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Andrew T · 07-12-2018, 06:28 AM

They all have freeze protection when they are on. The problem is if there is an unexpected cold snap when the unit is in storage it will freeze much faster than the lines inside the insulated trailer.

A customer ran out of LP while towing below freezing. He got more gas as soon as he could, everything was fine except he split a part in the water heater that they don’t sell separately. Be careful driving in the mountains as you can go below freezing without realizing. They freeze pretty quick at highway speed.

With tank style heater 6 gallons has to freeze which takes quite a while.

I just don’t like counting on an electronic circuit board and flame ignition to prevent an immediate freeze up.

Andy

TG Twinkie · 07-12-2018, 07:53 AM

For not much more than $300 you can get a replacement water heater.
The pilot model. You have to go outside and light it. But there are no electronics to fail.

TG Twinkie · 07-12-2018, 07:56 AM

Adventure RV has a 6 gallon Atwood pilot model for $279.95.

Baby Zeppelin · 07-12-2018, 08:21 PM

Ours lasted six months, now won't light using propane. Dealer can't get me in for a month, admits that he's replaced a lot of Atwood igniter boards recently.

Guess I'll spend $130 and order the Dinosaur UIB64 one. That'll be less of a hassle than repeated trips to the dealer. Don't expect to be reimbursed by Airstream, 'though it'd be nice.

Andrew T · 07-14-2018, 06:06 AM

Hi Erik. Send the defective board to your dealer he should be able to look after you.

BBosso4 · 09-03-2018, 10:47 AM

Just wanted to follow up on this thread for future readers:

We purchased a 2018 Flying Cloud three months ago. On our maiden voyage (which we are still on) I discovered while boon docking that the propane option on the water heater was not working. I could smell gas but no ignition.

I called Atwood (Dometic as I have come to find out) and the customer service tech knew immediately that it was a bad board. It appears the had a batch of bad boards, decided not to recall or notify any of their customers, and now we get to deal with it. I think this is pretty ridiculous but hey, they sent me a new board to the closest UPS store and in about three minutes I had it installed and boom it works like a champ.

I would also note that the replacement board is not identical to the pre-existing board. It fits fine and works great, don't get me wrong. I just thought it was interesting to see that maybe it wasn't just a bad batch of boards...I'm thinking the overall design was flawed and needed to be reengineering. In any event, if your propane option of the water heater isn't working on your new airstream, just call customer service and they'll send you a new board and all your worries will go away...until something else breaks lol. Safe travels!