How To Fill In The Gap When Your New Water Heater Is Smaller
Question:
I am replacing a gc6aa-10e with the dmc74r with new door to cover the larger whole. As you can see in the pics the door does not cover the opening,
asked by: Steven S
Expert Reply:
One thing that will help is the Water Heater Door Conversion Kit for 6 Gallon Electric and Gas Water Heater - Black # DMC24FR, which comes with side brackets to cover up some of the gap. Use this you'd still have to layer on some sealant around the top and bottom but the problem is that you'll most likely still have water leaking in since the door is slightly into the hole instead of sitting flush against the wall of the trailer.
Other than building a custom door to completely cover the opening the only other option would be to build in a new frame for the unit to mount to just a bit more out so that you can use some trim pieces around the opening that would sit close enough in to not interfere with the door. Essentially, the new frame would sit flush with the trailer and the water heater would mount to it so that it's out enough for the door to still open. Some trim could be used to cover the gap and new framing. You'd use butyl tape # AL28FJ on the mounting flanges and non-sag sealant # 344270341437-1 around the outside to prevent water from leaking in.
This is quite a bit more than just a simple swap at this point so if you have any other questions please submit another question and let me know.
Products Referenced in This Question
LaSalle Bristol XTRM Universal Non-Sag Sealant for RVs - White - 10.1 oz - Qty 1
- RV Roof Repair
- Sealant
- 10.1 oz
- Non-Sag
- Self-Leveling
- White
- LaSalle Bristol
more information >
Alpha Systems Butyl Tape for RV Weatherproofing - 20' x 1" x 3/16"
- RV Roof Repair
- Tape
- Butyl Tape
- 20 Feet Long
- Colors May Vary
- Alpha Systems
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dometic RV Water Heater - Gas and Electric - Automatic Pilot - 120 Volt - 10,000 Btu - 6 Gal Tank
- RV Water Heater
- Standard Water Heater
- Gas and Electric
- 10000 Btu
- 120 Volts
- Auto Pilot
- 12-3/4L x 12-3/4W x 19-7/8D Inch
- 6 Gallon Tank
- Dometic
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Dometic RV Water Heater - Gas and Electric - Automatic Pilot - 120 Volt - 10,000 Btu - 6 Gal Tank
- Q&A: Recommended Replacement For An Atwood GC6AA-10E Water Heater
- Q&A: Correct Replacement for an Atwood Water Heater GC6AA-9E
- Q&A: Recommended Replacement For An Atwood G6A-8E RV Water Heater
- Q&A: Direct Replacement Water Heater for Atwood Model GC10A-4E
- Q&A: Is Adapter Needed to Install Dometic Water Heater # DMC74FR In Place of Atwood
- Q&A: Recommended Replacement for Atwood G6A-7 Water Heater
- Q&A: Atwood GC6AA-10E Replacement Recommendation
- Article: Converting Your RV Water Heater to Tankless
- Article: RV Propane Troubleshooting | Common Propane Issues and How to Solve Them
- Article: Trailer Maintenance Schedule
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: Trailer Tire Sizing
- Article: Our Team Picked The Best Camping Gear of the Year - Here Are Their Top Choices