Bowen Water Heater in '62 Overlander

[62olander]

Hi everybody,

I am the proud new owner of a 1962 Overlander, and I am trying to understand the systems and how they work.

The Water heater is the original Bowen, and it seems very different from the modern DSI water heater in my last trailer. After I remove the shroud on the outside, I cannot find a drain plug or pressure relief valve. I did find a drain plug on the inside under the gaucho (looks like it hasn't been touched in years). Also, I also found a multiport valve on the inside near the top of the tank. One of the ports is labeled "drain", and a rubber hose is attached that goes down through the floor and through the belly skin. Is that the relief valve?

I have used the water heater about 3-4 times now, it seems to work well. I just want to make sure it is safe and get some info on how to drain/maintain it etc.

Thanks.

[HiHoAgRV]

It looks like the propane controls have been replaced with a newer style sometime in the last 52 years. My '63 Bowen has a drain valve on the inside rear quadrant. The hot water outlet incorporates a pop off valve that has another pipe exiting thru the floor.

[Aage]

Time for a new water heater,no matter what maintenance has been done to your existing one.

A nice Atwood 6 gallon with remote start should do the job nicely. Safer, more secure, and a lot more efficient PLUS no more standing out in the rain to light it.