Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm thinking of putting a 11lb propane tank on the tongue to power the camp stove in the back. I've seen the hose lines to do it, they have some up to twelve feet long. My question is, can I have a line enter the TD in the front, run up over the cabin in the insulated wall, come down with the electrical cabling in the cabin cabinet and then come out in the galley where it will be useful.
I mean I can get the length of hose to do this, is there any reason not to? Could there be a problem running a hose filled with propane next to electrical wiring?

Cheers,
David

RVIA and gas industry standards call for black iron pipe. I happen to disagree with this, the black iron part, and used galvanized when I tore out the oil burner in our house 30 year ago. gas line should be external and until you get to close to where you are going to use it, where you should have a gas detector.

I worked in a refinery for a number of years doing inspection and have a very healthy respect for things that can go BANG

Most trailers use a short hose that connects the bottle to a pipe that runs back then up thru the floor. From there they use flexible copper.

d_lairson wrote:Could there be a problem running a hose filled with propane next to electrical wiring?

Depends on your definition of "problem":



Seriously, I would keep the propane line external and not run them in the walls. If you aren't sure, have a professional do it for you.

I ran copper tubing from my gas bottle in the front of the TD under the trailer inside a PVC pipe. I used a wall connector at the galley floor and hose with flare fittings in the inside of the galley to the stove. It seemed practical at the time and worked well so far. I always leak check all the fittings when setting up camp and have never had a leak........yet.

planovet wrote:

d_lairson wrote:Could there be a problem running a hose filled with propane next to electrical wiring?

Depends on your definition of "problem":



Seriously, I would keep the lines external and not run them in the walls. If you aren't sure, have a professional do it for you.

If you need to ask whether you can run Electricity and LP gas in the same enclosed space you shouldn't be doing either. A bit rough but see the picture above.

Since propane is heavy, I would suggest running the line under the trailer and then up to where you want it. Be sure to protect the line from road rocks etc. If you do develop a leak under the trailer and outside will be the best place to have it....

dj

DO NOT run propane line through SLEEPING AREA.... And probably putting it inside any walls is not a good idea...

Actually soft copper tubing is probably sufficient, and run it under chassis.... Since propane gas is heavier than air it tends to flow downward, and natural air flow around trailer will dilute it to a point its not dangerous (unless severe leak).....

Propane fuel and electrical issues are the two most dangerous things in teardrop building and enjoyment... Get these two items right and life is fun....


Dale

Thank You!

...for asking this question. I had been pondering this and Planovet's picture really made me nervous as I had planned on putting a piped propane stove inside my trailer, with wires nearby.

So, I called the propane company. The propane company told me that under no condition could I put gas lines anywhere near the electrical inside the trailer...absolutely not. Also, even the gas piping needs to be in a vented area. Well, I guess I got a definitive answer, didn't I?! It's better to find out now than after everything is installed as I'd rather modify my design than be burned or dead.

On my vintage trailer we ran copper line under the trail, and up behind the stove. Then used rubber hose around the copper and attatched to frame using zip strips. DH has me doing inspections on the trailer in spring and fall. This includes checking ALL propane lines, grounds, roof vent for leaks ect...

NEVER run propane lines inside the trailer. Always run them outside, underneath. You only bring it in at the point of use. Airstreams (and probably all other trailer manufacturers) run the lines (flexible copper) underneath the trailer and enter at each point of use - fridge, water heater, furnace, etc.
I am building my teardrop with propane, and will run it underneath the trailer, only "enclosing" it with a short piece of rubber hose where it contacts the frame. It is best to leave it out in the open. If you develop a leak, you want it to dissipate, and as previously stated, it's heavier than air, so you want it at the lowest point.

And if you used threaded pipe; never, ever use teflon tape for the fittings!!!

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And if you used threaded pipe; never, ever use teflon tape for the fittings!!!

Why not?

Rob

Ageless wrote:And if you used threaded pipe; never, ever use teflon tape for the fittings!!!

Why not........

It's a inert product acceptably for all "gas" and "liquid" tapered pipe fittings...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

Guess nobody ever told the propane technician who installed the 250 gallon tank and new regulator and fixed a leak at my forced air heater in home we purchases last year....

It serves no purpose and should not be used on fittings with straight threads or metal to metal seal like on the CGA510 (POL) connector at propane tank and with fittings using ferrules or flairs....

Dale

Dale M. wrote:

Ageless wrote:And if you used threaded pipe; never, ever use teflon tape for the fittings!!!

Why not........

It's a inert product acceptably for all "gas" and "liquid" tapered pipe fittings...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

It serves no purpose when used on straight threads like in the CGA510 (POL) connector at propane tank and with fittings using ferrules or flairs....

Guess nobody ever told the propane technician who installed the 250 gallon tank and new regulator and fixed a leak at my forced air heater in home we purchases last yer....

Dale

Technically, standard teflon tape (white) should not be used for gas fittings. In some parts of the country, it is a code violation. There is a yellow teflon tape available for tapered pipe threads, but let me clarify what tapered threads are vs flared fittings...

Tapered is the standard thread (NPT or National Pipe Thread) on galvanized or black iron pipe. This is where you would typically use Teflon tape (of the correct color).

The brass fittings you would use to attach copper propane lines to a stove, heater, fridge or other appliance are flare fittings and you should never use teflon (of any color) with that type of fitting, as it will interfere with the seal, and actually cause it to leak!