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What happens when you bypass the water heater in an RV?

Author

Sarah Scott

Published Mar 19, 2026

What happens when you bypass the water heater in an RV?

When you bypass the water heater you can drain the water heater tank and the tank is safe for winter storage. By-passing the water heater saves you the cost of filling the water heater tank with six or more gallons of RV antifreeze to winterize the RV water system.

What should I do if my RV water heater tank is full?

At this point replace your tank plug, or anode rod using a little plumbers putty (makes it easier to remove next time), and turn your water on to the RV. The tank will refill and you are back in business. Don’t switch the unit on inside until the tank is full.

Why does my trailer hot water heater shut off?

The thermostat basically controls the heating of heating elements. When the temperature increases and reaches certain level it shuts off heating. Where as when it gets cold to certain limit, the thermostat again starts heating it. Now, at times the thermostat can loose the functionality that is; it can go bad due to various reasons.

When does the Atwood water heater shut off?

My RV Atwood water heater… My RV Atwood water heater runs and doesn’t shut off when the water is hot. After 30 min., the pop off valve opens and starts to vent hot water. Show More Show Less Ask Your Own RV Question

What to do if your RV hot water heater shuts off?

A professional who knows electrical systems technically will be able to tell you if the heater can be repaired at all or not. Having basic idea of why a water heater is shutting off will not be bad though. A rv heater could be running on propane or gas or it can be electric.

When to turn on your RV holding tank heater?

A good comparison for your RV holding tank heater would be to think about how an electric blanket works. You turn the blanket on during chilly weather when you are cold and need heat. Then when the temperature rises, you turn it off once the heat is no longer needed. The concept is basically the same for your RV holding tank heaters.

Why does my hot water heater keep shutting off?

Pilot burner has become dirty and cant supply the gas For a lay man who only knows to use hot water, this is nothing but a part of the gas water heater system in rv or trailer that has become dirty, and is causing the gas flow to the heater not reach and hence the water is not heated or it keeps shutting off and on.

Can a propane water heater be used in an RV?

But, if you often do boondocking then propane run water heater will be the best option for you. Well, lets get back to the topic. Lets see what are the various reasons why a RV water heater can shut off. Below are reasons for both, a propane or gas run water heater and the electric run water heater for rv or camper. 1.