Caravan hot water systems are available in several styles, and the best choice is not always the one with the biggest output or the longest feature list.
For most full-size caravans, the decision comes down to storage gas/240V systems or instant gas systems. More recently, compact electric systems have also made hot water practical for camper trailers, van conversions, pop-tops and 4WD builds where a full caravan system may not have been suitable.
The right system depends on how you travel, how much water you carry, whether you regularly connect to mains water, and whether you are replacing an existing unit or fitting out a smaller setup.
All the Caravan Hot Water Systems we sell are WaterMark certified, ensuring they meet Australian plumbing standards and are suitable for compliant installation in caravans and RVs. Below is a practical guide to the main system types, followed by the key models in our range and a comparison chart to help narrow down the options.
Before You Choose A Hot Water System
A useful place to start is not the brand or even the heater type. It is your water supply.
Instant hot water is most beneficial when you are connected to mains water or have a reliable ongoing water source. In that situation, the system can keep heating water as it flows, with no storage tank recovery time between showers.
If you are relying on onboard tanks and conserving every litre, the benefit of instant hot water is reduced. The heater may be able to keep producing hot water, but your shower is still limited by the amount of fresh water you are carrying.
Storage systems work differently. They heat a fixed volume of water before you use it, giving you a known reserve of hot water ready to go. This can make them very practical for normal caravan touring, free camping and water-conscious shower use.
Compact electric systems sit in a different category again. They are best suited to smaller vehicles and simple hot water needs, such as camper trailers, van conversions, pop-tops, 4WD setups, compact sinks and light shower use.
Storage vs Instant vs Compact Electric
Storage Gas/240V Hot Water Systems
Storage systems are the familiar caravan hot water units used in many Australian vans. They heat water in a tank, then hold that hot water ready for use.
The key strength is stable, predictable hot water. Because the water is heated before use, storage systems are generally less affected by changes in water pressure, flow rate or cold inlet water temperature. The trade-off is recovery time once the stored hot water has been used.
Instant Gas Hot Water Systems
Instant gas systems heat water as it flows through the unit, so there is no storage tank recovery time. Their main strength is continuous hot water when the water supply can keep up.
This makes them especially useful when connected to mains water, staying in caravan parks, travelling with family, or using the shower frequently. Their limitation is that performance depends on water flow, gas input and inlet water temperature. If the water is not hot enough, the flow rate needs to be reduced so the system has more time to heat the water as it passes through.
Compact Electric Hot Water Systems
Compact electric systems are aimed at smaller setups where a full gas storage or instant system may be more than is needed.
They suit camper trailers, van conversions, pop-tops, 4WD canopies, compact sink setups and simple rinse-off showers. Their appeal is low cost, compact size and straightforward installation, while the trade-off is limited capacity and recovery time.
Which Hot Water System Suits Your Travel Style?
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Travel style or setup
Best system type to consider
Why it suits
Mostly caravan parks or mains water connection
Instant gas
Continuous hot water is most useful when fresh water supply is not the limiting factor.
Family touring with regular showers
Instant gas
No tank recovery time between showers when water supply and flow conditions suit.
Mixed touring with powered sites and free camping
Gas/240V storage
Familiar, flexible and practical for travellers who want a known reserve of hot water.
Off-grid travel using onboard water tanks
Storage gas/240V or carefully selected instant gas
Water supply is often the main limit. Storage systems suit short, controlled showers, while instant systems are useful where flow and supply are suitable.
Cold weather or cold inlet water
Gas/240V storage
More stable output temperature makes storage systems well suited to cold inlet water and variable flow conditions.
Camper trailer, pop-top, 4WD or van conversion
Compact electric
Simple, low-cost option that makes hot water possible in smaller setups where traditional systems may not have been considered.
Replacing an older tank-style unit
Storage gas/240V or instant gas retrofit
Storage may be the familiar path, while modern instant systems are designed to retrofit into standard storage tank openings.
Storage Gas/240V Models
The models below are the main storage-style options in our range. They all provide predictable hot water from a heated tank, but each suits a slightly different replacement path, installation style or travel need.
Suburban Hot Water Heaters
Best suited to: replacing an existing Suburban-style storage unit, full-size caravans, and travellers wanting a familiar gas/240V storage system with strong parts support.
Suburban storage water heaters are one of the most familiar hot water systems used in Australian caravans. They use a porcelain-lined steel tank with foam insulation to store hot water ready for use.
Their main strength is that they are proven, widely supported and well understood by caravan repairers and installers. They are a practical option when replacing an older Suburban-style tank unit and are well suited to travellers who want predictable hot water from a familiar storage format.
Type: Storage gas/240V hot water system
Strength: Familiar, proven and widely supported
Best travel style: Mixed touring, powered sites, free camping and standard caravan shower use
Consideration: Hot water capacity is limited by the tank size, with recovery time needed after heavy use
Best suited to: travellers wanting a newer storage-style option with larger hot water capacity in a standard-style installation format.
The Global Heritage 28L is a newer entry in the caravan storage hot water category. As a more recent design, it makes better use of the standard-style opening, offering larger water storage and strong heating performance in a familiar format.
Its key advantage is the larger 28L water storage capacity. This makes it appealing for travellers who like the predictable behaviour of a storage system but want more hot water available before recovery becomes an issue.
Type: Larger-capacity storage gas/240V hot water system
Strength: Larger 28L stored hot water capacity in a standard-style format
Best travel style: Full-size caravans, longer showers and travellers wanting more hot water in reserve
Consideration: Newer to the market than Suburban and Truma, so some buyers may still prefer the long-standing familiarity of established brands
Best suited to: replacing an existing Truma UltraRapid or B14-style installation where a simple like-for-like replacement is preferred.
The Truma UltraRapid is a compact storage hot water system commonly used in caravans where the original installation was designed around the Truma format. It is available in gas-only and gas/electric versions, making it suitable for both off-grid use and powered-site touring.
One of the main reasons travellers choose the Truma UltraRapid is replacement simplicity. If a van already has a Truma-style system installed, changing to a Suburban-style external storage unit can require more installation work. In that situation, staying with the Truma format can be the more practical path.
Type: Compact storage gas or gas/240V hot water system
Strength: Like-for-like replacement for existing Truma-style installations
Best travel style: Mixed touring, moderate hot water demand and vans already set up for a Truma storage system
Consideration: Usually chosen because it suits the existing installation, rather than because it has the largest storage capacity
The models below are designed for the standard Suburban / Atwood storage hot water opening, making them practical retrofit options where continuous hot water is preferred.
All instant systems in this section heat water as it flows through the unit, rather than storing a tank of pre-heated water. This means they remove storage tank recovery time, but their performance still depends on required flow rate, gas input and inlet water temperature.
Suburban ST60 Instant Hot Water System
Best suited to: travellers wanting a practical Suburban instant system when retrofitting from a standard storage tank hot water system.
The Suburban ST60 is a 60,000 BTU tankless system designed to provide continuous hot water while only heating water as required. It is well suited to travellers who want the benefits of instant hot water in a familiar Suburban format.
With a flow rate of 6.4L/min at a 35 degree temperature rise, the ST60 offers strong on-demand performance for caravan park touring, family use and situations where storage tank recovery time has been a limitation. Within the Suburban instant range, it sits as the practical mainstream option, offering a strong balance of output, features and value.
Type: Instant gas hot water system
Strength: 60,000 BTU output in a familiar Suburban format
Best travel style: Caravan parks, mains water connection, families and regular shower use
Consideration: Output depends on flow rate, gas supply and inlet water temperature
Best suited to: buyers wanting the higher-spec Suburban instant model with two-stage modulating gas control.
The Suburban Nautilus is a 60,000 BTU instant gas hot water system with a two-stage modulating combustion system. This allows the unit to adjust gas input during use to help maintain consistent water temperatures.
The Nautilus can provide a temperature rise of 38 degrees at 5.7L/min, placing it in a similar performance range to the ST60. Its main point of difference is the higher-spec modulation and control system, which is designed to provide a more refined instant hot water experience.
Type: Higher-spec Suburban instant gas hot water system
Strength: Two-stage modulation for refined temperature control
Best travel style: Connected-water touring, frequent shower use and buyers wanting the more advanced Suburban instant option
Consideration: Higher-spec positioning means many buyers may also compare it against the ST60
Best suited to: travellers wanting a practical mid-range instant gas system with efficient operation and digital diagnostics.
The Girard Endless Hot Water System is a tankless gas hot water system with a 42,000 BTU output. It is designed to provide continuous hot water while maintaining efficient gas use, making it a practical option for a wide range of caravan applications.
Its onboard microprocessor monitors incoming and outgoing water temperatures and flow rate to help maintain a consistent hot water supply. The indoor digital controller allows temperature adjustment from 35 to 51 degrees celsius and also provides visual diagnostics for troubleshooting.
Type: Instant gas hot water system
Strength: Efficient gas use, digital control and diagnostics
Best travel style: Mains water touring, general caravan use and travellers wanting a mid-range tankless option
Consideration: Lower BTU output than 60,000 BTU instant models
Best suited to: buyers wanting a high-output instant gas system with a value-focused position in the range.
The Arana Instant Hot Water System is a newer instant option for the RV market, offering a 60,000 BTU burner in a tankless format.
Water temperature can be set using the digital control panel, while automatic ignition and segmented burners help maintain more precise temperature control during use. With its 60,000 BTU burner and value-focused position, the Arana is a strong option for buyers wanting high-output instant gas performance.
Type: Instant gas hot water system
Strength: 60,000 BTU output with segmented burner control
Best travel style: Connected-water touring, families and regular shower use
Consideration: Performance depends on flow rate, gas supply and inlet water temperature
Best suited to: buyers wanting a premium instant gas system with refined temperature control and a strong preference for Truma equipment.
The Truma AquaGo is a premium instant gas hot water system designed for caravan and RV use. Its key point of difference is Truma's small 1.3L water stabiliser chamber.
This chamber helps reduce temperature fluctuation caused by burner cycling or changes in water pressure, giving the AquaGo a more refined feel than a basic tankless system.
For buyers comparing instant systems, the AquaGo is best viewed as the premium, refinement-focused option in the category. It suits travellers who place a high value on temperature stability, Truma brand preference and a more polished user experience.
Type: Premium instant gas hot water system
Strength: Refined temperature control with stabilising chamber
Best travel style: Premium caravan builds, connected-water touring and buyers who prefer Truma equipment
Consideration: Premium positioning means many buyers may also compare it against more value-focused instant systems
Compact electric hot water systems are aimed at smaller setups and lighter hot water use. They are not usually chosen as a direct replacement for a full-size gas storage or instant system. Instead, they suit vehicles where space, simplicity and cost are the main deciding factors.
Duoetto MK2 10L Electric Hot Water System
Best suited to: camper trailers, van conversions, pop-tops, 4WD setups, compact sinks and simple rinse-off showers.
The Duoetto MK2 is a compact 10L electric hot water system with 12V and 240V operation. It is a practical option for smaller vehicles and simple installations where fitting a full gas hot water system may be more than is needed.
Its main appeal is that it makes hot water possible in setups where a traditional caravan system may be too large, too complex or too costly. It suits light-duty hot water needs such as washing up, hand washing, compact sink use or short rinse-off shower setups.
Type: Compact electric storage hot water system
Strength: Low-cost, compact and straightforward to install
Best travel style: Camper trailers, van conversions, pop-tops, 4WD canopies and smaller RV setups
Consideration: Limited 10L capacity and recovery time make it better suited to light-duty hot water use than repeated full showers
Choosing between storage, instant and compact electric systems can be easier when you can see the key differences side by side. The comparison charts below allow you to quickly review output, fuel type, capacity and overall suitability across our range.
If you are comparing traditional tank-style systems, use our dedicated storage hot water system comparison table. This focuses on tank capacity, recovery time and installation differences between Suburban, Truma and Global Heritage models.
If you are looking at continuous hot water options, our instant hot water system comparison table highlights flow rates, BTU output and key feature differences across the instant range.
For buyers replacing an existing unit, these charts are particularly useful for identifying like-for-like options or suitable retrofit upgrades.
Caravan Water Heater Spare Parts
Hot water systems are one of the most serviced appliances in a caravan, so having access to the right spare parts is just as important as choosing the right unit.
We carry a wide range of spare parts for most of the common heaters such as
Suburban,
Truma &
Atwood, including anodes, pressure relief valves, thermostats, control boards, ignition components and service kits. We can also source many additional parts that are imported into Australia, depending on the brand and model.
For Suburban storage systems in particular, regular maintenance such as anode replacement and tank flushing plays a key role in extending the life of the unit. If you are unsure what is involved, our
Suburban maintenance guide walks through the process step by step:
