How long is too long? (propane hose, that is)

[Pam Garlow]

I am putting a 'T' on my trailer's propane tank with a quick disconnect for a 2nd hose. That way, I can run my little grill or firepit at a distance from the tank. I'm thinking of getting a 15ft hose but don't know if there is a maximum length I can use?

[BCDave]

I'm hoping that 15 feet is acceptable - cause that's what I'm planning, too. I'd consider 10 to be the MINIMUM for me as I plan on putting a (portable) BBQ on the picnic table, and I have a "quick connect" on the side of my trailer and I want a bit of leeway as to where things can go......

[Doug Mager]

.......with the co$t of the custom made hose (special length) and appropriate fittings, wouldn't it be cheaper/easier to do what we do???

Buy an extra tank, & use the hose that comes with the designated appliance? Then you can put/use that appliance WHERE EVER you choose without having to concern yourself about (possible) pressure drop OR the potential of TRIPPING hazard??

[BCDave]

There are all kinds of 10 foot, 12 foot and 15 foot "profane" hoses on Flea Bay in the 20-25 dollar range. Since I already have a propane supply in the form of a pair of 30# tanks on the tongue of my Bigfoot (And a low-pressure quick-connect outlet on the side of the trailer), the thought of carrying yet another additional tank of ANY size is not appealing......

[Victor Benz]

There is no legal limit on hose length. You could daisy-chain a couple or more together if you wanted to. One problem with a very long hose may be safety. Driving over it etc. The problem that may become apparent is a loss of gas flow at the end due to high pressure drop in a very long hose. That is why most industrial installations are a combination of hose and hard pipe. Hose to simplify switching cylinders, and hard pipe to provide abit more protection and the inside of the pipe is smoother than hose, giving less pressure drop at the use end.

Having said all that, I have used them up to 30 feet off of 20 pound or more propane cylinders. Cylinders of 5 pound size or less don't seem to be able to generate enough vapour for even short hose lengths.

Vic

[Thomas G.]

I think the limiting factor would be flow rate. If you tried to pull a huge amount of gas thorough say, 50 feet, you may have an issue.

[Darwin Maring]

We have a buried tank and it is over 50 ft to the house.

Look at the orifice in the stove and you will see that it is a pinhole measured in microns. You're not going to have a flow problem.

[Pam Garlow]

I'm thinking that 15 feet will do me. I don't want to grill far away from the trailer, I actually like to sit my small propane fire pit next to my awnning, or else my grill is near the back of the trailer. If I want to grill on a table 30ft away, I have a small disposable. My concern was about pressure drop. But it sounds like if I am at 15-20ft from the tank, I'm fine. Thanks so much for the advice!

[Joe MacDonald]

I have a 20 foot hose on mine, and two five footers from the tee it feeds to the appliances

[Pam Garlow]

WOOHOO!! On a whim, I pulled over for a tool sale at the neighbors and he was selling a 20ft propane hose for 5 bucks!! SCORE!

[james kent]

I carry two tanks on the trailer. A 20 pound tank for inside use and a 10 pound one which I use for the BBQ outside. I can move the small one to any locaton on the campsite and with an 8 ft hose place the BQ or stove anywhere. Usually I keep the small tank chained and padlocked to the rear bumper or the tongue so that it doesn't walk away.

[Lyndaleen]

Originally Posted by Victor Benz

There is no legal limit on hose length. You could daisy-chain a couple or more together if you wanted to. One problem with a very long hose may be safety. Driving over it etc. The problem that may become apparent is a loss of gas flow at the end due to high pressure drop in a very long hose. That is why most industrial installations are a combination of hose and hard pipe. Hose to simplify switching cylinders, and hard pipe to provide abit more protection and the inside of the pipe is smoother than hose, giving less pressure drop at the use end.

Having said all that, I have used them up to 30 feet off of 20 pound or more propane cylinders. Cylinders of 5 pound size or less don't seem to be able to generate enough vapour for even short hose lengths.

Vic

I think you're solving my problem, too. I bought a dual fuel generator and am mounting it on the tongue of my 1972 Hunter Compact Jr. It came with a 4' propane hose, so I bought another 10' hose so it would reach the tank which will be mounted on the back bumper. I began wo worry if I could actually daisy chain it. I'm very encouraged now. My generator is will flow 3500W - 4850W, I bought a portable AC that pulls 1056W. I'm hoping by buying things bigger than I need will help not strain them. My AC can cool 100 sq ft., my Hunter is 60. Thanks for your answer!!!

[Jim Bennett]

I use 25 or more feet of hose (2 pieces) to run my gear off my low pressure connection.

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by Lyndaleen

I think you're solving my problem, too. I bought a dual fuel generator and am mounting it on the tongue of my 1972 Hunter Compact Jr. It came with a 4' propane hose, so I bought another 10' hose so it would reach the tank which will be mounted on the back bumper. I began to worry if I could actually daisy chain it. I'm very encouraged now. My generator is will flow 3500W - 4850W, I bought a portable AC that pulls 1056W. I'm hoping by buying things bigger than I need will help not strain them. My AC can cool 100 sq ft., my Hunter is 60. Thanks for your answer!!!

A bad idea here...
NFPA 1192, Standard for Recreational Vehicles, prohibits mounting propane tanks on the rear of a trailer or other RV.

1.3 Location of LP-Gas Containers. LP-Gas containers shall be installed in accordance with 5.1.3.1 through 5.1.3.4.
5.1.3.1 LP-Gas containers shall not be installed nor shall provisions be made for installing or storing any LP-Gas containers,
even temporarily, inside any recreational vehicle.
5.1.3.2 Containers shall not be mounted on the exterior of the rear wall or the rear bumper of the vehicle.

[Lyndaleen]

Originally Posted by Casita Greg

A bad idea here...
NFPA 1192, Standard for Recreational Vehicles, prohibits mounting propane tanks on the rear of a trailer or other RV.

1.3 Location of LP-Gas Containers. LP-Gas containers shall be installed in accordance with 5.1.3.1 through 5.1.3.4.
5.1.3.1 LP-Gas containers shall not be installed nor shall provisions be made for installing or storing any LP-Gas containers,
even temporarily, inside any recreational vehicle.
5.1.3.2 Containers shall not be mounted on the exterior of the rear wall or the rear bumper of the vehicle.

uh-oh. I'm screwed. Well, I go back to the drawing board...and RV codes.