Which anode rod?

NashTT wrote:
We've RVed since 1979, but I now own Suburban water heater for the first time. We've always has 6 gal. Atwoods so the anode rod is new to us. I suspect it's time to change it (18 months).but I want a replacement before I go to the trouble of taking the present one out. I don't know whether I need aluminum or magnesium and I can't seem to match part numbers up. My book says #231419 but Amazon has #232768 or #232767. By the way, we love the 10 gal. vs. the 6 gal. We have yet to run out of hot water.

I remove the anode rod several times a year to drain the water heater. I don't see it as a lot of trouble and I get to inspect the anode at the same time

I have the same one for 14 years.

It depends on what minerals are in the water as to which anode is used.

Glad this question was posted because I have concerns about which anode to choose, magnesium or aluminium.
Like NashTT I never had an anode rod in the past but my new trailer has a magnesium anode that looks like swiss cheese after a single season and I estimate is about 1/2 consumed.
Since we travel a lot, we probably average a dozen different RV parks (different water supplies)in a month and never know what water to expect.
A couple of you have answered that you use aluminium but I believe that magnesium gives more protection?

It really depends on your water quality as to whether it has worn out that fast.
Around here it takes 4 or 5 years to wear one out.

Use the magnesium one.

You may not HAVE to replace it but they are so cheap the only downside is the trouble to go thru. Be sure you have the threads aligned before putting a wrench on the rod.

I would get the standard Suburban aluminum rod. Camco part number 11562/11563 depending on packaging.

I ran into the same problem. I went with the aluminum one, but that was just me.