I had a Girrard fitted to the aluminium teepee during the build. The dealer tried very hard to talk me out of it but I stood my ground.

From new the thing didn't know what hot water was even warm water. Had the thing back a few times and after 3 years but the bullet and changed to a Suburban. Best thing ever. Nice hot water whenever needed. I only heat it up for a shower really and boil kettle to wash dishes etc. All water is filtered before entering the heater and I check the 'Anode' every six months.

I should have listened to the dealer it would have saved many $$$.



Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Forget electric unless you are in a caravan park and even then it will need all the power you can get and leave little for other uses.
Barely viable.
Gas can be done but installation needs to completely seal the unit from the inside of the van and you need a unit without a pilot light. There is a Bosch unit with 12V ignition, from memory that has been used by Paradise Motorhomes in the past. Will probably be expensive because it is not "normal".
Personally, we use a diesel heated storage unit that also has an electric element powered via an inverter form solar and also heated by the engine.
Cheers,
Peter

Hi Vaughan

I planned my water heating long before I built my 16ft caravan with full ensuite.

An Instantaneous water heating unit (for many years now) has to be mounted outside the perimeter of the caravan. Thank God as my old 1976 Franklin near exploded once from the unit above the kitchen sink!

They've come a long way, I purchased a Hottap unit with the pump package from Bunnings around $450. I have a LPG cylinder cabinet and got my gas plumber to make up a hose that enters the cabinet from the bottom to the Hottap. The Hottap when in transit is stored in the front boot. I have a steel rack that is clamped to the drawbar, this mount slots into another mount outside the shower of the rear of the van with provisions for padlocks. Once mounted its a simple case of connecting up the hot and cold hoses, the LPG hose and turn on an on/off switch that operates the pump (not mandatory). You might find that the flexing of the water hoses can set off the pump momentarily which can be annoying hence the switch.. The ignition comes from 2x D sized batteries that last about 6 months if full time in the van (as we were this year while building our house).

Hottap have a good service record. You can also pump from another water source. My only complaint is wid effects the flames. I resorted to buying two $3 metal vents and rivetted them onto the side intake holes which stops direct side winds from blowing out the flames.

 

Temperature is max 47 degrees due to regulations but its hot enough.

Highly recommended.

Tony

. I find it hot enough but with baked on grease add a little boiling water. Easy