Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-16-2018, 11:13 AM   #1
Sinton4616
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sinton
Posts: 63
New RV anode rod (Haven't even camped in it yet)

DW and I purchased a 2018 Avalanche 321RS and haven't had the time to take her out on the maiden voyage yet. Scheduled for week after Thanksgiving.

This week temps were going to drop into freezing zone, so I decided to drain the water lines and hot water tank, just in case. With the intention of winterizing after our trip.

Check out the anode rod...…….



$12 for replacement on Amazon, but just the same...…. Should take it back to RV dealer and ask for a new one, just seems to be too much hassle of a $12 part.

Wonder how many other RVs being sold out there are in the same boat?


On the plus side, at least I flushed the HWH tank.
__________________
2018 F350 6.7L DRW 4x4 (5,496 lbs payload capacity - At least what that "annoying little yellow sticker" shows)
2018 Keystone Avalanche 321RS
B&W 20K Companion hitch

Sinton4616 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 11:49 AM   #2
MattE303
Senior Member
 
MattE303's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Auburn
Posts: 319
is this a brand new trailer?
__________________

2002 Ford F350 7.3 Super Duty XLT 4x4 CC LB SRW -- Pullrite Super 5th 16K
2017 Keystone Carbon 337
2022 Honda CRF-450R
MattE303 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 11:51 AM   #3
Javi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
Just think what that water is doing to your insides...
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
Javi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 11:53 AM   #4
Sinton4616
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sinton
Posts: 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattE303 View Post
is this a brand new trailer?
Yes. Purchased it around Labor Day. Haven't even taken it out camping yet due to work schedule.


I mainly wanted to point out that even though it is a brand new RV, they do sit on the dealer's lot for a while before being sold. It's a good idea to check the rod.
__________________
2018 F350 6.7L DRW 4x4 (5,496 lbs payload capacity - At least what that "annoying little yellow sticker" shows)
2018 Keystone Avalanche 321RS
B&W 20K Companion hitch

Sinton4616 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 11:58 AM   #5
cookinwitdiesel
Senior Member
 
cookinwitdiesel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
Possibly was winterized improperly and antifreeze in the tank reacted with the anode rod? Was the HWH on the whole time?
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
cookinwitdiesel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 12:24 PM   #6
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
HWT may have been tested for leaks at the factory and the tank was never drained. Water with a high iron/sulphate content could destroy the anode within a year. What is the build date of your unit.JMO
__________________

2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 12:35 PM   #7
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
I'd guess that you bought the trailer "off the lot inventory" and this is not a special order trailer ???

Assuming that it sat on the dealer's lot for some time before you bought it, it's entirely possible that the trailer was "to be sold" to someone else, possibly months before you showed up on the lot, and the trailer PDI was performed pending that sale, which might have not happened for any number of reasons ranging from the purchaser not being able to get financing to changing his mind and buying something else.

At any rate, if the trailer was "prepped for sale" previously, the dealer may not have drained the water heater. At least you know the anode protection "works as designed"....

On the other hand, it is possible that you have some "extremely corrosive water" and the anode really did corrode in 3 or 4 months..... If that's the situation, you might want to also check the anode in your S&B water heater....

At this point, what to do???? I'd probably contact the dealer and see if they offer a replacement anode. Keep in mind they may want to see the trailer or for you to bring in the old anode. Depending on how far it is to the dealership, just the operating expense to drive there may cost you more than the price of a new anode rod..... YMMV
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 12:58 PM   #8
Sinton4616
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sinton
Posts: 63
Build date Feb 2018. I purchased Sep 2018. So figured the water in the tank was from when the unit was tested at the factory.

Either way, just glad I discovered this before our first trip. Already flushed the tank and will use the new rod for our trip. Afterwards, will winterize and work on mods over the winter.

Dealership is 20 miles down the road, not really concerned about a $12 part. Something I replaced every year on our last TT. Was just a little surprised that a new unit was this bad.
__________________
2018 F350 6.7L DRW 4x4 (5,496 lbs payload capacity - At least what that "annoying little yellow sticker" shows)
2018 Keystone Avalanche 321RS
B&W 20K Companion hitch

Sinton4616 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 02:22 PM   #9
PARAPTOR
Site Team | Emeritus
 
PARAPTOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Western PA
Posts: 2,732
Considering the condition of that anode and a worst case guess on the amount of time water may have been in the tank, that has to have been some nasty water. Even with a year or two of use, I have never experienced an Anode that bad. "Do not Drink The Water" sign required
__________________
2013 RAPTOR 300MP w/Rear Patio Deck NO Folding Side Ladder
2013 Silverado 3500HD LTZ CC LB 4X4 DRW
Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel; Allison Trans
Reese 20K; Carlisle Radial Trail RH/HD; TPMS (12 Tires)

Veteran


PSU (GO LIONS)
PARAPTOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 02:44 PM   #10
Frank G
Senior Member
 
Frank G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
Maybe, just maybe, it is a defective anode rod from the manufacture. There is also the possibility someone needed a new anode rod more than you. Who knows.
__________________
2021 Surveyor Legend 19rble
2017 Laredo 325RL
Travelers Rest Resort
www.travelersrestresort.com
Frank G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 03:39 PM   #11
wiredgeorge
Senior Member
 
wiredgeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,392
Don't think the anode rod was defective; looks like it did what it was supposed to do quite well. That is kind of a surprising amount of wear to that anode rod on an almost new trailer.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
wiredgeorge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2018, 05:01 PM   #12
Sinton4616
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Sinton
Posts: 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge View Post
Don't think the anode rod was defective; looks like it did what it was supposed to do quite well. That is kind of a surprising amount of wear to that anode rod on an almost new trailer.
Agree. Tend to think someone at the dealership needed a new one and did a swap. I can't see it being in this shape after 9 months. Not with a build date of 2/2018 and finding on 11/2018.


Either way, new one is sitting on the table, ready to install this weekend after I flush the tank again tomorrow. Already flushed once today, but received a phone call and had to go back to work. So I'll finish it tomorrow.
__________________
2018 F350 6.7L DRW 4x4 (5,496 lbs payload capacity - At least what that "annoying little yellow sticker" shows)
2018 Keystone Avalanche 321RS
B&W 20K Companion hitch

Sinton4616 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2018, 01:41 AM   #13
xrated
Senior Member
 
xrated's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,198
Someone needed a new anode rod and they swapped their old one for your new one!
__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing

"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
xrated is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2018, 08:11 AM   #14
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
Suburban markets two anode rods for their RV water heater line. Most are shipped with a magnesium anode. It will "corrode rapidly in some water conditions. The replacement rods are either magnesium (same as the factory installed rod) or aluminum. Suburban recommends, if the magnesium anode corrodes too rapidly, to replace it with an aluminum anode rod. Both offer protection to the tank lining, so either is acceptable.

It's all in the owner's manual.....
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 08:49 AM   #15
bbells
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 196
This happens all the time at car dealerships. Person needs an easily removeable part, they go look at a similar car, remove the part, replace it with the bad one, and they now have a new part to replace their bad one. We all know with the way trailers are packed in it would be simple to do this in a dealer lot. You should call the dealer and let them know what happened. I am sure it has happened before. That is why many dealers remove easily removable parts from trailers while on the lot: TV's are a good example.
bbells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 10:06 AM   #16
Third Degree
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Green Cove Springs
Posts: 45
I agree. Someone stole yours and left you theirs!
Third Degree is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 10:23 AM   #17
66joej
Senior Member
 
66joej's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Third Degree View Post
I agree. Someone stole yours and left you theirs!
Is that stealing or just exchanging?
__________________

2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
66joej is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 11:02 AM   #18
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,839
Maybe the dealership was doing a video to demonstrate how to inspect and change a defective/worn anode rod and just were so happy to get the video produced that they forgot to replace the good anode after filming ended ???
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 12:18 PM   #19
AbHDToyHauler
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 306
Another thought. I have often seen the dealerships "using" a "new" trailer as their office during shows and sales. Perhaps they did that and it had water in there etc?? Either way they have some might corrosive water going on there.
__________________
2020 GMC 3500 Denali Dually Duramax 6.6
2013 Fuzion 342 ToyHauler (Ours)
2011 Harley Davidson Streetglide custom (Mine)
2012 Harley Davidson TriGlide (Trike) (Hers)
AbHDToyHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 02:22 PM   #20
chuckster57
Site Team
 
chuckster57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
We will “borrow” a part to get a new unit over the curb, but normally it’s only a part that is specific to that model, floor plan and a replacement is ordered at the same time. I have a hard time thinking a dealer swapped one out, but then I’ve heard many stories of dealers doing shady things.
__________________

2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
chuckster57 is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
vent

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.