Onboard propane question.

[hwyd]

I have a 2001 29' Fleetwood Jamboree. I have a question about the lp system. We full time in our rv year round, and have had the rv for a year now. Last winter, the place we were buying it from put on a stay-a-while adapter so we could hook up external tanks. We had always taken the stay-a-while off when we drove so we could use the onboard and had no way to block off the hose connection from leaking the onboard propane. We ended up buying a new stay-a-while and this one came with a cap to put in place after disconnecting the propane hose from the stay-a-while. So now we can run the onboard without taking off the stay-a-while. Now my question is. When we go to drive our mh while running the onboard propane, is it safe to leave the stay-a-while with that cap in place, or should the stay-a-while be removed and use the normal connection setup? Would be nice if I didn't have to remove every time, but I want to be safe for my family and myself. I would presume that if it stays in place, that checking for leaks when parked and tightning loose connections as needed is a good idea because of travel/road vibrations. Any thoughts or comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Daniel

[jim and di]

Seems to me better safe than sorry, is checking for leaks and worry easier than removing one connection and placing the plug in and storing the hose?
Jim

[Rick Long]

I've had mine on for years... wouldn't think of taking it off.

[phays]

If you are using the Marshall Brass Extend-A-Stay then you can leave it on as it has check valves to prevent flow from the external connections when nothing is connected. I use the provided (and attached) caps when not using it to prevent dirt from getting into the fittings.

If you leave it on all the time I would suggest coming up with a way to support the regulator. My Extend-A-Stay extends the regulator about 4 inches farther from the tank valve and I had the connection to the tank valve vibrate loose once while I was driving on rough roads.

[Clay L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phays SNIP If you leave it on all the time I would suggest coming up with a way to support the regulator. My Extend-A-Stay extends the regulator about 4 inches farther from the tank valve and I had the connection to the tank valve vibrate loose once while I was driving on rough roads.

Good idea. I used a piece of 1 by 4 cut so it is a slight press fit between the Tee and the metal the regulator cover was mounted on. I cleaned the surfaces real well and put some silicon adhesive on the surfaces it contacts. It keeps the regulator from bouncing and putting stress on the Tee and connection to the tank.

The Extend a Stay has been in place for 6 years and 48,000 miles with no problems.
I do use a commercial leak detector fluid to check the connections fairly often.

[hwyd]

All really good ideas, thoughts and suggestions. I really appreciate the help and everyone's time with this. Thank you so much. I think I will start working on a support mechanism for stabilizing the connection during travel periods this week and weekend.

Daniel/Vick