Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: RKS on August 26, 2026, 02:48:10 pm
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Currently at Acadia National Park, Schoodic unit. Water heater has sprung a leak, all fittings sound and appears to be originating on the bottom. Wondering if any one has replaced theirs and if so with what brand and how the installation went. Suburban sells a unit that supposedly is direct replacement for the now defunct Atwood brand. Any thoughts are appreciated.
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I never had my 2007 HWT out, but I have serviced it. One place of potential leakage/failure is the electric heating element. It has plastic that just might have cracked. If you are able to access yours like I am, it is at a low point close to the floor and faces towards the inside of the motorhome. I had to remove the access panel to get to it. If you decide to change it, first place as many towels as you can stuff because even with the HWT empty, 1/2 gallon of water still comes out, I assume to assure the element stays submerged even with an empty tank for protection from accidental turn-on during plug-in storage.
The electric heating element resembles this. Maybe it cracked and is leaking. As I recall, a new heating element was very affordable.
(https://mobileimages.lowes.com/productimages/460c05cc-bac4-4733-981e-8f4f0664f7e8/01049203.jpg?size=pdhism)
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A couple years ago my wife bought an old travel trailer and it was missing the water heater. I went with the Suburban 6 gal electric/gas and it fit the hole fine. Since it was a 1974 trailer i think it came with the atwood brand but i had no way to verify. It plumbed in with no problems and ive had no issue with it. Just be aware if you go with suburban it has a steel tank so you will be replacing the anode rod in it every year
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I put in a suburban and a full write up is here:
https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=5089.msg45549#msg45549 (https://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php?topic=5089.msg45549#msg45549)
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Thanks for the replies to my issue. Larry had decided on the Suburban issue and your detailed explanation (and issues) will be invaluable in this endeavor. Will post with a follow up, hopefully when successfully installed.
Bob
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Feel free to ask questions. Putting in the suburban was a bit difficult, but not impossible. I've had no problems with it since.
I think it performs better than the original... But then again, I insulated the new one better. It's so quiet I have trouble hearing it inside the coach.
Larry
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Bob/RKS, I hope you ruled out the possibility of the electric heating element leaking. It is close to the floor, fitting your original description.
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Ron, have ruled out the element, like you said it has a plastic end which could be suspect. Fortunately it’s relatively easy to access and appears intact, additionally the area of the electrode is dry. Thanks for the follow up. Bob
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Ron, I have ruled out the element. Like you said it has a plastic end which could be suspect. Fortunately it’s relatively easy to access and appears intact, additionally the area of the electrode is dry. Thanks for the follow up. Bob
Bob, I am glad that you checked it out. It is unfortunate that the 120V element was not the source of the leak. Thanks for letting me know.