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11-07-2017, 05:48 PM
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#1
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Member
Name: Phil
Trailer: Ventura
Manitoba
Posts: 63
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Propane lines
The main propane line running under my 74' Ventura is steel pipe. I'm looking to replace this along with the entire gas system in the trailer. Is there any issue with running copper exposed under the trailer? Is there some way to protect it?
Or should I just be redoing the connections on the steel line and reusing it?
To clarify, from the regulator there is a copper line running down to the steel pipe at the frame. The line is then steel under the entire camper with copper take offs up into the cabin.
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11-07-2017, 06:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,413
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I would leave the iron pipe, but try to get a look inside it to check for rust or flaking. You don't want any loose particles in your gas appliances.
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11-07-2017, 06:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler 13 ft / Casita FD
Posts: 2,038
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On my 79Boler it is "K" copper with a rubber sheathing over it and runs along frame about 4 feet to where it 90's up into fridge and furnace and stove. One can now buy steel gas line that is flexible. it has a yellow covering but this is just a thin coating to designate that it is gas line and if I were to use it I would protect it with rubber hose also.
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11-07-2017, 06:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,413
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I know the flexible copper line comes with a protective coating, I haven't seen it in steel. Use flare fittings and keep connections and fittings outside the trailer, other than the connection at the appliance.
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11-07-2017, 07:02 PM
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#5
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Member
Name: Phil
Trailer: Ventura
Manitoba
Posts: 63
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Propane lines
Thanks for the feedback! Great advice on keeping connections outside the trailer.
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11-07-2017, 07:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,413
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I think it's actually a code rule that the connections have to be outside, or at least they have to be in an accessible location so they can be tested for leaks
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11-07-2017, 07:49 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Gordon
Trailer: 2015 Scamp (16 Std Layout 4) with '15 Toyota Sienna LE Tug
North Carolina
Posts: 5,155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mary and bob
I think it's actually a code rule that the connections have to be outside, or at least they have to be in an accessible location so they can be tested for leaks
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To adapt a line from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre...
We dont need no stinkin code!
Scamp runs the propane from the tank to the regulator on the tongue, then through a bulkhead connector in the front of the camper to the inside. From there all the copper gas line with multiple tees and flair connections are inside the camper.
Now is that the way it should be done? Likely not. Scamp is not known for doing things the best way. But it is they way it is and it seems to work. Perhaps the most important thing is to secure them so well that vibrations do not cause stress failures.
But with all that gas line inside, adding a gas alarm was one of the first things I did when I got my Scamp.
BTW, a pressure drop test will revel a leak even in inaccessible locations. Thats one reason it is recomended.
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11-07-2017, 08:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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My Bigfoot has copper lines underneath the trailer and they have clear plastic tubing covering them. It looks like the copper tubing was cut to length, then inserted in the plastic hose before the copper was flared. I have also heard that some copper tubing is not suitable for propane. Use flair fittings, not compression fittings.
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11-07-2017, 09:28 PM
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#9
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Member
Name: Phil
Trailer: Ventura
Manitoba
Posts: 63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack L
My Bigfoot has copper lines underneath the trailer and they have clear plastic tubing covering them. It looks like the copper tubing was cut to length, then inserted in the plastic hose before the copper was flared. I have also heard that some copper tubing is not suitable for propane. Use flair fittings, not compression fittings.
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Yeah I've also read that some copper is not suitable. I'm sure my local rv supply place will have the proper pipe.
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11-07-2017, 10:17 PM
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#10
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member
Name: J
Isle of Wight
Posts: 536
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Quote:
Originally Posted by philtripp
Yeah I've also read that some copper is not suitable. I'm sure my local rv supply place will have the proper pipe.
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Its not the copper that is unsuitable - its the gas.
Propane is fine - natural gas maybe not.
Camp on...
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11-08-2017, 05:38 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler 13 ft / Casita FD
Posts: 2,038
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Quote:
Originally Posted by widgetwizard
Its not the copper that is unsuitable - its the gas.
Propane is fine - natural gas maybe not.
Camp on...
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Propane, after the regulator is running at "Low" pressure and Natural gas runs at "High" pressure. Do they make a trailer that runs off Natural Gas?
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11-08-2017, 06:33 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1990 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 654
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I once ran my battery wires under a Scamp in flexible plastic electrical conduit. Underneath and out of the sun that stuff should last for decades. I don't see why you could not run a copper gas line in plastic conduit too. That would certainly keep the rock damage down, though I'm not sure that problem is real. Also conduit makes securing the gas line a bit easier and protects the copper from vibration and chaffing at mounting points.
Still, I am amazed how few problems develop with millions of RV's rolling down the highways. Maybe since most are in the junkyard by age ten gas lines don't get old enough to deteriorate. In my 4 RV's over the decades I have had a couple of water leaks, but never a gas leak. YMMV
Cheers, and happy trails, john
Pic of intrepid leader pointing the way at Chiricahua National Monument.
__________________
John Michael Linck - Toymaker
Camping since 1960 - Scamp 13' Oak
Subaru Outback 4 cyl cvt
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11-08-2017, 08:32 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,413
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack L
. Use flair fittings, not compression fittings.
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Over on the Casita club forum someone had a thread about replacing their axle, and mentioned cutting and splicing the copper line with a compression fitting. I did propane installation and repair for a few years and know better than to use those fittings. I'm surprised nobody there noticed that comment and said something. I no longer post there so did not comment myself.
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11-08-2017, 09:21 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: Was A-Liner now 13f Scamp
Missouri
Posts: 3,209
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comopression fittings on propane
well that's one of the biggest no nos out there . bob please splain to me the use of black pipe on n/g?
bob
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11-08-2017, 10:14 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1990 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 654
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Quote:
Originally Posted by k0wtz
well that's one of the biggest no nos out there . bob please splain to me the use of black pipe on n/g?
bob
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My city required iron pipe until the stainless flex pipe became available, never copper. Must melt too soon in fires.
Quien Sabe, john
__________________
John Michael Linck - Toymaker
Camping since 1960 - Scamp 13' Oak
Subaru Outback 4 cyl cvt
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11-08-2017, 11:04 AM
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#16
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member
Name: J
Isle of Wight
Posts: 536
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Linck
My city required iron pipe until the stainless flex pipe became available, never copper. Must melt too soon in fires.
Quien Sabe, john
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Natural gas corrodes copper pipes. (very slowly)
Propane does not.
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11-08-2017, 02:14 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: Was A-Liner now 13f Scamp
Missouri
Posts: 3,209
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jim
so jim this is the reason for black pipe I never knew that but I have had very little n/g in my lifetime lived in the country most of the time thus the propane experience and flaring!
hey I can even operate one of those springy things to make perfect curves with copper. Took me a long time to get that down but comes in handy sometimes!
bob
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12-12-2017, 03:18 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
Mid Left Coast
Posts: 2,937
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I wonder if you couldn't use the copper-nickel stuff they use for brake lines on better vehicles (very popular in Europe, especially). its completely non-corrosive, and doesn't get brittle with vibration like straight copper does.
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