# Travel >> Transportation >> RV

RV Water Heater Instructions

RV water heaters are designed to provide hot water for showers and cooking. The best recommendation is to keep the tank empty for winter storage to prevent expansion and cracking of the tank and to not use winterizing formulas. The anode rod in most RV water water heaters prevents high content of iron or sulfate from attaching to the tank walls and shortening the tank's life span.

The most important parts of maintaining an RV water heater are maintaining an air gap and proper winterizing that requires draining and cleaning.

Spare replacement anode rod
Manufacturer's instructions for your water heater model
1 1/16-socket and ratchet.

Instructions

Creating an Air Pocket
- 1
  Create an air pocket in your hot water heater by turning off the water heater at the main switch inside the RV and turning off the cold water supply. Open a faucet inside the RV to relieve water pressure. Leave the water running.
- 2
  Go outside and pull out the handle on the pressure relief valve on the water heater. Allow the heater to empty completely and release the valve to close.
- 3
  Go back inside the trailer and close the faucet.
- 4
  Turn the water supply back on and allow the water heater to fill up. An air gap will form that allows the tank to expand.
Winterizing the Hot Water Heater
- 5
  Go inside the trailer and turn off the power to the water heater.
- 6
  Go where your propane tank is located and turn off the gas supply to the trailer.
- 7
  Open all the hot and cold water faucets inside the trailer, including the shower.
- 8
  Turn on the by-pass valve to prevent any water from entering the water heater.
- 9
  Remove the anode rod from the hot water heater; this will cause the water heater to drain completely. Inspect the rod for excessive decay and replace as needed.
- 10
  Go inside the trailer and close all fixtures