replacing pigtails on propane tanks

rvshrinker wrote:
I thought this would be so obvious and simple but as usual I run into all kinds of questions.

First I found out that there are ‘two kinds’ of connectors. The one I am replacing has a thread on the male end. This is what I have on the new one as well. Is this necessarily the right one, or are there more than 1 kind with a threaded male end?

Second, is there supposed to be a small washer inside the fitting? There is none on my regulator.

Third, I read different things on line: you must use Teflon tape, definitely do not use Teflon tape, you don’t need anything, or you should use LocTIte of some kind. What is the actually correct answer?

Fourth, Do I just tighten as much as possible? Could I overtighten/strip something?

Ugh. nothing is as simple as it looks to me.

Here is what I think you have going on. The washer you have is actually "one of two" pieces that make up the "back flow" prevention when you take off one tank to fill and leave the other one in place to operate the appliances in the coach. I found when I removed my pig tail, which is 1/4" NPT,(not 1/4" inverted flair), there was a little plastic ball, then the plastic "washer"(you'll find the washer first, then the ball). These two items are behind the pigtail brass 1/4"NPT to provide back flow prevention. This also tells me that if you found the washer, you probably have 1/4" NPT and not 1/4" inverted flair.........but it's hard to say w/o pictures. Also, it seems that the 1/4" inverted flair is the most common and it actually kind of hard to find the 1/4" NPT version. It would be easy enough to convert it to 1/4" inverted flair by using these..........and that is "assuming your's is 1/4 NPT)
https://www.etrailer.com/Propane/JR-Products/37207-30035.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20Propane&adgroupid=87654329004&campaignid=242147297&creative=404001548792&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9052718&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=CjwKCAjwlrqHBhByEiwAnLmYULOMy64upGUTeaSZEN_nFq0nkyO6WOjk4L_N72wNp8A-QvDuFVFdmxoCfqMQAvD_BwE