How Does an RV Propane System Work?

How Does an RV Propane System Work?

If you are new to RVing then you’re probably still familiar with using propane during summer barbeques. It’s good to know that your RV propane system offers you a lot more than just grilling options. In fact, propane can fuel a number of important components in your RV. How about we take a closer look.

In an RV How is Propane Used?

For most RVs the propane system powers several systems that are key to your RV enjoyment. You’re about to learn that the RV propane system provides the fuel for your kitchen stove, refrigerator cooling system, your furnace, and also your water heater.

Propane is stored in a sealed tank located in or outside your RV as a highly pressurized liquid form often referred to as LP or liquified petroleum. It flows through a regulator that reduces the pressure and boils into a vapor state to be burnt in the different appliances in your unit.

Facts About a Motorhome Propane System

Propane systems in Motorhomes are generally permanent mounted horizontal tanks that carry an ASME certification. These built-in propane tanks hold larger amounts of propane generally sized by gallons of capacity. This is common in Class A, B, and C Motorhomes. In the case of ASME propane tanks, the propane flows from the tank through a propane tank adaptor into a regulator located next to the tank. The propane regulator reduces the pressure to a level safe to be used by your appliances.

From the regulator propane flows through propane lines that snake through your RVs frame to feed your range, refrigerator if so equipped, the furnace and water heater.  You may also have an outside adaptor to connect a propane grill. If equipped with this outside port, keep in mind that the gas supply has already been reduced through the main regulator.

So, if you find it difficult to burn at a high temp it might be because you’re going through a second regulator on your grill. In this case, you will need a hose that goes directly from the port to your appliance without an inline regulator.

Facts About a Travel Trailer Propane System

Travel Trailers and 5^th Wheel trailers use exterior mounted DOT regulated propane cylinders that are removable for refueling. The size of your trailer will determine the size of your DOT propane tanks.

In most cases your will have either two 20 lb propane tanks or two 30 lb propane tanks. In either case, propane delivery goes from the tanks through a short hose to the regulator which might include a switching valve, so it’s only supplied by one tank at a time.

This feature will help you avoid running out of propane since you can switch the control when one tank goes empty and take it to refill without shutting down your whole system. Beyond the regulator, the process is exactly the same as the Motorhome propane system.

What Are Popular Propane Tank Sizes

When it comes to Travel Trailer and 5^th Wheel Trailers you can expect to find DOT  20lb propane tank or 30lb propane tank sizes to be the standard. This is because it’s possible to set up two 20 lb propane or two 30 lb propane tanks in a tandem with a shared regulator and switching system so you can use one tank at a time.  Motorhomes come with factory installed ASME horizontal propane tanks that are typically rated at either 12.2 or 20. 3 gallons capacity.

Converting Pounds of Propane to Gallons of Propane

It’s helpful to know at this point how the tank sizes for both Motorhome and Travel Trailer propane systems compare as this will be helpful when refueling. We have mentioned that Travel Trailers often use 20 or 30 lb propane tanks. Motorhome propane tanks by contrast are rated in gallon capacities.

To calculate the difference its valuable to know that propane gas weighs 4.2 pounds per gallon. So, if you’re buying propane by the pound, you would divide the total pounds purchased by 4.2 to determine how many gallons this would equal.

Why this matters, a 20 lb tank fill would equal 4 ¾ gallons of gas. (20 ÷ 4.2 = 4.76). Since a typical onboard Motorhome tank size is either 12.2 or 20.3 gallons this would equal 2 ½ or 4 ¼ 20 lb individual tanks depending on your RV.

How Do I Find Propane Tank Filling Near Me?

No matter what type of rig you own, eventually you’re going to need to refill your propane system. It’s important understand that each type of system has a different procedure for refilling the propane tanks.

A DOT refillable propane tank like the ones found on trailers have an advantage in the option of removing the tank and taking it to a refilling station. This can allow flexibility over the motorhome since you don’t need to take your RV in for fuel. Motorhomes that use ASME propane tanks are required to drive to the refueling station and park correctly to refuel their tank. This means paying closer attention to propane fuel levels before reaching a destination for an extended stay.

As you travel you will become aware to look for RV parks or campgrounds that offer propane refills. You can also google gas stations, truck stops, RV dealerships, localized propane dealerships, and even hardware stores in the area for propane refilling options.

Wherever you stop for fuel, it will be dispensed by a staff member directly into your DOT or ASME tank. Propane is very dangerous if not handled properly, so leave the refueling to someone trained to handle it.

It’s valuable to know that the internal volume of propane can change drastically as temperatures rise. For this reason, tanks are always filled to 80% of their full capacity to allow for expansion. Don’t think they are shorting you when they don’t fill the tank full. In fact, they are protecting you from a possible explosion if an over filled tank where to expand to much on a hot day.

How Long Does a Propane Tank Last

We mentioned above that a 20 lb propane tank would hold 4 ¾ gallons of propane. One gallon of propane is rated at 92,000 BTUs of heat output. So, if you have a 30,000 BTU furnace and it ran nonstop it would burn one gallon of fuel in about 3 hours. This means that if it never shut off, you would go through a 20 lb tank in about 14 hours.

However, your furnace will never run nonstop. It’s more common for one gallon to last 24 hours at 30,000 BTU heating. This means a 20 lb tank would last nearly 5 days if you are using it constantly.

I can tell you from our experience that during the summer we go through a 30 lb tank about every 2 ½ months when using it for cooking and our on-demand water heater. That’s living in the RV every day for 6 months straight. We tend to use our electric fireplaces on cool nights rather than starting the propane furnace.

Are There Risks When Running on Propane

By design, your propane system is very safe. If you follow the basic safety precautions, you can reduce any risks even further. It is still important to keep in mind that you are carrying a large tank of flammable gas.

So, a fire in your RV or an accident that damages the propane tank or propane line could lead to an explosion. Likewise, a propane leak while you’re sleeping could cause severe injury or even death from inhaling the propane. This is why a working LP or propane leak detector in your RV is very important.

Another risk to keep in mind was mentioned earlier. That is the risk of running out of propane, since this could mean no heat during cold weather or no hot water or cooking appliances. Either way, running out of propane during a trip can quickly ruin a great camping trip.

Do You Need to Have Your Propane System Inspected?

This depends on your system and the type of tank you have. If you own a Travel Trailer of 5^th Wheel that uses DOT tanks, then you’ll need to have these tanks recertified every 5 or 10 years depending on the model tank you have. It’s also a good idea to do a visual inspection looking for signs of damage or corrosion every time you refill the tanks.

There are currently no national laws or regulations requiring an ASME onboard propane tank in a Motorhome to be recertified. This is because the tank is permanently mounted to the RV. It is still a good idea to have your tank inspected annually by a qualified technician. This could be part of an annual RV maintenance program.

Once you understand that your RV propane system is one of the most important and at the same time least understood part of your RV, you’ll know to keep an eye on the basics. By doing so, you’ll keep a safe, reliable source for cooking, heat, hot water, and so much more. So, how often do you check on your propane system?