Why This Decision Matters
Replacing or upgrading an RV water heater is one of the most impactful comfort decisions you can make. The wrong format for your trip style means cold showers, tripped breakers, or a propane tank that runs dry at the worst moment. This guide walks through the key criteria so you can match a heater to how you actually camp — not how the marketing brochure says you camp.
The Two Decisions You're Actually Making
RV water heater selection involves two separate but related choices:
- Tank or tankless? — how hot water is stored and delivered
- Electric, propane, or both? — the energy source that heats the water
These choices interact. A tankless unit, for example, nearly always requires propane or a significant electrical draw. A tank heater can run on either or both simultaneously. Understanding both dimensions before you shop prevents expensive mismatches.
Tank vs. Tankless: Decision Criteria
Hot-Water Continuity
Tank: Stores a fixed volume of heated water — typically 6 or 10 US gallons in RV applications. Once that reserve is depleted, you wait for recovery (roughly 20–35 minutes on propane, longer on electric element alone). For a solo traveller or couple with staggered routines, a 6-gallon tank is usually sufficient. For families or back-to-back showers, the tank size becomes a real constraint.
Tankless: Heats water on demand with no stored reserve. Supply is theoretically continuous as long as the energy source keeps flowing. Practically, tankless units have a minimum flow rate trigger and a maximum output temperature at a given flow rate — so running a shower and a faucet simultaneously at the unit's limits will deliver warm water, not hot. Check the unit's rated flow and temperature rise before assuming "unlimited hot water."
Electrical Load
Tank (electric element): A 120V electric heating element in a tank heater typically draws 1,200–1,440 W. This is manageable on a 30-amp shore-power hookup alongside typical RV loads, though you may need to sequence high-draw appliances.
Tankless (electric): Whole-RV electric tankless water heating is uncommon in North American RV applications because the instantaneous draw far exceeds most RV electrical systems. Purpose-built RV tankless units that run on propane with electric ignition draw only a small amount of 12V DC power for ignition and controls — a critical distinction.
If your campsite has limited or no shore power, propane-fired tankless with 12V ignition is usually the more practical on-demand option.
Propane Availability
Tank (propane): Propane tank heaters use a standing pilot or direct spark ignition and consume propane at a relatively low rate during the recovery cycle only. Propane is widely available across Canada at campgrounds, hardware stores, and fuel stations.
Tankless (propane): On-demand propane heaters consume propane in bursts — high flow during the shower, nothing in between. Depending on usage intensity, overall propane consumption may be similar to or slightly higher than a tank unit. Critically, on-demand flow requires adequate propane pressure; a low tank near the end of its supply can cause ignition issues or inconsistent temperature.
For remote or off-grid camping where resupply isn't guaranteed, monitor tank levels carefully with either format.
Cold-Weather Use
Tank: Tank heaters and their supply lines require winterization when temperatures drop below freezing. The stored water in the tank is a freeze risk if the heater isn't operating. Some tank units include a drain valve for easy winterization.
Tankless: Purpose-built RV tankless units often have better cold-weather ignition characteristics because there's no stored water to freeze when the unit is off. However, supply lines and the unit itself still require winterization for extended cold-weather storage. Cold inlet water also reduces the effective temperature rise at a given flow rate — factor this into your expectations if camping in early spring or late fall in northern Canada.
Simultaneous Use
Tank: Multiple fixtures drawing from a tank simply deplete the stored volume faster. Two showers back-to-back will exhaust a 6-gallon tank; a 10-gallon unit gives more buffer.
Tankless: The heater's maximum flow rate and BTU output determine how many fixtures can draw hot water simultaneously. Running a shower and a kitchen faucet at the same time is feasible if the combined flow stays within the unit's rated capacity. Exceeding it results in a temperature drop, not a pressure drop.
Installation Space
Tank: Traditional RV tank heaters occupy a defined exterior-access bay. Same-brand or same-form-factor replacements simplify installation. Cross-brand swaps may require adapter plates or modified door cutouts.
Tankless: Tankless units are generally more compact, which can free up storage space. Venting requirements for direct-vent propane units constrain placement. Always verify cutout dimensions and connection positions — propane inlet, water inlet/outlet, and electrical — before purchasing.
Typical Trip Patterns
- Weekend and short-stay campers at serviced sites: A standard tank heater (propane/electric combo) is simple, reliable, and well-supported by the Canadian RV service network.
- Full-timers or families at serviced sites: A larger-capacity tank or a tankless unit with adequate BTU output reduces hot-water coordination overhead.
- Off-grid or boondocking campers: Propane tankless with 12V ignition minimizes electrical dependency. Confirm propane supply before remote trips.
- Three-season campers in northern Canada: Factor cold inlet water temperatures into tankless temperature-rise calculations, and plan winterization before extended cold-weather storage.
Electric vs. Propane: A Closer Look
Electric
Electric operation via 120V AC element is convenient at full-hookup sites and produces no combustion byproducts. The tradeoff is dependency on shore power and slower recovery compared to a high-BTU propane burner. Electric-only operation is generally not practical for off-grid camping without substantial solar and battery capacity.
Propane
Propane delivers faster recovery and works independently of shore power, making it the practical choice for boondocking. Modern units with direct spark ignition eliminate the standing pilot and its constant propane draw. Ensure adequate ventilation and functioning CO detectors in the RV.
Combination (Propane + Electric)
Many tank heaters support both energy sources, switchable manually or simultaneously. This suits campers who mix serviced and off-grid nights. Run on electric at the campground to conserve propane; switch to propane when self-contained. The dual-element design adds some cost and complexity but fits varied Canadian camping itineraries well.
Products Worth Considering
If your evaluation points toward a tankless solution, the Fogatti Instashower Ultra Tankless Water Heater is a purpose-built RV propane tankless unit with 12V DC ignition — meaning it operates without shore power. Verify the rated flow and temperature rise against your rig's fixture count and typical camping temperatures before purchasing.
For the full range of tank and tankless options available for Canadian RVs, see our RV Water Heaters collection.
Before You Buy: A Quick Checklist
- Measure the existing heater compartment opening (width × height) and note the door style
- Confirm propane inlet location and connection type
- Check your RV's shore-power amperage if planning electric operation
- Determine your typical simultaneous fixture usage
- Consider your most common campsite type — full hookup, partial, or off-grid
- If replacing a tank unit with tankless, verify venting clearances meet manufacturer requirements
Questions about fitment or compatibility? Contact us before ordering — getting the right unit for your specific RV saves time and return shipping costs.