RV Propane. What You Need To Know!
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- Опубліковано 28 кві 2018
- Next in our RV need to know Newbie Series is the topic of propane! Propane is a vital part of using your RV and it's our hope to help you use it with a few tips for keeping you and your RV safe.
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Would have been nice if you demonstrated the full nine yards ... lighting the burner ... stove ...etc
On the oven issue. I added a pizza stone above where the flame is. It helps distribute the heat.
Cindy Ehrentraut Good idea,I’m going to put my pizza stone there too.
Just started living in a brand new travel trailer and I love it! So much cheaper than rent at some crappy house or apartment and it's so nice knowing you can easily move wherever you want
A little tip I came across which helps you from the oven burning your food. Buy two (or four but two worked great for me) 6" unglazed ceramic or quarry tiles and put them centered on the bottom metal shelf which is directly over the burner flame tube. This will shield and dissipate the heat much more evenly kind of similar to what a pizza stone does. However during transport I remove them and keep them stored wrapped in a small towel for protection.
If you travel with propane "off", food in the freezer may partially thaw. Frozen foods should not be thawed and refrozen and may be unsafe to cook and eat. If traveling with propane "on", be sure to purge the propane line before switching over. To do so, ignite one burner on your cooktop until you have a steady flame. Extinguish the flame and disconnect from shore power. Your fridge will go click, click, click (ignite) and start the cooling process.
I like it when someone is to the point quickly, provides useful info, and is very personable, well done sir!!! been a while since I have lived in a trailer ( before youtube, many disasters, black tank I hate you) and your vids are very helpful. now that house prices here in the pnw are through the roof, I think many more people are going our route, and you are definitely saving people some serious trouble!!
My husband and I are really enjoying these thoughtful, concise educational videos! Sometimes just hearing all about the basics is all we need, as we have only been out twice on short trial run weekends, in our new-to-us class A. Our longer trip begins this June, and we are soaking up all we can from your channel and a few others. Thanks so much for the work you do for us and other people like us.
Enjoy your journeys!
I just died at the Dr Seuss comment also wanted to add that I have just moved into my camper full time after just purchasing it and have been watching alot of your videos and you have an excellent way of explaining things in a very precise and concise manner. Thank you for all the info you provide it has proven useful on a multitude of occasions in just the past few weeks that I have been in my camper. I give you five stars for sure
As always, such wonderful
Information!
Love his videos and love you guys too!
I’m taking off in 33 days for the full time rv life. Your videos have definitely helped me gain my warm and fuzzy feelings for getting to know my rig and hit the road
And that was 5 months ago, sigh...always sad when we have to return to work/life!
@@helloman1976 The big question,,,, Did you enjoy the travels? Would you do it again?
You always have very informative videos, thank you.
I put a stone right above the burner and have never burned anything
For the oven get a cookie tray that fits over the burner area flip it upside down place it on the burner area and it acts as a heat defuser. You can put your rack lower for larger items to bake and it won't burn been doing that for over 20 with no burning.
Great idea
John thanks for your videos, after watching other RV videos I plan to turn off the propane and drain the lines to the stove. This has saved at least one RV couple from a total loss.
Your videos are great and very helpful. Keep them up.
Helpful hint whether traveling or camping, is take about four ice cubes and place them in a well sealed zip lock type bag and place in the freezer. Monitor that bag religiously! If your refrigerator ever looses power for a period of time they will melt inside the bag! Then you will know whether your food is really safe to eat!. We had our trailer at a campground that experienced problems and this came in handy till they located and fixed the problem! Better safe than Sorry!
That’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing that! We will have to do that
4, individual, ice cubes?? That makes a difference, or is just a signal???
patrickkmanning it's just a signal. However, repeatedly opening the freezer door to check on a baggie of ice cubes will dramatically reduce the lifespan of the food in the freezer. If your power goes off, do NOT open the freezer. Not even once. When power is restored, THEN check the food to see if anything has thawed. If anything has, throw it out.
@@patrickkmanning , it sounds like it is a signal to alert you your fridge is not working if they melt.
As always...super helpful and to the point. Thank you 😍🤗
Love your channel. Very informative for newbies like us.
Thanks!
Pizza stone works wonders in the oven and prevents items from burning as easy. My wife is able to bake pies in the oven now with the pizza stone.
just on the oven suggestion of raising the rack I've heard many others installing a pizza stone on the bottom to keep things from burning. But most of the stones were broken but they still worked.
Well said intro. RVs are way cooler than I thought when I first got my first Rv a few months ago.
Ceramic tiles work great for not burning food!
Thanks, Jared! I actually did the right thing for our first trip last week when it came to the propane being off while we travelled the 2-3 hours to our first destination, and then on the way back. Your videos are very helpful, and I was able to celebrate that I did it correctly! Keep up the newbie video series; we have GREATLY benefitted. God bless you guys; still praying for you. Bob Psalm 40:1-3
im a new subscriber. you have the most useful channel iv seen about rv! im not a RV'er yet but hopefully will be in the future. im a notorious planner, so im studying up before i get my rig. your channel is awesome!
Thanks! I’m glad that our videos are able to help you out. That truly is our goal
I like this video, very informative. I'm going to fill my class c tank and just learning what I can before doing it the first time. Hopefully gas station attendant will do the job.
Thanks for the information!
nicely presented - thanks for the info
Thanks, I was a little confused about the carbon monoxide and LP gas alarms. One near the floor. One near the ceiling.
That good ole Dometic fridge. Bullet proof reliable
Hi Jared great video as always, here in the land down under it is illegal to have your refrigerator running on propane when traveling as there is the obvious hazard of a fire in the event of an accident but also when you are refueling the tow vehicle at a gas station there is the added risk that the pilot light of the refrigerator could ignite the fumes from the gas pump. We have a travel trailer with almost the same Dometic refrigerator that you have except ours is a three way i.e, 12 volt dc, 240 volt ac and propane so when we are on the move we are powering the refrigerator from the tow vehicle and thus don’t lose any cooling. Keep up the good work regards, Steve.
Good advice! Thanks for watching.
Excellent information..Thank you for the video..
Thanks for the info!
Very good and informative video. I don't have a camper but I'm looking to get one and need to know what to do to cook. Thanks
The tank check is a fantastic device!!!
Hi John, I love your videos and they have been a great help to us. Also I wanted to give you another tip I learned for the oven. If you place a small pizza stone right above the flame it helps defuse the heat and will cut down on the chances of you burning your food.
Pamela Smith do you know where to get a small pizza stone that fits rv ovens? I can't seem to find them
gorjinena I got mine at a local kitchen store but I believe you can get one from Amazon
We use ceramic tiles from either one of those home improvement stores works as well too! Laying them flat right above the flame/heat source. That way just about every sq. inch is distributing the heat evenly.
Very informative. Would love to know if you follow some sort of checklist when you are about to start moving or when you arrive at your destination, which covers things like turning the propane on/off at the source as applicable.
I know this is four years old but your channel is great
Need to know more about the piping for propane. Interior lines vs exterior lines that are exposed to the weather.
This was a great video! Informative and easy to understand.
Thank you
Great video i learned a lot thanks for the information....
Might want to consider carrying parts for the gas also think if your going to be in the freezing cold to change out the rubber lines to metal won't snap in half when swapping out tanks
Tthank you for the info.
Very good video.
A Pizza Stone (trimmed to fit in the oven) can spread the heat uniformly in the oven. Ours is placed just on top of the burner area.
Good to know that you don't lose much temp on that long of a drive. Our drivers are much shorter. So thanks
Great video! Always enjoy your videos they go so quick though, no matter how long they are. I have a question, if I have solar on the roof and my fridge is 12v/propane, couldn't I turn off propane and continue to run the fridge on 12v while driving?
The 12v will run the controls, but the propane is most likely the only thing that will cool it.
About the refrigerator gas on or off!!! If you have a inverter with solar and you make sure the inverter is on and the refer is turned on to auto it can run on the A/C current and the panels will keep the batteries charged or at night your truck will charger you batteries.
Thank you i dont know how to use my Rv at all and this was helpful. Could you show us how to use the water pump for sink and shower
Im a total newbie as well and a little freaked out about propane
Dream Weaver----I feel ya. I'm in the same boat, errhh, Um or should I say RV as You 😉
Dame here
I own a 1979 RV which you pointed out that is under my rig. Do you know how many years that would have to be replaced or not. I really like your videos. Now I'm learning lots, so thanks for posting.
I started a new channel as we explore into he next chapter of life. Your's caught my eye. Mine is for family and fiends (as we all begin) and all else that wish. Your's looks very good and something I'm willing to add for those that wish to learn and enjoy the experience. Mine will grow as we go on 'Tour' very shortly.
Thank you!
In NY we can have our tanks recertified but it costs about $20 and the recertification is only good for one year. We keep our eyes peeled for Camping World sales and get our 30 pounders there.
Our Costco sold the 30 pound tanks for $7.00 cheaper than online but they went very quickly.
Greta video thanks I'm a rv newbie
Hi Jared, I have a question! Is it okay to leave my RV water heater running for a whole weekend? Or should I turn it off when I am. Okay using it?
Great video.
Get a 3way fridge or have enough panels so that you can pull the 110v needed while driving through an inverter
Very good
John I wanted to know .we have a Holiday Rambler and it is park at my home if I plug it into my house power will it keep my house batteries good ,and I do have a battery cut of switch .
Should you install gas fuses on you propane tanks?
Very informative great video one question do the installed propane tanks in the class A’s have to be recertified?
John Gillis thats what I want to know. I own a 1997 RV .
Makes me want to go 100% solar with panels on the roof instead of using propane.
Highly impractical.
Good luck running everything unless you got hella roof space!! But if you don’t need or want AC, you might be good
@@mattg1847 I'd have backup, of course. I've checked into the Ego Nexus 56 volt 3000 watt power generator. It's quiet and does not run on gas. It can be used indoors and outdoors. Or, if I wanted to use solar panels in conjunction with a generator and put down a lot of cash, I'd go with the Yeti 3000X portable power station. It can be charged from the sun, from the wall outlet, or from a car.
I checked Ego products and i don't think they generate power, it seems they're batteries and inverters. Still useful though.
jared, in some states it is illegal to travel with propane on.
Can you give me a guesstimate on how often you have to fill your tanks. Maybe a number for summer and another number for winter use, please and thanks
Need the video on when your propane won’t fire up.your heater...I have a class a ...help
NICE . . . YOU ~ ROCK ! !
I think it would be nice if you would give more explanation on how the automatic changeover valve works. I have seen a lot of people on Facebook talk about how much they hate the automatic changeover because they don't understand how it works. When I bought my used trailer I didn't even know about it and it took me two minutes to figure it out. Some people blame the automatic changeover valve for draining both tanks without any warning and leaving them with no propane. Some people have other reasons for not liking the automatic changeover valve. Mostly because they don't understand how it works or why it does what it does. Personally I think it's a fantastic invention and a real life saver.
I even read that some people prefer to leave one tank turned off until the other one is empty so they know when it's empty which is I think pretty stupid instead of just looking for the red warning. Or they don't know about the red warning or what it's for. I see some of the other videos on here that explain it a little bit better and you might want to redo that part of your video.
Dude... what is your audio/mic setup?? This sounds amazing! (Aside from it being very informative)
Another good video, how long does 60 lbs of propane last? Where do class A and C fill their tanks?
Have you guys done any videos on repairing water damage by chance? I got a 24ft camper from my dad. But after hauling it home, it started leaking water in from somewhere and now I’ve got a wall that has water damage and carpet. Insurance wouldn’t cover it because the previous company he had do the coating is out of business.
Thank you so much, we are renovating our RV at the moment-We turned on the heat for a while and shit it off but we left the propane on. When we came back the next day, it smelled like propane inside. We immediately shut off the tanks. Do you think we have a leak? Is this something we need to call a professional for?
If I’m going to park my rig for 7-10 days will leaving the propane on while it is stored be a problem. Want to keep the fridge contents cold while away.
You might want to do a segment on checking on line for recalls on your rigs, especially when it comes to the absorption style Dometic and Norcold refrigerators. The older refrigerators were developing corrosion related pinhole leaks that would release the refrigerant. An ammonia smell from the refrigerator means it is leaking and is not safe. The failure mode on the older units is that they catch on fire in the rear of the refrigerator and can quickly destroy the RV. I was a fire investigator by trade and have seen numerous RVs of all makes and types burned by these refrigerator failures. The newer units and those with the recall fix have a sensor to shut the unit off if it loses refrigerant and begins to overheat. You need to get the refrigerator make, model and serial number and compare it to the recall lists on the manufacturer’s website or on Safercar.gov, run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many folks buy RVs second hand and as a result do not receive a recall notice. They find out when the rig goes up in flames. Please help get the word out.
Great idea, we will add that to our list!
Good video!
Another point about turning your gas of for the road trip - You should not be filling your vehicle gas tanks up at a gas station if your Pilot light or Fridge is turned on. Gas fumes are everywhere around the pumps and could easily lite up if your fridge suddenly kicked in.
Hi Jared. I appreciate your videos.
I have a 2 tank system on my travel trailer. What is recommended? Should both tanks be open for use or one at a time. I generally have always kept both open. The reason I ask is because they never equally empty. Thanks for all you do for us in the traveling world.
Both tanks should be open unless you have an odd reason not to. The regulator will pull from the tank that the lever is pointing to until it is empty and then change over to the other tank (which is the standby tank). Now, once this happens you want to change your lever to make the tank being used the primary tank. This does two things, one, that allows you to empty that tank and two, it restores the capacity of your regulator. You lose quite a bit of the regulator capacity when it is on the standby tank, so switching what was your standby to your primary corrects this. Now you have an empty tank that you take to get filled and then put back on your unit. The freshly filled tank is then opened, but you leave this as your standby tank until the new primary tank empties. This process is repeated throughout normal use.
thank you for the helpful video for us newbies...So when you run the propane for refrigerator and stove you don't need electric for either? should I run my generator when they are in use?
No need to run your generator while your fridge and stove are on propane.
About the conflict of propane on or off when traveling.
We have been RV'ng for abut 40 years. And in saying that, we are by no means experts, but we have learned alot about RV'ng.
Initially the RV fridges were set up to run on propane, (12 volt DC) and shore power (120VAC). I think that the thought at the time was to provide 12 volt dc power to be used while traveling down the highway, since the insulation was poor at best, and without something to keep the fridge cooling, they warmed up in very short order.
Trust me, you did not want the fridge running on 12 volt DC once you were parked. We did that once, and paid for it by being the last rig out of the campground, because the fridge did a fine job of draining both batteries on the RV as well as both batteries in our tow rig, (1984 Chev 3/4 ton van powered by a 6.2L desile (sp) motor. We made 2 mistakes that day, 1. we did not switch over to propane, or 120 Vac once we parked for the day. 2. We did not disconnect the tow rig from the RV. Thankfully, we had a generator mounted on the RV, and were able to set up a charger to recharge all 4 batteries, it was a very slow process. Hopefully anyone that saw us that day learned from our mistake. And anyone with a 3-way fridge today will learn as well. As most knowledge is gained after making a mistake.
As the RV has evolved over the years, the insulation has improved a LOT, and in the past 10 years we have Only had 2 way fridges, and due to the improved insulation, have never felt the need to run the fridge on propane while traveling.
Traveling with the propane on is still a personal choice, but a choice that we NEVER make. When traveling, the propane is always OFF!
Does the propane have to be on in order to for the RV refrigerator to get cold. Eventhough electricity is on? Set on Auto?
I was hoping to find tips on how to check the hose and all the connections going to the appliances for leaks, is there a link for something covering that? I did learn though, nice video:)
Spray with soapy water and look for active bubbles.
I am here at 7:15
So... it's optional it sounds. I wonder what commercial trailers do for coolant?
How often do you have to refill your tanks?
So, the on off button on the fridge is for the propane ? To be clear, the ON mode turns on the propane and the OFF mose turns the propane off, leaving is dependent on the electric only?
Seen a 5th wheel on fire on the road the other day and we got out to help with extinguishers and it didn’t help because the propane was on also I suspect that’s what cause the fire it was behind the fridge way better to just shut it off and turn it back on when you get to your destination if you want it cold cool it two days before and put cold food in their or look into fridge fans. Also if you go thru any tunnels your supposed to have the propane off
Wow, that’s crazy! I agree with you about turning off the propane while driving and recommend the same to others as well. It just isn’t worth the risk.
My dometic fridge will run off the 1000 watt inverter in my camper while traveling . It [ the fridge ] uses 650 watts when the element is on , but it is not running the entire time while traveling . I would rather fire up the generator and recharge the batteries than have my food get warm . Also my truck charges some while going down the road and I have a 100 watt rooftop solar panel so it does not run the batteries down .
John...any tips on cooling your fridge the night prior to departing?? Ie., Level the TT, run on Elec or Propane??
Yes I would level the rig so the fridge can function properly and not harm it and I would run it on electric. I would also have everything you put in already cold or frozen for the freezer the next day.
do you know how many nights those 2 tanks can last just running the ac in the summer?
Question? Do I need to put an insulation blanket (like used on a water heater) around my tanks during cold weather?
Depends how cold it will get, Propane can thicken in extreme temps and not flow, I'd say that would be in the negative degrees -44 it turns into a liquid.
7:07 Fridge, Propane, Vehicle while driving :
Why not turn off the fridge propane before rolling the vehicle and supply 12v with the alternator of the vehicle ? Would it be so difficult to install an electric wire and a switch ?
The fridge only runs off propane or 120v. It needs a 12v for either option but can’t run on 12v alone.
They do make 12v compressor fridges that only run off 12v (no propane or 120v) but that’s not what he has.
There is no controversy on the propane on while travelling question. You must turn it off before approaching a gas station because the fridge has an open flame and could ignite gasoline vapors. On the road the 60 mph winds strip the flame of most of it's heat so it isn't very effective anyway.
Pro tip: Keep the freezer door stocked with frozen bottled water. If you are going to be driving for a long time, drop 2 or 3 of them down to the fridge before departing. Also keep any spare space in the fridge stocked with beverages (juice, pop, beer even). If it's all cooled down before departure it will help keep the fridge cool for a long time. The key is that it must be cooled down and the water bottles frozen first or it will work the other way around. What we do is plug in a few days before departure and freeze the water bottles and cool all the beverages before even loading the fridge with food. After that it is just a matter of maintaining things with the propane. We find that we can even take a frozen water bottle or 2 out every couple of days to keep a cooler cool and replace with new water bottles and the propane will freeze them in a day or so.
So there really isn't a reason to travel with the propane on and approaching a gas station with it on is illegal.
Great idea about the frozen water bottles
I just turned on my rv propane bleed the burner for 30 seconds and had my fridge on and furnace but a loud bang would happen every 10 seconds from the place I turn on the propane. Is that normal?
Do Al 5th wheels need propane tanks . I want an rv in just scared a stray bullet or sole thing might shoot my propane tank on my rv . 😢
Will the fridge run on the battery while your towing? Aren't the batteries charged from the truck when plugged into trailer?
Only if your refrigerator is a "3-way": gas, electric, and 12-volt. Jared mentioned that their fridge isn't 12v.
Ok so first time watching. Like it.
do I have to put the gas regulator in the middle or always pointing the gas cilinder I want to use ??
You point it to the one you want to use and most will auto switch over to the second tank once the first one is empty.
My Travel trailer heating problem propane gas not come out summertime is OK somebody know that?
Thanks for the video neighbor (Prescott Valley) We are getting ready to buy a new rv and wanted to bounce some things regarding the factory solar optíon. What is the best way to contact you?
You can email me at jsolidrock@gmail.com
How often do you go through a single tank? I'm thinking I might have a leak as I'm going through one 7lb tank a week with no pilots and very little cooking.
We usually go through two twenty pound tanks in 4-6 weeks. This is with us using it for cooking and for showers regularly. In the winter time we have to fill up a little more frequently because we use propane for our heat along with two space heaters. If you are smelling propane at all, check them out to see if you have a leak.
You didn’t explain anything about running the hot water. I haven’t had hot waters since I’ve been in my RV and I’ve been bought to three tanks and I still can’t get hot water so what do I do?
Riddle me this. Tare weight on my tank is stamped 33 lbs. Tank weighed 38.0 lbs before refilling. Filled with 3.6 gallons. Tank weighs 53.2 lbs after fill. Propane weighs 4.25 lb/gal. How many gallons does my tank hold when full? Sure doesn't seem like 7 gallons for my "30 lb tank". More like 4.7 gallons.
My Norcold fridge is flashing lights and lights inside are growing dim. Is the pilot light out?
I mean some kind of code is flashing
I don't believe propane tanks which are permanently mounted in a class A or C require any recertification after 10 years. They are DOT approved. Ours is a 19 yr old 42 gallon tank. Propane tanks must be turned off before entering a fuel stop or entering a tunnel(may only apply to underwater tunnels: not sure but I'm sure there would be a warning sign). We installed a small inverter and a separate outlet to plug the refrigerator into while traveling and when we arrive it's 0-5 in the freezer and 33-36 in the refrigerator. Great video. Safe travels.