Anyone know for sure what size socket fits the Atwood drain plug ? New to Atwood have always had Suburban before with the anode rod. Atwood plug is plastic, does it need replaced often ? Does it need Teflon tape? Are the replacement plugs that have drains built in worth it or is it just as easy to remove the plastic plug? Thanks

Atwood used 2 different size plugs (drain hole is 1/2")One plug used a 7/8" socket and other plug uses 15/16" socketPlugs are nylon tapered thread so teflon tape is not needed but can be used Plug threads do become damaged but come 2 to pak when purchased. Nylon is used due to WH tank being aluminum. Nylon is also used due to it's temp rating And with the drain hole size it is hard enough getting crud flushed out when draining/rinsing tank. Screw a plug in with built in drain you just make drain hole size even smaller.I turn off water supply, pressure on HOT water system, remove drain plug and then turn water supply back on and let it blast out thru drain hole. This helps remove crud from bottom of water heater.

msb1766 wrote:Mine is 27mmThat would be for a Suburban WH.....1 1/16"

15/16 six point is the best.Using a six point socket saves the corners so the plug lasts longer.

My Atwood is 7/8" Don't use any Teflon tape. Mine now is six years old and I have never had a problem with it. Just snug it up and don't over tighten it.Jack L

Atwood WH Drain Plug | Good Sam Community

GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
LinkedXJ wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
Mine was 7/8. I replaced it with a butterfly valve that makes it much easier to drain.

Bingo!

Do this!

Butterfly drain / Petcock

Do you remove valve and flush crud out of tank?

Nope, I open it whenever we break camp and by the time we get to the next stopping point, the tank is empty and the crud is on the ledge below. With a rinse and wipe, it's gone.
Mikesr
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
enblethen wrote:
I just went out and verified. It is 15/16 inch.

Thanks I will take both sockets along.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 11, 2015
I just went out and verified. It is 15/16 inch.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
Mikesr wrote:
Thanks for all the good responses to my question. Looks like it will be 7/8 6 point.

I just checked my own Atwood water heater on which I'm using an authentic Atwood plug and there's no way anything less than a 15/16" socket would fit.
Mikesr
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
Thanks for all the good responses to my question. Looks like it will be 7/8 6 point. The TT is currently upstate at a seasonal site and I want to blow out the lines to prevent what may be a mid October below freezing temperatures in northern Pennsylvania. I just want to make sure I have all the right tools and parts along. I Plan to winterize the unit in the conventional manner in mid November. We plan to use it 2 more times before Thanksgiving. I plan to get some extra plugs and look into the more permanent drain for these late season drains. Thanks again.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2015
LinkedXJ wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
Mine was 7/8. I replaced it with a butterfly valve that makes it much easier to drain.

Bingo!

Do this!

Butterfly drain / Petcock

Do you remove valve and flush crud out of tank?
LinkedXJ
Explorer
Oct 11, 2015
GrandpaKip wrote:
Mine was 7/8. I replaced it with a butterfly valve that makes it much easier to drain.

Bingo!

Do this!

Butterfly drain / Petcock
tnrv_er
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2015
I used Teflon tape on it.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2015
Mine was 7/8. I replaced it with a butterfly valve that makes it much easier to drain.
tatest
Explorer II
Oct 10, 2015
After 10+ years, I've replaced the original plug with a new one of the same material. The old one was starting to feel brittle. Replacement plugs of different plastics might not have the same life.

I've always used a short handle adjustable wrench, find I can get it into the space more easily than a socket and I have a better feel for just how tight I am getting the plug. I remove the plug to drain the tank each time I put the RV into storage.

I've used no tape, the plug is tapered and seals well when tightened properly.