Water heater socket size?

[Kcarr]

Went to drain my water heater for the winter, and could not get adjustable wrench to drain plug. Looks like I need to buy a large socket. Does anyone know what size socket I need. My trailer is a Laredo 303TG. Thanks for your help.

[Htfiremedic]

I used a good ol metric adjustable wrench

[rrohrer]

My aerolite camper used a 27mm. My keystone uses 24mm. I ended up borrowing neighbor's tools to figure out which one I needed, then went out and got the right one.

[SAABDOCTOR]

15/16

[JRTJH]

You usually can't get an adjustable wrench on the drain by putting it along the drain sides, but if you approach it from the top of the drain plug (which is actually the front of the water heater if you're standing in front of it) you can usually get an adjustable wrench on the top of the plug and use a screwdriver in the hole on the other end of the wrench to turn it. The wrench will only turn about 1/8th turn, then you'll have to put it on the next "flats" on the drain plug. Keep doing that until it's loose enough to turn by hand and you're done.

Mine is 15/16th, but it was a lot easier to get a 8" crescent wrench on the top of the plug.

Don't forget, if it is the metal plug with or without an anode rod, when you put it back in, apply new teflon tape to the threads !!! Otherwise, it won't come out next year!!!!! This doesn't apply to the nylon plugs.

[gkainz]

I think mine (Laredo 24RL 5er) ... Suburban (maybe?) water heater? is 1 1/8"

edit - more caveats above than a political campaign promise! I probably should have just not replied!

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by gkainz

I think mine (Laredo 24RL 5er) ... Suburban (maybe?) water heater? is 1 1/8"

edit - more caveats above than a political campaign promise! I probably should have just not replied!

1 1/8 is for the element. 15/16 for the metal plug w/anode.

[Laredo291OH]

Just to throw in another opinion.... won't get into the political thing. I just winterized my 291TG last weekend (the 303TGs shorter & lighter cousin), used a 1-1/8" socket to remove the plug/anode in order to drain the water heater.

[hankpage]

I stand corrected .... Element is 1 1/2" Anode rod is 1 1/16" on Suburban water heaters. You had to make the old man go out and check ... didn't ya??? I knew I should not have trusted my memory, Hank

[Festus2]

Whatever the size of the drain plug, when you remove it, be careful when you are getting near the end. If you are in a hurry, you may get a good soaking from the sudden gush of water.

[byrdr1]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Whatever the size of the drain plug, when you remove it, be careful when you are getting near the end. If you are in a hurry, you may get a good soaking from the sudden gush of water.

U R

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Whatever the size of the drain plug, when you remove it, be careful when you are getting near the end. If you are in a hurry, you may get a good soaking from the sudden gush of water.

I wonder how he knows that???

[Kcarr]

Thanks for all the different sizes! Lol. To bad my camper is keep an hour away at site. Good thing a have a Nieghbor that is a mechanic, going to borrow the range on sizes and then buy one later.
Thanks for the advise about the tape for next year!

[geo]

Originally Posted by Htfiremedic

I used a good ol metric adjustable wrench

Htfiremedic - Barney didn't respond, so I will. I trust that metric adjustable wrench was also left-handed?

And as Festus2 said, I always open the hot water line low point valve first to assure there is no pressure in the HW tank and that the water isn't too hot.

Ron

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by hankpage

I wonder how he knows that???

Hank -
I was in a hurry. That's how I know that. But now, I'm too old to hurry so I won't get soaked any more.

[reubenray]

I was prepared with a 15/16 socket, but my plug took a 7/8 socket instead.

[Pappydude]

Gush of water got me the first time and I'd already washed, dried and waxed the 5th wheel to prepare for winter storage. Got the entire side wet, and ME wetter!! Now I open the pressure relief valve first..........