Drain plug in water heater

[Brakeman48]

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. 🤬🤬🤬

[Lt Keefer]

I hear you. I use an open end wrench, but it is still a pain.

[Brakeman48]

I’m thinking of going with an On Demand heater

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Brakeman48

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. ������

Not that this helps with the cuts.... The original aluminum water tank design was made by Bowen in 1966. I had a 6 gallon Bowen in my 1968 UltraVan. It was gas with pilot light and external thermostat. The pilot light blew out on windy days and while traveling. In 1972 Dometic bought Bowen and added an optional "fire stick" battery powered electric ignition. When the fire stick ignition became standard with a circuit board powering it, they moved the gas line, did away with the adjustable thermostat and did away with the removable external cover replacing it with a bottom hinged cover. Nothing of the original tank's design has changed. The tank, heat tube and burner are the same as the old Bowen design.

[EA37TS]

1/2 drive deep well socket and breaker bar. Have to jiggle the pipe a little to get the socket on the plug but it works fine every time. On my second water heater with the same design and no problems with either. You can also use the deep well socket with a ratchet and short extension but I find it easier with the breaker bar.

[Pete'sMH]

Me too. The gas pipe is in the way of any conventional wrench. You CAN do it but it’s silly. I finally bought the equally silly $4 stamped offset wrench they sell for the purpose. It’s a crummy tool but it works. My last coach had a heater you could use a socket on but not this one. Just one of those quirky RV things.

[04fxsts]

I use a socket with a speed wrench, works fine. Jim.

[99dart]

Our new to us MH has a neat little setup added by the previous owner. They added some galvanized pipe & elbow with a ball type shutoff valve. I never would have thought of that. I makes draining the hot water tank a breeze!

[droregon]

Socket with short extension.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by 99dart

Our new to us MH has a neat little setup added by the previous owner. They added some galvanized pipe & elbow with a ball type shutoff valve. I never would have thought of that. I makes draining the hot water tank a breeze!

Aluminum and steel do not play well (think galvanic corrosion). If you need an extension, it should be aluminum or CPVC plastic.

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by Brakeman48

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. 🤬🤬🤬

I have a deep socket. It works (just). The millenial designers ( Engineer is too high a characterization) never actually use their products.

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by 99dart

Our new to us MH has a neat little setup added by the previous owner. They added some galvanized pipe & elbow with a ball type shutoff valve. I never would have thought of that. I makes draining the hot water tank a breeze!

That doesn’t work if you have corrosion rod. Although it would be simple to put a separate drain on the tank bottom.

[RCouch]

I finally pulled mine out and replace it with a couple fittings, a very short piece of PEX hose, and a small ball valve. Works great.

[Travelin' Texans]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Aluminum and steel do not play well (think galvanic corrosion). If you need an extension, it should be aluminum or CPVC plastic.

Absolutely agree!
DO NOT use galvanized pipe, plastic (PVC) would be best or either aluminum or brass.

[Ifish]

Brakeman,
I also have a 35c. I use a long 3/8" extension with an adapter to a 1/2" drive socket to remove the plug and I also use it to reinstall it. No cuts, no runs, no errors.
Actually easier than it was on my Alpine Coach.

[Mrfixitman]

I got a threaded pipe and shut-off valve for plumbing and installed that so no tools, just turn the valve by hand, no drip and easy!

[catsco]

Originally Posted by Brakeman48

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. 🤬🤬🤬

He's the same guy that thought a low point drain would be best located in a small space beside the furnace. Behind the air return grill.
And another low point drain under the bed, under the main electric panel, embedded in the floor with a cutout that doesn't allow it to turn.

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by 99dart

Our new to us MH has a neat little setup added by the previous owner. They added some galvanized pipe & elbow with a ball type shutoff valve. I never would have thought of that. I makes draining the hot water tank a breeze!

That doesn’t work if you have corrosion rod. Although it would be simple to put a separate drain on the tank bottom.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Brakeman48

Need to vent. Just finished winterizing my 2016 Hurricane 35C.
I really like to meet with the engineer that decided the best place for the water heater nylon drain plug was directly behind the propane gas piping.
PS: In a dark alley. There will be blood but most of that from the cuts on my hand from the exhaust flanges. 🤬🤬🤬

Probably the same engineer that put my oil fill spout up so high you can’t get an oil bottle turned upside down to fill it.

[Jimbo56]

I’ll bet Duckie has a mod for this!