Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

My top two contenders for an Electric Hot Water Heater with tank would be:
1) Ecotemp 7 gal. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Eccotemp-7-Gal-Capacity-Electric-Mini-Tank-Water-Heater-EM-7-0/302962987?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D26P-WaterHeaters%7c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo42J_O7f1gIVEDFpCh28PwxXEAQYASABEgLFw_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CI3EqZDv39YCFVYvaQodoLAGzg
2) Bosch 7 gal. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-7-Gal-2-Year-Electric-Point-of-Use-Water-Heater-ES-8/206428468

The size(s) should work fine, but my concerns on the tanked water heaters would be how they would hold up while traveling. I've noticed that they appear to have a glass lining. Does anyone have any experience with either of the units? With all the bumps and jars we all experience going down the road, are these Hot Water Heaters Road Worthy?

The first one mentions For use in RVs in its description. I'm not sure, but the glass lined may refer to a type of fiberglass type product on the inside to help prevent rusting of the tank??

I looked at these and if I ever decide I need a water heater in my trailer I will seriously consider one.

I installed one of these:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.mini-tank-electric-water-heater-shc-25.1000789401.html

Plugs into 110V outlet; dial to set temperature which is handy. Only 2.5 gals but works for us.

Hope this helps.

With fittings on top how do you “winterize” this type of water heater?


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Good question, Aggie79.

My wife are full-timing in our CTC so not concerrned about winterizing. I wonder about how to drain/clean it though.

In our rig it's easily accessible - side of clothes closet. I guess I'll just pull it out, disconnect hot and cold braided hoses, and turn it upside down. Or maybe it was never designed to be cleaned??!! I dunno.

Hope this helps.

aggie79 wrote:With fittings on top how do you “winterize” this type of water heater?

Good question! I took a peek at the online owner's manual and it appears that... "You put the Lime in the Coconut, and you drink 'em bot' up..."
Wait, wait, that might be the wrong manual I was looking at...

I think that you do have to unhook the rascal and pull it out to drain and or clean it since there are no drains on the backside or bottom. My wife and I were just talking about not leaving the TV in the trailer during extreme temps if we were not using it, so it might be prudent to relocate the hot water heater also if not being used during an extremely cold spell. Not exactly desirable, but might provide some peace of mind. Good question, I'm glad you asked it aggie79, I haven't even considered that one yet. I'm perhaps a week away from getting one if anyone is aware of an electric alternative with a 7 gal. tank.

Is there a reason you have ruled out RV water heaters? They make LP/Electric versions that are meant to be used in an RV and have the ability to winterize them. I know they might be a little more money than what you are looking at and that might be driving your decision (you didn't list a budget).
Here's an example for $299
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00T89K6H6/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I7TC7OREY1KF8&colid=2BM42H2XSVD3C

My needs are pushing me in a different direction as I'm looking for tankless LP. No need to winterize and available while boondocking without generator.

Dano-Mich wrote:Is there a reason you have ruled out RV water heaters? ... My needs are pushing me in a different direction as I'm looking for tankless LP. No need to winterize and available while boondocking without generator.

Another good question. Simple answer is I don't want to cut that big a whole in the side of my trailer. I have seen where a lot of fellas have done it and it looks and works good, but since our trailer isn't that large and I like the smaller foot-prints and price points of these. If I change my mind, I can always try out another method without living with huge hole in the side wall.

My original, idea was to use the tankless LP outside the trailer and if it were only me to consider, I would probably go that route. But I like the thought of having most everything contained inside the trailer to prevent theft and ease of use (no outside setup on arrival/departure). Again, I have seen where several on the forum are using the tankless LP units inside with proper ventilation (hopefully), but I chose to elevate that particular concern just by avoiding the path.

Lots of great options... just preference in my case.

Howdy All;

As a fulltimer in an RV, I can say that as long as you keep the water heater working it won't freeze up.
However those that do not fulltime, empty and flush out the tank and that is all that is necessary for
winterizing. Why would you want to pump 6 or 10 gal of antifreeze into it, ... it's empty.

hank

I was just about to go ahead and purchase the Eccotemp 7 gal. electric hot water heater when several asked about draining the rascal. I don't care about hauling water around unnecessarily, so this was an over-sight on my part.

I kept researching, reading and just kept searching to see if there were any options that I had looked over before. I did come across one propane indoor tank-less water heater that was vent free. The emphasis is on Vent-Free! I really didn't care to cut any holes in my rig that I didn't need to, but here is one that apparently doesn't require a separate vent or flue. Have any of y'all any experience or knowledge of this particular varmint? It looks like it might be a compromised-solution to my dilemma!

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/excel-vent-free-tankless-propane-water-heater-low-pressure-startup-1-6gpm/105040

I don't see what would be the difference between this and putting the ecotemp inside. Both are going to burn the inside air and put the exhaust right back in the cabin. I've seen people use them where the exhaust fan is near enough to blow most of the exhaust out. This works ok because water heaters only run for a short time. However with no venting whatsoever, thats a lot of unwanted heat, moisture, co2 and even a little co emitted into a very small space. These tankless water heaters put out as much heat as a house furnace. Edit: realized the eccotemp is electric. Disregard the comparison. The venting of a propane wh is still a concern.

Note that it utilizes an oxygen depletion sensor, same as the ventless room heaters allowed in a house per code now.
What it means is, that it utilizes the oxygen in the space to operate, putting carbon monoxide back into the room, however small amount it is. Once that oxygen is used up, it will not operate to heat water. Nor will there be oxygen to breathe.....
In a house, they rely on infiltration of air through cracks and also the cubic feet of the space or connecting rooms. Inside a trailer, especially as tight as most of us build, there is very little air exchange unless doors/windows are opened. Also as stated, propane is a wet fuel, so you are dumping water vapor into the trailer.
I opted for a 6 gallon rv water heater. Yes, I had to cut a hole in the skin, but I had to do that for the windows. In addition, the water heater pilot, flames, gas connections do not communicate with the interior of the trailer. It is sealed and vents directly to the exterior. Peace of mind for a gas leak, carbon monoxide and combustion air.

I went with the Aquah Plus so my hole is smaller than your hole and I get all the hot water I want. Love my direct vent water heater.
https://www.ebay.com/i/191348335069?chn ... 8538150539
I got it for $350 delivered. I would try for less.

Iconfabul8 wrote:I went with the Aquah Plus so my hole is smaller than your hole and I get all the hot water I want. Love my direct vent water heater.
https://www.ebay.com/i/191348335069?chn ... 8538150539
I got it for $350 delivered. I would try for less.

Ummmm, I’m glad you have a tight hole....

fourbtgait wrote: It is sealed and vents directly to the exterior. Peace of mind for a gas leak, carbon monoxide and combustion air.

fourbtgait is spot on as to why some of us have gone the vented route, It's worth a hole in the trailer and spending a little more $ for "peace of mind".