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04-12-2016, 06:17 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 39
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Water heater.
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
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04-12-2016, 06:32 PM
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#2
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,235
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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.
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2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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04-12-2016, 06:32 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 29
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Yes, yes, yes! Otherwise you get smelly hot water!
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04-13-2016, 10:02 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Longview Texas
Posts: 7
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Do you pull the plug/anode to drain the heater?
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04-13-2016, 11:05 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by younggeezer
Do you pull the plug/anode to drain the heater?
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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???
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2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax
2016 Rockwood 8289WS, Diamond Pkg.
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04-13-2016, 11:38 PM
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#6
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Just a member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Great White North
Posts: 921
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Quote:
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!
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X2 - takes but a few minutes.
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K&L + the Wild Bunch
TT: 2011 Rockwood 8293RKSS
TV: 2019 Dodge 3500 SRW Crew HO CTD
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04-14-2016, 12:13 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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I've never drained mine, and I've never had smelly water. Maybe I've been lucking, I don't know.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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04-14-2016, 06:36 AM
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#8
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
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???
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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.
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04-14-2016, 06:55 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 54
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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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04-14-2016, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Quote:
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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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
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2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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04-14-2016, 07:27 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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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!
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Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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04-14-2016, 07:35 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,452
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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.
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2013 CC Silverback 29RL
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04-14-2016, 08:29 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 39
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Water heater.
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.
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04-14-2016, 08:51 AM
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#14
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Frog-Toberfest Organizer
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,335
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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
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Andersen Ultimate Aluminum fifth wheel hitch V2
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04-14-2016, 09:39 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Longview Texas
Posts: 7
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Do you guys put thread tape on the anode?
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04-14-2016, 10:00 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,288
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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.
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04-14-2016, 10:28 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by younggeezer
Do you guys put thread tape on the anode?
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YES!!!
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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04-14-2016, 10:47 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Frederica DE
Posts: 1,223
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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.
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2016 Ford F250 XLT 4X4 6.2L
2015 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329SS
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04-14-2016, 11:17 AM
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#19
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,235
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Quote:
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.
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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.
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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04-14-2016, 11:21 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
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
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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!
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