Is my hot water tank suppose to have an Anode rod?

[Tony E]

Hi everyone. This year we just got into RV'ing and its great. I was just watching a video about doing maintenance on your hot water tank and I saw the gentleman replaced his anode rod. I just winterized my RV and I took the bottom drain plug that was just a plastic drain plug out of the bottom of the hot water tank. We bought our RV used and its a 2018 Passport 239ML with a 6 gallon water tank. My question is is my water tank suppose to have an Anode rode in it and the people that owned the trailer before me took it out for some reason and just plugged up the hole or is it possible that my hot water tank does not have nor need an Anode rod? Thanks for your help as always and happy camping

[chuckster57]

What brand is your water heater? Some don’t require an anode rod.

[Tony E]

I am not sure what brand name it is as it is in storage. I went on the Keystone site and it probably is an Atwood hot water tank. I never knew some have and some don't have one but i just want to make sure that if mine is suppose to have one that it gets one. I wonder how if it doesn't have an Anode rod it gets rid of all of the stuff that would normally stick to the rod?

[JRTJH]

Atwood water heaters do not have an anode rod. The water tank is "aluminumized" and serves as its own anode. Typically, they have a plastic tank drain plug.

Suburban water heaters do have an anode rod. The water tank is porcelain covered steel and it will corrode, so an anode rod is used to protect the steel tank. Typically, they have a steel plug with the anode rod attached.

[Tony E]

Well thanks chuckster and JR for the help. I guess mine is good and I don't need one. Thanks again for the help.

[BrooksFam]

Good info, as I was told by the dealer my HW heater didn't have an anode rod and that was news to me. I need to check this out further for my own piece of mind.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Tony E

Well thanks chuckster and JR for the help. I guess mine is good and I don't need one. Thanks again for the help.

If you bought a used trailer don't assume that because it has a plastic plug for the water heater that that water heater is an Atwood and not a Suburban.
I've seen anode rods replaced by plastic plugs and vice a versa

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by BrooksFam

Good info, as I was told by the dealer my HW heater didn't have an anode rod and that was news to me. I need to check this out further for my own piece of mind.

In the outer compartment will be a sticker with the make/model of your water heater. You will want to jot this down as it will be needed in the event you buy replacement parts.