Water heater

[DaveS]

This may be a dumb question, but I have never had a trailer with a water heater/shower before. My last trailer was a Trillium, and I have yet to get out in my 17' Escape that I purchased last fall (used).
How long does it take to heat the water in the hot water tank. Do people just turn on the heater before a shower or doing the dishes or do you leave it on all the time? What is the capacity of the hot water tank?

[escape artist]

Hi: DaveS...As far as I know the cap. of the water heater is 6Gal. I don't know exactly how long it takes to heat up but not very long. "Our Escape Hatch" has a dual fuel elec./prop. heater. If you leave it on constantly it could use a lot of fuel either way. When on an electric site thats the fuel of choice for us.
escape artist N.S.of Lake Erie

[Eddys]

Dave,
With our Casitas we developed a conservative plan that worked for us and seemed to conserve propane. When we got up we would turn on the heater and generally by the time the first cup of coffee was done and started we had water hot enough for face washing and dishes. After breakfast and clean up we would turn it off for the day. Later in the afternoon before dinner, we would turn it on again until bedtime when we would turn it off again for silence and conservation of fuel. ( in our Casitas, the hot water tank was right under our pillows and it does make a noise - amplified somewhat by the night time silence...) All of our camping over the years has been with out benefit of hookups. If you have electric also perhaps conservation is not so critical...
Hope this helps...

[JeffZ]

I would say less than 5 min MAX for the water heater.. It's pretty quick.. and we did the same thing.. just turn it on in the morning when we need it then turn it off until we need it again..

[DaveS]

Thanks everyone for the info.

[Sandra L]

Where is the switch located that changes the fuel source for the H2O heater? Is it near the DSI switch? Or under the bench?

[reace]

Sandra...you have to go outside, open the water tank door to access the 110V on/off switch. I know your going to ask...no you can't move the switch inside

Reace

[Sandra L]

Almost! I was wondering if I needed an access door on the other side too! (So I wouldn't have to disrupt the bed). Thanks for your answer.

[amirie]

Hmm, I'll have to go check if mine has that switch on the outside being a bit older trailer.....

I was thinking it would be nice to have it 110 for when we are plugged in.... (ie Langley and using it for the first time!)

[escape artist]

Hi: All... The original owners of our trailer only found out at the last minute in Chilliwack that there was a dual fuel W.H. so while Reace removed the propane only one they went to pickup the other; so I was told.
We are the lucky recipients of Reace's determination to please his customers. Thankyou Reace& Tammy...you do go above and beyond the call
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie