Now I am not trying to post during family time I can provide additional information.
First off if you are 4x4/ off roading with a liquid cooled engine you should strongly consider using a propylene based antifreeze in the cooling system! If for some reason you overheat or have a leak in the back county it is safer for the environment over the standard antifreeze.
Ok back to water heater issue.
The anode in the water heater is a magnesium rod mounted on a iron rod/ plug. The rod is there to corrode durning water heating as it prevent corrosion of the iron/steel parts of the water heater.
Here is a link to a website that presents information on the corrosion of magnesium:
http://www.magnesium.com/w3/data-bank/index.php?mgw=166
From the above link you can learn about the corrosion process during water heating & substance that will corrode magnesium.
Additionally there is information presenting propylene glycol being used over ethylene glycol for engines with magnesium parts due to the reduced corrosive effects.
Ok why would Suburban place a statement about the possible very corrosive effects of antifreeze on the anode?
In the article it states: "Anhydrous methanol attacks magnesium alloys catastrophically at room temperature; however, the rate of attack is reduced by the presence of water. Gasoline-methanol fuel blends, in which the water content equals or exceeds about 0.25 wt% of the methanol content, do not attack magnesium."
So propylene glycol antifreeze containing methanol/ methyl alcohol will "catastrophically" corrode the anode.
I imagine the are some RV antifreezes that contain methanol/ methyl alcohol/ wood alcohol, but this is not something I want in my drink water system!
The RV antifreeze I like to use is DOW RV and Marine antifreeze sold by Home Depot. Here is the link to the MSDS:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdf...df5e792462.pdf.
I am not suggesting filling your water heater with antifreeze as part of the winterizing, but rather not to be too concerned about the appropriate antifreeze coming into contact with the anode rod.
Yes, white vinegar will quickly corrode the anode, so limit the exposure. If you are going to dip the anode to clean, just quickly rinse in water. If you are going to follow up your sanitizing with a white vinegar flush, drain and rinse the water heater right after.
Sorry if the details are over kill. I wanted to present some more depth on the subject, so you can have a better understanding on the care/ maintenance of your RV water system.
Erik Lundquist