Your Atwood water heater tank is steel-lined, and without a working anode rod, dissolved minerals and galvanic activity in the water will eat it from the inside out. This Camco magnesium anode rod (part 11553) is the direct replacement that sacrifices itself so your tank does not. At 4.5 inches long with a standard 1/2" NPT thread, it drops straight into the drain port of compatible Atwood heaters -- no adapters, no modifications.
Atwood RV water heaters use a steel tank with a porcelain or glass lining. Over time, micro-fractures in that lining expose bare metal to the water inside. A magnesium anode rod corrodes preferentially, drawing electrochemical attack away from the tank walls and extending the usable life of the heater by years.
Camco part 11553 (vendor part CMC11553) is sized specifically for the 4.5-inch drain port opening found on many Atwood 6-gallon and 10-gallon water heater models. The 1/2" NPT male thread mates directly with the drain plug opening -- just remove the old rod, apply fresh thread-seal tape, and thread in the new one.
Pure magnesium is highly anodic, making it the preferred sacrificial material for RV and marine water heater tanks in most water conditions.
1/2" NPT male thread fits the drain port on compatible Atwood 6-gal and 10-gal water heater models -- no adapter needed.
Routine replacement requires only a socket wrench. Inspect monthly; replace when less than half of the rod material remains.
Attracts galvanic corrosion away from the steel tank walls, helping prevent pinhole leaks, sediment buildup, and premature tank failure.
Unlike residential water heaters that get flushed and serviced by plumbers, RV water heaters are often ignored for entire seasons. In areas with hard water or high mineral content, an anode rod can deplete significantly faster -- sometimes within a single camping season. A depleted rod provides zero protection, and once tank corrosion starts, it cannot be reversed.
Camco recommends inspecting the rod at least monthly during active use. Early inspection also prevents another common problem: mineral scale that builds up around the drain plug opening over time, seizing the rod threads and making removal extremely difficult. Catching buildup early means you can back the rod out before it becomes a project.