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04-17-2014, 08:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
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Water heater quick drain
I'm one of those guys who likes to drain the water after every use. We just took delivery on our new TT and the water heater does NOT have an Anode rod, just a plastic cap in a hard to get to location making it difficult to drain the tank after every use.
I'm sure this has been done before but I'm a new member to the forum and thought I'd contribute with a simple mod I did today. The parts consist of (2) 1/2inch connectors with a barbed end, (1) half inch ball valve (2) hose clamps, (1) short piece of half inch inside diameter hose, and some Teflon tape. As you can see from the pics it's a very easy mod and cost about $25.00. Well worth the money spent.
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04-17-2014, 09:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Western Iowa
Posts: 703
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I wonder how many people drain the hot water heater after every camping trip. I personally never thought to do it. I don't drain my hot water heater at home when I go to work. I'm talking about during the season. Clearly I drain it for the winter. If I were going to drain it every week while at home, I'd also want a ball valve or similar method.
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2018 Ford F250
2019 Arctic Wolf F295QSL8
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04-17-2014, 10:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Same here - as long as it's the Camping season, I'm not sure it's worth it to bother draining the HWT
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Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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04-18-2014, 09:15 AM
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#4
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,233
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If you use your trailer infrequently then this would be a good mod to avoid having water sitting in the heater for weeks and getting stale. But it would only work on Atwood WHs since the Suburbans use an anode rod.
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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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04-18-2014, 09:31 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
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Correct it would only work on the Atwood WH.
We like to drain it to prevent the water from getting stale as mentioned in another post and this mod makes it almost effortless to do.
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2014 PrimeTime Avenger 33BHS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab 5.9 Cummins
12k Equal-I-zer hitch
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04-18-2014, 09:46 AM
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#6
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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 Toby
I wonder how many people drain the hot water heater after every camping trip. I personally never thought to do it. I don't drain my hot water heater at home when I go to work. I'm talking about during the season. Clearly I drain it for the winter. If I were going to drain it every week while at home, I'd also want a ball valve or similar method.
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I drain mine after every trip.
Unless we'll be going the very next weekend.
TURBS
Sabre owners united!
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04-18-2014, 09:53 AM
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#7
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itat
If you use your trailer infrequently then this would be a good mod to avoid having water sitting in the heater for weeks and getting stale. But it would only work on Atwood WHs since the Suburbans use an anode rod.
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REALLY important to emphasize.
While they DO make an anode with a drain cock in it; it is false economy, IMO.
1) They are expensive since they need to be changed more often
2) The anode is 1/3 the size of the correct size anode
3) The anode will need to be replaced 3 (or more) times more often
4) You may be temped to NEVER remove it when winterizing
5) The water heater could be ruined before you know it.
http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Univer...Anode-Kit.html
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-18-2014, 04:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 325
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I drain mine after ever trip. we don't go back to back weekends and I see no reason to let the water sit in the water heater and go stagnant. I even leave the rod out a day or two so all can dry up. I also turn the drain valves on the water lines to the camper and drain the hole system after every trip and flush the tanks out real good too. since there isn't water flowing threw them daily like a house it would only make sense to drain them afterwards.
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'99 f350 drw
'21 dune sport fire storm custom toyhauler
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04-18-2014, 04:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 325
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nice job on the mod btw
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'99 f350 drw
'21 dune sport fire storm custom toyhauler
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04-18-2014, 04:09 PM
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#10
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Jack of All Trades
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Williston, Florida
Posts: 317
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To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.
Rick
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Rick & Debbie; Brandy Schnoodle & Bucky (Dexter & Fritz R.I.P.) the Doxie "Kids"
2015 Jayco Pinnacle 36RSQS 5'er
2018 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD, 6.6L Diesel Dually; B&W Companion 5'er hitch
ScanGauge, TST 507 TPMS
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04-18-2014, 04:41 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJHuser
To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.
Rick
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It is not a hot water hose and will have issue down the road.
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Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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04-18-2014, 05:55 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJHuser
To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.
Rick
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les
It is not a hot water hose and will have issue down the road.
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The plastic fittings are made from the same material as the stock plug from the manufacture ( Atwood ) The hose is rated to 125 Degrees F and the Atwood WH are set at 120 Degrees F at the factory. Also the brass ball valve will with stand much higher temps.
__________________
2014 PrimeTime Avenger 33BHS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab 5.9 Cummins
12k Equal-I-zer hitch
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04-19-2014, 07:12 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,485
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I think all water heaters have an anode. May be inserted from the top.
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2014 Sunseeker 3170 DSF
Dorothy, Garrette and Miss Bella.
Retired and having fun.
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04-19-2014, 07:23 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrette
I think all water heaters have an anode. May be inserted from the top.
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Nope,not all! Youroo!!
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04-19-2014, 07:53 AM
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#15
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2014 XLR 27HFS
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 491
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Love those simple mods that are cheap and make life easier, nice job. Like DSRACE, I drain the heater and complete water system after each trip unless going right back out again.
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Dave & Audrey
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04-19-2014, 08:00 AM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
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Nice mod. Good pictures. Thanks for sharing!
One thing comes to mind-- if you drain it every time you also have
to remember to shut off the electric heater EVERY time.
(And the LP gas switch too!)
Happy Camping!
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Peace!
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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05-11-2014, 01:07 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 75
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Stagnant water in the hot water heater?
Is there really such a thing?
Even if it did occur, do you drink from the water heater?
If not, then I assume you think this "stagnant" water is harmful to use for washing?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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2015 Rockwood MiniLite 2109S
2018 Ford F150, 3.5L ecoboost
Blue Ox SwayPro hitch
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05-11-2014, 01:38 PM
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#18
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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 KyDan
Nice mod. Good pictures. Thanks for sharing!
One thing comes to mind-- if you drain it every time you also have
to remember to shut off the electric heater EVERY time.
(And the LP gas switch too!)
Happy Camping!
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Wouldn't you have to shut them off anyway?
TURBS
Sabre owners united!
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05-11-2014, 02:20 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,948
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I just drain my water heater tank by removing my anode. Flush out any garbage and reinstall anode for my next trip. This way I always know the condition of my anode.
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05-11-2014, 02:36 PM
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#20
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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 Iggy
I just drain my water heater tank by removing my anode. Flush out any garbage and reinstall anode for my next trip. This way I always know the condition of my anode.
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Ditto.
TURBS
Sabre owners united!
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