Water heater.

[Tyler_13]

I was just wondering if it is good to drain the water heater after every trip? Also should you open up the kitchen faucet so the water can drain back or will that just cause a bunch of air to get in the lines?

Thanks

[itat]

If I won't be using mine for more than 2 weeks I drain it. I don't want stale water in the WH with the potential for something to start growing!

It doesn't hurt to open the hot water faucet to drain the WH. The air will come out the next time you start running the water.

[Rad]

Yes, yes, yes! Otherwise you get smelly hot water!


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[younggeezer]

Do you pull the plug/anode to drain the heater?

[WFD]

Originally Posted by younggeezer

Do you pull the plug/anode to drain the heater?

Yes but make double sure your switch to the hot water heater is off, otherwise you will burn it out in just a few seconds...your water heater is not that much different than your house hot water tank...do you drain it whenever you go on vacation and won't be around for a week or two???

[kandl]

Originally Posted by itat

If I won't be using mine for more than 2 weeks I drain it. I don't want stale water in the WH with the potential for something to start growing!

X2 - takes but a few minutes.

[rockfordroo]

I've never drained mine, and I've never had smelly water. Maybe I've been lucking, I don't know.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by WFD

Yes but make double sure your switch to the hot water heater is off, otherwise you will burn it out in just a few seconds...your water heater is not that much different than your house hot water tank...do you drain it whenever you go on vacation and won't be around for a week or two???

No, but my household water heater also stays on 24/7 365 .
Also my household water heater ALWAYS has the same supply water.

I drain my water heater if going to be longer then 2 weeks.
Relive any water pressure, open pressure relief valve and remove plug.

[spydernut]

When you remove the anode rod from your water heater to drain it, replace it with a universal anode rod with drain valve. It makes draining quick and easy. Camping World stocks them.


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[jeff64]

Originally Posted by spydernut

When you remove the anode rod from your water heater to drain it, replace it with a universal anode rod with drain valve. It makes draining quick and easy. Camping World stocks them.


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X2 and they are magnesium according to the literature. Don't forget the reducer bushing if you are putting it in a Suburban WH

[KyDan]

Some good advice here but it is brand/model specific.

My Atwood water heater has an aluminum tank with a plastic drain plug and NO anode.

I almost never drain my WH and over the last 11 years and 4 different trailers
we only found the water in the WH tank had gone sour 1 time.
YMMV.

Happy Trails!

[Oakman]

I have never bothered to drain the hot water tank except at the end of the season when we winterize. I've never had a problem with smelly water but perhaps that has something to do with where the water came from on your last trip.

We're going into our 13th season with a fifth wheel. It's a non-issue for us.

[Tyler_13]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like once again there isn't a right or wrong way. Just do what works for us. We camp at the lakes around us and can't camp every weekend. Because of that I will most likely empty it after every trip. It doesn't take that long and we don't even drink the water in the trailer when we are there. Buy bottled water for the weekend trips.

[Electra glide]

I drain after every trip just because I don't always know if I will be camping in the next week or two. I just don't want the water to smell when I go to take a shower.

My household water heater is a tankless electric so I never have to worry about draining it

[younggeezer]

Do you guys put thread tape on the anode?

[Flybob]

I replaced my plastic drain plug in my Atwood WH with an adapter to allow it to connect to a short piece of 1/2" high temp hose and a 1/4 turn valve. Draining the WH is a simple as opening the outside door and turning the valve. The hose is just long enough to keep the water from running down the side of the TT but short enough to sit nicely on the bottom of the WH frame. Yes I always drain WH and water lines. If you are curious as to what happens, just fill a glass about half way with water from the WH. Cover it and let it sit on the counter of your RV until your next trip. Then decide if it is OK for you to use.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by younggeezer

Do you guys put thread tape on the anode?

YES!!!

[uhduh camping]

We open low point drains every time we break camp. (Which drains water heater) It saves us from dragging extra 50 lbs. Will I save gas, yes. Will I notice I'm saving gas? No, but my tires appreciate the gesture.

[itat]

Originally Posted by uhduh camping

We open low point drains every time we break camp. (Which drains water heater) It saves us from dragging extra 50 lbs. Will I save gas, yes. Will I notice I'm saving gas? No, but my tires appreciate the gesture.

I prefer to just pull the plug on my Suburban WH. That ensures that no particles in the tank get into the water lines and makes it easier to remove the anode rod the next time. Plus it drains much faster. I would open the low point drains too just to get all the water out of the system so it doesn't sit in there a get stale.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by jeff64

X2 and they are magnesium according to the literature. Don't forget the reducer bushing if you are putting it in a Suburban WH

The issues with using this type of "A-Rod drain valve" in a Suburban Heater is you have just Moved your Drain Hole UP,the 3/4 to 1/2 bushing plus the Small Hole size in the Little drain valve! This allows Crud to build up on the Bottom of the Heater that would Normally drain out the Factory 3/4" TPT Hole! Youroo!! Also draining your HWT from your LP Drains lets the Crud from the Tank go Downstream in you Pex lines!