Water heater drain plug

[Coghlin71]

Just bought my first travel trailer. A 264bh here in Canada. Can I replace the plastic water heater drain plug with a brass one?

[TakerEasy]

I replaced the one on my Allegro Bay with a brass bushing and a screwed a brass petcock in the center of the bushing. It was like that for > 10 years with no problem.

Richard

[jasum]

Originally Posted by Coghlin71

Just bought my first travel trailer. A 264bh here in Canada. Can I replace the plastic water heater drain plug with a brass one?

You can, but some water heaters say they should NOT be added because of the tanks.

Also they do not drain all the water out of water heater.

[Carlosrod]

I was going to ask the same question. Another question is "Are water heaters being installed now-a-days without an anode rod?"

I have a newly purchase 29QB and during the PDI I noticed the plastic drain plug. I asked the question and was told that the plastic plug drains better and that the type of unit I have (6 Gal Atwood) doesn't require an anode rod.

Any comments out there?

[stateboy]

Consider reading this recent thread on the topic...

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=56225

[Jagiven]

Aluminum tanks do not need the anode rod.

The nylon plug, does not damage the aluminum tank threads. So if you are going to just replace with a brass plug, be careful not to cross thread and strip the AL threads.

I added a brass bushing and then added a short braided hose and a 1/4 turn valve on the end. It makes draining the tank really easy. It does take a little longer to drain as it is 3/8" hose verses 1/2" port. But I am fine with than.

[Carlosrod]

Thanks Jagiven.

Learn something new everyday.

[TakerEasy]

But it's okay to use a brass pressure relief valve? Also, my drain port is pointed at an angle, and if you drain everything down to the center of the bushing, then remove the bushing, I doubt you get more than a tablespoon or two out of it.

I'm just telling you what my experience is and everyone can make their own choice.

Richard

Originally Posted by jasum

You can, but some water heaters say they should NOT be added because of the tanks.

Also they do not drain all the water out of water heater.

[Coghlin71]

Originally Posted by Carlosrod

I was going to ask the same question. Another question is "Are water heaters being installed now-a-days without an anode rod?"

I have a newly purchase 29QB and during the PDI I noticed the plastic drain plug. I asked the question and was told that the plastic plug drains better and that the type of unit I have (6 Gal Atwood) doesn't require an anode rod.

Any comments out there?

How does something drain better? Plastic or brass once it is removed it will daring.

[spoon059]

I left mine alone and never touch it. After every trip I drain the low points and open the pressure relief valve on the water heater. That drains my water heater, no extra parts to worry about.

[TakerEasy]

I know the plastic will never seize up in there and if it did, well its easy to remove. The brass shouldn't but if it did there would be more work to get it out. Like I mentioned, I did not have any issues and I've done it on several RV's over the years.

They do make plastic bushings as well....

[TakerEasy]

From the Atwood site, it appears the extra 1/4" of height from the bushing isn't going to make much difference on getting all the water out. See this....

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/images/W...ceTri-Fold.pdf