Scott -
I would have expected the problem to go away when the water heater was switched off, but if the failure is a neutral-to-ground connection, the GFI (presumably the GFI in the campground or house, not the one in the TM) could still trip. So it still sounds like the water heater. Unfortunately, there is no way to be sure except to physically disconnect the water heater element. The outside water heater switch effectively disconnects the black (hot) wire. So now, as an experiment to confirm the diagnosis, you can disconnect the white (neutral) wire from the heating element. It just requires a screwdriver. I wouldn't recommend travelling with it that way unless you are confident that you can insulate the disconnected end and tie it up out of the way. If it gets loose, it can cause more nuisance trips.
Replacing the element is not hard. You just have to get a new element (any RV place), and the big socket wrench (1 1/16"? probably get it from Lowe's or a big hardware store) to pull it out and replace it. Presuming you are going camping in a week, you might get it done.
Or (dare I say it?) an RV service place could do the job in 15 minutes, if you can convince them to schedule you.
Bill
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