Water heater drain plug

[RoyBraddy]

My off-road POPUP trailer only has the fresh water tank and the Suburban SW6DE Water Heater.

I open the HOT and COLD Spigot at the sink and also open the HOT WATER relief valve and drain everything through the LOW POINT water drain valve... It does leave about a 1/2-inch of water in the bottom of the hot water tank. Actually about the same amount of water even if you drain from the bottom port of the hot water heater...

My fresh water tank drains completely through the LOW POINT drain valve.

We don't consume anything from the fresh water tank. Always bring along bottled water for drinking and cooking.... No real reason just got in the habit of bringing along a couple of bottle of bottled water... WE also freeze the bottled water and then sit them inside the small fridge on the day of the trip to help get the fridge going quicker when we arrive at the camp site....

It has never been a freeze thing for me of having alittle bit of water remaining in the bottom of the Hot Water heater as there is alot of expansion room inside the hot water tank for any ice that might form...

My bottom port is also where the ANODE ROD is located. I do look at it once a year usually at the end of the camping season for me. This is usually the only time I will do a good water tank inspection. I just hate to have to remove the bottom port of the water heater just for draining water... Just let it drain out through the water system works good for me...

Roy Ken

[gocubsgo]

I hadn't considered using the low point drain to empty the water heater after each trip. I just tried it out, and even with an unfavorable slope, the low point drain emptied my water heater at least to the level of the drain plug. It took longer than the drain plug (even with faucets and the relief valve open), but it did work. I think I'll use this process going forward.

[wags999]

The advantage of pulling the plug is you can flush the tank and the scale that will build up in it. The scale will not be flushed out by using the low point drain. I'm going on my 4th year with the original plug, thought I do have several I carry with me.

[Farmall]

I replaced the nylon plug on my Jayco Quest TSL with a brass plug. Have had no issues with it being brass.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Farmall

I replaced the nylon plug on my Jayco Quest TSL with a brass plug. Have had no issues with it being brass.

You still need to remove it and flush out the scale every year. Watch out for corrosion from different metals. Also be careful not to cross thread it.

[rhouthoofd]

Replaced mine with a brass plug with a little twist handle that works like the old radiator drain plugs. Never have to take it out, just open, drain, and close. Camper World has them.

[bgelyhome]

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

I don't use tape on my plastic plugs and never had a leak. They come in a 2 pack on Amazon and I keep spares handy and I replaced it this spring only because it looked dirty and the new ones were nice and clean. Lol

I agree. No Teflon tape. Get new plug.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

Life's too short to be messing with that plug every time, see posts #101 & 102 -

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-41831-11.html

Yup! Exactly! Installing a hose and valve is easy to do and it tucks right in the bottom of the water heater compartment. Also avoids water flooding out through the compartment floor when you drain the tank.

[larryrebos]

I'm a plumber of 45 years exp. always use a little liquid Teflon pipe dope plus that tape so the threads are lubricated and won't bind. I will never use just Teflon tape again because I don't' like doing things twice
195 RB
Toyota Tacoma