Suburban Tankless RV Water Heaters

Shop Suburban tankless RV water heaters for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, and other recreational vehicles. Suburban tankless water heaters produce hot water on demand without storing a limited supply inside a traditional 6-, 10-, 12-, or 16-gallon tank.

Available options include the Suburban Advantage IW60 and the Suburban ST-42 and ST-60 tankless water heaters. These propane-powered systems provide continuous hot water, adjustable temperature control, compact installation, and replacement options for many common RV water-heater openings.

Current Suburban Tankless Water Heaters

Current Suburban tankless RV water-heater options include:

• Suburban Advantage IW60 Tankless Water Heater

• Suburban ST-42 Tankless Water Heater

• Suburban ST-60 Tankless Water Heater

The IW60 is designed as a flexible replacement for several traditional tank-style Suburban, Atwood, and Dometic installations. The ST-42 and ST-60 use a different cabinet and exterior-door configuration designed for common Girard, Furrion, and similar tankless openings.

The correct model depends on the existing sidewall cutout, desired heating capacity, available propane supply, water pressure, wiring, controller, exterior panel, and venting requirements.

Suburban Advantage IW60 Tankless Water Heater

The Suburban Advantage IW60 is a propane-powered tankless RV water heater with a maximum heating input of 60,000 BTU per hour.

Its modulating burner adjusts heat output according to incoming water temperature, water flow, and the selected outlet temperature. This allows the water heater to produce continuous hot water without repeatedly heating and storing water inside a tank.

The IW60 uses propane for heating and 12-volt DC power for its controls, ignition system, gas valve, sensors, freeze-protection system, and other operating components. It does not contain a 120-volt electric heating element.

Suburban ST-42 Tankless Water Heater

The Suburban ST-42 is a compact tankless RV water heater with a maximum burner output of approximately 42,000 BTU per hour.

It heats water only when a hot-water faucet or shower is running. The water heater includes a wall-mounted digital control center that allows the desired outlet temperature to be selected from inside the RV.

The ST-42 is designed for installations with moderate hot-water demand and for replacing select Girard, Furrion, and similarly sized tankless RV water heaters.

Suburban ST-60 Tankless Water Heater

The Suburban ST-60 provides up to approximately 60,000 BTU per hour of heating capacity.

Its greater burner output allows the water heater to handle higher hot-water demand, colder incoming water, or increased flow more effectively than a lower-output tankless model.

Like the ST-42, the ST-60 includes a digital wall controller and heats water only when a hot-water fixture is opened.

Suburban IW60 vs. ST-42 vs. ST-60

The IW60, ST-42, and ST-60 are all propane-powered tankless RV water heaters, but they are designed for different replacement openings and hot-water demands.

The Suburban IW60 is intended for replacing many traditional tank-style RV water heaters. Replacement panels are available for common Suburban and Atwood or Dometic openings.

The ST-42 and ST-60 use a compact cabinet designed around common Girard and Furrion-style sidewall openings.

The ST-42 provides up to approximately 42,000 BTU per hour, while the IW60 and ST-60 provide up to approximately 60,000 BTU per hour.

Do not select a model based only on burner output. The sidewall opening, cabinet depth, exterior door, venting, water connections, propane supply, controller, and wiring must also match the installation.

Benefits of a Suburban Tankless RV Water Heater

A Suburban tankless water heater heats water only when it is needed rather than maintaining a tank of heated water throughout the day.

Potential benefits include:

• Continuous on-demand hot water

• No fixed tank capacity

• No traditional recovery period

• Adjustable outlet temperature

• Modulating propane burner

• Digital or selectable temperature controls

• Lower stored-water weight

• Reduced standby heat loss

• No sacrificial anode rod

• Replacement options for several common RV openings

• Built-in operating and safety protections

A tankless model can be useful for families, full-time RVers, couples taking back-to-back showers, and RV owners who regularly run out of hot water with a conventional tank.

How a Suburban Tankless Water Heater Works

A Suburban tankless water heater activates when a hot-water fixture is opened and sufficient water flow is detected.

The flow sensor signals the control system, the blower begins operating, and the propane burner ignites. Water passes through the heat exchanger, where it is heated before traveling to the open faucet or shower.

The burner adjusts according to the water flow, incoming temperature, and desired outlet temperature. When the faucet is closed, the burner shuts down.

Because hot water is produced only during use, there is no storage tank that must recover between showers.

Does a Suburban Tankless Water Heater Provide Unlimited Hot Water?

A Suburban tankless RV water heater can provide continuous hot water as long as the RV has sufficient freshwater, propane, 12-volt power, water pressure, and wastewater capacity.

When connected to campground water and sewer, hot-water use is not restricted by a 6-, 10-, or 12-gallon storage tank.

When dry camping, use is still limited by the amount of freshwater onboard and the available capacity of the gray-water tank. A tankless water heater can continue heating the available water, but it cannot increase the RV’s water supply.

Does a Suburban Tankless Water Heater Use Propane or Electricity?

Suburban tankless RV water heaters use propane as their source of heat.

They also require 12-volt DC electrical power to operate components such as:

• Control boards

• Electronic ignition

• Gas valves

• Blower motors

• Water-flow sensors

• Temperature sensors

• Safety switches

• Freeze-protection components

• Digital wall controllers

Suburban tankless water heaters do not use a 120-volt electric heating element. They can operate without shore power when the RV has propane and sufficient battery power.

Suburban Tankless Temperature Control

Suburban tankless systems allow the outlet-water temperature to be selected or adjusted from inside the RV.

The ST-42 and ST-60 include a wall-mounted digital control center. The IW60 can operate with a basic switch or an available tankless control center, depending on the installation.

For consistent performance, the hot-water faucet should generally be opened fully and the desired temperature selected through the controller. Excessive mixing with cold water can reduce the flow through the hot-water side and may cause temperature fluctuations or burner cycling.

Water-Flow Requirements

Tankless water heaters require sufficient water flow before the burner will ignite and remain operating.

Performance can be affected by:

• Low campground water pressure

• A weak RV water pump

• Clogged faucet aerators

• Restricted showerheads

• Dirty water-inlet screens

• Partially closed valves

• Kinked plumbing lines

• Excessive cold-water mixing

• Simultaneous use of several fixtures

Steady water pressure and unrestricted flow help the water heater maintain a consistent outlet temperature.

Suburban Tankless vs. Tank Water Heaters

A traditional Suburban tank water heater stores a fixed amount of heated water. Common capacities include 4, 6, 10, 12, and 16 gallons. Once that supply is depleted, the burner or electric element must reheat the tank.

A tankless water heater heats water continuously while it flows through the unit. There is no fixed supply to exhaust and no conventional recovery period.

A tankless model may be preferable when:

• Longer showers are important

• Several people use hot water consecutively

• The existing tank regularly runs out

• Reduced installed weight is desired

• Propane-powered operation is acceptable

• Continuous hot water is a priority

A tank-style model may be preferable when:

• A 120-volt electric heating option is required

• Stored hot water is preferred

• Water pressure is inconsistent

• Very low-flow operation is common

• A direct replacement with minimal changes is desired

Replacing a Suburban Tank Water Heater

The Suburban Advantage IW60 can be configured to replace several traditional Suburban tank water heaters.

Replacement applications may include openings previously occupied by:

• Suburban 6-gallon water heaters

• Suburban 10-gallon water heaters

• Suburban 12-gallon water heaters

• Suburban 16-gallon water heaters

A replacement panel and vent-cap assembly are required when converting an existing tank-water-heater opening to the IW60.

The exact panel depends on the original water heater and exterior opening. The original tank-style access door is not reused as the tankless vent.

Replacing an Atwood or Dometic Water Heater

The Suburban IW60 can replace select Atwood and Dometic tank-style water heaters when paired with the correct replacement panel, vent cap, switch or controller, and installation components.

Replacement applications may include common 6-gallon and 10-gallon Atwood or Dometic openings.

The gallon designation refers to the original storage-tank installation. The Suburban replacement does not contain a 6- or 10-gallon tank.

Before ordering, verify:

• Original manufacturer

• Complete model number

• Sidewall cutout dimensions

• Available cabinet depth

• Exterior-door dimensions

• Water-line locations

• Propane connection

• 12-volt wiring

• Controller wiring

• Required replacement panel

• Required vent-cap assembly

• Mounting requirements

Replacing a Girard Tankless Water Heater

The Suburban ST-42 and ST-60 are designed for common sidewall openings used by Girard and certain other compact tankless RV water heaters.

This may allow a Suburban ST model to replace a compatible Girard installation without enlarging the existing opening.

The cabinet size alone does not guarantee compatibility. Confirm the exterior door, water connections, propane line, wiring, controller, mounting points, and installation depth before ordering.

Replacing a Furrion Tankless Water Heater

The Suburban ST-42 and ST-60 may also fit common openings used by select Furrion tankless water heaters.

A replacement should be selected using the actual cutout dimensions and the full model number of the original water heater.

Changes to the exterior door, controller, wiring, plumbing, propane connection, or mounting system may still be required.

Suburban Tankless Replacement Panels

The Suburban IW60 requires a replacement panel when installed in an opening previously occupied by a tank-style water heater.

Replacement-panel configurations are available for:

• Standard Suburban tank-water-heater openings

• Select Atwood and Dometic openings

• Different original tank capacities

• Polar White exterior finishes

• Black exterior finishes for select Suburban applications

The replacement panel covers the remaining sidewall opening and supports the correct vent-cap assembly.

The panel, vent cap, switch, and control center may be sold separately from the water heater.

Exterior Doors and Venting

The ST-42 and ST-60 use an exterior water-heater door designed for their compact cabinet and combustion system.

The IW60 uses a replacement panel and separate vent-cap assembly when installed in an existing tank-water-heater opening.

Exterior doors and vent components are functional parts of the intake and exhaust system. Use only components approved for the exact Suburban model.

Before ordering, verify whether the water heater includes:

• Exterior door

• Replacement panel

• Vent cap

• Digital controller

• Basic operating switch

• Mounting hardware

• Wiring harness

• Plumbing fittings

Suburban Tankless Freeze Protection

Suburban tankless water heaters include freeze-protection features, but these systems are not substitutes for proper winterization.

Depending on the model, protection may include powered heating cycles and a mechanical freeze-protection valve that drains water when temperatures approach freezing.

Active protection requires sufficient 12-volt power and propane. Mechanical protection may drain the water heater but does not protect the rest of the RV plumbing.

The water heater should be properly drained and winterized whenever freezing temperatures are expected and the RV will be stored or left without power and propane.

Do Suburban Tankless Water Heaters Need an Anode Rod?

Suburban tankless water heaters do not use storage tanks and do not require sacrificial anode rods.

Anode rods are used in Suburban’s porcelain-lined steel tank water heaters to protect the tank from corrosion. Tankless models heat water through a heat exchanger rather than storing it in a steel tank.

Although no anode rod is required, the water heater still needs regular inspection, cleaning, descaling, and winterization.

Suburban Tankless Water-Heater Maintenance

Routine maintenance helps preserve water flow, combustion performance, and dependable temperature control.

Common maintenance may include:

• Cleaning the exterior intake and exhaust

• Inspecting the burner and combustion area

• Cleaning the water-inlet screen

• Checking the RV water pump and pressure

• Testing propane connections for leaks

• Inspecting 12-volt wiring

• Checking the wall controller

• Inspecting the freeze-protection system

• Descaling the heat exchanger

• Winterizing before freezing temperatures

Hard water can cause mineral deposits to accumulate inside the heat exchanger. Periodic descaling may be necessary to maintain normal flow and heating performance.

Common Suburban Tankless Water-Heater Problems

Tankless water-heater problems are often caused by water flow, propane pressure, low voltage, improper installation, or mineral buildup.

Common symptoms include:

• No hot water

• Failure to ignite

• Burner cycling

• Temperature fluctuations

• Low hot-water flow

• Error codes

• Blower operation without ignition

• Water that becomes too hot

• Freeze damage

• Mineral buildup

• Delayed hot-water delivery

Diagnosis should begin with the displayed error code, propane supply, water flow, 12-volt voltage, inlet screen, exhaust clearance, and instructions for the exact model.

Suburban Tankless Water-Heater Parts

Replacement parts are available for Suburban IW60, ST-42, and ST-60 water heaters.

Common parts include:

• Control boards

• Wall controllers

• Operating switches

• Water-flow sensors

• Temperature sensors

• Gas valves

• Blower motors

• Ignition components

• Flame sensors

• Wiring harnesses

• Freeze-protection valves

• Heat exchangers

• Water-line assemblies

• Exterior doors

• Replacement panels

• Vent caps

Parts should be selected using the complete model and serial number. Components for the IW60 may not interchange with parts for the ST-42 or ST-60.

Choosing the Correct Suburban Tankless Water Heater

Choose the IW60 when replacing many traditional Suburban, Atwood, or Dometic tank-style water heaters.

Choose the ST-42 when replacing a compatible compact tankless installation and approximately 42,000 BTU of heating capacity meets the RV’s needs.

Choose the ST-60 when a compatible compact installation requires greater heating capacity for colder incoming water or increased hot-water demand.

Before ordering, verify:

• Original water-heater brand

• Complete model number

• Existing cutout dimensions

• Available installation depth

• Required heating capacity

• Exterior-door or replacement-panel requirements

• Vent-cap requirements

• Water-line locations

• Propane-line location

• 12-volt wiring

• Controller compatibility

• Required installation hardware

Find the Correct Suburban Tankless RV Water Heater

Browse Suburban tankless RV water heaters for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, truck campers, and other recreational vehicles.

Choose from the Suburban Advantage IW60 for replacing many traditional tank-style installations or the compact ST-42 and ST-60 models for common Girard and Furrion-style openings.

For the most accurate replacement match, locate the complete model and serial number of the existing water heater. Measure the sidewall cutout and available cabinet depth, then verify the required burner capacity, exterior door, replacement panel, vent cap, controller, wiring, plumbing, propane connection, and mounting components before ordering.