Mobile RV Water Heater Replacement Service in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile water heater replacement service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile water heater replacement 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.
Suburban vs. Atwood Water Heater Failure Patterns
Suburban SW-series units (SW6DE, SW10DE, SW10DEL) and Atwood GH-series units (GH6-2, GH10-2) fail in different ways. Suburban tanks use a magnesium anode rod that corrodes sacrificially to protect the aluminum tank. When that rod depletes past 2.5 inches remaining, the tank wall begins to pit. Florida operators should pull and inspect the anode annually because the mineral-heavy water here accelerates rod consumption by 30 to 40 percent compared to the Southwest. Atwood GH-series tanks are porcelain-lined aluminum with no anode rod - they depend entirely on the liner for corrosion protection. The other common Suburban failure is the DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) board, part numbers 520944 and 232767 depending on year. A cracked solder trace causes intermittent no-ignite on gas mode.
RecPro Tankless Retrofit - What the Swap Actually Involves
Replacing a Suburban or Atwood tank water heater with a RecPro RV26TW or RV13TW tankless unit is a same-day job in most Class A and Class C rigs if the LP supply line is 1/2-inch or larger and you have a 30-amp or 50-amp shore power connection available. The RecPro RV26TW draws 20,000 BTU/hr on LP and uses a recirculating pump to eliminate the cold-water lag. The vent configuration differs from Suburban - the RecPro uses a 4-inch concentric vent versus the Suburban's separate vent and combustion-air setup. Plumbing connections are 1/2-inch PEX or copper on the cold inlet and hot outlet - push-fit SharkBite adapters work reliably here.
Electric Element Testing and the 4.0-Ohm Spec
Most Suburban and Atwood 6-gallon water heaters use a 1,440-watt, 120VAC element that reads approximately 10 ohms resistance when cold and functional. The 10-gallon models use a 1,440-watt element that reads 8 to 10 ohms. An open-circuit reading means the element has burned through - typically caused by dry-fire or scale bridging that caused uneven heating. Before condemning a water heater for electric-mode failure, always test the element first because a new element costs $28 to $45 versus $600 to $900 for a full unit. We use a Fluke 117 to ohm-test with power disconnected and both leads removed from the element terminals.
Also see: Plumbing & Water Services
This page covers water heater replacement 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 - anode rod completely dissolved, exposing bare aluminum tank wall to scale, and the DSI igniter board (part #520944) had a cracked trace causing intermittent gas ignition failure
RV: 2021 Tiffin Allegro Red 37BA • Location: Lazydays RV Resort, Site 78 • City: Seffner (Tampa)
Symptom: Owner reported hot water running out after 60 seconds on gas mode and producing only lukewarm water on electric mode, with a faint sulfur odor at the relief valve
Diagnosis: Technician pulled the anode rod and measured 0.4 inches remaining (spec minimum is 2.5 inches). Ohm-tested the electric element - read open circuit. DSI board fired on 60% of manual test cycles using a flue gas analyzer inserted at the burner access panel
- Shut down and isolate: Closed LP valve at tank, disconnected shore power, drained the 10-gallon tank through the drain plug into a catch bucket, and disconnected city water inlet at the water heater bay
- Remove old unit: Removed four mounting screws holding the SW10DE interior cabinet flange, disconnected 1/2-inch gas line at the union fitting, pulled 120VAC leads from the element terminal block, and slid the unit out on the service tray
- Inspect and measure: Photographed scale accumulation on tank bottom, measured anode rod at 0.4 inches remaining, confirmed element open-circuit, and cycled DSI board three times with test gas - two failed ignitions out of three
- Install replacement unit: Slid in a Suburban SW10DEL (left-hand door model matching 37BA bay orientation), reconnected 1/2-inch gas union with new yellow PTFE tape, torqued to 15 ft-lbs, reconnected 120VAC element leads with heat-rated butt connectors
- Fill and test gas mode: Opened LP valve, lit pilot using DSI sequence, confirmed burner flame pattern on borescope through flue port - blue cone with 1/4-inch yellow tips, acceptable, inlet pressure 11 inches WC at the manifold
- Test electric mode: Switched to 120VAC element, measured 4.0-ohm element resistance on replacement, confirmed 12-amp draw at breaker panel after 10-minute heat cycle
- Pressure test and sign-off: Pressurized system to 50 PSI via city-water inlet, inspected all reconnected fittings for 10 minutes, no drop observed, demonstrated hot water at all three fixtures with owner
Outcome: Owner had consistent hot water within 4 hours of technician arrival. Replacement Suburban SW10DEL carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Technician installed a new magnesium anode rod on the replacement unit.
Time on-site: 3 hours 45 minutes • Total cost: $1,185 (parts and labor, including $299 service call) • Dealer alternative: $1,600 to $2,200 at a Tiffin-authorized dealer with 7 to 14 day lead time
“I had two different shops tell me they couldn't get to me for 10 days. Coast to Coast was at my site the next morning and had hot water running before noon. Worth every dollar.”
RV Water Heater Model Comparison - Common Replacements
| Model | Capacity | Fuel | BTU/Watt Rating | Recovery Rate | Installed Cost (C2C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban SW6DE | 6 gallon | LP + 120VAC | 6,000 BTU / 1,440W | 15 gal/hr at 90 degree rise | $785 - $985 |
| Suburban SW10DE | 10 gallon | LP + 120VAC | 6,000 BTU / 1,440W | 15 gal/hr at 90 degree rise | $895 - $1,150 |
| Atwood GH6-2 | 6 gallon | LP only | 8,800 BTU | 22 gal/hr at 90 degree rise | $725 - $925 |
| Atwood GH10-2 | 10 gallon | LP only | 10,000 BTU | 26 gal/hr at 90 degree rise | $865 - $1,095 |
| RecPro RV26TW Tankless | Unlimited | LP + 120VAC | 20,000 BTU / 150W | 1.3 GPM continuous | $1,150 - $1,650 |
| Furrion PHE10SP Tankless | Unlimited | LP only | 37,000 BTU | 1.8 GPM continuous | $1,350 - $1,950 |
Signs You Need Water Heater Replacement
- ✓Anode rod inspected and measured (Suburban units) - replace if under 2.5 inches remaining
- ✓DSI ignition board tested with three manual fire cycles - replace board if fewer than 2 of 3 light successfully
- ✓Electric element ohm-tested at the terminal block with power disconnected - spec is 8 to 10 ohms on 6-gallon, 10 ohms on 10-gallon
- ✓ECO high-limit switch reset button checked for manual reset availability at element flange
- ✓LP supply pressure measured at manifold - spec is 11 inches WC at the burner inlet with adjacent appliances running
- ✓System pressure-tested to 50 PSI after reconnection - hold 10 minutes with no measurable drop before sign-off
Water Heater Replacement - Pricing
Typical price range: $785-$1,395
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.
Water Heater Replacement - Common Questions
Straight answers from our water heater replacement service call log.
How do I know if my RV water heater is the Suburban or Atwood model?
Open the exterior bay door and look at the plate on the side of the unit. Suburban units have an SW or SCN model designation. Atwood units show GH or G6A. The model number also tells you the tank size - SW6 is 6 gallon, SW10 is 10 gallon.
My water heater lights on LP but never heats - what is that?
The most common cause is a failed thermostat (also called the ECO switch or high-limit). It is a thermal fuse mounted to the element or tank that trips at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If the tank previously ran dry or overheated, that fuse trips and kills power to the heating circuit. We reset or replace it on-site - about 30 minutes of work.
Can you replace just the LP gas valve if the electric still works?
Yes. The gas valve (Suburban part number 232767 or 520744 depending on year) is serviceable separately. A valve swap runs $285 to $425 installed versus $785 or more for a full unit replacement.
How long does an RV water heater last in Florida?
Six to 10 years with annual anode inspections and yearly flushes. Without maintenance, we see tank failures at 4 to 6 years in central Florida because the high mineral content in the water accelerates scale and anode rod consumption.
Will a tankless water heater work with my RV's existing LP system?
In most cases, yes - with a caveat. The RecPro RV26TW draws 20,000 BTU/hr and the Furrion PHE10SP draws 37,000 BTU/hr. Your LP regulator and supply line need to be able to support that draw alongside any other running appliances.
What is the $299 service call, and what does it cover?
The $299 is the dispatch and diagnostic fee - it covers technician travel to your site, a full water heater diagnosis including ignition test, element ohm-test, anode inspection, and LP pressure check, plus a written quote for repairs. If you approve the repair on the same visit, the $299 applies toward the total.
More Plumbing & Water Services
Other specialized repairs under plumbing & water - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide Water Heater Replacement in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs water heater replacement jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.