Quick Answer: The best RV tankless water heater for most campers is the Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus — a 55,000 BTU propane unit rated up to 2.9 GPM at 84% efficiency, with 12V DC pulse ignition, forced exhaust, and anti-freeze protection, and it fits a standard 6-gallon tank opening. For the best value, the Camplux RE264 (Plus-10) gives you 65,000 BTU and a factory RV door with remote for less. Want more flow for a big rig? The Fogatti InstaShower 8 Pro pushes 60,000 BTU and up to 3.1 GPM. The Furrion FWH09A is the easiest factory-style replacement, and the Girard 2GWHAM is the quiet, low-amp pick for solar setups. Every GPM figure below assumes a warm inlet — cold winter water lowers real flow on these small units.
An RV tankless water heater swaps your camper’s 6- or 10-gallon storage tank for on-demand propane heating, so you get endless hot showers without waiting for a tank to reheat — and you drop the weight of stored water. The catch is that RV units are small (42,000–66,000 BTU) compared with whole-home heaters, so flow falls when the incoming water is cold. We compared the leading drop-in units from Fogatti, Camplux, Furrion, and Girard on flow rate (GPM), BTU output, 12V draw, and price so you can pick the right one for your rig.
Our top picks at a glance
| Model | Best for | BTU | Max Flow (warm inlet) | Ignition / Power | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus | Best overall | 55,000 | 2.9 GPM | Pulse · 12V DC | 2 yr | ~$400 |
| Camplux RE264 (Plus-10) | Best value | 65,000 | 2.64 GPM (max 3.9) | Electronic · 12V DC | 2 yr | ~$330 |
| Fogatti InstaShower 8 Pro | Best high-flow | 60,000 | 3.1 GPM | Pulse · 12V DC | 2 yr | ~$480 |
| Furrion FWH09A | Best OEM replacement | 60,000 | 2.4 GPM | Electronic · 12V DC | 2 yr | ~$500 |
| Girard 2GWHAM | Best quiet / low-amp | 42,000 | ~1.7 GPM | Electronic · 12V (~3A) | 2 yr | ~$430 |
| Camplux 6L Portable | Best portable / van | 41,000 | 1.58 GPM | D-cell battery | 2 yr | ~$160 |
By the numbers
- 55,000 BTU · 2.9 GPM · 84% efficiency on the Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus — enough for a full RV shower on demand, with anti-freeze protection built in. — Fogatti
- 65,000 BTU · 2.64 GPM standard (up to 3.9 GPM max) on the Camplux RE264, the highest burner here for the money. — Camplux (via Home Depot)
- 60,000 BTU · 2.4 GPM, steady temperature down to 32°F ambient on the Furrion FWH09A thanks to its Vortex mixing technology. — Furrion (via Amazon)
- 42,000 BTU adjustable 95–124°F on roughly 3 amps at 12V on the Girard 2GWHAM — the lowest power draw here, ideal for battery and solar rigs. — Girard
1. Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus — Best Overall
Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus RV Tankless Water Heater
- 55,000 BTU propane burner rated up to 2.9 GPM at 84% efficiency — endless hot water for a standard RV shower.
- Drops into a common 6-gallon (~15 x 15 in) tank opening, reusing your 12V, gas, and water connections.
- Automatic pulse ignition, forced-exhaust fan, and anti-freeze protection for cold-weather camping.
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Fogatti has become the go-to aftermarket RV tankless brand, and the InstaShower 8 Plus is the model we recommend to most owners replacing a 6-gallon tank. It hits the sweet spot of flow, efficiency, and price, and the 2.9 GPM rating handles a real RV shower without the tank running cold mid-rinse. The forced-exhaust design and anti-freeze protection make it dependable in cooler weather, and it reuses your existing 12V and propane hookups. Confirm your tank door cutout is the standard ~15 x 15 inches before ordering.
2. Camplux RE264 (Plus-10) — Best Value
Camplux RE264 Plus-10 RV Tankless Water Heater
- 65,000 BTU — the highest burner in this roundup, rated 2.64 GPM standard and up to 3.9 GPM at max.
- Ships with a factory RV door and remote controller; sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Amazon for easy parts.
- Built-in pressure-relief valve and freeze protection; runs on your rig's 12V system.
Camplux’s RE264 is the value play: it carries the biggest burner here yet usually costs less than the Fogatti and Furrion, and it comes with the RV door and a remote in the box. The extra BTU helps most when your inlet water is cold, where small heaters struggle. Because Camplux sells through Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon, parts and returns are easy. It’s our pick for budget-minded upgraders who still want strong flow.
3. Fogatti InstaShower 8 Pro — Best High-Flow
Fogatti InstaShower 8 Pro RV Tankless Water Heater
- 60,000 BTU and up to 3.1 GPM — more headroom for a larger rig or a shower-plus-sink draw.
- CSA certified with smart gas modulation that adjusts propane use for steady temperatures.
- Forced-exhaust fan, automatic flame-failure shut-off, and anti-freeze protection.
The InstaShower 8 Pro is the step-up Fogatti for owners of bigger fifth wheels and Class A coaches who want a little more flow and smarter temperature control. The extra 5,000 BTU and 3.1 GPM ceiling give you more comfortable showers when the water is cold, and the smart modulation keeps the outlet steadier than a fixed-fire unit. If your budget allows and you camp in cooler climates, it’s worth the upgrade over the Plus.
4. Furrion FWH09A — Best OEM Replacement
Furrion FWH09A 2.4 GPM RV Tankless Water Heater
- 60,000 BTU with Furrion's Vortex technology that holds a steady outlet temperature down to 32°F ambient.
- Factory-fit brand on many new RVs — the simplest like-for-like swap if your rig already runs Furrion.
- Dual over-temperature sensors, pressure-relief valve, and blower-block protection.
Furrion is the tankless heater many manufacturers install at the factory, so if your RV already has a Furrion opening, the FWH09A is the cleanest replacement — same footprint, same connections. Its Vortex mixing keeps the temperature consistent even when the ambient air is near freezing, a genuine advantage for shoulder-season campers. It’s the priciest 60,000 BTU unit here, but the drop-in simplicity and factory pedigree earn it a spot.
5. Girard 2GWHAM — Best Quiet / Low-Amp
Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand RV Water Heater
- Adjustable outlet from 95–124°F with a brushless, near-silent motor — pleasant for smaller campers.
- Draws roughly 3 amps at 12V, the lowest here — friendly to solar and modest battery banks.
- Built-in freeze protection for cold-weather use.
The Girard 2GWHAM is the quiet, efficient choice for smaller trailers and van conversions that don’t need a huge burner. Its brushless motor runs nearly silent, and the ~3-amp draw is gentle on a solar-charged battery bank when you’re boondocking. The trade-off is the lowest BTU here (42,000), so flow drops off more in cold water — size expectations to a single fixture. For a compact rig that values quiet and low power, it’s an excellent fit.
6. Camplux 6L Portable — Best Portable / Van
Camplux 6L Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
- 1.58 GPM and 41,000 BTU from a standard propane tank — endless hot water with no built-in install.
- D-cell battery ignition needs no 12V wiring; hangs on a wall bracket for van builds and tent trailers.
- Included showerhead and hose; use outdoors or fully vented only.
Not every rig has (or needs) a built-in tank opening. For van conversions, tent trailers, and outdoor camp showers, the Camplux 6L portable is the simplest way to get on-demand hot water — it lights on a D-cell battery and hangs on a bracket with no 12V wiring. It’s not a permanent interior fixture: run it outdoors or fully vented, never inside a closed space. For part-time or DIY setups, it’s the best value on this list.
How to choose an RV tankless water heater
- Built-in vs portable: For a camper with a tank opening, buy a drop-in unit (Fogatti/Camplux/Furrion/Girard). For a van build or outdoor shower, a portable (Camplux 6L) needs no install and no 12V wiring.
- Check the door cutout: Most drop-ins target the common 6-gallon (~15 x 15 in) opening, but confirm your exact door size and the gas/water fitting locations before ordering.
- Size by GPM — and by climate: A single RV shower needs only ~1.5–2.5 GPM, which every unit covers when warm. Because these burners are small, real flow drops in cold water — pick 55,000–66,000 BTU if you camp in the cold or run two fixtures.
- Mind the 12V draw: Built-ins run on your battery, not shore power. The Girard’s ~3-amp draw is easiest on solar; forced-exhaust units pull a bit more for the fan.
- Winterize it: RV tankless units have less water volume but still need draining or antifreeze in freezing storage. Look for built-in anti-freeze protection if you camp in shoulder seasons.
The bottom line
For most RVers, the Fogatti InstaShower 8 Plus is the best RV tankless water heater: 55,000 BTU, up to 2.9 GPM, anti-freeze protection, and a clean drop-in fit for around $400. Want to spend less? The Camplux RE264 brings the biggest burner here for the money. Need more flow for a big rig, the Fogatti InstaShower 8 Pro adds headroom; already running Furrion, the Furrion FWH09A is the easiest swap; and on a solar setup, the low-amp Girard 2GWHAM is the quiet pick. For vans and camp showers, the Camplux 6L portable delivers hot water with no install. All of these run on propane — see our best propane tankless water heater guide for whole-home and off-grid LP units, or start with our best tankless water heater roundup to compare every fuel type.