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RVDad
04-14-2019, 08:37 PM
We just bought a slightly used 2017 keystone hideout 262lhs. I have a few questions if anyone could help out.

The trailer came with a central vacuum system and we cannot figure out how to change the bags, are there bags?

My brother in law said something about replacing an anode in the water heater, the dealer said nothing to me about this. Does anyone have info on this?

jsb5717
04-14-2019, 09:02 PM
Don't know about the vac but if your water heater has an annode you'll find it under the exterior cover to your water heater. It will be at the bottom and just looks like a large bolt and is about 10" long extruding into the tank. It's purpose is to attract the minerals in the water that would otherwise attack and do damage to the tank itself. It does corrode over time and should be replaced. When you pull it out you will also drain the water that's in the tank so be prepared. Just unscrew and remove it. With a little thread tape screw in the new one.

sourdough
04-14-2019, 09:15 PM
What brand of hwh do you have? As best I know Atwoods do not have the anode and Suburbans will.

RVDad
04-14-2019, 09:22 PM
Jsb5717, will it be a problem to remove it, and then put it back if it isn't due to be changed yet?

Sourdough, I'm not sure of the brand, but I did see a black bolt under the cover when I inspected it.

jsb5717
04-15-2019, 05:05 AM
No, that's not a problem. It doesn't do anything but sit there (and also hold the water in the tank so make sure it's sealed). You will see, with time, what the corrosion looks like as the rod will look like something has been eating it and it gets smaller as the outer material erodes.

When winterizing you will want to remove the rod just to drain the water from the tank then reinstall when it's empty. The tank in my previous 5er did not have an anode, just a nylon plug in the same location for draining.

Found this online. This is what you can expect

JRTJH
04-15-2019, 05:23 AM
Here's a chart showing some anode rods. All are "good enough" to reuse except the obvious. There is a "steel rod" in the center of the anode, so no, it won't break at the end and fall into the tank. Any time you remove the anode, you should clean the threads and apply fresh Teflon tape (some prefer white pipe sealant). DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, the threads are tapered and it won't "screw in far enough to seat the shoulders to the fitting.

In the color photo, the top rod needs replacement, the center rod is reusable and the bottom rod is new.

RVDad
04-15-2019, 06:29 PM
Thanks for the information on the anode rod. I'm going to check it out and see what I can see!

chuckster57
04-15-2019, 06:48 PM
1 1/16” socket.

BamaRam
04-15-2019, 08:12 PM
My 2018 Hideout has a Intervac central vac. Link to bags. (https://www.amazon.com/Y10-5-Replacement-CS6-CS8-Vacuums/dp/B00MAQ5TA8?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffnt-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00MAQ5TA8)

But after one season, we discovered it is highly inefficient so we now bring the Shark. I'll probably take the intervac out and install a drawer in its place.

08titan
04-18-2019, 06:04 PM
Here is a pic of vacuum bag21445

RVDad
04-18-2019, 06:15 PM
How do you get into where the bags go?

upstater49
04-25-2019, 08:10 AM
How do you get into where the bags go?Pull the whole face plate straight off.

larryflew
04-25-2019, 01:33 PM
It takes one time vacuuming to find it isn't worth the cost of a bag. Ours came with our Alpine and we did one actual vacuuming before deciding the storage for the hoses etc was more useful if we threw the vacuum parts away. Besides that our bag and blower where located in the center of the storage compartment wall which made that wall pretty useless for storage because you have to have airflow there for vac to work.

RVDad
04-25-2019, 02:53 PM
I appreciate all the information from everyone. I haven't had a chance to get back to the storage unit to use any of this knowledge, but once I do, I'll let everyone know.

Thanks again everyone!

Modifier
04-27-2019, 09:27 AM
What brand of hwh do you have? As best I know Atwoods do not have the anode and Suburbans will.

Some models of both Atwood and Suburban have anode rods in them.
The lining of the tank determines if a rod is needed. The Suburban rods are longer and more expensive. I ordered a new Suburban rod this week from Camping World. The cost was about $12.00. The rod I am replacing has lasted for seven years.

sourdough
04-27-2019, 09:37 AM
Some models of both Atwood and Suburban have anode rods in them.
The lining of the tank determines if a rod is needed. The Suburban rods are longer and more expensive. I ordered a new Suburban rod this week from Camping World. The cost was about $12.00. The rod I am replacing has lasted for seven years.

I was unaware of that. I thought Atwood (Dometic) had always used an aluminum tank??

P&DZ
04-28-2019, 03:03 PM
When replacing the anode remember the following:
Shut off the water pump!
Let the water cool if the heater has been in operation
De-pressurize the tank with the pressure valve located at the top of the tank!
Then remove the anode

If there is pressure in the tank when you unscrew the anode, both the anode and the water will release like a bullet. I know this from a very recent experience. Fortunately I was not standing directing in front of the heater.