Replacing the Atwood GCH6A-10E

Updated 08/06/2021 | Published 08/02/2021

Question:

The motorhome is a 2008 Itasca Cambria 26A. The water heater is an Atwood GCH6A-10E. Dated 03/19/07 Serial 9615901016295. Although I believe the heater is capable of both electric and engine heat, these options are not installed. I assume the first owner of the RV did not order them. Propane is the only water heating method. I would like to replace the water heater with a new electric/propane one with the same simplicity of use. We don’t need ten gallons and dont want to waste the energy. Also we want to keep the same door, as it has the right paint job. One more wrinkle, were on Texada Island in BC, Canada. We'll be installing it ourselves here in Canada so simplicity of replacement is important. What would you suggest?

asked by: Don W

Helpful Expert Reply:

The direct replacement for your Atwood GCH6A-10E water heater has been discontinued. I recommend the Atwood RV Water Heater, # DMC74FR as the best option from our site if you want a gas/electric with a 6 gallon tank. This is a standard gas and electric, 10,000 BTU water heater which recovers up to 12 gallons of water per hour. This equires a 12-3/4" x 12-3/4" cutout whereas your current Atwood requires a minimum cutout of 16" x 12-1/2".

To use current door there will need to be some level of modification as there will be a gap present within the cutout that needs to be addressed.

expert reply by: Michael R