How many times have you flipped on your LP gas grill, only to realize you were completely out of propane? The last thing you want to do is pack up the family and head over to the one and only gas station close to you.
Especially if you’re having a cookout with several other people all preparing different types of food, who are also out of propane. Not fun! There’s a simple solution – hook up an external propane tank to your RV. Here’s how to do it in 5 simple steps:
Connect Your RV to an External Propane Source
Things you must have:
Step 1: Disconnect Propane Regulator From Permanent Propane Tank
Locate the propane regulator for your RV. It will be in one of the wheel wells, near the frame. Follow the hose from this regulator to where it connects to the tank.
Use a crescent wrench or adjustable wrench to remove the nut holding the hose on the tank. Screw this nut onto the appropriate end of your new hose and tighten it with your wrench.
Place a pan or bucket under the connection to catch any spilling fuel. Open the valve on top of your permanent tank.
Find a spot on your RV where you can mount your new tank bracket with screws or bolts.
Attach this bracket securely to your RV, then screw one end of an extra hose onto it and tighten with a wrench.
Open up both valves on top of both tanks, then attach them together with another short line of hose, secured by nuts at each end.
Step 2: Installing the Camco RV External Propane Tank Adapter
The 2nd step is to install the Camco RV External Propane Tank Adapter on the propane tank itself. The adapter goes between the hose that leads to the external propane tank and the hose that leads to your RV. Be sure that all of the fittings are secure and not leaking before continuing.
The Camco RV External Propane Tank Adapter is a simple way to hook up your camper’s propane system to an external tank. It comes with adapters for either ACME Nut or POL connections.
Step 3: Connecting Your External Propane Tank
The first consideration is where you’re going to put your external propane tank. The proper placement allows the regulator to work optimally and is also important for safety.
Make sure your external tank doesn’t obstruct any service doors or vents and place it far away from any open flames or heat sources. Never store a tank in direct sunlight.
Connecting your external propane tank is easy:
Turn off the propane supply at the main shutoff valve on your RV. This valve looks like a dial and is usually located near the propane tanks on the exterior of your RV. Turn the dial clockwise until it stops.
Remove the dust cap from the RV side of your regulator and connect that end of the hose to your RV propane supply port using a wrench to make a good, tight seal. Replace dust cap on unused RV side of regulator for safekeeping during use.
Remove dust cap from external tank side of the regulator, then connect a hose to external tank fitting by hand-tightening, then tightening another quarter turn with a wrench for a good seal.
If you are having any issue with starting propane-powered appliances, you must have to Purge RV Propane Lines.
Optional Step 4: Attach an External Gas Appliance
The 4-way brass tee connection on Camco External Propane Tank Adapter kits for RV allows you to easily hookup external gas-powered appliances same as BBQ grills or heaters.
Simply you have to connect one end of the 12-foot hose to the port C and other ends of the gas-powered appliances.
Step 5: Turn on the Gas and Test the System
After completing Step 4, you should turn on the gas and test the system. Verify that the propane is flowing into the tank and that there is no leakage from the connection. If everything looks good, turn off the gas and disconnect the propane hose from your RV’s tank.
