Draining hot water tank?

[Pete'sMH]

Do you all drain your hot water tank after every trip? I've been leaving it full if we will be using it again in a few weeks but draining it if it will be stored longer than that. Can't get all the water out anyway so I'm not sure there's any point to draining prior to winterizing. Thank you.

[Laco]

No need to drain it, but once a year remove and replace the anode rod. If you do that you will likely get many years of trouble free service from it.

[SuperD]

Only time you need to drain the tank is for winterizing. You won't get all the water out but there will only be a very slight amount in the bottom of the tank. You absolutely need to drain for the winter to prevent tank damage, what little water is left will have room to expand so it won't hurt anything when it freezes.

[Ron1Z]

After I drain my water system and pull the plug on the hot water tank, I take the MH for a short ride. When you make a turn look in the mirror you would be surprised how much water is coming out.

[blw2]

for what it's worth....
my outdoor shower is located on a level below my water heater.
To drain, I open the hot water side on that shower, then crack open the TPRV to vent.
Since the hot discharge pipe is located at the same level as the drain plug, it's more or less getting the same result in my thinking.

No I don't drain it every time.

About the need to drain.....I did come back to my campsite once to find TH TPRV dripping. Well I learned form that the the water heater needs an air space. Over time with use, that air space gets filled with water, so once in a while you need to burp the heater (drain it a bit) to let some air in otherwise the expansion form heating will cause it to drip