RV Tankless Water Heater Conversion Service - On-Site in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile tankless water heater conversion service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile tankless water heater conversion service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Certified technicians. $299 service call. Same-week scheduling. Call (866) 437-4848.
RecPro RV26TW vs. Furrion PHE10SP - Choosing the Right Tankless Unit
The RecPro RV26TW and Furrion PHE10SP are the two tankless RV water heaters we install most frequently, and they serve different use cases. The RecPro RV26TW is the entry point for most conversions - it produces 1.3 GPM at a 77-degree rise, draws 20,000 BTU/hr on LP, and includes a built-in recirculating pump that eliminates cold-water lag at distant fixtures. The Furrion PHE10SP steps up to 37,000 BTU/hr and produces 1.8 GPM at a 77-degree rise - better suited for Class A motorhomes with two full bathrooms. Both units require a 4-inch concentric vent versus the 3-inch round exhaust on most Suburban/Atwood tank units.
Vent Penetration and LP Pressure Requirements for Tankless Conversion
Two technical requirements trip up most DIY tankless conversions: the vent diameter change and LP supply pressure adequacy. Most Suburban SW-series units exhaust through a 3-inch round vent. The RecPro RV26TW and Furrion PHE10SP both use a 4-inch round concentric vent. This means cutting a new 4-to-4.5-inch penetration in the exterior aluminum or fiberglass sidewall in most conversions. We use a 4.25-inch hole saw on aluminum-sided rigs and a jigsaw with an RV-grade blade on fiberglass. The new penetration is sealed with Dicor 501LSW self-leveling sealant and a stainless finishing collar. LP supply pressure is the second variable - a 37,000 BTU unit like the Furrion needs at least 11 inches WC at the manifold with all other gas appliances operating simultaneously.
Dip Tube Failure - The Hidden Cause of Short Hot Water Duration
A failed dip tube mimics a water heater that is too small, and we see it misdiagnosed as a capacity issue in older Suburban and Atwood units several times a month. The dip tube is a plastic tube inside the tank that routes cold incoming water to the bottom, forcing hot water to exit from the top. When the tube cracks or separates, cold inlet water mixes directly with hot water at the top of the tank, triggering the thermostat before the full tank volume is heated. The symptom is hot water lasting 60 to 90 seconds - just enough to wet the shower walls - then going stone cold. On the Suburban SW10DE, the dip tube is a 3/4-inch OD polypropylene insert. It is not sold separately by Suburban as a repair part; the standard fix is full heater replacement. This is exactly the scenario where a tankless conversion makes more economic sense than replacing with another 10-gallon tank unit.
Also see: Plumbing & Water Services
This page covers tankless water heater conversion specifically. For the full range of plumbing & water services we offer, visit our Plumbing & Water service overview.
Case Study: Suburban SW10DE 10-gallon water heater with a failed dip tube (the plastic tube that routes cold inlet water to the tank bottom had collapsed, causing cold and hot water to mix at the top of the tank). The dip tube part is not serviceable on the SW10DE - full replacement or tankless conversion is required
RV: 2020 Coachmen Sportscoach SRS 376ES • Location: Fort De Soto Park Campground, Site 112 • City: St. Petersburg
Symptom: Owner described the original Suburban SW10DE producing hot water for only 90 seconds during a shower before running cold, with the LP gas burner audibly cycling off and relighting every 45 to 60 seconds during sustained use
Diagnosis: Technician drained the tank and pulled the cold-inlet dip tube using a 1/2-inch internal pipe wrench. The tube came out in two pieces - the bottom 8 inches had separated and lodged horizontally inside the tank, explaining both the premature cycling and the short hot-water duration. Measured tank recovery with dip tube bypassed: 14 minutes to reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit from 72-degree inlet - confirming the 10-gallon tank was too small for the owner's two-person full-time travel schedule
- Initial evaluation and quote: Confirmed SW10DE dip tube failure by draining and inspecting, measured LP supply pressure at 11.2 inches WC at the manifold, confirmed 30-amp shore power available at the pedestal, and presented written quote for RecPro RV26TW conversion
- Shut down and drain old unit: Closed LP valve, disconnected shore power, drained SW10DE completely, disconnected the 1/2-inch gas union and 120VAC element leads, removed the four mounting screws and pulled the unit out on the service tray
- Prepare bay for tankless unit: Measured the existing 3-inch round exhaust vent and 2-inch combustion-air intake port - RecPro RV26TW requires a 4-inch concentric vent. Cut a 4.5-inch hole in the exterior aluminum sidewall using a step-drill and jigsaw, installed the RecPro concentric vent collar with Dicor self-leveling sealant around the perimeter
- Mount and plumb the unit: Slid the RecPro RV26TW into the bay on the factory mounting bracket, connected 1/2-inch LP supply at the union with new yellow PTFE tape torqued to 15 ft-lbs, connected cold-water inlet and hot-water outlet with SharkBite 1/2-inch push-fit adapters to the existing PEX runs
- Wire 120VAC circulation pump: RecPro RV26TW includes a recirculating pump that draws 150 watts on 120VAC - connected to the existing water heater 15-amp circuit with the OEM wiring harness, confirmed correct polarity with a non-contact tester
- Commission and set temperature: Opened LP valve, powered on the unit, ran cold water through all fixtures until air purged, activated the unit via the wall-mounted keypad, set outlet temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit using the digital control, and confirmed stable flame on LP mode
- Verify flow and no-leak test: Ran all three showers and both sinks simultaneously for 8 minutes - outlet temperature held at 119 to 121 degrees Fahrenheit throughout. Inspected all new connections with soapy water spray for LP leaks - none detected
Outcome: Owner went from 90 seconds of usable hot water to unlimited continuous hot water at the same campsite in 5.5 hours.
Time on-site: 5 hours 30 minutes • Total cost: $1,485 (parts and labor, including $299 service call) • Dealer alternative: $1,900 to $2,600 at a Coachmen dealer service bay with 5 to 12 day scheduling lead time
“My wife travels full-time with me and we kept fighting over who got to shower first. Not anymore. The tech basically rebuilt the whole hot water setup in our parking spot.”
Tankless Water Heater Conversion Options - Side by Side
| Unit | BTU / Flow Rate | Vent Size Required | Recirculation Pump | Typical Rig Fit | Installed Cost (C2C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RecPro RV26TW | 20,000 BTU / 1.3 GPM | 4-inch concentric | Yes (150W, 120VAC) | Class C, mid-size Class A | $1,150 - $1,650 |
| Furrion PHE10SP | 37,000 BTU / 1.8 GPM | 4-inch concentric | No (add-on optional) | Class A dual-bath rigs | $1,350 - $1,950 |
| Eccotemp L10 (portable, not installed) | 68,000 BTU / 2.6 GPM | Open-air (outdoor use only) | No | Outdoor shower add-on only | $285 - $385 installed |
| Girard GSWH-2 (direct vent) | 42,000 BTU / 1.5 GPM | 3-inch concentric (some rigs) | Yes (integrated) | Fifth-wheel, Class A | $1,450 - $2,100 |
| Torrid 52800 BTU (European import) | 52,800 BTU / 2.0 GPM | 4-inch concentric | Optional | Luxury Class A | $1,600 - $2,400 |
Signs You Need Tankless Water Heater Conversion
- ✓LP supply pressure measured at the manifold with all adjacent appliances running - minimum 11 inches WC required before unit recommendation
- ✓Existing vent penetration measured and new 4-inch concentric vent hole located on exterior wall with no structural framing interference
- ✓Shore power circuit confirmed at 15 amps minimum on a dedicated breaker for the recirculation pump (RecPro RV26TW)
- ✓Cold-water inlet and hot-water outlet PEX connections tested with 50 PSI air hold before restoring water pressure
- ✓LP connections tested with soapy water spray at all joints after pressurizing - zero bubbles required before closing bay
- ✓Outlet temperature verified at 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the farthest fixture from the water heater after 5-minute continuous run
Tankless Water Heater Conversion - Pricing
Typical price range: $1,150-$1,950
All calls start with a $299 service-call fee that covers the technician's trip to your location and the first hour of diagnosis. That $299 applies toward any repair you authorize - it is not an additional charge on top of the repair. Pricing shown is a national average range; your exact quote is provided in writing on-site before any work begins.
Tankless Water Heater Conversion - Common Questions
Straight answers from our tankless water heater conversion service call log.
Will a tankless water heater work without shore power?
The RecPro RV26TW heats water using LP gas whether or not you have shore power - it ignites with a battery-powered DSI spark and the burner runs on LP only. The 120VAC recirculation pump that pre-warms the lines to distant fixtures will not run off-grid without an inverter, but the core heating function works fine on LP and 12V battery power alone.
How much LP does a tankless heater use compared to a tank unit?
A tankless unit only burns LP when you are actively drawing hot water, versus a tank unit that cycles the burner every 60 to 90 minutes to maintain standby temperature. Full-time travelers typically see LP consumption drop 15 to 25 percent after converting to a tankless unit because standby heat loss from the tank is eliminated.
Can I convert my 30-amp rig to run a tankless heater?
Yes. Both the RecPro RV26TW and Furrion PHE10SP run primarily on LP gas, not electricity. The RecPro's recirculation pump draws 150 watts - well within what a 30-amp shore power connection can supply alongside normal coach loads.
How long does the conversion take?
Most Class A conversions take 4 to 6 hours. The variable is whether the existing bay needs a new 4-inch vent penetration (adds 45 to 60 minutes) or whether the existing vent location can be adapted with a collar reducer.
What happens to the 120VAC element circuit when converting to tankless?
We disconnect and cap the element leads at the junction box inside the bay. We can leave the circuit hot in case a future owner wants to reinstall a tank unit, or we can decommission the breaker if you want a cleaner electrical panel.
Is the conversion reversible if I sell the rig?
Yes. We cap the original vent penetration with a stainless plug and Dicor when making the new vent hole, so the old 3-inch port is still there. A future owner can reinstall a Suburban SW unit by reversing the conversion steps in about 2 hours.
More Plumbing & Water Services
Other specialized repairs under plumbing & water - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide Tankless Water Heater Conversion in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs tankless water heater conversion jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.