Has anyone mounted the propane regulator off the camper body?

[Raya]

I have the typical* stock setup on the front of my 13-er. That is, one 20# propane bottle mounted on the tongue and held down with the Scamp-style two pieces of vertical flat bar, with the flexible pigtail hose leading to the regulator which is mounted on the front of the body below the belly band.

I'm currently in a spate of rivet elimination, and I could not help but notice that the regulator is riveted to the shell there (itchy drill finger ).

Now, I don't have any major, burning reason to move it; but on the other hand, I wonder what other options I have? Does anyone have the regulator mounted elsewhere/elseway? If so, would you mind sharing where/how?

Thanks,
Raya

*Okay, I may be wrong about the "typical" part, but I've seen it on a few Boler 13's, including mine

[Donna D.]

Ahhhh the regulator is mounted on the propane bottle on my Scamp. Just like a barbecue. I didn't know the regulator was mounted any other way on molded trailers. Guess I'm not very observant...

[Raya]

Oh, nifty! Would you be able to post a photo sometime? I would love to see how that is situated. Also, since I may just order a new regulator when the time comes, is it a horizontal or vertical regulator?

Thanks,
Raya

[Donna D.]

Raya, unless someone beats me to it, the earliest will be Tuesday. It's now dark outside and I'll get home after sundown tomorrow. Probably needlessly to say, but I leave in the morning at O-dark-thirty too.

[Raya]

Okay, thanks Donna. I'll know you aren't just neglecting me

Anyone else have theirs not mounted on the camper body, and want to share info?

Raya

[Bill K]

This isn't a direct answer to your question BUT, the regulator on my twin tank setup is mounted vertical on the post between the tanks.

A regulator does not care how it is mounted as it works by pressure.

Bill K

[Joe N]

This is how Scamp did it on my 09.

[Raya]

Thanks, Joe! Great to have a photo.

Originally Posted by Bill K

This isn't a direct answer to your question BUT, the regulator on my twin tank setup is mounted vertical on the post between the tanks.

A regulator does not care how it is mounted as it works by pressure.

Bill K

And Bill, that's interesting. Vintage Trailer Supply sells the same Regulator in both horizontal and vertical style. They say you should always have the vent pointing down (so this allows you to do that with one of the options).

Marshall One-Tank Regulator

Are they mistaken?

They also mention that a cover is required by RVIA (which I see on Joe's).

Raya

[Bill K]

The written word does it to me again. LOL

It will work vertical or horizontal, but the vent does have to be pointed down to prevent water getting inside the regulator.
I would do it that way without even thinking about it.

The cover may be for the horizontal one to keep out water.
I say this because my vertical one does not have a cover.

Bill K


And Bill, that's interesting. Vintage Trailer Supply sells the same Regulator in both horizontal and vertical style. They say you should always have the vent pointing down (so this allows you to do that with one of the options).

Marshall One-Tank Regulator

Are they mistaken?

They also mention that a cover is required by RVIA (which I see on Joe's).

Raya[/QUOTE]

[Orcus79]

This may not be on all regulators, but some have threads inside the vent for extensions, usually to the out side, but with some smiple pipe fittings one could concievable mount the reguator anywhere and modify the vent accordingly, making the vent the high spot to keep dust from clogging it.

[Raya]

Originally Posted by Bill K

The cover may be for the horizontal one to keep out water.
I say this because my vertical one does not have a cover.

Vintage sells one cover that looks like it fits both regulators (they don't specify that it only fits one and they sell both vertical and horizontal). They also say that all regulators are required to have covers. Of course I wouldn't take their word on it necessarily as it would not be the first time a company was wrong on what the rules are/aren't.

My current one has a cover, although it is the older "single" style regulator. I plan to replace it with a double, and was debating whether to remount it to the body or whether to eliminate yet two more rivets

Raya

[Robert Johans]

Here's what I did for my recent Trailswest Campster re-do.
BTW, the tank came from Costco and includes a gauge to tell me how much gas is inside...

[Raya]

Hi Robert,

It looks like the regulator is inline with the hose? Is anything supporting it? I can't quite make out the details in the photo, but I would sure like to see more.

When I bought a new tank, I originally bought one with a small gauge. I ended up returning it (the handle cutouts didn't play well with my hold-downs) and several people mentioned that the gauge was not very accurate anyway (the new-new tank does not have a gauge, and I was lamenting that fact). This was a small dial of about 1.5" diameter with numbers and a green/yellow/red shading of the dial.

I just love those Compact Jr./Campsters! So far no luck in finding one though, so I'm going to town on my Boler in the meantime

Raya

PS: Oh, I just noticed that fitting where the propane hose goes into the body. Would you have a close up of that? Is it just a grommet type of thing? Looks a bit "marine-ish."

[Robert Johans]

The two-stage regulator is inline with the hose, but fastens directly to the tank. (Valve points down.)

My bulkhead fittings are simply a combination of threaded brass gas fittings and large washers (to spread the load of pressure), outside and inside , and a bit of butyl putty to help create a tight seal.

[Raya]

Thanks, Robert!

Now I feel like I'm peppering you with questions, but I'm curious what holds the tank to the mesh deck? (Or maybe you have not done that part yet.)

Much appreciate the info,
Raya

[Robert Johans]

No problem!
The solution was simple: standard propane tanks have a "ring" welded to the bottom of the tank so that they can stand. These rings typically feature pre-cut oblong or round holes. I ran small "u-bolts" thru three of these holes and down into the mesh. Nuts and lock washers from underneath pull the bolts down tight. Since I usually fill my tank at the propane station while it's on-board the trailer, I figured a semi-permanent hold-down solution wouldn't be too much of a bother.

[Dave Bese]

Since the kitchen is in the rear of the Campact Jr. The gas line goes under the trailer and enters thru the floor under the stove. I carry the bottle in the truck and strap down the flex-hose and regulator to the trailer tongue.

[Tezha]

Originally Posted by Robert Johans

The two-stage regulator is inline with the hose, but fastens directly to the tank. (Valve points down.)

My bulkhead fittings are simply a combination of threaded brass gas fittings and large washers (to spread the load of pressure), outside and inside , and a bit of butyl putty to help create a tight seal.

I love the fittings, it creates a clean look. I may have to copy that on my rig. Great looking setup.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Robert Johans

standard propane tanks have a "ring" welded to the bottom of the tank so that they can stand. These rings typically feature pre-cut oblong or round holes.

Yes!
My Char-broil Gas Grill has a shelf with a hole in it that mates to this ring. In the sides of this hole, below the shelf, are captive bolts that engage these holes so that the tank doesn't fall off when I wheel the grill from one side of the patio to the other. Using these holes is an egg-celent idea to secure the tank to the tongue!

[Donna D.]

Okay, I'm coming late to the party but I promised a picture. (Ignore the rust... it adds character )