Water Heater Replacement question

[Muttchaser]

Hi! I'm hoping someone here can help me. I own a 1984 Airstream Sovereign 27 footer. The old water heater has finally bit the dust and has holes so it's a no brainer that I have to replace it. But with what?

I cannot find the same model (G6A-3) by Atwood. Does anyone know what would be a direct replacement for that discontinued model?

Also I've been looking for so long I don't know what I'm looking for anymore! How hard is it to move to a tankless water heater. What is the difference between tankless and "on demand"? Do I really gain anything if it's still propane. I've read through so much but only see people with complaints. Anyone have any good advice regarding those?

Finally it seems easier to find a new tank skin but again it gets confusing when the sale sights don't say what model it fits. Grrr. No worries I'll just spray paint those bald spots!

Thanks in advance ~ Ellie

[richard5933]

From what I've found online, the newer water heaters will fit in the space of the old one, but they require a bit of help since they are slightly smaller.

If you look at this water heater you'll see it's similar to yours but slightly smaller in physical size: https://www.woodlandairstreamparts.c...34e174da&_ss=r

Look down in the listing and you'll see a few items which are normally ordered with it, including the door kit with flange(s). This appears to be what you'll need to fill the space left after installing the slightly smaller heater. The door covers both the heater and flanges.

My suggestion would be to call Woodland and ask if there is anything else you might need to mount the heater in the existing hole.

[4RXLA]

Suburban makes an Advantage series that is a direct replacement for the old Atwood rectangular door models. 6AW6D is the model number for gas only 6 gal dsi. Camping World sells them as does Amazon. Your original door will fit it.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by 4RXLA

Suburban makes an Advantage series that is a direct replacement for the old Atwood rectangular door models. 6AW6D is the model number for gas only 6 gal dsi. Camping World sells them as does Amazon. Your original door will fit it.

I believe this one has a steel tank though instead of the aluminum tank. Not an issue for some, but from what I have found the aluminum lasts much longer. Looks like in this case the tank outlasted the mounting flange.

[Merlintiaga]

If you decide to go with a tankless, do not buy a Girard. This is the unit that AS ships in their new trailer. Lots of threads on these on the forum. The only tankless to buy IMO is a Truma. I have looked at all of them, and theirs does not send slugs of cold water through the hot water system the way the others (Girard) does. BTW, if you do decide to go Girard, let me know, I’d be happy to sell you mine at a very reasonable price.

[4RXLA]

I agree the aluminum tank lasts longer. My original Atwood/Bowen lasted 45 years and was never drained. I didn’t want to have a patch and wanted to keep the stainless steel door so I went with the porcelain lined Suburban with anode rod. I wanted a manual pilot light model but the best I could do was a dsi gas. I’m not a fan of circuit boards as they are prone to failure. This specific replacement tank comes with an external circuit board that is mounted inside the trailer away from the extreme heat of the tank. My original copper plumbing doesn’t have a mixing valve which is good as that’s another PITA that gets clogged. I will drain this tank when in storage to prolong its life and hope for the best.