Install new water heater 1984 Soverign

[moorebree]

Need to know the best way to replace a water heater. We had a bad winterization and the tank split. The tank is under the bed. I have nothing in there now and need to know the easiest way to replace. Which brand/type to buy and maybe a how-to manual.

[woodfox45]

I replaced mine in my 85 Sovereign with a Atwood same as what was in there it's a pretty easy job , Mine was under bathroom counter so yours should be easy to get at . you will need to deal with the pex tubing .

[HowieE]

The heater come out and go in from the outside. In my case I had to trim the exterior skin a little to clear the new heaters insulation when installing.
Other than that it is a straight forward install.

Are you sure the leak is the tank? Unless the heater was not drained at all the water left in the bottom f the tank should not split the tank because of the curved sides.

[airdreamers]

If you indeed have to replace the tank be sure to replace it with a tank with an electric heater element. WOW! What a different Hot Water all the time with gas and electric when on shore power. Best thing I ever did was put an electric heating element (Hott Shot from Camping World $100+-) in my water heater.

[HowieE]

If you consider an electric element in the heater consider these point first. You will have to run electric to the heater and you are limited in choices in the panel. That additional load may limit your use of the AC. Check the current of the element.

[airdreamers]

Originally Posted by HowieE

If you consider an electric element in the heater consider these point first. You will have to run electric to the heater and you are limited in choices in the panel. That additional load may limit your use of the AC. Check the current of the element.

What I did was to wire an 110V inlet to the outside of the Airstream from the water heater, now I am able to supply power separately from the AC power source just for the Water Heater, therefore separate circuit from the trailer.

[ijustlee]

Buy the same size and brand as what's there and you should be able to re-use the same screw holes to attach it. You will probably have to make a hole in the new housing for the gas line. I would opt for the electric element as it doesn't cost much extra and is very handy to have. The pipe fittings on a newer model will probably be in slightly different locations and will require a bit of fiddling with pipe routing, at least that was my experience.