Water heater

[Rostam]

I plan to replace the water heater as soon as the weather warms up and I can work outside. We have a 1978 Avion and I cannot find any identification on the current water heater (not sure if its the original or not).

Are 6 gallon Suburban water heaters universal, in terms of their dimensions, etc? Also, any recommendation for a make/model?

Thank you.

[silverloaf]

Rostam-

The OEM water heater in our '88 30P was a 6-gallon unit. I swapped it out for an Atwood on-demand unit in 2018.

Every water heater I investigated have a integral flat mounting flange. Our OEM unit incorporated a curved mounting flange that conformed to the shape of the exterior skin. I'm certain this water heater was specifically built for Avion.

I suggest studying how your unit conforms to the exterior skin. If curved, I developed a way around this by splitting the water heater housing and mounting flange into separate pieces.

[Rostam]

Thanks for the info Silveloaf, I was not paying attention to the shape of the Flange. Important detail
I've attached a photo of my water heater and the Suburban. Suburban's flange seems a bit rounder at the corners (and more square otherwise).

I actually found the model number in the manual. Its an Atwood gas water heater model G6A2E (my water heater matches the image in the manual, so seems to be the original). I contacted Dometic (that owns Atwood now) to see if they have a direct replacement model.

Suburban water heaters are significantly cheaper though.

[silverloaf]

If I recall on ours, there is roughly a 7 degree curve between the floor and the outside skin. I compensated for this by having a horse collar-shaped flange that inserts snugly around the water heater housing.

Just think of the water heater and mounting flange split into 2 pieces; the water heater housing sitting on the floor and the horse collar with mounting flange conforming to the curve of the skin.

Once I worked out the design of the collar, it resulted in a pretty cool way to to keep everything secure without a crapload of caulk to make up for a really ugly result.

[Rostam]

Thanks Silverloaf,

Dometic replied and apparently model G6A-8E/ Part 96121 is a straight replacement. I took the existing water heater out yesterday. Will purchase the new one in the next few weeks and will verify once the installation is complete.

[silverloaf]

Wow! Keep us posted on its fitment.

[Razorback]

I will be very interested in this thread..... I might be replacing ours soon.... I wonder if a 10 gal unit will fit?? I will have to check the dimensions.

[Rostam]

Wow! Keep us posted on its fitment.

Will do. It will be probably be in May. But I will report back

[Rostam]

I will be very interested in this thread..... I might be replacing ours soon.... I wonder if a 10 gal unit will fit?? I will have to check the dimensions.

I checked that and unfortunately 10/12 gallon water heaters I saw are wider/taller and do not fit in the existing cutout.

[Razorback]

I will be very interested in this thread..... I might be replacing ours soon.... I wonder if a 10 gal unit will fit?? I will have to check the dimensions.

I checked that and unfortunately 10/12 gallon water heaters I saw are wider/taller and do not fit in the existing cutout.

Thank you for that bit of info, Rostam.