Name: Suburban SW12DEL (5248A)
Brand: Suburban
Price: 669.90 USD

3.5/5#1 of 21 in tank RV water heaters
3.5

A 12-gallon steel tank heater that runs on propane and electric for a straight swap in an RV with the matching cutout.

Price checked November 4, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Pros

Porcelain-lined steel tank with a replaceable anode rod that doubles as the drain
Can heat on campsite or generator power as well as propane
12 gallons stores enough for back-to-back showers

Cons

The Suburban SW family

Every Suburban SW model we rank, smallest first. Ratings compare each against its own type.

Model	Input	Rating	Price
Suburban SW6D (5238A)	12,000 BTU	3.1/5	$439.99
Suburban SW6DE (5239A)	12,000 BTU	2.9/5	$499.99
Suburban SW6DEL (5240A)	12,000 BTU	3.0/5	$479.99
Suburban SW10D (5242A)	12,000 BTU	3.4/5	$591.09
Suburban SW10DE (5243A)	12,000 BTU	3.4/5	$594.99
Suburban SW10DEL (5244A)	12,000 BTU	3.3/5	$639.99
Suburban SW12DE (5247A)	12,000 BTU	3.5/5	$690.92
Suburban SW12DEL (5248A) (this one)	12,000 BTU	3.5/5	$669.90

How it scores

The rating comes from 3 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its type. How we rank explains each one.

A 12-gallon steel tank heater that runs on propane and electric for a straight swap in an RV with the matching cutout.

$690.92

A 10-gallon steel tank heater on propane for a straight swap in an RV with the matching cutout.

$591.09

A 10-gallon steel tank heater that runs on propane and electric for a straight swap in an RV with the matching cutout.

$594.99