Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

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Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

July 01, 2021, 09:56:03 am

I posed a question previously without requesting a specific focus on a 2001 or close to this year for a 26.5' Rear Bath. The reason for the specificity is the "recommended " replacement for the discontinued one I now have to replace does not fit my space. The recommendation came from Dometic who made the current one. The replacement (WH6-GA) is too big and won't fit because of where the control panel is.
I don't know whether the 2001 RB is unique from the standpoint of the control panel or not. But I have Pleasure Land RV Center looking for a LP gas fueled 6 gallon WH to fit my dimensions of 12"H X 15" W X 20" Deep. Where else might I check for a LP gas fueled 6 gallon WH?
Just checking with you all one more time to see if there is someone who has traveled this road before. Thank you.

Regards,
Straf14

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #1 – July 01, 2021, 10:31:38 am

Sorry, I don't have the answer to your question but I believe someone on your previous thread suggested checking RV salvage yards. I would think there are other RVs from 2001 that probably used the same water heater.

Maybe some googling and phone calls.

Good luck!

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #2 – July 01, 2021, 11:27:55 am

Hi Straf; You started an earlier thread and Steve (B) provided a source for what looks like the exact water heater we would need. My '99 wasn't completed until 2000, and two friends 2001 MB's look to be exactly like mine. Amazon.com: Atwood Mobile Products 96136 Electronic Direct Spark Ignition... has the same door. I can't find the exact sizes (yet), but this should be an exact fit. I'm not sure what you mean when you are discussing the 'control panel'. My control panel as part of my remote start/stop/ready inside the motorhome is totaly independent of the water heater.
(as an aside, when Amazon quotes dimensions, it is the size of the box it comes in. Not the size of the contents) RonB

So now 7/3/21 it is listed as unavailable! RVAutoparts.com also backordered. AdventureRV.net also unavailable.

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Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #3 – July 01, 2021, 11:39:17 am

Ron,

The water heater in our RB is next to the control center where all the fuses/breakers are. Do you remember opening the panel on my rig? Floor level below the oven.

Straf also has the RB.

Kent

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #4 – July 01, 2021, 11:50:44 am

Kent, if I'm not mistaken what we are looking at next to your fuse panel is actually the fromt of your furnace. On our mid bath the water heater and furnace are on opposite side of the converter. No controls on the back of the WHer just plumbing.

Jon

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #5 – July 01, 2021, 11:58:48 am

Jon,

You’re probably correct. The photo inside is backed by the photo outside. Inside =Furnace. Outside=hot water heater. Does that make sense?

Until Ron opened the inside cover of the furnace works I wasn’t even aware it was hinged. Tight fit for all that stuff.

Thanks,

Kent

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #6 – July 01, 2021, 12:00:31 pm

Hi Kent; I'm knee deep in my TK, (re-wiring and new converter, solar, shunt) and with my under refrigerator drawer removed, the water heater is exposed on the backside. No controls there. Just at the monitor panel. My outside water heater door looks just like yours and is the Atwood, that my above referenced Atwood 96136 would replace. RonB

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #7 – July 03, 2021, 12:13:19 am

AFAIK, every LD built since the 80s has used the same basic Atwood water heater size, the differences being in the controls. This observation is based on working on or inspecting around 200 LDs over the last 25 years.
I seriously doubt you have a unique LD.
Hav you actually tried fitting a new Atwood or are you just going off published specs?

Larry

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #8 – July 03, 2021, 05:12:36 am

Quote from: Larry W - July 03, 2021, 12:13:19 am

AFAIK, every LD built since the 80s has used the same basic Atwood water heater size, the differences being in the controls. This observation is based on working on or inspecting around 200 LDs over the last 25 years.
I seriously doubt you have a unique LD.
Hav you actually tried fitting a new Atwood or are you just going off published specs?

Larry

Thank you for responding, Larry. My RV shop tried to install the Dometic "recommended" WH6-GA 6 gallon Gas unit. It was too long (deep). Problem was where the control panel is located on our 2001 26.5' RB. The RV Shop told me the dimensions we need are: 12"H X 15"W X 20" Deep. To avoid length post, would it be possible to talk?

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #9 – July 03, 2021, 01:58:22 pm

Quote from: straf14 link=msg=234500 date[quote

My RV shop tried to install the Dometic "recommended" WH6-GA 6 gallon Gas unit. It was too long (deep). Problem was where the control panel is located on our 2001 26.5' RB. The RV Shop told me the dimensions we need are: 12"H X 15"W X 20

Would it be possible to post a photo of the empty space where the heater is located?
I’m having a hard time understanding what is in the way.

Larry

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #10 – July 03, 2021, 08:04:27 pm

Quote from: Larry W - July 03, 2021, 01:58:22 pm

Would it be possible to post a photo of the empty space where the heater is located?
I’m having a hard time understanding what is in the way.

Larry

Larry, see my private messages sent to you.

Regards,
Bob

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #11 – July 04, 2021, 07:56:37 am

Just as a note: A few years ago, Dometic bought the Atwood product line. I have read that Dometic has stopped making the "classic" Atwood water heaters and their parts. Their replacement for the "classic" (link here) has different dimensions, different piping locations, and uses a different exterior door.

If this is indeed the case, you may want to plan ahead concerning what replacing a "classic" might entail.

The mothership may be able to provide guidance. Presumeably they install the a newer model on new LDs.

I could be in error. All the above comes from another RV forum.

Mark H.

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #12 – July 04, 2021, 01:11:26 pm

Yes, I think my previous post was in error. All of the normal internet sources for the 93136, also called the G6A-8E, are out of stock, backordered or otherwise unavailable. That should concern all of us older motorhome owners, not just Lazy Dazers. While I could probably manage replacement with a newer model, I'd rather not spend a week doing it. And of course I'd want to keep a painted door to match, and my inside cabinetry intact. Pretty crowded in a TK.
Looking at reviews, it seems most tank replacements were needed for a split tank, resulting from freezing conditions.
I did find a replacement tank at Amazon. At least for a G6A-8E. You might want to check with Atwood to see if this really is a tank that will work on our water heaters. Amazon.com: Atwood 91641 Water Heater Replacement Inner Tank Kit Camper...
For now readily available. Not too many 5-15 year old motorhomes (trailers and others) need one of these yet, but as people try to extend the life of their RV's, this will become more of a problem. I would hope that parts suppliers will step into this 'vacuum' to at least make repair parts for longer.
My apologies Bob (Straf14) and thanks for pointing out this approaching issue. Some reviews of people who have done this tank replacement, thought that it wasn't too bad. Most of the other parts, valves, electronics, switches, etc. seem to still be available. Perhaps you can find some repair place nearby that can change the tank out. RonB

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Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #13 – July 04, 2021, 01:59:27 pm

Hi Mark H.; I notice the Dometic you referenced as a 'recommended' replacement is also 'out of stock' Is it all those new RV's being manufactured? RonB

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #14 – July 04, 2021, 07:14:03 pm

Ron B-

Yes, high production rates for new RVs make appliances scarce. Manufacture and transportation disruptions contribute. Last Winter you could not get a roof air conditioner for any amount of money- and for months. The same has happened with houses; just ask anyone doing a remodel about how difficult it is to get a refrigerator, stove or washing machine.

A search around the Internet says that a few merchants claim "in stock." Whether they actually have the item, well... I call to order these days, if I have any suspicion an item is out of stock.

It pays to make some contingency plans, especially if you live in your RV and have some older appliances.

Bummer that the "form factor" of the water heaters has to change, though. Our 1998 MB had the heater under the passenger-side settee berth, and it would have been impossible (or at least difficult) to shoehorn a "new" Dometic/Atwood in the same space. Our current Class A has the discontinued six-gallon Atwood but enough room for a 10-gallon water heater, so I think I'm OK. We'll see!

Mark H.

Re: Water Heater Replacement for 2001 RB

Reply #15 – July 11, 2021, 06:00:47 pm

Quote from: RonB - July 04, 2021, 01:11:26 pm

I did find a replacement tank at Amazon. At least for a G6A-8E. You might want to check with Atwood to see if this really is a tank that will work on our water heaters. Amazon.com: Atwood 91641 Water Heater Replacement Inner Tank Kit Camper...
For now readily available. Perhaps you can find some repair place nearby that can change the tank out.

At this point, replacing the bad tank is a good solution and maybe the only viable option.
The tank comes with an insulation kit.
I don't know what model heater LD is using today but with the replacements discontinued, it's going to be a problem for any of us with older rigs as the tanks fail.

Larry

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