Is Your RV Propane System Safe?
An RV propane leak can happen anywhere throughout the RV propane system. Propane leaks often originate in cracked propane lines or cracked or broken fittings.
Age, use, and general wear and tear all wreak havoc on the RV’s propane system, and RV propane leaks can happen, anytime and anywhere. If you smell rotten eggs around or in your RV, you should definitely know how to detect and identify an RV propane leak.
RV Propane Leak Basics for RVers
Propane is such a familiar part of RV camping that sometimes it’s easy to forget that propane is both a toxin and a fire hazard. Liquid propane releases a toxic gas that is colorless, tasteless, and extremely flammable. If it’s inhaled, propane gas molecules displace oxygen molecules in the lungs and make it difficult or impossible to breathe.
Signs of propane poisoning include convulsions, diarrhea, and may include permanent brain damage or death. Obviously, propane is nothing to fool around with.
How companies make RV propane less hazardous
Propane manufacturers add a substance to propane that gives it the rotten egg smell you probably associate with propane. That way it’s easier to tell if there is an RV propane leak.
Because propane gas is heavier than air, RV manufacturers install a propane detector close to the floor of the RV, to hopefully sound the alarm if there is a propane leak so you can evacuate (and turn the propane valve off).
Ways to tell if your propane system leaks
The RV propane system should be checked for leaks annually. Many RV dealers provide this service and have the tools to give your RV’s propane system a thorough inspection. In between inspections, you’ll still need to monitor your propane system for leaks. Here are 3 ways you can do this:
- Use your nose: If you can smell rotten eggs, there is an RV propane leak somewhere. You can try to locate an area where the rotten egg smell is the strongest, and then paint the lines with a basting brush dipped in soapy water.
- Use a Gassaf propane leak detector: The Gassaf propane leak detector provides another layer of RV propane safety. It not only detects a propane leak, but shuts down the flow of propane if it senses a leak. The Gassaf propane leak detector is also a propane tank gauge, so you can monitor propane levels.
- Use a propane dial manometer: A dial manometer is a tool used to perform a pressure drop test in the RV’s propane system. The monometer measures pressure in the propane system and provides measured data about any possible RV propane leak.
Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE’s RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.
Related articles:
- 5 Weird Smells In Your RV And What They Might Be
- The Dangers Of Using Propane Heaters (And What Precautions You Should Take)
- Can Your RV Propane System Explode & Kill You On The Road?
Dennis Strong says
Do I need a gassoff propane detector for each tank? Or just one on one of the tanks?
Dennis Strong says
Clarification: I have a tank on each side of my 5th wheel.
Odie says
Manometer… monometer is something completely different.
Dan Warren says
While this article is good for a newbie RVer, containing awesome information, it makes no mention of the fact that the onboard propane detector has a finite life. To be reliable it, usually, needs to be replaced every 5 years. Certainly something to check when buying a used RV that is older than the prescribed 5 years.
Bill says
A GasStop would be a better recommendation. It stops 100% of the flow in the event of a leak.
Steve Hericks says
(I’m a mechanical engineer and former RV plant engineer)
‘Gas stop’ works by having a flow rate sensitive valve. High rates of gas flow, above that created by ‘normal’ appliance use, will cause the valve to close. What is a high rate?
This valve is designed to NOT stop flow created by properly operating RV equipment meaning, the furnace, water heater and cookstove should all be able to operate simultaneously without it triggering a ‘high flow’ shutdown.
This means, the valve really only operates if it passes more gas than all three appliances combined. In my mind, that would take a fully severed gas line near the tank (such as in the case of a vehicle accident).
If that is the level of security you seek, then it is the correct tool for the job. In any other case, particularly leaks of almost any other size, it will not do anything.
Charlotte says
Propane never smells like rotten eggs to me. But, I can smell a leak where the propane company (ferrelgas) guys can’t. It took 1/2 hour one time for their testing to show the tank leak that I could smell. The guy said his wife is that way, too. Seems women can smell better than men.
SlimShady says
I couldn’t agree more. Women definitely smell better than men.
Brennen Thomas says
Installing it in my RV gives me peace of mind.
These devices are very useful to detect the presence of toxic and flammable gases in my recreational vehicle. I used this MTI Industries RV Propane Alert from the 30 Series Safety Alerts created for harsh RV environments. I’m also very happy with the large mask and small body as these designs cover rough cuts.
Don says
What was interesting to me was the comments/review section of the Amazon webpage for this product. There were a number of reviews which spoke about the product not working or leaking. Also, there are only a few references made to being used on an RV. This is what I would be interested in, not on my BBQ grill. I want a gauge that provides accurate information. The one that came with my 2017 Gulf Stream Conquest C class is very inaccurate. Often showing a level down around 1/4 full, and then it only takes a couple gallons to fill it. I would like to see a review of a high quality gauge. This one, and those also recommended on the Amazon page run in the vicinity of $15.00 US, and that to me indicates a lower quality product. Not to say that I want to pay, say, 50 dollars, but I realize that a higher quality gauge would probably cost a few dollars more, and for the safety and peace of mind, I would be willing to fork out a few extra dollars. Thanks for letting me vent. Regards.
Steve Hericks says
Propane level cannot be measured by pressure. Pressure in a propane tank changes with temperature alone as long as there is some liquid still in the tank. Tanks are ‘full’ when 80% of their volume is liquid and have only 5% of their capacity when the liquid is gone. Pressure will remain driven by temperature as long as any liquid remains. Only with 100% vapor will a pressure gauge become somewhat effective (because the pressure will still change with temperature but it will begin to drop as long as the temperature is stable.
The most effective means to gauge a propane tank is with an ultrasonic transducer-type gauge that bounces a sound wave through the bottom of the tank that reflects off the top of the liquid. This will tell you how ‘thick’ the layer of liquid propane in your tank is. If your tank is a horizontal cylinder, versus a vertical cylinder, some measurement errors exist because of shape AND the ‘horizon’ of the tank if not level. See the “Mopeka” products on Amazon.
Steve Hericks says
“Liquid propane releases a toxic gas that is colorless, tasteless, and extremely flammable. If it’s inhaled, propane gas molecules displace oxygen molecules in the lungs and make it difficult or impossible to breathe.”
1) Propane is not toxic. As correctly stated, leaking propane vapor can replace oxygen, and if in large enough concentrations, there may not be enough oxygen remaining to sustain human life. THAT is where the danger lies. It does not prevent breathing. It simply results in the breathing being ineffective (because the gas inhaled does not contain enough oxygen).
“Signs of propane poisoning include convulsions, diarrhea, and may include permanent brain damage or death.”
2) There is no such thing as ‘propane poisoning’ (because propane is not toxic). There is only ‘asphyxia’ (insufficient oxygen to sustain life) and these symptoms are of that malady. It is important to recognize asphyxia because other forms of vapor displacement can cause it as well.