Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey all,

I am trying to get my propane side of the trailer figured out. I have my 2 tank regulator and now I need to know what you guys would plumb the propane line with. I do not have a long way to go inside. Maybe 4 feet from the tongue/tanks to the burner top and furnace inside the trailer. What would you use, protected/shielded rubber hose or a metal line?

let me know your thoughts

thanks

Chris

I forgot to add what I thought about using

Under the trailer 5/8 black pipe. Going from the tanks to the black pip I was going to use shielded rubber hose.
From the black pipe to the appliances I was going to use rubber hose as well. I would take the black pipe into the trailer then branch off of that.

How does that sound?


Edit: Instead of the hose for the inside connection from the black pipe how about this flex line ? http://www.protanksupply.com/propane-fl ... -Flex-Line

Here is another website http://www.plumbingsupply.com/gasconnectors.html half way down they sell one with an incorporated shutoff valve. I know many say to install a valve after the black pipe, before the appliance

From the black pipe, tee off under the trailer and 3/8 copper with flare fittings to the appliance, just sleeve with plastic or rubber where it passes through the floor.
Minumize any connections inside the trailer.
Idealy only connections inside are to the appliance

Personally I prefer a flex steel cover rubber propane line, go to any good hardware store that has a large BBQ section and you should be able to find it in lengths that will suit your needs.

Chris L,

I'm with Chris, never good to branch inside, as it is just additional opportunities for leaks.

Generally, copper was/is run from the "Tee" or fittings under the trailer to the appliance.
Copper works well as it is flexible enough to be easy to route, but rigid enough to stand up to travel and time.
If you have a fixed appliance, like a furnace, unless it is a personal choice, there is no need to pay extra for flexible tubing.
On my build, I chose flexible rubber tubing to go from under the trailer to my stove, so I could move it around for cleaning without concern.
I chose to have a length custom made by a shop that does fork lift lines, it is very heavy duty abrasion resistant hose.

Rob

The only trailer I hard plumbed for gas was the chuckwagon. From the tank was a hosed regulator. I connected it directly to 1/2" black pipe. The black pipe runs under the floor and pops up thru the floor with an ell and a short nipple behind the appliance . It is then coupled to a standard appliance gas flex line. It is connected to the stove /oven with a couple of needed adapter fittings. This is exactly as is done in most residential homes with gas appliances. My thought was if it is good enough for my home it ought to be good enough for the trailer. No copper to split ,bend or kink.

Don't forget to soap and water leak check !!!

Any reason I couldn't T the black pipe with a black pipe T , under the trailer, And run the black pipe in the trailer off of the black pipe T. Thus decreasing the amount of copper I am using. Also not having any copper exposed to the road will help keep the line from getting damaged. Am I off on this thinking?


Thanks again for the help. I couldn't do this build without you guys!

kartvines wrote:Personally I prefer a flex steel cover rubber propane line, go to any good hardware store that has a large BBQ section and you should be able to find it in lengths that will suit your needs.

I didn't have any luck locally, do you have a source for these on the Internet? The local stores only had plain rubber hose LP lines

Thank you

Chris

Sevo wrote:I forgot to add what I thought about using

Under the trailer 5/8 black pipe. Going from the tanks to the black pip I was going to use shielded rubber hose.
From the black pipe to the appliances I was going to use rubber hose as well. I would take the black pipe into the trailer then branch off of that.

How does that sound?


Edit: Instead of the hose for the inside connection from the black pipe how about this flex line ? http://www.protanksupply.com/propane-fl ... -Flex-Line

Here is another website http://www.plumbingsupply.com/gasconnectors.html half way down they sell one with an incorporated shutoff valve. I know many say to install a valve after the black pipe, before the appliance

I think you probably mean 3/8" pipe, as their is no 5/8" pipe in the US? British Standard Pipe has a 5/8" size.

Hi Larry.

Yes you are right on that thank your for the correction. . I read your posts on other threads about propane. I appreciate your input



Chris

Let me look around the last 2 -10 footers was bought at the local Ace Hardware store in Palm Springs Ca. for approx $35 each

Sevo wrote:

kartvines wrote:Personally I prefer a flex steel cover rubber propane line, go to any good hardware store that has a large BBQ section and you should be able to find it in lengths that will suit your needs.

I didn't have any luck locally, do you have a source for these on the Internet? The local stores only had plain rubber hose LP lines

Thank you

Chris

kartvines wrote:Let me look around the last 2 -10 footers was bought at the local Ace Hardware store in Palm Springs Ca. for approx $35 each

Sevo wrote:

kartvines wrote:Personally I prefer a flex steel cover rubber propane line, go to any good hardware store that has a large BBQ section and you should be able to find it in lengths that will suit your needs.

I didn't have any luck locally, do you have a source for these on the Internet? The local stores only had plain rubber hose LP lines

Thank you

Chris

Great thank you! It would be great to use protected line. It would make me feel better. I could always put some hose around copper line if there is not a source for the line you are speaking of

If I did go refrigerator copper line what size is best?

After a quick internet search her is one link: http://gashosesandregulators.com/lowpressurehoses.html come to think of it mine may have also been 6 footers not sure, being it has been awhile

Sevo wrote:

kartvines wrote:Personally I prefer a flex steel cover rubber propane line, go to any good hardware store that has a large BBQ section and you should be able to find it in lengths that will suit your needs.

I didn't have any luck locally, do you have a source for these on the Internet? The local stores only had plain rubber hose LP lines

Thank you

Chris

Any reason I couldn't T the black pipe with a black pipe T , under the trailer, And run the black pipe in the trailer off of the black pipe T. Thus decreasing the amount of copper I am using. Also not having any copper exposed to the road will help keep the line from getting damaged. Am I off on this thinking?

Chris,

As Bob pointed out, you don't have to use any copper at all.
Though copper doesn't generally split unless it has water in it that freezes, it is easy to kink.
Copper can get damaged under a trailer, but it is uncommon.

Copper leads are very handy if you need to snake the gas line around multiple bends.
If you have a straight shot up, there is no reason you can't run black pipe up.
Installing a shut off at the end of each such run is handy, and doesn't cost much. Using a gas rated flex pipe from there to the appliance will complete the run.
Be sure to secure the black pipe well.

Rob

If you use copper, suggest using forged flare nuts, AKA "frost proof" http://www.brasscraft.com/pdf/300.166_141s_series_forged_refrigeration_reducing_flare_nut_short.pdf