Plumbing a Tear Drop for Propane

[Jerry Bleeg]

When I had a pop up, there was a copper line that ran from the tongue to the fridge, inside stove, and a fitting for an outside stove. It worked well and we did most of our cooking outside with the outside stove or Propane BBQ grill.
I am thinking of plumbing my tear so that I can have the propane run underneath my trailer and stub out someplace in the back a little behind the tire. I plan to use a Gas BBQ, and my Camp Chef oven/stove hooked up by rubber extension hoses with the typical brass fittings.

How have you all done this? Do you use copper pipe, iron pipe, or just long rubber propane extension hoses? And what size? 1/2" , 3/8", 1/4"? My hope is to have a split with one line available for the stove and another available for the BBQ.

I would like to not have to drag the tank out or worry about someone stealing it.

[Ageless]

Well, several way to do this. You can run black pipe from the tank back to a tee fitting then install valves to the various units. It would be better if you drew a skematic of the usage nad took it to a propane dealer to get the real deal.

[dh]

What is better on the pipe fittings, thread sealant or PTFE tape?

[dh]

What is better on the pipe fittings, thread sealant or PTFE tape?

[Shadow Catcher]

RVIA standards call for black iron, I would however use galvanized or copper. Evidently the presence of hydrogen sulfide in natural gas and propane is the problem but if the line is not pressurized between uses... I used galvanized in our house 32 years ago and there has not been a problem.

[Ageless]

The propane in the Compact Jr. is all copper with compression fittings. Don't know if this is original, but works fine with no leaks.

[Jerry Bleeg]

Ageless , that's what I remember my coleman tent trailer using was copper with brass fittings and I also never had problems with a leak. I think I will look at what's available at my local hardware store. I need to find those special LP fittings and figure out how to hook it all together.

I am wondering if it might just be easier to get a 12 foot length of the rubber extension and attach it to the frame with rubber cushioned clamps.http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-Propane-Assembly-F271163-60/dp/B000HM5RPO/ref=pd_sbs_misc_4

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-59043-Propane-Extension-Hose/dp/B00192QBPQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1273775313&sr=8-2

Any thoughts

[Ageless]

I've seen that done several times, so I figure that's an acceptable option. I have the BBQ type connection on my bottle and remove it to the truck bed while underway

[Zollinger]

When we did my trailer we used copper pipe and flared the ends for the fittings. Ran the copper under the trailer and insulated the copper from the frame with heater hose to keep it from chafing. It's been holding up good for 3 years now. We thought about going the hose route, but were worried about the hose rotting out or getting cut while traveling.