Would an 84 have come with a gas only water heater? I know the water heater that is currently installed is dual fuel but the electric portion is hooked to a washing machine power cord and has been plugged as needed by the previous owner. There are no switches I can find that would have controlled the water heater.
Aftermarket modification. Not particularly safe if there is no thermostat controlling the heating element. There are legitimate, UL listed electric upgrades for most gas only water heaters that have thermostats and proper wiring but yours sounds like someone's science project.
I wouldn't use it.
Mike
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Sorta new (usually dirty) Nissan Titan XD (hardly paid for)
Middle-aged Safari SE
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I have an '82 and it was originally only gas but the PO added a "HotRod" which seems to work well (one of the UL approved types n2916s mentioned). I'm not sure how much life my tank has left in it anyway but when it dies I'll replace it with a factory unit that is electric/gas if I can. You may be in a similar situation from the age of your trailer.
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