Dometic Atwood 90960 Water Heater Flue Box | Aluminum
Dometic Atwood 90960 Water Heater Flue Box | Aluminum — Product description
The Atwood 90960 is the replacement flue box assembly for Atwood gas RV water heaters. You get both the front and back aluminum pieces in one kit, so when soot buildup or corrosion finally eats through the old box, you can restore a proper combustion vent path without replacing the whole heater. Straightforward fix, honest price.
If you've owned a camper or motorhome with an Atwood water heater for any length of time, you already know these are workhorse units. Gas fired, simple, and they keep running for years. But the flue box is the one part inside that quietly takes a beating. It's the aluminum channel tucked into the top corner of the tank that carries the burner's exhaust up and out the vent. Every time that burner fires, hot combustion gas and a little soot pass through it. Over enough seasons, that adds up.
The Atwood 90960 is the factory replacement flue box assembly, and it includes both the front and back halves in one kit. That matters. Some replacement listings only cover one piece, and then you're stuck ordering the other half and waiting again. This one gets you back to a complete, sealed exhaust path in a single order.
So when do you actually need one? A few tells. If you're seeing rust flakes or soot piling up when you pop the outside access door, that's the flue starting to break down. If the burner's been running dirty, sooting up the tube or leaving a lazy yellow flame, the flue box is often part of the story. And if you've pulled the old box to clean it (the Atwood service manual walks you through that with a rag wrapped on a wire hanger) and found it corroded thin or cracked, it's done. A flue box with holes in it lets exhaust escape where it shouldn't, and that's not something you want to gamble on inside an RV. Replace it.
The build is aluminum, same as the original. Atwood spec'd aluminum here for a reason. It sheds heat well and it won't rust out the way a plain steel box would in a damp, seasonal-use rig that sits half the year. It's light, too, right around 2 pounds for the pair, so it's not adding meaningful weight to your setup.
Fitment is the Atwood water heater family. These heaters went into a huge range of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and Class A and Class C motorhomes over the years, so the 90960 covers a lot of ground. Before you order, pull your old flue box and check it against the 7 by 7 by 5 inch footprint and the front-and-back two-piece design. If your unit uses that layout, this is your part. If you're ever unsure, send us the model number off your water heater's rating plate and we'll confirm the fit before you buy.
Installation is well within reach for a hands-on RV owner. You'll shut off the gas and power to the heater, pull the old flue box out through the service access, and wipe away any old soot or scale so the new box seats flat against clean metal. Then set the new front and back pieces in the same spot. Take your time getting them aligned so the exhaust path seals the way the factory intended, because a good seal here is the whole point of the part. If you're not comfortable working around a gas appliance, any RV service tech will knock this out quickly, and it's an inexpensive part to hand them.
One honest note. A flue box is a maintenance part, not an upgrade. It won't make your water hotter or your recovery faster. What it does is restore your Atwood heater to running clean and venting safely, which is exactly what you want from a 20 or 30 year old rig you plan to keep camping in. For the price, it's one of the easier calls in RV ownership. And it beats replacing a whole water heater over one corroded box.
Key Features
- Complete two-piece kit: includes both the flue box front and back in a single order
- Aluminum construction resists rust and sheds combustion heat the way the original box did
- Direct replacement for Atwood gas RV water heaters, no modification needed
- Roughly 2 lbs for the pair, adds negligible weight to your rig
- Restores a sealed exhaust path so the burner vents cleanly and safely
- 7 by 7 by 5 inch footprint matches the original Atwood flue box layout
- Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty
- OEM part number 90960, supplied by Dometic as the current Atwood brand owner
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Dometic reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Atwood 90960 Water Heater Flue Box Assembly |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dometic (Atwood) |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 90960 |
| UPC | 692931909608 |
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Package Dimensions (L x W x H) | 7 x 7 x 5 in |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Fits | Atwood RV Water Heaters |
| Included | Flue Box Front and Back |
| Warranty | 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty |
| Product Type | RV Water Heater Replacement Part |
| Manufacturer | Dometic |
Frequently asked questions
What does the Atwood 90960 flue box fit?
It's a replacement flue box for Atwood gas RV water heaters. These went into a wide range of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and Class A and Class C motorhomes. Before ordering, pull your old box and check it against the two-piece front-and-back design and the 7 by 7 by 5 inch footprint. If you're unsure, send us the model number off your heater's rating plate and we'll confirm.
Does this kit include both the front and back of the flue box?
Yes. The 90960 comes with both the front and back halves in one order, so you get a complete, sealed exhaust path without hunting down a second piece.
What is the flue box made of?
Aluminum, same as the original Atwood part. Aluminum sheds combustion heat well and won't rust through the way a plain steel box would in a rig that sits half the year.
How do I know my flue box needs replacing?
Common signs are rust flakes or heavy soot at the outside access door, a lazy yellow burner flame, or a box that's corroded thin or cracked when you pull it to clean it. Any holes in the flue box mean exhaust can escape where it shouldn't, so replace it rather than patch it.
Does Atwood still make water heaters?
Atwood's RV product line is now owned by Dometic, so replacement parts like the 90960 flue box are supplied under Dometic. It's the same part that fits the same Atwood heaters.
Can I just clean the flue box instead of replacing it?
If it's only sooted up, yes. The Atwood service manual shows cleaning it with a rag wrapped on a wire hanger. But once the box is corroded thin, cracked, or holed, cleaning won't restore a safe exhaust seal and it's time for the 90960.
Is this a difficult install?
It's manageable for a hands-on RV owner. Shut off the gas and power to the heater, pull the old flue box through the service access, and seat the new front and back pieces in the same spot with careful alignment. If you'd rather not work around a gas appliance, any RV tech can swap it quickly.
Will replacing the flue box improve my water heater's performance?
No, and we won't pretend otherwise. A flue box is a maintenance part. It restores clean, safe combustion venting on your existing heater. It doesn't raise water temperature or speed up recovery.
