 or Camplux 5L

Outdoor portable propane units that sit beside the RV. Battery-fired. About $200-$370.

Why convert from storage to tankless

  • Weight savings: 6-gallon tank full of water = 50 lbs. Tankless = 15 lbs. The 35-lb savings matters for trailers near cargo capacity limits.
  • Footprint: exterior cutout (typically 12" × 12") freed up for storage.
  • Winterization: no reservoir to freeze. Drain the small exchanger path with antifreeze.
  • Endless hot water: at the rated GPM. 4-minute shower limit removed.

RV-specific install considerations

  • Propane regulator sizing: existing RV regulators are sized for 8,800 BTU storage tank burners. A 55-60K BTU tankless requires ~7× the propane flow. Upsize the regulator or add a high-flow regulator.
  • 12V power: RV tankless uses 12V DC for ignition (advantage over residential 120V tankless). Verify existing 12V wiring is adequate amperage.
  • Plumbing connections: RVs use PEX with 1/2" PEX fittings. New tankless has 1/2" NPT or 3/8" SAE flare. Verify adapters.
  • Exterior venting: existing storage tank cutout must align with new unit's vent. Trim plates included with most aftermarket RV tankless kits.

When to keep the storage tank

  • Older RV (pre-2000) with marginal plumbing — conversion exposes weak points.
  • Storage tank still has 5+ years of expected life.
  • Owner uses RV exclusively at full-hookup campgrounds.
  • Boondocking primary use case but reliable propane supply not guaranteed.
3 products
$949 – $1,795
Updated May 2026

Quick Comparison

# Product Brand Rating Price
1 Rinnai RU199iN Sensei Tankless Water Heater Rinnai 4.8 Check current price Amazon
2 Rheem Performance Platinum 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater Rheem 4.6 Check current price Amazon
3 AO Smith Signature Premier 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater AO Smith 4.5 Check current price Amazon