Hot Water heater drain

[SJSS Slingshot]

We have a 6 gallon Attwood water heater, and I see a white plastic hex head plug, looks like a 15/16 socket fits it . Would that be the drain plug for it. I also read somewhere on here about a antdode rod that you pull out and clean it. Suppose to collect rust. Don't have an idea where that is.
Just trying to find out everything I can about this camper, for preventive maintenance. It is a 2012 M19 Slingshot.
Thanks for any help

[mark5w]

Yup, that's the drain plug. I don't believe Atwood has an anode rod.

[SJSS Slingshot]

Thanks , and you know I knew I spelled anode wrong. Anyway thanks again.

[travelin texans]

They make a drain kit for the Atwood cause if you reuse that plast8c plug again you'll probably have a constant nonstoppable leak. At least replace plastic plug with a brass plug withTeflon taped threads.

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

They make a drain kit for the Atwood cause if you reuse that plast8c plug again you'll probably have a constant nonstoppable leak. At least replace plastic plug with a brass plug withTeflon taped threads.

I replaced mine with a brass reducer, a small petcock valve, and a fitting to push a small hose onto. Makes draining easy.

[SJSS Slingshot]

Yes a brass set up sounds better than the plastic plug. Thanks

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by SJSS Slingshot

Yes a brass set up sounds better than the plastic plug. Thanks

Correction, the drain hose is not a push-on, it is a screw-on, because of space. You can see the hose w fitting at the bottom.

[Papa-T]

I've always replaced mine with one of theses. Don't have to take it out to drain.

[Steve7]

You guys that have the add on valves for the water heater, do you ever rinse or flush the water heater tank? If so, I'm assuming you remove the entire plug to run the hose stream in there...??

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by Steve7

You guys that have the add on valves for the water heater, do you ever rinse or flush the water heater tank? If so, I'm assuming you remove the entire plug to run the hose stream in there...??

No, I just let it drain. In the spring, I do fill it with bleached water from the fresh water tank, then purge it with fresh. I don't worry much about residual bleach in the tank, since we don't drink from the hot side.

[Papa-T]

I just drain after each trip so water don't just sit in there. We don't drink water from camper either.

[Steve7]

Originally Posted by Papa-T

I just drain after each trip so water don't just sit in there. We don't drink water from camper either.

Sounds good Marty and Papa. The only time I really wanted to flush the tank we were in a salty water area. We don't drink from ours either, maybe I will do the same. So is the recommended type to go with the aluminum tank the brass fittings?

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by Steve7

Sounds good Marty and Papa. The only time I really wanted to flush the tank we were in a salty water area. We don't drink from ours either, maybe I will do the same. So is the recommended type to go with the aluminum tank the brass fittings?

From a metal-compatibility point of view, I don't know. I just used what I found at Lowe's.

[gregtx]

I have drained and flushed our 2011 once or twice a yr for 6 yrs. Never has leaked a drop. I am careful when I replace plug so I don't crossthread and don't over tighten. We usually use for 2 or 3 months at a time, so when I flush at end of summer, I get quite a bit of calcium that flushes out...... Knock on wood, one of the few things that has worked flawlessly.

[travelin texans]

If you have the Suburban brand water heater the plug is an anode rod to prevent tank corrosion & should be inspected/replaced minimum of a couple times a year.

[Papa-T]

I get my drain plug from Camping World. I've had them on every camper I've had. Just easier to open cover and turn to drain open without using a wrench. Or maybe I'm just lazy. Lol

[SJSS Slingshot]

Just got back today from camping, great trip, and I sure do appreciate all of the tips on here. Now its time to go drain it, since I never did it since we had it from March.
Thanks again