Propane running out super quick

20# bottles? Is the OP doing the exchange where they are filled about half way?

If 30# or even 40# would fit I would pop them on.

x2 then you won,t be guessing. easy to do.

Simple pressure test will tell you if you have a leak. If so go to the soap bottle and start looking.

Thewilderlives wrote:
I just bought a 2018 Heartland Mallard about 2 months ago, and am having worries about the propane usage on it. My old TT was a 2009, and even with running the water heater constantly, cooking daily, and only using the furnace for heat, I only went through 2 tanks a month in the winter, while living in it full-time.

With the new mallard, I am going through 2 bottles a week. I live in it full-time too, so I know the usage should be somewhat high, but this seems ridiculous. I just refilled one bottle last wednesday, and then left thursday to spend the weekend with a friend. I got home yesterday, and was out of propane. The heat was only set to 50, and I did forget to turn off the WH, but it still seems like there has to be some sort of problem here.

Is this normal? Am I really going to have to spend $40-60 a week just on propane or does it sound like there is some kind of issue? Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.

A Heartland Mallard has dual 20# tanks and either a 20K or 30K BTU furnace. A 20# tank of propane has around 430K BTU's.

If it's below 40 the furnace would be running at least 1/3 of the time if not more. So using that you will get about 5 days with a 20K furnace or 3 1/2 days from A 30K furnace with it running 8 out 24 hours. It probably runs more than that.

If the OP was getting a month out of 2 tanks on his 2009 no matter if it had 20# or 30# tanks, running all he claimed, he should of held onto it as it produced it's own propane.

seaeagle2 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Odd to have a new trailer with a propane leak but might still have it checked.

If it was built on a Monday, Wed or Friday, or if it was on the line at lunchtime, or the end of the shift.

I believe you covered every RV ever made with that. So look for an RV that was built on Tuesday or Thursday and completed start to finish between either 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM, or 12:30 PM and about 2:45PM. Take your pick, the 4-1/2 hour build or the 2-1/4 hour build?

he has not come back, to answer slide out and weather questions
but the south has been in a cold snap

time2roll wrote:
Odd to have a new trailer with a propane leak but might still have it checked.

If it was built on a Monday, Wed or Friday, or if it was on the line at lunchtime, or the end of the shift and somebody forgots to finish tightening the connection, etc.... or if someone put a screw into a line, or the line is rubbing on the frame and wore through in transit... remember, RV's are built mostly by piecework assemblers, not craftspeople.... there could easily be a leak in the system.

If you are in freezing temps, think twice about turning off water heater. It will freeze very solid and may never work again.
Art.

Check with your local energy company and firehouse. Both offer free FLIR scans and energy audits ... A quick walk around with the FLIR camera will identify areas to insulate better.

I would have an extra cylinder or three if going through that much during an extended period. Even with a 100# cylinder I would want one spare ready to go.

What size propane Cylinders do you have vs other TTs propane Cylinders??

Two 20# or Two 30#

What is outside temps?

Check Vent holes and crimped body on LP Reg for leaks (small pin hole/1st stage & large screened vent/2nd stage)
Check that pigtail hoses are screwed onto cylinders tight
Check fitting on pigtail hose to ACME Green nut....some bad hoses


Have LP System Pressure Drop Test done
Basically ALL propane secured.........any pilot lights valved out
Remove a stove top burner
Connect Manometer to burner tube
Valve in propane service valve
Measure/record system pressure (10" to 14" WC---S/B 11" WC)
Valve out propane service valve
Open second burner knob SLOWLY and lower system pressure to 8"WC
Close second burner knob.
Monitor manometer for minimum of 3 minutes.......should hold 8"WC
If pressure drops.....time how fast (indicates size of leak)


Quick down/dirty pressure test...
With one stove top burner ON high
Place tip of screw driver on regulator output fitting (metal)and handle next to ear listen to flow (so you can judge noise)
Turn ALL propane appliances OFF and valve out any pilot lights
Now listen again to regulator.......S/B quiet indicating no flow







We stayed in very cold temps (0*F day time/-19*F night time)...went thru a 30# Cylinder EVERY DAY....but stayed roasty toasty :B