Is The Dometic RV Water Heater # DMC74FR A Direct Replacement For The Atwood GC6AA-10E

Updated 01/02/2023 | Published 12/30/2022

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Alpha Systems Butyl Tape for RV Weatherproofing - 20' x 1" x 3/16"

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Question:

I need a replacement for a Atwood Gc6aa/10E water heater in a Prime Time Lacrosse. I found your recommendation to use Item # DMC74FR for the replacement. Is this, with the exception of size, a plug and play replacement or what more would be needed? Thanks!

asked by: Joseph W

Expert Reply:

Water heaters are pretty easy to swap out but I wouldn't say it's always a plug and play setup just because you'll sometimes run into tanks where the water line connection points are on the opposite side of the tank. The Atwood GC6AA-10E has it's connections on the right side in a vertical pattern, while the # DMC74FR has it points centered on the middle of the tank in a horizontal pattern. If you have a hard line or PEX you may have to get a soft line hose to go between the water line and the tank.

You'll most likely also run into this same issue with the gas line since it will typically be a hard line that's ran directly to the connection point for the original water heater and then cut. This means you may have to trace that line back to the manifold and run new line or cut the line in a convenient spot, add a new manifold/tee to run a new line from, and then run that line up to the new water heater.

The GC6AA-10E is quite larger than the # DMC74FR so you will have a decent sized gap to fill in. I recommend building a little frame out of some 2x2's for the new heater to mount to inside of the hole and then you can use plywood to cover the gaps around it. You'll want to pick up the # DMC84FR to help cover the gaps and will want to use some butyl tape # AL28FJ behind the mounting holes and non-sag sealant # 344270341437-1 around the edges to form a watertight seal.