Need help diagnosing low and intermittent LP gas flow.

[OldArmyJeep]

Doc.... How true!!!!

Dave..... Thanks for going the extra mile for us.

Bruce.... Thanks for your post.... I now feel vindicated in thinking THE FACTORY is the ONE common bond for all of our rigs with these exact same symptoms..... Let's see what kind of response Dave gets from those folks...... Joe

[EA37TS]

Here is the relatively quick response from Thor

Hi David

Thank you for contacting Thor Motor Coach

We do not purge the system, every time the tank is filled it runs the chance of getting some moisture in it which would freeze at the temp you speak of. A lot of coaches are not meant to be used at sustained temps below freezing so this is not normal problem that I know of.

Thanks and have a great day

[EA37TS]

All,

Since I am still a member of the Forest River forum here is a link to something I read over there. Folks with FR trailers and motorhomes have the same issues with LP that some are experiencing here.

From reading the article it appears the majority of the issues may be the result of the selling dealer when they initially fill the LP tanks.

Purging new Cylinders and Tanks

[bevedfelker]

Several years ago I had compiled Owners' Manual for both the Casita and Trailmanor travel trailers when we were considering those models. In researching forums on those models I found numerous threads describing problems with their propane furnances exactly as Bruce described in the first post of this thread.

This thread has seemed to focus on moisture in the propane tank. That moisture could be impacting operation by freezing in the regulator when temps drop below freezing. Many Trailmanor and Casita owners who frequently winter camped would use heat strips (like those to prevent ice dams) on their propane regulator when the temps dropped below freezing to ensure they did not loose heat in the RV.

Here is a pdf file about regulator freeze up.

[DocMike]

Ed,

When I was in college the wife and I purchased a mobile home to live in and we had to run some 20 or so feet of heat-tape wrapped on the waterline into the mobile home to prevent it from freezing. Is this the same type of heat-strips you mentioned above?

Doc

[brucev]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

Several years ago I had compiled Owners' Manual for both the Casita and Trailmanor travel trailers when we were considering those models. In researching forums on those models I found numerous threads describing problems with their propane furnances exactly as Bruce described in the first post of this thread.

This thread has seemed to focus on moisture in the propane tank. That moisture could be impacting operation by freezing in the regulator when temps drop below freezing. Many Trailmanor and Casita owners who frequently winter camped would use heat strips (like those to prevent ice dams) on their propane regulator when the temps dropped below freezing to ensure they did not loose heat in the RV.

Here is a pdf file about regulator freeze up.

Great article. I'll have to check my lines between the tank and regulator and maybe make a few adjustments. It is funny that the dealer thought I was crazy, I may still be crazy but not on this issue! Thank you.

[brucev]

Something else I read was that you can put a 50 watt light bulb in the propane bay to keep it above freezing. I have one of those clamp on lights that I'll carry in the future.

[bevedfelker]

The light bulb should work too. And any type of heat tape. When the problem goes away when it warms up and then reappears when it goes below freezing again -- I'd suspect the regulator first. And this is especially true if the flame when you turn on the stove top gets bright and dim over and over.

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by brucev

Something else I read was that you can put a 50 watt light bulb in the propane bay to keep it above freezing. I have one of those clamp on lights that I'll carry in the future.

There is something about heat and electricity close to a propane tank that make me uneasy.

What I read is to cover the regulator. If I have to I'll modify an insulated hose bib sock to use as a regulator cover.

[EA37TS]

Has anyone tried using one of these to cover your regulator?

Frost King 2-1/4 in. Sock Faucet Cover-FC3 - The Home Depot

[Travelin' Texans]

Would highly recommend NOT using heat tape & DEFINITELY NOT a light bulb, both may make much warmer than intended.