Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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You may need to sanitize the freshwater system.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Horseplay wrote:Heated up stagnant water that is sitting in your tanks. How long has it been sitting?
You're fermenting is all! 
Drain if not using. I did after every trip.
Horseplay, Where can I get a horse like that?
Enjoying Your Freedom?
Thank A Veteran
2007 Holiday Rambler 32SKT
2006 Chev LT D/A CC
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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..You've got some excellent advice so far, not much I can add. You definitely need to drain out the water heater after every trip, since it sits for long periods between uses. Would be a good idea to drain entire water system, actually. water sitting in the water heater for long periods, is almost certainly where that foul smell is coming from.
Here's an easy way to drain both the water system, as well as water heater: Look around underneath trailer, somehwere you should find your low point drains. Should be two pieces of pipe/hose hanging down, with a plug/drain on the end. After you've disconnected water line from trailer and turned off water heater, open a faucet or two to bleed pressure off, then remove plug/open the low point drains I mentioned above. Then, go over to water heater, gently pull the lever on the pressure relief valve mentioned earlier, to release pressure. Water should pour out of your low point drains, for several minutes. Be cautious, though, water that comes from one of the low point drains could be pretty hot.
We do this at the end of every trip. This way, water never just sits in the water heater except while we're camping. Also makes the trailer somewhat lighter for towing home, since we're not dragging an extra 10 or 12 gallons of water with us (water heater and all the pipes could easily hold that much). Another reason to do this is, it should make the anode rod in your water heater last longer, since it won't be immersed in water near as much.
Speaking of anode rod....If you have a Suburban water heater that has an anode rod...You definitely need to change such. Thats something you need to change every so often, most recommend you do such every year or two.
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 03/04/2005
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The rotten egg oder is not biological, its chemical.
I took this from the Atwood website:
"FLUSHING YOUR WATER HEATER TO REMOVE THE ROTTEN EGG ODOR
Hydrogen sulfide can result when the protective cladding on the interior of the tank is doing its’ job by preventing corrosion and therefore premature tank failure. The electro galvanic action of the cladding material releases hydrogen from the water. If sulfur or any of its’ combinations are present in the water the two will combine and produce hydrogen sulfide. This compound produces the “rotten egg odor”. Hydrogen sulfide can also be present in your fresh water supply. It is the product of the decay of animal matter and as little as one mg/liter can cause a perceptible odor. Smell the water before starting the flushing procedure. If your fresh water has the rotten egg odor, you will need to find another source of fresh water before flushing and refilling the entire water storage system.
1. Turn off your main water supply - your pump or your water hook up source.
2. Drain your water heater tank. Due to the location of the drain plug, approximately two quarts of water will remain in the bottom of the tank. If while draining the unit you note that it is flowing sporadically or trickling, instead of flowing steadily, we recommend one of two things. First open your pressure-temperature relief valve to allow air into the tank and secondly, take a small gauge wire or coat hanger device and prod through the drain opening to eliminate any obstructions.
3. After thoroughly draining the tank, to remove the smell flush the entire system from water inlet all the way to holding tank.
For flush use — four parts vinegar mixed to two parts water
If you elect to use air pressure, it may be applied either through the inlet or outlet on the rear of the tank or applied through the pressure-temperature relief valve part. Remove the pressure-temperature relief valve and insert your air pressure through the pressure-temperature relief valve coupling. In either case, with the drain valve open, the air pressure will force the remaining water out of the unit.
If air pressure is unavailable, your unit can be flushed with fresh water. Fresh water should be pumped into the tank either with the onboard pump or external water pressure. External pressure may be hosed into the unit either through the inlet or outlet found on the rear of the tank or the pressure-temperature relief valve coupling located on the front of the unit.
Continue this flushing process for approximately five minutes allowing ample time for the fresh water to agitate the stagnant water on the bottom of the tank and forcing the deposits through the drain opening.
4. Upon completion of the steps above, replace the drain plug and the pressure-temperature relief valve.
The Atwood water heater is designed for use in a Recreation Vehicle. If you use your vehicle frequently or for long periods of time, flushing the water heater several times a year will prolong the life of the storage tank."
You need to determine which manufacturer you have. Atwood water heaters do not have - nor is it recommended that you install - an anode rod. Suburban water heaters require an anode rod as they of a different construction (they have a steel tank). Placing an anode rod in an Atwood will cause problems that will actually damage the tank. If you look at the drain plug and it is nylon you don't have an anode.
Dave  & Mary 
Isabel (a cuddly little Boston)
Buddy (The Beast) another Boston
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 35A
2003 Jeep Liberty
If it's listed in the Yellow Pages, the government shouldn't be messing around with it.
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Big dog 04
Eastern Iowa
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Joined: 09/18/2004
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also always open relief valve before removing drain plug to let off pressure.
Big Dog
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 37B
2007 Jeep wrangler Rubicon - Toad
Spoiled Black Lab
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TomW2
Southwest Washington State USA
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Joined: 05/23/2005
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Big dog 04 wrote:also always open relief valve before removing drain plug to let off pressure. Or open a hot water faucet.
When refilling open a hot water faucet until water comes out steadily to remove the trapped air. Only then do you turn it on.
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