Atwood water heater anode rod

Attwood heaters are made of aluminum and don't use an anode. Suburban heaters require an anode because they are glass lined steel and subject to galvanic corrosion.

Here is a quote from the Atwood website.

"Atwood water heater tanks are constructed of a high strength aluminum.
The interior of the tank consists of a .0015 thickness of type 7072
aluminum (pure aluminum and zinc) that is fused to the core during the
rolling process. This material protects the tanks from the effects of heavy
metals and salts found in waters throughout the country. It is anodic to
these heavy metals and acts much like an anode in a steel glass lined
tank except it will last much longer. Aftermarket Anode Rods are not
required and should not be used and will void warranty."

No anode rod needed.

They make an Anode rod for Atwood. NOT an Atwood part and NOT needed on an Atwood. You NEVER install a metal plug on an Atwood. You only use a Plastic plug. Metal plugs will seize to the aluminum threads. Doug

Just cause 'THEY' advised you should use one.....THEY are WRONG!

Lots of items ar available via aftermarket but that has no relationship to actual need.


Atwood doesn't supply one OEM..doesn't have an Atwood part number and states they are NOT required.

Do the vinegar soak.
Remove T&P Relief Valve
Install NEW NYLON drain plug...Atwood uses NYLON due to high temp rating (Plastic temp rating is NOT high enough)
10 gal WH tank------6 gallons of vinegar/4 gallons water
Use funnel and fill WH tank with mixture
Install T&P Relief Valve
Run WH thru 4-5 heat cycles W/O using/adding any water
Heat/let cool....repeat
Then drain WH and flush

(Do a 'power flush' but removing drain plug and then turning water on full and let it BLAST out of drain hole.....drain hole is only 1/2")

Plug should be the nylon from Atwood or other after market.
No anode rod.

All correct. Return the anode and just buy the "two pack" of Atwood brand nylon drain plugs. I like 2 1/4 wraps of teflon tape on the plug.

Be sure to either flush out or "vacuum" out (5' siphon hose)the minerals in the bottom of the tank-- the drain is NOT in the absolute bottom.

And as is all to typical, Camco says "Camco RV Magnesium Anode Rod extends the life of a water heater by attracting corrosive elements in the water, protecting the tank and elements from corrosion. This Anode Rod fits Atwood water heaters."

I'm not suggesting to believe this, just repeating what they say.

If Camco stated that, they are FOS.

I installed a drain valve, so I could drain the tank without using the pressure relief valve to drain sediment. which I did twice a year as I was a snowbird. going from hard water to soft water each season... which is hard on water heaters..