6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

Shop 6 gallon RV water heaters for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, and other recreational vehicles. Available options include traditional tank-style water heaters, gas-only models, gas and electric water heaters, extended-capacity units, and tankless replacements designed to fit common 6-gallon RV water-heater openings.

A 6 gallon RV water heater provides a practical balance of hot-water capacity, compact dimensions, and manageable weight. These water heaters are commonly installed in smaller and midsized RVs and are available from leading manufacturers such as Dometic, Suburban, and Girard.

Types of 6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

Not every water heater listed for a 6-gallon application works the same way. Some models contain a physical 6-gallon storage tank, while others are tankless units designed to replace a traditional 6-gallon water heater.

Common options include:

• Gas-only 6-gallon water heaters

• Gas and electric 6-gallon water heaters

• Extended-capacity 6-gallon water heaters

• Tankless replacements for 6-gallon openings

• Replacement water heaters for Atwood, Dometic, and Suburban models

The correct choice depends on the original water-heater model, available energy sources, installation dimensions, RV wiring, and desired hot-water performance.

Gas-Only 6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

A gas-only 6 gallon RV water heater uses propane as its source of heat. These models are well suited for boondocking, dry camping, overnight stops, and RV owners who do not regularly rely on campground electricity.

Although propane supplies the heat, most current electronic-ignition models still require 12-volt DC power for the control board, gas valve, ignition system, and safety components.

Gas-only water heaters may be a practical choice when:

• The RV does not have a 120-volt water-heater circuit

• Propane operation is preferred

• The owner frequently camps without hookups

• Electrical capacity is limited

• A straightforward gas-only replacement is needed

Current examples include the Dometic WH-6GA and select Suburban 6-gallon models.

Gas and Electric 6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

Gas and electric RV water heaters provide two ways to heat the stored water. Propane can be used while traveling or camping without hookups, while the 120-volt electric heating element can be used when the RV is connected to shore power.

Some models allow propane and electricity to operate together for faster hot-water recovery when the water heater and RV controls are properly configured.

A gas and electric model may be the best choice for RV owners who:

• Frequently stay at campgrounds with electrical hookups

• Want to conserve propane

• Need faster recovery between showers

• Want both boondocking and campground flexibility

• Are replacing an existing gas and electric water heater

Current examples include the Dometic WH-6GEA and several Suburban 6-gallon gas and electric models.

Extended-Capacity 6 Gallon Water Heaters

Some RV water heaters use a physical 6-gallon tank while producing more than 6 gallons of usable hot water.

The Dometic WH-9GEA XT, for example, uses mixing-valve technology to provide the equivalent of approximately 9 gallons of hot water from a physical 6-gallon tank. Water is heated to a higher temperature inside the tank and then blended with cold water before reaching the faucets and shower.

An extended-capacity model may be useful for:

• Longer showers

• Couples taking back-to-back showers

• Families traveling together

• RV owners who frequently exhaust a conventional 6-gallon tank

• Applications where there is not enough room for a 10-gallon water heater

The model’s effective capacity should not be confused with its physical tank size. A water heater marketed as a 9-gallon XT model may still use a 6-gallon tank and a standard 6-gallon exterior opening.

Tankless Replacements for 6 Gallon Water Heaters

Tankless RV water heaters do not contain a 6-gallon storage tank. Instead, they heat water as it flows through the unit.

Some tankless models are described as 6-gallon replacements because they are packaged with the door, trim ring, and mounting components needed to fit an opening previously occupied by a traditional 6-gallon water heater.

Tankless replacement options are available for select:

• Atwood and Dometic 6-gallon openings

• Suburban 6-gallon openings

• Gas-only tank replacements

• Gas and electric tank replacements

Girard and Suburban offer tankless water heaters designed for common 6-gallon replacement applications.

Tankless water heaters can provide continuous hot water as long as the RV has sufficient freshwater, propane, 12-volt power, water pressure, and wastewater capacity.

6 Gallon RV Water Heater Brands

Leading manufacturers of 6-gallon RV water heaters and compatible replacements include Dometic, Suburban, and Girard.

Dometic 6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

Dometic offers conventional 6-gallon gas-only and gas and electric water heaters, along with an XT model that increases usable hot-water output.

Current Dometic options include:

• Dometic WH-6GA gas-only water heater

• Dometic WH-6GEA gas and electric water heater

• Dometic WH-9GEA XT gas and electric water heater

Dometic water heaters may also replace select older Atwood models because Dometic acquired the Atwood RV water-heater product line.

Suburban 6 Gallon RV Water Heaters

Suburban offers several 6-gallon RV water-heater configurations. Depending on the model, available features may include direct-spark ignition, propane heating, electric heating, or both gas and electric operation.

Suburban steel-tank water heaters typically use a replaceable anode rod to help protect the tank from corrosion. This is an important maintenance difference between Suburban steel tanks and the aluminum tanks used by many Dometic and Atwood water heaters.

Girard Tankless 6 Gallon Replacements

Girard specializes in tankless RV water heaters. A Girard replacement listed for a 6-gallon application does not contain a 6-gallon tank.

The 6-gallon description identifies the original opening the replacement package is designed to fit. The correct Girard package may include the tankless water heater, exterior door, trim ring, digital controller, and installation hardware.

Different packages are required for Atwood or Dometic openings and Suburban openings.

Atwood 6 Gallon RV Water Heater Replacements

Atwood water heaters were installed in many motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers. Although new water heaters are now sold under the Dometic name, many RVs still contain older Atwood models.

Common Atwood 6-gallon model families include:

• G6A gas water heaters

• GC6AA gas and electric water heaters

• GCH6A motor-aid water heaters

• GE and electronic-ignition variations

• XT and extended-capacity models

The complete model number is important because every letter and revision number can identify differences in the heating system, ignition type, electric element, controls, wiring, or motor-aid connections.

A replacement should never be chosen based only on the Atwood name or 6-gallon capacity.

Suburban 6 Gallon RV Water Heater Replacements

Suburban 6-gallon water heaters use a different exterior opening and mounting arrangement from many Atwood and Dometic models.

A replacement designed for an Atwood-style opening may not fit a Suburban opening without a model-specific door, trim ring, or adapter kit.

Before replacing a Suburban water heater, verify:

• Complete Suburban model number

• Gas-only or gas and electric operation

• Direct-spark or pilot ignition

• Exterior opening dimensions

• Water-heater depth

• Door size and mounting arrangement

• 12-volt and 120-volt connections

• Required anode rod and drain components

6 Gallon vs. 10 Gallon RV Water Heaters

A 6-gallon RV water heater is smaller, lighter, and easier to fit into compact recreational vehicles. It is generally sufficient for one or two occupants with moderate hot-water use.

A 10-gallon water heater stores more hot water and may be preferable for larger families, full-time RVers, and RVs with greater daily demand.

However, a 10-gallon water heater cannot usually be installed in a 6-gallon opening without major modifications. The larger model requires a wider and taller sidewall opening, additional interior space, and a different exterior door.

An extended-capacity or tankless replacement may provide more hot water without enlarging the existing opening.

How Long Does a 6 Gallon RV Water Heater Last During a Shower?

The amount of shower time provided by a 6-gallon water heater depends on several factors, including:

• Stored-water temperature

• Incoming cold-water temperature

• Showerhead flow rate

• Amount of cold water mixed at the faucet

• Propane and electric recovery performance

• Time between hot-water uses

• Whether the model uses extended-capacity technology

A low-flow RV showerhead and moderate outlet temperature can extend the usable supply. Recovery also begins while hot water is being used, so actual shower time is not determined by tank capacity alone.

How Long Does a 6 Gallon RV Water Heater Take to Heat?

Heating and recovery times vary by model, incoming water temperature, burner output, electric-element wattage, and selected heat source.

Propane burners generally heat water faster than an electric element operating alone. Gas and electric models may recover more quickly when both heat sources are used simultaneously and the installation supports combined operation.

Check the specifications for the exact model when recovery time is an important purchasing consideration.

Aluminum vs. Steel Water-Heater Tanks

Dometic and older Atwood water heaters commonly use aluminum tanks. These tanks generally do not require sacrificial anode rods.

Suburban water heaters commonly use porcelain-lined steel tanks with replaceable anode rods. The anode rod is designed to corrode before the steel tank and must be inspected and replaced as part of routine maintenance.

Do not install an anode rod based only on the water heater’s capacity. Use the drain plug or anode rod specified by the manufacturer for the exact model.

Does a 6 Gallon RV Water Heater Include the Exterior Door?

Many replacement RV water heaters are sold without an exterior access door. The door may need to be purchased separately or selected as part of a complete installation kit.

The existing door may not fit when:

• Changing water-heater brands

• Replacing an older Atwood model

• Converting from a tank to a tankless model

• Changing from a Suburban opening to another design

• Installing an XT or extended-capacity model

• Changing the opening size

Verify the required door size, trim ring, mounting brackets, hardware, and color before ordering.

Choosing a Replacement 6 Gallon RV Water Heater

The complete model number from the original water heater is the most important piece of information when selecting a replacement.

Before ordering, verify:

• Original manufacturer

• Complete model number

• Product or serial number

• Physical tank capacity

• Gas-only or gas and electric operation

• Pilot or electronic ignition

• Exterior cutout dimensions

• Available interior depth

• Access-door dimensions

• Propane connection location

• Hot and cold water-line locations

• 12-volt DC wiring

• 120-volt AC wiring

• Interior switches and controls

• Motor-aid connections, when equipped

• Required door, trim ring, or adapter kit

Two water heaters can both be described as 6-gallon models while having different dimensions, controls, electrical requirements, and installation components.

Find the Correct 6 Gallon RV Water Heater

Browse 6 gallon RV water heaters from Dometic, Suburban, Girard, and other leading RV water-heater manufacturers.

Choose from conventional gas-only models, gas and electric water heaters, extended-capacity tanks, and tankless replacements designed for common 6-gallon openings.

For the most accurate replacement match, locate the data label on the existing water heater and record the complete manufacturer, model number, and product number. Compare the original unit’s dimensions, energy sources, wiring, plumbing, access door, and mounting requirements before ordering.