RV Repair: removing water heater tank, water heater tank, hot water tank

Question
1994  21.5 5th wheel, Wilderness.

would like the procedure for removing
the stainless hot water tank.
I suspect it has broken, from the freez
this winter, although not certain of this.
Is there a way to determine this with out
removeing it? Leak could be from line's?

I've removed the folding bed, disconected
the interior water lines that I can see.

Whats next to do?

thank you.


Answer
Terry,

    What brand of water heater do you have?  If its Atwood then it has an aluminum tank.  If its Suburban then it has a steel tank.  If it was left full of water and froze then you can pretty much count on it being split somewhere.  Both of these brands can be removed through the sidewall where they are mounted.  You have to remove the screws around the perimeter of the flange after you open the door on the water heater.  On the Atwood you will want to remove the hinges so you can remove the door.  The suburban should have two pins at the bottom that hold it in place so nothing else has to be removed to remove the door.  If this is pilot model then make sure the gas is off and remove the gas line.  With the water lines already off inside it is probably already drained so you don't have to worry about removing the drain plug.  If the tank as split high you would want to drain it first so you don't get anymore water inside.  Now you should be able to slide the unit out and be able to inspect the tank for damage.  If its split then you can either replace the tank itself or the whole water heater.  Replacing just the tank is cheaper but it is a whole lot easier to replace the whole unit.  Both Manufacturers will replace the whole unit if there is a problem under warranty because they don't want to pay the hours it takes to change out the tank, so that is something you might want to consider. Hope this helps.

Darren