I finally gave up on my old Bowen Water Heater. I had installed a new gas valve, but never could get the pilot to work satisfactorally. I know it has to have something very small wrong with it, but I got more interested in actually using my trailer rather than working on it. So, I installed a brand new 6 gal Atwood heater. I haven't tried to fire it up yet as I am out of propane, but hope to try it at least by tomorrow.
Now then. What to do with the old Bowen? It is complete, with original covers, etc, and even the remnants of the owner's manual. Should I throw it away? Does it have value? Would a restorer buy it? Should I offer it on e-bay? Advice would be appreciated.
When installing our waterheater (Camping World wouldn't do it), I kept the old door. I wanted to avoid the white door on a silver trailer look. I don't know the age of your trailer or the size of your heater, so I don't know if it is a valid comment for your situation.
__________________ Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra
If you go to the vintageairstream.com site you can see how he used the old door on the new water heater. I have my old parts too, but haven't used them. You also can paint your Atwood door grey or aluminum to match the AS. Mine came from an AS dealer and it was already colored right.
Getting the old door to fit the new Atwood wasn't that difficult. It does, however, require some cutting of the metal exaust channels coming from the water heater to the vent screen in the door. It isn't a significant job, but it does take some confidence. You are cutting a brand new water heater after all.
__________________ Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra
Ours is a 57 Overlander. The water heater is electric only, and appear to be toast. I can't get it apart to fix it, however, we don't "plug in" very often so want an LP one anyhow. No door on ours, so will have to cut one. Bummer. We have looked at tankless ones, too.
I finally gave up on my old Bowen Water Heater. I had installed a new gas valve, but never could get the pilot to work satisfactorally. I know it has to have something very small wrong with it, but I got more interested in actually using my trailer rather than working on it. So, I installed a brand new 6 gal Atwood heater. I haven't tried to fire it up yet as I am out of propane, but hope to try it at least by tomorrow.
Now then. What to do with the old Bowen? It is complete, with original covers, etc, and even the remnants of the owner's manual. Should I throw it away? Does it have value? Would a restorer buy it? Should I offer it on e-bay? Advice would be appreciated.
What model/year Airstream do you? What type of Bowen is it? Would it be possible to post a picture? If your Bowen is the large round type, those can be rebuilt and there are threads in this forum on that very topic. That type of water heater is worth something to some people who prefer to rebuild/restore the original Airstream appliances.
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