Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank Corrosion Protection (11563), Silver

I now keep a spare on hand. The first time I checked the water heater anode (never knew about them before) I pulled out a rusty steel rod core. NO anode! Most RV campgrounds do not stock this part (and there are two different sizes) which means you have to try to track down a parts center. Pain! Camco is as good as any other brand out there.

I had no idea that travel trailer heaters required the periodic replacement of these aluminum anodes until a friend told me. My trailer was five years old already, and the original anode was still in the heater. When I took the old anode out to put in this new one, I almost could not get it out. It had partially disintegrated while doing its work. The only problem with these anodes is the difficulty of installation. The round tip that goes back into the heater is long enough and heavy enough that holding it horizontal while you start to screw it in requires a bit of hand and wrench skills. I finally inserted the hex head into a hex socket and used my ratchet wrench to screw it in. Be sure to use plumbers pipe tape on the threads before you screw the unit in to prevent water leaks around the threads.

$15 is cheap insurance for what could ammount to a well over $500 repair. Campers arent cheap and niether is maintenance on them when something goes wrong. I think the ounce of prevention rule was written for RV and home owners. Anode rods are designed to prevent harmful build-up in your hot water heater by causing the build-up to form on them. Yes it works! While your getting one for you camper, you might want to check the one in your house hot water heater (yes it has one too, and I bet its in need of replacement as well.) 5 minutes and 15 bucks can save you hundreds down the road.

This is the best price! I use it to add life to my water heater, hard water eats the rod, not the inside of your water heater

These are a real must! I will be ordering the version with the twist knob in the middle next time instead of taking the anode out every time to drain the tank. Very please for the price and fit perfectly, good product and obviously works right away on the first trip!

Difficult to screw in! It wasnt just me, my plumber couldnt insert it all the way either. Maybe the diameter of the screw part is just a little too big? (My 5th wheel is a 2012.) Good enough, though, its not leaking.

Fit as it is ment to be

What can I say? Its an aluminum anode rod for an RV water heater (dont you hate it when people say hot water heater? Why would you need to heat hot water?). It fits my Atwood 6 gallon water heater, in my 10 year old Wanderer fifth wheel trailer. There you go.

Great value. Less expensive than the camping store. Easy to install or remove.)

Safety for hot water tank!