Water heater anode
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6938
Printed Date: 13 Jul 2025 at 2:18pm
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Topic: Water heater anode
Posted By: Ralphie2
Subject: Water heater anode
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 10:20pm
| We bought our 178 earlier this year and have been out for 3 long weekends. I removed the anode after each use. This last weekend there was leaking around the anode where it screws in. It seemed to me I had it as tight as possible though a few threds showed. I would like to resolve this before our first extended trip in October and would appreciate any suggestions. |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 11:15pm
|
Hello from San Antonio and congratulations on your new 178, we have one as well. It's normal to see a few threads exposed on the anode rod. If its leaking I would pull it out and clean both the tank and rod threads with a stiff brush. Maybe even a small wire brush if necessary taking care to not contaminate the tank. After you have the threads clean and dry wrap the anode rod about three times with teflon tape counter clock wise. Its kinda stretchy to wrap it tight, but not so tight that it over stretches and thins the tape. Install the anode rod and snug it up. There are other plumbing products that can be used if the tape fails to stop the leak. Good luck, come on back and let us know how it works out.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Ralphie2
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:52am
| Thanks for the suggestion. We will give it a try |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 11:26am
| Just wondering, why do you remove the anode rod? |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 1:10pm
|
+1 for threads will still show, +1 for cleaning the threads on the tank, and +1 for using teflon tape BTW, there is an anode rod available for Suburban heaters which has a built-in drain plug. I know it may look tempting, but I don't recommend it simply because it drains very, very slowly (around an hour). ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 2:26pm
|
We usually dont deal with the anode until we are winterizing and then it is just checking it and then we have a plastic screw in cap that we leave in for the winter. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Ralphie2
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 7:48pm
| I was told to remove the anode when the tank is not in use because it greatly extends its useful life. So have been taking it out after each trip. Will thoroughly clean and use the Teflon tape, suspect that will solve the problem. Thanks to all |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:07pm
|
I've never heard that. I have a Montana 5th wheel that is 5 years old and have never removed the anode. I don't think anyone in any of the RV groups we belong to do this.
Who told you to do this? The r-pod folks don't say to do this. I'm not saying you shouldn't do this just that I have never heard of doing it. |
Posted By: Ralphie2
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:22pm
|
When we purchased our rpod earlier this yearthey told us that when we got our orientation. I also called the service department yesterday while trying to resolve this problem and they reiterated that we should remove when not in use. Curious??
|
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:26pm
|
You should check your anode at least annually. For those of us who have to winterize, removing it is a necessary step and its condition is rather obvious when you pull it out... so I can see why no one would go out of their way to specifically mention checking it. As far as extending the life of the anode rod by removing it... of course, water quality plays a significant role in the life of an anode. All the same, mine is six years old and remains immersed in the tank throughout the camping season; it wasn't in too bad of shape when I checked it last autumn. A new one costs around $18. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 8:12am
|
Leave it in for each season, and don't worry about draining the tank until you winterize. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2015 at 10:57am
| I guess one of the reasons we don't worry about this is that out here in "God's Country" we don't have to winterize we use our rigs year round. |