Water heater question

[Tyandkate]

I've got a Atwood gas/electric water heater on my 07 jayco 25z feather light and I'm wondering about the anode rod (i think is the name). I saw at my local RV shop the one was thin and looked like the water had beat it I then they had a larger one. Well I want to pull mine today and all I have was a plastic screw I got it loose and drained out the water. But my question is should I purchase one to put it in its place?

[Tyandkate]

Thanks for the additional info, I've owned my jayco for a year now, I did notice what appeared to be sand in the nylon cap, I also noticed what looked like sand in my fresh tank when I dumped drained it. So somewhere down the line I must have came across a bad water source. I'm planning to invest in a full system filter.

[Old-Biscuit]

Atwood would have supplied one if one was needed/required......aftermarket sells one for Atwood but that is just to get your RVng Monies

Atwood WH Tank is aluminum with an aluminum/zinc cladding on interior of tank so an anode rod is not necessary.
Nylon plug is used due to aluminum threads in tank drain hole opening AND due to high temp requirements


Suburban WH Tank is STEEL tank that is glass-lined. Glass-lining is to protect steel tank BUT not all areas get fully coated, glass has hairline cracks and imperfections so a 'sacrificial rod' is installed to provide additional protection from corrosion/rust.
Anode rod is combined with drain plug and come in Magnesium or Aluminum material
(OEM by Suburban is Magnesium)


Just drain/flush water heater a couple times a year to get rid of any scaling/crud from water source

[Tyandkate]

Thanks for the input! That rests my mind a bit

[LOFAT36]

Your tank is aluminum & you don't need one. Steel tanks do.