Two new cracked water tanks in my camper in two years

[Dewey72]

Ok, needing some community expertise. I have a 2008 Pioneer Spirit. Last year I had an old tank that I did not winterize correctly and it split right behind the electronics on the outside. I replaced it with a brand new Dometic 6 gallon last year. I followed the winterization more closely this last fall. Keep the outside plug loose. I even tilted the camper's feet to see if I could get more out. Antifreeze the rest of the line with proper bypass. I store my camper outside but put a heavy camper cover (insulated) over it. Ran spring start-up and another crack (this time right in between the cold and hot intake). I decided to just buy another one versus messing with a welded patch. What in the heck am I doing wrong? I do have a large shop attached to my house that is heated. If I have to move some stuff around in that shop, maybe that is the best play? I am just baffled as to what I am doing wrong in the process.

[firestation12]

Is this the tank to the water heater that has a 6 gallon capacity you've replaced??? When you winterized he tank, did you remove the heating element to completely empty the tank?

[chuckster57]

You don’t have to remove the heating element, but you should remove the drain plug/anode rod. That will allow just about all the water to drain out, and allow for the little bit left to expand like an ice tray in the freezer.

[sourdough]

Depending on the brand of the water heater you either remove the drain plug or the anode rod - both drain the tank. Leave the plug out. When done like that any water in the bottom will push out the drain hole and not break anything. The winterization process protects lots of things but the water heater is not usually the first thing to fail - that would take a lot. What exactly is your process?