- RV Water Heater Specialists — Pipe Creek, TX
RV Water Heater Repair & Replacement
Atwood • Suburban • Girard • Truma — All Brands
No hot water in your RV? Before you replace parts blindly, bring your rig to a specialist. We diagnose the actual cause — igniter, thermocouple, tank, gas valve, or element — give you a written cost, and fix it right.
- Gas, Electric & Tankless Systems Diagnosed In-Shop
- Atwood, Suburban, Girard, Truma & All OEM Brands
- Honest Repair vs. Replace Recommendation After Diagnosis
- RV-Only Shop — Family-Owned & Operated Since 1993
- Schedule Your Drop-Off
Written estimate before any work starts. No surprise charges.
🔒 No charge for the inspection. No commitment to book.
- Family-Owned Since 1993
- Gas & Electric Systems
- Written Estimate First
- Tankless & Tank Units
- Pipe Creek, TX — Hill Country
RV Water Heater Brands We Service
Dometic / Atwood
G6A • G10A • GH6 • XT Series
Suburban
SW6D • SW6DE • SW10DE
Girard
GSWH-2 • Tankless On-Demand
Truma
AquaGo • Comfort • Comfort Plus
Mor-Flo & Others
Legacy OEM units still in service
All Other OEM
If it came in your RV, we work on it
Diagnose Your Problem First
What Is Your RV Water Heater Doing?
RV water heater problems are constantly misdiagnosed. A unit that "won't light" could be a $25 thermocouple or a corroded gas valve — and you won't know which until it's properly tested. The four cards below cover the most common failure patterns and what they actually point to.
We test all of these in-shop, walk you through the findings in plain language, provide a written cost, and wait for your go-ahead before touching anything. Call ahead to schedule your drop-off.
Our Shop — Pipe Creek, TX
Won't Light — No Hot Water
Likely Cause
We test all of these in-shop, walk you through the findings in plain language, provide a written cost, and wait for your go-ahead before touching anything. Call ahead to schedule your drop-off.
- Check ECO button first
Won't Light — No Hot Water
Likely Cause
Failing gas valve not staying open, corroded anode rod contaminating the tank, or sediment buildup reducing effective capacity. Annual tank flushing prevents most of these failures.
- Needs in-shop diagnosis
Leaking or Dripping
Likely Cause
T&P (pressure relief) valve leaking is a common, inexpensive fix. A crack or corrosion in the tank body itself is not repairable — that means replacement. Don't ignore tank leaks.
- Don't ignore this one
Won't Light — No Hot Water
Likely Cause
Burned-out heating element (common when units run dry), failed thermostat, or tripped circuit breaker. Gas mode may still function while electric fails completely.
- Check circuit breaker first
Our Shop & Work
Where Your RV Gets Properly Fixed
Purpose-built RV facility in Pipe Creek, TX since 1993 — not a parking lot, not a dealership service lane. Space and equipment for full-size Class A motorhomes.
Our Shop — Pipe Creek, TX
In-Shop Repair Work
RV Service Bay
Repair In Progress
Class A on Hoist
Know Your System
DSI, Pilot Light, or Tankless — What Do You Have?
The failure modes, repair costs, and replacement options differ completely depending on which water heater type is in your rig. Most owners don't know which type they have until it stops working.
- Most Common
DSI — Direct Spark Ignition
The industry standard since the early 2000s. Atwood and Suburban DSI units automatically ignite the burner using an electronic spark controller — no manual lighting required. Very reliable, but the igniter board and gas valve are the most common failure points.
- Older Units
Pilot Light / Manual Ignition
Found on RVs manufactured before roughly 2002. Requires manually lighting the pilot before use. Thermocouple failures are the most common repair — usually straightforward and affordable. Many Class A motorhome owners still run these units.
- Premium Systems
Tankless — On-Demand Hot Water
Girard GSWH-2 and Truma AquaGo units heat water instantly on demand with no tank to deplete. Common in higher-end motorhomes. These units have complex electronics and require specific knowledge — not every shop handles them. We do.
Don't know which type you have? Call us at (830) 535-6007 and describe what's happening. With your RV's year, make, and model we can usually identify your water heater type before you make the drive — and have the right parts ready when you arrive.
Full Service Coverage
What Our RV Water Heater Service Covers
From a quick thermocouple swap to a full tank replacement — we cover everything. No job too small to diagnose properly, no brand we won't touch.
Annual Maintenance Extends Tank Life. Anode rod replacement and tank flushing once a year is the single most effective prevention against early tank failure. Most owners skip it — and pay for a full replacement in 5 years instead of 12.
Appointment Required
Call ahead so we can schedule your drop-off and source the correct fabric or parts for your specific brand and awning size.
Honest Guidance
Should You Repair It or Replace It?
We give you a straight answer after diagnosis — not the answer that makes us more money that day. Here is how we think through the decision so you know what to expect before bringing your rig in.
Repair Makes Sense When…
- The tank body itself is not corroded, pitted, or leaking
- The unit is under 8–10 years old with reasonable maintenance history
- The failure is in a replaceable component — igniter, thermocouple, gas valve, or element
- Repair cost stays under 40–50% of a new installed unit
- Anode rod has been maintained — tank interior is likely in good condition
- Tankless unit with a failed flow sensor or control board — often very repairable
Replacement Makes Sense When…
- The tank body is corroded, pitted, or leaking from the tank itself
- The unit is 10+ years old and has had no annual maintenance
- Multiple components are failing at the same time
- Anode rod was never replaced — internal tank damage is likely
- Repair cost exceeds 50% of a new unit installed
- You want to upgrade from a tank unit to on-demand tankless hot water
We won't recommend replacement when a repair will genuinely solve the problem. Since 1993 our customers keep coming back because we give straight advice — not the answer that pads the invoice.
How It Works
From First Call to Hot Water — The Process
Simple and transparent at every step. You know what's happening and what it costs before we lift a wrench.
Call Ahead
Describe what the water heater is doing. We schedule your drop-off and note your brand and RV model.
Drop Off Your RV
Bring it to 9500 TX-16 S, Pipe Creek, TX. Full-size Class A motorhomes fit — no size restrictions.
Full Inspection
We test gas valve, ignition sequence, heating element, tank condition, and anode rod status. Complete check, not a guess.
Written Estimate
You receive a written breakdown of what's wrong, what it costs, and our recommendation. Your approval required before anything starts.
Verified Hot Water
System tested with actual hot water before you pick up. Both gas and electric modes confirmed working.
Why RV Owners Drive to Pipe Creek
What Makes This Shop Different
Both Modes Tested
We diagnose both gas burner and 120V electric heating circuits. A full diagnosis covers both operating modes so you don't get a partial fix that fails again on the road.
Tankless Units Serviced
Girard and Truma tankless water heaters require different tools and different knowledge than tank units. We work on both. Many general shops won't touch them.
Written Estimate — Every Job
We diagnose completely, give you a written cost breakdown, and wait for your approval. No work starts without it. This is our standard process on every single repair.
RV-Only Shop
No cars, no trucks, no general mechanical work. RVs exclusively. Every technician and every tool focused entirely on one vehicle type. That focus matters when diagnosing RV systems.
Anode Rod & Maintenance
We don't just fix the immediate failure. We check anode rod condition, flush the tank, and give you an honest report. Prevention costs far less than replacement.
Family-Owned Since 1993
Over 30 years serving Texas RV owners. Many customers have trusted us with multiple rigs across multiple years. We treat every rig like it's our own.
RV Awning Brands We Service
- In Business Since 1993
- Family-Owned & Operated
- Written Estimate — Always
- RV Specialists Only
- Permanent Facility Since 2003
What RV Owners Say
What RV Owners Say About Our Work
GT
Gary & Pam T.
3 weeks ago
"Dometic 8500 fabric was shredded after a wind storm near Bandera. Called Monday, dropped off Tuesday, picked up Thursday with a brand new re-wrap. Arms were in good shape so they just did the fabric. Saved us a lot of money vs. replacing the whole unit."
- Posted on Google
WL
Wayne L.
1 month ago
"Electric Carefree awning wouldn't retract — button did nothing. Two shops told me I needed a full replacement. Class A diagnosed it as a bad motor capacitor. $140 repair, in and out same day. Still working fine six weeks later."
- Posted on Google
RV
Ron & Linda V.
6 weeks ago
"Got a written estimate before any work started — appreciated that. One arm was bent from a low-clearance situation. They straightened it, re-tensioned the spring, and it works like new. Fair price and totally honest shop."
- Posted on Google
MS
Mark & Donna S.
2 months ago
"Lippert Solera power awning wasn't extending all the way. They found a stripped gear in the motor assembly. Ordered the part, repaired in 2 days. These guys clearly know RV systems — they weren't guessing at all."
- Posted on Google
AB
Alan B.
3 months ago
"Water was pooling in the center of the awning every time it rained. Classic torsion spring issue. They adjusted the pitch and replaced the spring. Fixed permanently. Wish I'd brought it in two years ago — that pooling was stressing the arm bracket."
- Posted on Google
CM
Cindy & Dave M.
4 months ago
"Full replacement on a 2009 Class A with original Dometic awning — roller was bent and both arms were compromised. They sourced a matching replacement, installed, and tested it fully. Honest about why repair didn't make sense. Five stars all the way."
- Posted on Google
Who Is Working on Your RV
Three Decades of RV-Only Expertise
Class A RV Repairs has worked exclusively on RVs since 1993. Every technician, every tool, and every stocked part is oriented toward one type of vehicle. That's not a marketing line — it's how we built our business.
Water heater diagnosis is a specialty within a specialty. The difference between a $60 thermocouple repair and an $800 tank replacement comes down to knowing exactly what to test — not just replacing parts until something works. Thirty years in one niche delivers that.
1993 — Mobile RV Repair, Central Texas
Started as a mobile service operation. Built early reputation diagnosing problems other shops missed — in driveways and campgrounds across the Texas Hill Country.
2003 — Permanent Facility Opens in Pipe Creek
Moved into a purpose-built facility on Highway 16. Designed from the start to handle full-size Class A motorhomes — correct bay height, proper equipment, parts for every major system.
Today — Still Family-Owned, Still RV-Only
Expanded capabilities including full paint work. Same ownership, same philosophy, same commitment to honest work. Customers who came in 2003 still come back with their current rigs.
"Thirty years of working only on RVs means we've seen every water heater failure there is. We know within minutes of diagnosis whether yours is worth repairing or needs replacement. No guessing, no overselling."
— Class A RV Repairs, Pipe Creek, TX
Our Shop
Pipe Creek, TX
Located on Highway 16 in Pipe Creek, TX — between San Antonio and Bandera, easy drive from Boerne, Kerrville, and surrounding Texas Hill Country communities.
Address
9500 TX-16 S, Pipe Creek, TX 78063
Phone
(830) 535-6007
info@classarvrepairs.com
Hours
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat & Sun: Closed
Serving Communities Including:
Common Questions
RV Water Heater Repair — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your rig has a tank-style Atwood or Suburban and you want to upgrade to a Girard or Truma tankless unit, we can evaluate whether your RV's propane system and plumbing supports the conversion and provide an installation estimate. Tankless units deliver unlimited hot water and are popular on larger Class A motorhomes.
More From Class A RV Repairs
Other RV Repair Services
If your rig needs additional work while it's in the shop, we cover the full range of RV repair and service needs.
No Hot Water in Your RV? Let's Fix That.
Don't guess or replace parts blindly. Bring your rig to Class A RV Repairs in Pipe Creek, TX — we find the real cause, give you a written estimate, and fix it right the first time. No dealership runaround.