Wander the West

Propane problem finally resolved

	Four Wheel Camper Interior

2006

After owning my camper for about 4 months a problem developed with my propane system. The propane alarm started going off whenever the propane tank valve was open and the door to the camper was open. The popane detector is very close to the tank when the camper door is open. Upon closer inspection, I found that when the propane tank valve was open, the smell of propane at the tank grew over time. There was obviously a problem here.

I had the tank and the fittings next to the tank (hose, regulator) checked for leaks several times and no leaks were identified. I then went to a local RV dealer and had them check my entire propane system for leaks. Again, no leaks were found.

Back to the issue of the propane smell around the tank. All the people I had inspect the tank had differing opinions on whether it was normal to have a propane smell at the open valve. I was frustrated by the lack of professionalism in that there wasn't one person I went to that was confident enough (or cared to take the time) to say "no that is definately not normal" and suggest an actual course of action. "I dunno" is the best advice I could get.

Finally I just bought a new propane tank and that seems to have solved the problem. I'd like to thank the people at my local Amerigas for spending a fair amount of time with me in trouble shooting this problem. Ultimately they were the only ones that helped.

So for the record:

It is NOT normal to have a strong smell of propane at the tank valve!

I also should note that I am not very happy with Four Wheel Campers support. I have sent them a few emails since I got the camper and the responses come in 1 to 2 weeks, if at all. There were a few questions I had about the problem I was having and timely responses from them would have helped me in this process. I know they have the ability to answer emails because they were very prompt in replying during the sales process. After the sale however, I am lucky to get a response at all. Great campers, support needs some work.

- Aaron Walton