So this is my 3rd camper w the same Atwood water heater w/plastic plug. It's terribly located to get a wrench to tighten it, and it cross threads everytime I try to reinstall it. There has to be a way to do this easily. Suggestions?

Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.

rjxj wrote:Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.+1

B-n-B wrote:rjxj wrote:Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.+1The long extension has made it easier for me as well. Matt

I got some extra plugs and a RV water heater wrench from Amazon. I always start it by hand, turning in the left (counter-clock-wise) direction a couple of turns which seems to help line up the threads. Then get it finger tight, and finish up with the wrench.

Drain hole is 1/2" NPT threads...........plug is High Temp Nylon also NPT threads(NPT.....National Pipe Threads=====tapered)Use a short brass pipe nipple (/2" NPT) to clean/chase the drain hole threadsTHis will remove any crud between threads, straighten threads and clean them upThen install NEW plug using fingers then snug up with a socket/long extension.And just snug after finger tight....remember drain hole & plug are tampered

Water heater plastic plug cross thread | Good Sam Community

azrving
Explorer
May 23, 2016
Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.
B-n-B
Explorer III
May 23, 2016
rjxj wrote:
Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.

+1
Rainier
Explorer
May 23, 2016
B-n-B wrote:
rjxj wrote:
Start it a few turns in by hand then use a short socket with a long extension.

+1

The long extension has made it easier for me as well.

Matt
AmericalVette
Explorer
May 23, 2016
I got some extra plugs and a RV water heater wrench from Amazon. I always start it by hand, turning in the left (counter-clock-wise) direction a couple of turns which seems to help line up the threads. Then get it finger tight, and finish up with the wrench.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 23, 2016
Drain hole is 1/2" NPT threads...........plug is High Temp Nylon also NPT threads

(NPT.....National Pipe Threads=====tapered)

Use a short brass pipe nipple (/2" NPT) to clean/chase the drain hole threads
THis will remove any crud between threads, straighten threads and clean them up

Then install NEW plug using fingers then snug up with a socket/long extension.
And just snug after finger tight....remember drain hole & plug are tampered
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 23, 2016
my drain plug is behind a copper tube so a standard socket will not work. I bought a double box end wrench at sears that had a ratchet mechanism that fits in the space and is easy to use. I "thought" that mine was a 3/4 NPT however??
bumpy
Tvov
Explorer II
May 23, 2016
I found that a little corner of sheet metal was blocking most wrench movement for my heater plug. The sheet metal is part of the heat shielding. I bent the corner out of the way, being careful to move as little as possible so as to not affect it's heat shielding ability. Now I can fit a wrench there for the plug.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
May 23, 2016
take a good look at your plug, if the threads are messed up a bit get a new one at lowes.
pawpaw47
Explorer
May 23, 2016
I purchased this from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-11633-Water-Heater-Wrench/dp/B00BMRRZ94/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464002050&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=rv+water+hater+wrench

works great!
Bumpyroad
Explorer
May 23, 2016
pawpaw47 wrote:
I purchased this from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-11633-Water-Heater-Wrench/dp/B00BMRRZ94/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464002050&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=rv+water+hater+wrench

works great!

that is similar to the wrench I bought at Sears IIRC only mine is ratcheting. as you say, works great.
bumpy