Inspectable Item: Propane Area

[Chris Scarff]

While helping my girlfriend with her 2002 Casita to down-size her propane tanks to new 20 lbs tanks, we found that the propane regulator bracket and the hold-down/tank retainer bar were flipped and allowed the regulator, and hence hose/lines, to drop too far down. This can easily happen to any camper with a dual propane tank system like this.

After anyone works on your rig, or you purchase a used travel trailer, ensure things are in order in the propane area.

Hope this helps.

UPDATE: If you look close at her picture, you can also see that the right-angle LP connector off the regulator has now rubbed into the passenger-side tank.  That's not good in any way shape or form - truly bad.  I'm sure these have very strict rules by the DOT. Also, in some rare cases, having certain regulators lower than the tops of the LP tanks, may cause certain LP appliances to fail to operate properly.

 

Edited Monday at 03:58 PM by Chris Scarff
Improved image with "Bad" indicator, and UPDATE

[Geronimo John]

Chris:

Many of us fully remove the tank hold down bar when filling our propane tanks.  I would prefer not to have the regulator support angle above the tank hold down bar.  Doing so would subject the hoses to additional stress at every tank fill.

That said, I appreciate your warning.  I think that I will add two jamb nuts below the tank hold down bar (One on each side of the regulator support angle) to "fix" the location of the regulator thereby reducing stress on the hoses during survice.

Do you think that would solve the concern?

GJ

 

[Geronimo John]

PS:  It appears that one of your hoses is relatively new and the other is likely a 2016 OEM.  May want to update the older one.

GJ

[Ronbrink]

The key is to have enough slack in the hoses to enable lifting the regulator off the threaded stock when removing the propane tanks. This is my preferred setup, as the tank valves and changeover switch are all easily reachable via the housing screw port; and the regulator can be moved out of the way for more clearance when handling the tanks. Note the cable routed through the cross bar, around each tank handle the loop ends on the threaded stock seen behind the regulator, as well as the padlock for securement.

Edited Monday at 10:14 AM by Ronbrink

[Chris Scarff]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Chris:

Many of us fully remove the tank hold down bar when filling our propane tanks.  I would prefer not to have the regulator support angle above the tank hold down bar.  Doing so would subject the hoses to additional stress at every tank fill.

GJ

 

I actually love your idea. It seems that in some cases that would be a bit less work.  However, as @Ollie-Haus recently found out with his current regulator, he ended up having to raise up his regulator on the bracket to be a bit higher compared to the top of his tanks. We had an exhaustive conversation about it. This was because his Truma (I think) was having issues igniting, he can verify.

I then read through a bunch of different regulator instructions while at a local hardware store, and found out that some regulators (few) did mention the height/elevation recommendation compared to the tanks.  That was a surprise to me, but I'm a computer guy and have never gotten out of the house much.  LOL

Since I received only this one picture from my girlfriend, I had also noted that it's time to replace both hoses so she has good data on age.

I still love the idea of an easier removal process, no matter what.  Some of you guys are really good with metal-work.  So get to work on ideas.  🫠

PS: If you look close at her picture, you can also see that the right-angle LP connector off the regulator has now rubbed into the passenger-side tank.  That's not good in any way shape or form - truly bad.  I'm sure these have very strict rules by the DOT and other agencies.

Edited Monday at 12:02 PM by Chris Scarff

[jd1923]

9 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I would prefer not to have the regulator support angle above the tank hold down bar

I believe it’s designed to sit above. Works for me. It drops down when detached/filling tanks and lift up and it sits nice and close when mounted and locked.

I renewed the regulator and lines a couple months ago. 😎 I used your idea of using street elbows so 12” lines would fit nicely!

Also, the new regulator came with a mounting bracket exactly like Ron’s (single mount). I reused the original bracket that mounts to the threaded post above and below for better support (can’t be seen in photo).

Edited Monday at 04:47 PM by jd1923

[Ollie-Haus]

As @Chris Scarff mentioned above, I experienced a regulator failure on our 2023 LE2 and it was not allowing  gas to flow at a high enough rate for the Truma furnace to run properly. Rather than making an appointment and going to the trouble of hauling the camper to a local dealer for troubleshooting, I decided to just replace the regulator with an identical model. Currently Oliver is using the Fairview GR-9984. Long story short, the regulator was the problem. 
 

When I received the regulator it came with very specific installation instructions, which clearly indicated that the regulator was not installed correctly from the factory. I have no way of knowing if this had anything to do with the failure, and I doubt that it did or you would likely hear about others experiencing this same problem. 
 

Nevertheless I chose to install the new regulator according to the instructions. I do believe this is an important detail or Fairview would not explicitly detail these instructions. 
 

Below is the instruction sheet that came with my replacement regulator. Notice at the bottom of the page are the highlighted instructions for correct installation and incorrect installation. The next two pictures are my as found installation, followed by my updated installation with the new regulator.
 

Note: I have ordered a set street 90 fittings to reduce stress on the hoses as others have mentioned in their comments  

As found 

 

Updated installation required mounting the bracket to the lower set of holes in the regulator, effectively raising it ~3-4 inches. 


 

There is still about 4 inches of clearance between the top of the regulator and the propane cover and the valve selector is still easily accessible for switching.

Edited Monday at 06:05 PM by Ollie-Haus

[Patriot]

8 hours ago, Ronbrink said:

The key is to have enough slack in the hoses to enable lifting the regulator off the threaded stock when removing the propane tanks. This is my preferred setup, as the tank valves and changeover switch are all easily reachable via the housing screw port; and the regulator can be moved out of the way for more clearance when handling the tanks. Note the cable routed through the cross bar, around each tank handle the loop ends on the threaded stock seen behind the regulator, as well as the padlock for securement.

Very well done Ron! Gotta love a neat and clean install! 👍🏻

[Geronimo John]

On 1/25/2026 at 6:55 AM, Chris Scarff said:

ensure things are in order in the propane area.

Now that's a good understatement.   Your post has generated several concepts that frankly need a relook:  

• The need to have the regulator higher than we had envisionated.  (A Geronimo John word)
• Having enough hose to reduce hose stress especially during tank removal for refill.
• Using street elbows to get the hose traveling in the right direction from the regulator.
• Knowing that there is a second set of holes on the regulator. 
• Creative security for our propane gear.
• Part of the service PITA is that the regulator itself is in the way as the tank installation centerlines are a bit too close.  We have room to spare, but all the "OEM Purchased" components are set up for the "standard" set up where space is very critical.  We have space to spare.   
• Mount the regulator away from the threaded rod sufficient so as to allow the tightening of the rod handle without hitting or being close to the regulator!

And now I'm thinking that the geometry of our OE2 dog house propane hoses and regulators may be space efficient, but it sure does not do us any favors when changing tanks when we have to do a Up and Over maneuver with the tanks.  IMO, doing so always is a small PITA. 

I think we can concoct a better design as we are blessed with space under the hood of the dog house.  My assumption is to reuse the tank base, rod, and horizontal tank tie-downbar.  Then to focus on the regulator support. From almost 4,000 miles from our Ollie, I'm going to plant a seed to attract some flamng arrows.  What if we:  

A.  Modified the regulator bracket to attach to the verticle threaded rod to have two attachment points on the rod and a regulator bracket so as to put the regulator out of the way for service and high enough to be above the liquid level. Double nut one set of the attachment points on the threaded rod to do so.  In effect the regulator's location would be fixed.

B.  Incorporate into the design a simple way to keep the tanks locked down that can be easily removed for service, light and uses a pad lock. 

C. Increase the hose lengths to facilitate service.  

D. Use street brass fittings to align the hoses to the direction needed to increase hose bend radius. 

GJ

 

 

 

5 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:

Updated installation required mounting the bracket to the lower set of holes in the regulator, effectively raising it ~3-4 inches. 

T

 

On 1/25/2026 at 6:55 AM, Chris Scarff said:

 If you look close at her picture, you can also see that the right-angle LP connector off the regulator has now rubbed into the passenger-side tank.

Fromthe picture, the 30 pound tanks diameter has reduced a more restricted space for the regulator.  

Edited Monday at 11:38 PM by Geronimo John

[Ollie-Haus]

53 minutes ago, Geronimo John said:

Now that's a good understatement.   Your post has generated several concepts that frankly need a relook:  

• The need to have the regulator higher than we had envisionated.  (A Geronimo John word)
• Having enough hose to reduce hose stress especially during tank removal for refill.
• Using street elbows to get the hose traveling in the right direction from the regulator.
• Knowing that there is a second set of holes on the regulator. 
• Creative security for our propane gear.
• Part of the service PITA is that the regulator itself is in the way as the tank installation centerlines are a bit too close.  We have room to spare, but all the "OEM Purchased" components are set up for the "standard" set up where space is very critical.  We have space to spare.   
• Mount the regulator away from the threaded rod sufficient so as to allow the tightening of the rod handle without hitting or being close to the regulator!

And now I'm thinking that the geometry of our OE2 dog house propane hoses and regulators may be space efficient, but it sure does not do us any favors when changing tanks when we have to do a Up and Over maneuver with the tanks.  IMO, doing so always is a small PITA. 

I think we can concoct a better design as we are blessed with space under the hood of the dog house.  My assumption is to reuse the tank base, rod, and horizontal tank tie-downbar.  Then to focus on the regulator support. From almost 4,000 miles from our Ollie, I'm going to plant a seed to attract some flamng arrows.  What if we:  

A.  Modified the regulator bracket to attach to the verticle threaded rod to have two attachment points on the rod and a regulator bracket so as to put the regulator out of the way for service and high enough to be above the liquid level. Double nut one set of the attachment points on the threaded rod to do so.  In effect the regulator's location would be fixed.

B.  Incorporate into the design a simple way to keep the tanks locked down that can be easily removed for service, light and uses a pad lock. 

C. Increase the hose lengths to facilitate service.  

D. Use street brass fittings to align the hoses to the direction needed to increase hose bend radius. 

GJ

 

 

 

T

 

Fromthe picture, the 30 pound tanks diameter has reduced a more restricted space for the regulator.  

Yes I did encounter interference between the wing nut tabs and the regulator in the upper mounted position. This was quickly and easily remedied with a 12-14 inch adjustable wrench. With the wing nut screwed down tight, use the adjustable wrench to bend the tabs up to a vertical enough angle to clear the back side of the regulator. Problem solved.    

Edited yesterday at 12:05 AM by Ollie-Haus

[jd1923]

38 minutes ago, Ollie-Haus said:

Yes I did encounter interference between the wing nut tabs and the regulator in the upper mounted position.

Me too on our new unit. Just hold the regulator up with on hand as you spin the wing-nut with the other! All’s good! 😎

[Chris Scarff]

I found my pic from 2023 where I turned both tanks 45 degrees making the hoses fit like a glove with nearly no strain on the hoses. Works fantastic, but I do like those 90 degree connectors.  Things to add to my future work truck for common parts. 

PS: It looks like I could add those safety gauges and have penty of room for the cover. Sweet!

 

Edited yesterday at 01:09 AM by Chris Scarff
more bla bla bla

[Geronimo John]

3 hours ago, Ollie-Haus said:

Yes I did encounter interference between the wing nut tabs and the regulator in the upper mounted position. This was quickly and easily remedied with a 12-14 inch adjustable wrench. With the wing nut screwed down tight, use the adjustable wrench to bend the tabs up to a vertical enough angle to clear the back side of the regulator. Problem solved. 

i tried that, and did't like the results.  So I just added several inches of  1/2" cpvc pipe under the nut to get it up over the obstructions.  Either way easy fix.

GJ

[Geronimo John]

Ok, we have two solutions for the wing nut.

If we were to use the Gas-Gear 90 degree hoses we could use these longer ones:

 Which would allow us to move the regulator forward well out of the way of swinging tanks as we change them.  With the regulator moved out of the way (Forward), using one of these for security makes sense now as getting the lock on it would be eazy.

Just need a simple bracket to move this forward out of the way: 

  

This is sort of turning into a cherry pick the best so far!

GJ

 

[Chris Scarff]

Here's one more thing to add to your growing list of annually inspectable items. Use a mirror tool or smart phone to visually inspect the diaphragm air vent on your propane regulators.

Ensure bugs and road debris have not clogged the air vent.  Boy, if going to Alaska, this will need to be inspected often, and carry a spare regular, just to be sure. No propane, no heat while boon-docking. 😵‍💫

[Geronimo John]

19 hours ago, Chris Scarff said:

list of annually inspectable items

Ok, I can assume mine is dirty. How do you clean it?