Truma AquaGo Installed

[2012FB]

I just had a Truma Aquago installed in our 2022 25’ RBT replacing the Girard that came with the trailer. I decided to go with the XS black exterior door. It turned out great and I like the look. We were able to fish the wire from the water heater to the control unit in the bathroom replacing the Girard control panel so it looks stock. Unfortunately it will be a few weeks before we can use it but I am looking forward to it.

[Colossus]

Nicely done! Love the way you were able to use the existing opening/panel for the Girard. It definitely gives a stock look. I made the upgrade earlier this month and we are extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Airstream should look into making the switch to Truma stock on these units or atleast offer the Truma as an upgrade option.

[ArchBuck]

I want to do the exact same upgrade to our 25' RTB! Thanks for pictures... Everything fit just fine? No modifications? Gas line was same size?

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by ArchBuck

I want to do the exact same upgrade to our 25' RTB! Thanks for pictures... Everything fit just fine? No modifications? Gas line was same size?

Everything went in nicely. The storage compartment end wallboard on the left of the new Truma was moved to the left maybe an inch to allow the gas line to come in without a hard bend. Removed the original Gerard control and mounted the new Truma. This was a bit tricky. Drilled a hole in the inner wall just below the countertop inside the cabinet in line with the hole above for the control. Fished the control wire from the top hole to the lower hole. Used a piece of the flex and slid it along the wall behind the cabinet from the heater to the lower hole and pulled the control line over to the heater. Hope that made sense. Went with the small black exterior cover which also fit perfectly.

The installers were very good and receptive to my suggestion on how to run the control line so we could use the original mounting hole.

Not sure how to reorient the pictures when they come in.

[TNOutback]

How much did the Truma unit cost and the cost to install?

[foobar]

Originally Posted by TNOutback

How much did the Truma unit cost and the cost to install?

The Truma runs around $2100 installed based on the quotes I received. I don't recall the breakdown of unit costs vs labor costs.

[Merlintiaga]

Originally Posted by foobar

The Truma runs around $2100 installed based on the quotes I received. I don't recall the breakdown of unit costs vs labor costs.

Ouch! That’s a fair amount of money. I wonder if you can get a few hundred for your Girard on Facebook marketplace or eBay.

FYI for others interested in the upgrade, Truma does offer discounts at big RV shows and installs while you wait. I might do it next year at Hershey, PA.

[GRadventures]

I had Truma in Elkhart install mine at the end of October. It was about $1,800 out the door. Very professional people. Picked the black door which looks fine. Goes with the black underbody. Love the unit. Have a one year old Girard unit if anyone is looking.

[OrangeCrush]

Looks great and I like the black door. Did you install it yourself or have a dealer do it?

[foobar]

A&P Vintage Trailer Works in Paradise, TX installed my Truma.

They fabricated a custom aluminum faceplate to make it look like an Airstream factory installation.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by 2012FB

I just had a Truma Aquago installed in our 2022 25’ RBT replacing the Girard that came with the trailer. I decided to go with the XS black exterior door. It turned out great and I like the look. We were able to fish the wire from the water heater to the control unit in the bathroom replacing the Girard control panel so it looks stock. Unfortunately it will be a few weeks before we can use it but I am looking forward to it.

I agree with the black door look. I’m going to leave mine as is as well, seen here.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by foobar

A&P Vintage Trailer Works in Paradise, TX installed my Truma.

They fabricated a custom aluminum faceplate to make it look like an Airstream factory installation. Attachment 425992

Foobar
That looks very nice. Looks like they do good work.

[Merlintiaga]

Originally Posted by foobar

A&P Vintage Trailer Works in Paradise, TX installed my Truma.

They fabricated a custom aluminum faceplate to make it look like an Airstream factory installation.

Very nice! They could easily sell this.

[cosmotini]

Nice job on the install.

What prompted you to switch water heaters? I'm presuming Truma has features/capabilities that the Girard doesn't. Example: can you take navy showers with it?

Thanks!

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Foobar

That looks very nice. Looks like they do good work.

I’d buy one! Wonder if they’d like to sell them?

[foobar]

Originally Posted by ts8501

I’d buy one! Wonder if they’d like to sell them?

Don't know if they would sell the faceplate. Give Paul at A&P Vintage Trailer Works a call and ask.

They do fantastic work and they are great to work with.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by cosmotini

Nice job on the install.



What prompted you to switch water heaters? I'm presuming Truma has features/capabilities that the Girard doesn't. Example: can you take navy showers with it?



Thanks!

In case this question is directed at me...

I switched water heaters to mitigate multiple negatives for the Girard tankless.

1. Minimize wasted water when boondocking (it takes 40-50 seconds for the Girard to heat up a deliver hot water)

2. Girard heater requires a fairly high minimum flow rate to trigger the heater.

3. When trying to trickle hot water after the heater is triggered by a higher flow, the Girard will overheat and shut down as there is inadequate flow of cold water to keep the Girard internal in a safe operating condition.

Navy showers suffer from all 3 limitations above. When you shut off the shower head, the Girard shuts down and then needs another 40-50 seconds to turn on, heat up, and then deliver hot water. It's this behavior that causes the 'cold water sandwich' problem.

The Truma has a small internal tank (around a liter or so) that it can preheat. This small tank provides a hot water buffer that allows trickling hot water at the kitchen sink and also absorbs the cold water that comes as part of the cold water sandwich that occurs when you are cycling the hot water on and off (navy shower style or when washing dishes). The Truma also turns on at a lower flow rate and heats up faster than the Girard.

Now I have a brand new, never used Girard heater that I have to figure out what to do with, lol (sell it perhaps?)

[Life is a Highway]

So sad people have to spend a thousand plus to replace the pathetic Airsteam units. I know I own one and no amount of JC turning this pressure that flow this works. Unit is junk. Want our 2019 old gas electric back Airstream should be ashamed of installing a unit that gives you inconsistent hot water. Unhappy wife = unhappy life.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

So sad people have to spend a thousand plus to replace the pathetic Airsteam units. I know I own one and no amount of JC turning this pressure that flow this works. Unit is junk. Want our 2019 old gas electric back Airstream should be ashamed of installing a unit that gives you inconsistent hot water. Unhappy wife = unhappy life.

Lowest bidder, not best design/solution. Classic Airstream M.O. Add to the list of things people replace on brand new trailers.

[ts8501]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

So sad people have to spend a thousand plus to replace the pathetic Airsteam units. I know I own one and no amount of JC turning this pressure that flow this works. Unit is junk. Want our 2019 old gas electric back Airstream should be ashamed of installing a unit that gives you inconsistent hot water. Unhappy wife = unhappy life.

It would probably cost more to retrofit back to an old style gas water heater than to reinstall a Truma. Yes, Airstream should have and should use Truma over Girard moving forward. Meanwhile, I stopped complaining, and had Truma installed. No more worries. The idea of hot water on demand is not a bad one. They just picked the wrong manufacturer. Added benefit for those with gas, my Truma and even the old Girard, make no noise regenerating at 3am either, which often woke me up. So gas was not the perfect solution either.
The Truma is about perfect for my needs, and the $2k+ was worth it. And it is the only item I replaced in my 2022 International. I am way happy with everything else, including the new 12v fridge, which is a great upgrade.