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Dottie_The_Tiny's avatar
Dottie_The_Tiny
Explorer
Jun 03, 2015

76 Wilderness Trav'ler Range/Oven Help

Hello All!

I am new to the forum and to living on wheels. I just began the journey of living in a tiny home and every day is a learning opportunity. My tiny house is built on the frame of a 1976 Wilderness Travel Trailer and it has the original Trav'ler Oven Range in it. I just hooked up the propane and attempted to start the range top. The gas turns on and the burners will flare up when contacted with flame but immediately go out and will not hold flame. I have not tried to start the oven yet. I was hoping for some advice on this model:

Do I need to start the pilot to use the range top?
I feel like there are parts potentially missing from the burners, where can I find an image or manual from the manufacturer?
Any other advice about using this unit?

Thank you in advance for helping a virgin traveler...
  • handye9's avatar
    handye9
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2015
    Dottie The Tiny wrote:
    I just hooked up the propane and attempted to start the range top. The gas turns on and the burners will flare up when contacted with flame but immediately go out and will not hold flame. I have not tried to start the oven yet. I was hoping for some advice on this model:

    Do I need to start the pilot to use the range top?
    I feel like there are parts potentially missing from the burners, where can I find an image or manual from the manufacturer?
    Any other advice about using this unit?

    Thank you in advance for helping a virgin traveler...


    Sounds like the burners are not getting enough gas. Could be bad regulator, or, wrong fitting between the tank and gas line.

    On the end of propane line, where it connects to the tank, the knobs (ACME fittings) are color coded for various BTU ratings. Is yours black or green?

    Look here, you'll see the different ratings on black, green, and red fittings. Most travel trailers use the green one.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2015
    If you have a standing pilot flame, there is a good chance that it needs to be lit to operate. Is there a thermocouple present at the pilot flame orifice? Does the range have an interior gas valve with a selectable "pilot", "on", and "off" position?

    The other thing about these vintage propane appliances is that some may not operate with newer, conventional two-stage regulators. The pressure will be too low. Have you recently replaced the regulator at the cylinder?

    Rather than listing a bunch of repair steps and workarounds without seeing the appliance, I'd suggest to take the trailer to an appliance shop and have them diagnose the issues.
  • pira114's avatar
    pira114
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2015
    Kinda just sounds like air in the lines. Usually relighting a few times corrects this.

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