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ibskot · 10-23-2013, 03:47 PM

I am gonna be picking the camper up tomorrow, at least if if is still for sale, but it has no water heater. How do I know what kind and how much it costs? When I Google it I get anywhere from $300-1200. I am at a loss.
Thanks

**DKB_SATX** · 10-23-2013, 03:56 PM

If it's like my '75 and '76, the easiest replacement would be an Atwood 6-gallon, which you can get in pilot-light models as low as the $250 range, and spark-ignition dual-fuel (gas+110v) for around $350. A 10-gallon Atwood or another model would probably require slight modifications to the trailer. The $1200 price point is probably a tankless model, and would likely also require some modifications.

Aage · 10-23-2013, 03:57 PM

You will probably wind up with an Atwood 6 or 8 gallon model. They are very much like they have been for the last 40 years, but with time, the size and entry point for the LP gas has changed somewhat.

We replaced our original one with a new 10 gallon one. I bought it on sale for $399 at Camping World, and I think that it would be remarkable to find it for much less than that today. I certainly wouldn't pay much more than $500 though.

If you are handy, it can be pricey to get installed by the dealer. We bout it when the old one died, which was during a trip (of course :/ ) and had the Airstream factory in Jackson Center install it. We did that with a few other things, so I can't remember how much it ran for the water heater, but it wasn't cheap.

Good luck!

Aage · 10-23-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

If it's like my '75 and '76, the easiest replacement would be an Atwood 6-gallon, which you can get in pilot-light models as low as the $250 range, and spark-ignition dual-fuel (gas+110v) for around $350. A 10-gallon Atwood or another model would probably require slight modifications to the trailer. The $1200 price point is probably a tankless model, and would likely also require some modifications.

David,

Can you share with us where you got those prices? They seem hot!

Also, not familiar with the installation spot in a '77 Argosy, but I really wonder if there is any advantage to getting a 10 gallon. The 6-gallon would have to be faster to recover, right?

**DKB_SATX** · 10-23-2013, 04:06 PM

Those are the current prices off AdventureRV.net for the Atwood 6-gallon models. I assume you have to pay shipping on top of that, which is important to consider if comparing to a local vendor.

The advantage to the 6-gallon is not having to enlarge the hole in the skin. I must confess that it had an Atwood when I bought it, and the '76 just has the door (someone replaced it with a 20-gal residential 120v unit!). I *THINK* it's the 6-gallon, it's noticeably wider than it is tall, but I wouldn't bet a mortgage payment on that at the moment.

crabbey1 · 10-23-2013, 04:15 PM

Those are great prices! I bought an Atwood 6 gal with electric start and paid around $500 total... If you are interested, you could have my old Water Heater. It is the original one from my '76 Argosy. 6 gal model. It works, I just wanted to swap everything for new... Just pay for shipping...

ventport · 10-23-2013, 04:56 PM

I put an Atwood 6 gallon with electronic ignition and 110 volt element in it for my 77 Argosy. It fit in the hole OK, but the gas line was in a different place and was a real pain to get it right. I love not having to go outside to light it, and the 110 volt feature saves propane and is silent when heating.