Can I JUST replace the tank?

Lantley wrote:

This is wear you are applying a bit of false economy. You are taking out 10 year old parts and putting them back in vs. using new parts. The value of the parts is negligible it the labor portion that is the deal breaker. I understand you are not paying for labor but the parts are not likely to last 10 years which will leave you back at square 1 with a broken heater.
Sure it would be nice if the entire thing failed at the same time, however it doesn't work that way. You are better off hitting the reset button and starting over with a brand new heater vs. a new tank with old parts. You are just kicking the can down the road.
The money and labor you save today will be spent tomorrow!

I'm curious why you think the other parts would not last ten years (or at least a decently long time) longer. Plenty of 20 year old RV water heaters are still heating water very nicely with many original parts. I have a 20 year old Atwood in my motorhome, for just one example, and it has not given me a lick of trouble--and I think the previous owner only had to replace a thermostat or some other relatively minor part.

Clearly a lot would have to do with the general condition of the rest of the unit, and I think the poster who's contemplating the work would be in a better position to gauge that than I would be using mental telepathy or whatever. Likewise, they'd also have a better idea of how much or little they value their time vs. their cash. Some people have much more of one than the other at their disposal, and that can make choices that are sensible in one case less desirable in another.