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07-17-2018, 06:34 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 9
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Water heater drain plug
I've had my Jay Feather X213 about two years now. After each use, I always drain the water heater by removing the plastic drain plug. On my last trip, I noticed a small drip from the drain plug. I've never used tape on the threads. Should I be? Or maybe it is time for a new plug?
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07-17-2018, 06:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
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It is pipe threads, so you should use a bit of teflon tape. That nylon is fairly soft, so I bet it will conform to the metal threads nicely. Mine gave me a lot of grief after just a few of removing it, so installed a short hose and 1/4 turn valve. But if you have had good luck with your nylon plug, I might recommend buying two replacements.
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07-17-2018, 06:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Wolverine
Posts: 707
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The nylon drain plug is a tape-free plug. They tend to wear out when removed over and over. Mine is not leaking yet but will. I remove it often like you and many others here. You can try the white Teflon tape (the yellow tape is for gas lines) to buy some time but grab a new one at the hardware store for a couple bucks and keep it handy. That's what I did.
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Jerry B.
"Stateboy" (Formerly "36fire412")
SW Lower Michigan
2016 X254
2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax TRD 4x4
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07-17-2018, 06:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CENTRAL NEW YORK
Posts: 984
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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
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07-17-2018, 07:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Calgary
Posts: 458
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Replace the plug, and always carry another with you.
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07-17-2018, 09:01 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Replaced my old plug with an adapter, hose, and ball valve.. Takes a bit longer to drain but I don't have to mess with that stupid plastic plug.
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
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07-17-2018, 01:51 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Huron
Posts: 15
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I would recommend just replacing it and carrying a spare. I remove our plug and keep it removed for at least the trip home. The amount of water that comes out of the water heater after we start moving is pretty significant. I'd rather be able to drain most of the water.
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07-17-2018, 02:28 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: midwest
Posts: 1,211
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why drain it after every use??? just curious
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07-17-2018, 02:32 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Hampton
Posts: 224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by curver900
why drain it after every use??? just curious
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minimize chance of rotten egg smell with the hot water. if I am not using it for a week I am draining it.
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Outta Here!
2012 RAM 3500 4x4 Laramie DRW - High Output 6.7L Cummins, Max Tow, FireStone Airbags, 60 Gallon Titan XXL fuel tank, Fully Deleted
2017 Jayco North Point 377rlbh with Kaut NV 2.0 bike rack
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07-17-2018, 02:35 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
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I used my OEM drain plug to drain the WH after nearly every trip for almost 4 years and never had a leak. I never used tape either. And I was careful not to over-tighten or cross-thread the plug; as mentioned, it is soft nylon, so it is easy to foul the threads and over-tighten it and ruin it. I did buy a two-pack of replacements the first year I owned the trailer. When I sold the trailer and bought the MH, I moved the unopened pack of replacement plugs into the MH (same Atwood 6-Gal WH). I fully anticipate never having to open that package, and I'll likely move it from the MH to our next unit (if that ever happens, LOL!) But it's going to stay in the MH because it's awful cheap insurance.
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07-17-2018, 02:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: midwest
Posts: 1,211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonmiddlebrooks
minimize chance of rotten egg smell with the hot water. if I am not using it for a week I am draining it.
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thanks ... It hasn't happened to me but good to know if it does...
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07-17-2018, 02:39 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 3,204
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It may be a month between trips for us so I drain it after each use so the water in the tank doesn't become smelly as it stagnates. Plus it drains some of the scale out with it. My current plastic plug is in it's 3rd year and I do smear a little pipe dope on it and no leaks. I carry 2 spares just in case.
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2012 Eagle 320 RLDS
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07-17-2018, 08:36 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 398
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I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
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07-17-2018, 08:41 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 3,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chet & Marie
I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
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Nope, our low point drains also drain the water heater.
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2012 Eagle 320 RLDS
2017 Ford F-250 FX4 Crew STX 6.2l
3.73 E-locker
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07-17-2018, 08:42 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Wolverine
Posts: 707
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chet & Marie
I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
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If you're opening the hot and cold spigots along with the low point drains, it makes sense that the WH would also drain itself down to the lowest connection to the tank. I thinks that's physics for any model short of some sort of backflow valve being in place to prevent it.
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Jerry B.
"Stateboy" (Formerly "36fire412")
SW Lower Michigan
2016 X254
2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax TRD 4x4
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07-17-2018, 09:12 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 398
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Yes you have to open both hot and cold factors at kitchen sink.
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07-18-2018, 06:13 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 9
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Thanks for the input everyone. I'll replace the plug and keep a spare with me. They're cheap.
Although, 01tundra, I like your drain assembly setup. It has the added benefit of not draining down the door. I think that will be my next mod.
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07-18-2018, 06:19 AM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: James Island, SC
Posts: 22,772
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Some do and some don't drain the wh thru the low point drains. They don't trouble you with which do and which don't for some reason.
Mine does not, another one I work on for a friend does.
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07-18-2018, 07:30 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,795
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chet & Marie
I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
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Nope, I do the same thing. I open the low point drains and either open a hot water faucet or crack the pressure valve on the heater to break the vacuum. All the water drains out while I drive home.
So much easier and less expensive.
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