RV tankless water heater guide: three choices for better showers
The Truma AquaGo comfort is our pick when steady shower heat matters most. Compare it with the Girard GSWH-2 and Suburban ST-60 before you buy. The best fit depends on your rig, water supply, and local installer.
A longer hot shower sounds like an easy upgrade. In an RV, there is a catch: you still need water, propane, and room in the waste tank. A new heater cannot give you more of those.
Tankless water heaters make the most sense when several people need hot water in a row. They can also suit a worn-out system that is due for replacement. But a working tank heater may serve a light-use camper just as well.
Which RV water heater fits your trips?
| Water heater | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|
| Truma AquaGo comfort | Steady water temperature through short stops and starts |
| Girard GSWH-2 | A clear parts price and an adjustable wall control |
| Suburban ST-60 | A replacement route to discuss with a Suburban installer |
1. Truma AquaGo comfort: for smoother hot water
The AquaGo comfort uses a small 0.35-gallon vessel to help smooth out changes in heat. It is designed to keep water temperature steady when you turn a tap off and on. That is its main draw for a stop-start shower.
The tradeoff is the buying process. Get a fitted quote, not just a price for the unit. Truma offers retrofit fitting at selected service locations. Check how far you would need to travel for fitting and later repairs.
This is our comfort-first choice. It is not a promise of instant hot water at every tap. Water left in the pipe still has to move out. Nor is it a reason to take long showers when your fresh-water supply is limited.
2. Girard GSWH-2: for a straightforward parts quote
The Girard GSWH-2 has a 42,000-BTU burner and a wall control that lets you set the heat from 95 to 124°F. It uses LP gas to heat water and 12V power to run its controls and fan.
Lippert listed the heater at $849.95 when checked on October 15, 2026. A door, trim, labor, and tax can add to that price. Compare the full installed cost before calling it the cheaper choice.
A tankless RV water heater needs enough flow to stay on. Small changes at the shower can matter. Follow the model's manual for the right tap settings; do not assume habits from a tank heater will suit it.
3. Suburban ST-60: for an installer-led replacement
The Suburban ST-60 is another gas-fired choice with a wall-mounted digital control. Suburban markets its ST range for replacing selected tank and tankless water heaters.
That does not make every swap a drop-in job. Have the installer check your opening, door, plumbing, and wiring against the exact model. Ask for a quote that names every extra part.
This unit belongs on your shortlist if a nearby shop knows the range and can support it. A compact case alone does not prove that an RV water heater will fit your rig.
Tankless water heaters still need fuel and power
These three water heaters use propane for heat. Their 12V connection is for controls and other powered parts. It is not the main source of heat.
Electric tankless water heaters are a different purchase. Do not buy a home unit because it looks small. Its power demand, plumbing, and approval for RV use may be wrong for your system. Have a trained installer check the full load.
Heating on demand can avoid the energy used to keep a large tank hot. It does not make every trip more efficient. If the upgrade leads to much longer showers, you may use more water and fuel.
Water flow matters more than the biggest number
Two flow figures matter. One is how much water the heater can warm in a stated test. The other is the least flow needed to start the burner. They are not the same.
Cold inlet water takes more heat to reach your chosen temperature. A headline gallons-per-minute figure is not a promise for every campsite. Ask what happens when the inlet water is cold and another person opens a tap.
Owners discussing tankless water heater choices raise flow and waiting time as practical concerns. These reports help frame questions for an installer; they do not establish a failure rate.
Clogged filters, a weak pump, or a showerhead that cuts flow can affect the whole system. Fix the cause rather than trying to hide it with a new RV water heater.
Measure the opening, then price the whole job
Measure the height, width, and depth of the space. Check the door size, vent route, and room for future service. A trim ring can cover a gap, but it cannot create space behind the wall.
Ask the shop to include gas, water, and power checks in its quote. Gas-fired water heaters need correct venting and safe connections. This is a job for a trained RV technician, not a guess based on a similar-looking unit.
Before paying, get three things in writing: the exact model, the total fitted price, and who handles warranty work. Keep the manual with the rest of your RV records.
When keeping a tank is the better choice
A standard tank water heater stores a set amount of hot water. Once that is used, you wait for it to reheat. That wait may be fine if you camp alone or use the bathhouse.
For dry camping, storage is often the real limit. Longer showers fill the gray tank sooner. Our portable waste tank guide explains the weight and dump-trip tradeoffs. Better heat does not remove the need to plan those trips.
Steam needs a way out, too. Compare Maxxair and Fan-Tastic roof fans if the bathroom stays damp after a shower.
Before the first cold night
Freeze protection has limits. It may need both fuel and power, and it does not protect every pipe in the RV. Follow the exact winterizing steps for your unit when it will sit unused.
Do not pour antifreeze through a heater unless its manual permits that process. Keep drains and service points easy to reach. Good access makes care less of a chore.
Our choice
Start with AquaGo comfort if smooth shower heat is your priority and a suitable installer is within reach. Read our Truma versus Girard comparison for the closer decision.
Get Girard and Suburban quotes if fitting cost or local support changes the picture. The right tankless RV water heater is the one that works with your whole rig, not just the one with the largest heat rating.