RVs and propane go together like peanut butter and jelly. Well...maybe that’s an exaggeration, but there’s a lot of your RV that runs on propane, even when you have an electrical grid to hook up to. Independent fuel sources are particularly important for boondockers. But propane can also be a tricky and sometimes dangerous piece of equipment to work with, so The Motorcoach Store has provided you with some information to help you understand propane and maintain all the related gear. If you ever find yourself in jam while out on the road, be sure to take advantage of our mobile RV service where our trained staff will come to your location to help you get back out and on the road in no time! If you need additional advice from our experienced staff, or if you need a consultation with our dedicated RV service and repair department, stop by our dealership, proudly serving all of Florida, including Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Lakeland.
You probably already have a little bit of an understanding of what propane is and what it does. After all, it’s one of the more widely used natural gasses on the market and it’s one that’s used by private citizens and large companies. This is because propane is easy to store and has many uses, from fueling grills to heating homes to even getting hot air balloons in the sky. The tank used to hold the propane must maintain a standard temperature of -44℉ where propane becomes a liquid. Once it hits room temperature, it becomes a gas. Using this method, you can store more propane in the tank and use it for a longer period of time.
This is why propane can be used so efficiently in RVs. You’re already going to be looking for areas where you can keep things consolidated and contained, so using propane to heat your water tank or power your stove or even your heating system can be a great way to get power to your RV, especially if you don’t have the option of hooking up to the electrical grid.
Because your propane is so important, you’ll want to make sure it’s in good working order at all times. Periodic inspections can go a long way in preventing things like leaks and underperforming systems. First and foremost, you’ll want to check the fuel gauge so you can be sure you’ve got enough propane for your trip.
Also take a look at the tank itself, checking for damage or weakened areas. Damaged tanks can be dangerous, so you’ll want to resolve this issue with a new tank as soon as possible. Beyond the tank, you’ll want to check all vents to ensure there’s no debris obstructing the flow, as well as inspecting the lines of connection between your propane and the corresponding appliances. Propane leaks can be more than a little frustrating and time consuming when you realize one of your appliances isn’t working. The situation can be much more serious.
Propane leaks both create a fire hazard and are toxic to inhale. If your nose picks up the smell of gas, immediately power down all systems, especially flammable ones like cooking appliances and pilot lights. If it’s safe to do so, shut down the propane supply itself. You’ll also want to start ventilating the RV as much as possible. Open all doors and windows and step out of the rig. Your next step will need to be talking to people who need to know what’s going on or can help you. Your first step should be identifying if there’s a fire risk and calling emergency services. You’ll also want to inform any neighbors of the fire risk so they can get to safety. You’ll also want to contact a propane service professional to help you with repairing the issue and making it safe to enter the rig again. As an additional safety measure, you may want to look into investing in a propane detector so you don’t have to rely on your nose to spot a problem.
Hopefully this helps you safely enjoy your next RV trip and take full advantage of the conveniences of propane power. Just because you want to be careful with propane, doesn’t mean you should shy away from it. It can make camping a lot easier, especially in your RV, so stop by The Motorcoach Store and let us know if you have any additional questions regarding your propane system. If you think you need some repairs for any part of your rig, visit our mobile RV service and repair department. We welcome all current and future RV owners from all across Florida, including Sarasota, Tampa, Fort Myers, and Lakeland.
