You’ve just rolled into your campsite after a long day on the road. The rig is set up, the chairs are out, and all you want is a hot shower to unwind… but the water’s ice cold. 😱
Before you call in the pros or throw in the towel, try these 5 quick and easy water heater fixes. I’m Sue Rasmussen, instructor at the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), and I’ll walk you through some of the most common RV water heater issues—most of which you can fix yourself.
Let’s dive in. 🔧
1. 💧 Lukewarm Water? You Might Have a Bypass Valve Issue
If your “hot” water feels more like a lukewarm disappointment, the water heater itself might not be the problem. The real culprit could be a bypass valve left open after winterization.
Two common trouble spots:
- Behind the water heater – A common oversight during dewinterizing.
- At the shower – Some models have a bypass right at the faucet.
✅ Quick Fix:
Double-check all bypass valves and make sure they’re in the correct position for normal use.
2. 🔥 Water Heater Won’t Light on Propane? Check the Tank
You flip the switch to gas mode and hear the telltale “tick, tick, tick”… but no flame. That usually means one thing: no propane.
✅ Quick Fix:
- Confirm your propane tank is full.
- Make sure the valve is open.
- Check that propane is flowing to the water heater.
This is one of the most common issues we see—and it’s also the easiest to fix!
3. ⚡ Electric Mode Not Working? Look for the Hidden Suburban Switch
This one trips up a lot of RVers. If you have a Suburban water heater, there’s a sneaky little exterior switch you might not know about. If it’s off, your water heater won’t run on electric—even if your interior panel says otherwise.
✅ Quick Fix:
Find the switch on the water heater’s outside face, flip it to ON, and try again.
4. 🔌 Water Heater Not Doing Anything? Check the Fuse
If your water heater is silent—no clicks, no ignition, no activity at all—it could be a blown fuse.
Most RV water heaters use a 15-amp fuse. If that’s gone, your unit won’t have power.
✅ Quick Fix:
- Inspect your RV’s fuse panel.
- Replace any blown 15A fuse.
- Use a multimeter to confirm if you're not sure.
A new fuse is cheap and could be the difference between a cold rinse and a hot soak.
5. 🧯 Have a Dometic Unit? Test the Thermal Cutoff
If you’ve got a Dometic water heater, there’s a tiny safety device called a thermal cutoff that can shut the whole system down if it trips.
✅ Quick Fix:
- Use a multimeter (set to ohms) to check for continuity.
- If there’s no continuity, replace the thermal cutoff.
It’s a simple repair that gets your hot water back in business quickly.
🔁 Let’s Recap:
Here are your 5 quick checks to fix your RV water heater:
✅ Inspect bypass valves (both at the heater and shower)
✅ Confirm propane tank is full and turned on
✅ Flip the hidden switch on Suburban electric units
✅ Check and replace a blown 15-amp fuse
✅ Test and replace thermal cutoff if needed (Dometic only)
💡 Still Having Issues?
If these DIY tips don’t get your hot water flowing, it might be time to call in a certified RV technician—or better yet, come learn how to do it yourself! At NRVTA, we train everyday RVers just like you to troubleshoot, repair, and take control of their RV experience.
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📚 Visit NRVTA.com to explore hands-on training and certification courses
Stay smart. Stay safe. And enjoy your next hot shower on the road! 🚿💨