Do I need a water heater?

[thinktankair]

I have a 1961 Bambi I am restoring and the water heater is done. I hate to say it, but I have the cabinets out and it is a prime time to drop in a new Atwood. The question I have is if I should. I am not going to use the shower (although I am keeping everything original) and I guess I could use hot water for dishes? I have never had a water heater camping. I could also use the cabinet space because there isn't much. Thoughts?

[ventport]

Add the water heater, it makes camping soo much better. Also without one, it would hurt the resale value.

[aquinob]

Well, its nice to have hot water for dishes and for washing your hands, not to mention a shower. You can get by without it, but then you can also camp in a tent. Resale will take a hit if you dont have one, but it's your trailer, so do what you see fit.

[thinktankair]

Wow, you all are fast. It was just an idea and I am leaning toward putting one in.

[polarlyse]

I would miss the hot water in morning for sure. That alone would make it worthwhile for me. So my vote is go for it.

[aftermath]

With the cabinets out now is the time. You will kick yourself down the road when you start thinking of washing up an shaving in all that cold water. The resale issue will be huge.

[Pams72]

go with a tankless water heater.

[thinktankair]

Thank you everyone. They is five yeses!

[JFScheck]

Yea for Hot Water ala the Water Heater....

Again, the space you would gain in not installing it I really don't think outweighs having hot water, either for yourself or the next owner years down the road...

[msmcv51]

You say that you have never had a water heater when camping. Well, put it in and down the road, during your first outing, you will thank yourself for doing it.

[Skater]

I can't imagine NOT having a water heater... but we take showers in our camper.

But washing dishes in cold water would get painful - if, like us, you sometimes camp in cooler weather, that water in the tank can get REALLY cold.

[Pick]

I didn't use mine at all last week in the Keys. Showered in the campground showers, and no problem doing dishes, we use paper plates, mostly. But it is nice to have one. Half the time wife says don't bother firing it up.

[Shacksman]

I put a new water heater in my Bambi and refitted the old cover over it so it looks original.

[J. Morgan]

Hardly anyone NEEDS a hot water heater, but if my camper didn't have one I wouldn't want it.

One of the big reasons I like the idea of campers is for the ability to have a nice warm shower whenever I want.

This is one of modern life's simple pleasures.

[thinktankair]

So it is yes to the water heater! And I am going to keep the original shroud and modify it. You all are great! I think if I didn't do it I would regret it with the place I am in my rebuild.

[Jim Foster]

Smart thing to do.