trailer has not been used for 6 years. use it as a guest room.want to get it back on the road and I am replacing things like tires, batteries, and anything else I need. Should I change propane hoses?ThanksBud

My hoses are over 10 years old. If they're not cracked/dried out, I wouldn't worry about it.

Its your safety and time if something fails. Itsyour choice is a few bucks is, worth your knowing the condition

i would give them a good look over, they can get old and brittle, but most regulators are equipped with a safety to severely limit flow if there's a load on the system when you turn on the tank, also your trailer should have a (working) propane detector.. i would only change them if they look physically deteriorated or give indication of a leak.. save your money for other stuff.

Go by condition of the hoses. Have they been kept under a propane tank cover? If they look questionable, replace them. Want real peace of mine? Replace them anyway!!

If they're no longer flexible I'd replace them. Last year I replaced the regulator and hoses in about 30 mins. It was cheap enough and I'd rather not risk a gas leak when on the road.

how long do propane rubber hoses last? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Timtation
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
westend wrote:
I'd vote for replacing the hose. They can fail internally and will be a head-scratching mess to diagnose as an issue with the propane system. $15 will buy peace of mind.

This seems like a been there done that recommendation that should be put in some archive of Oldies but Goldies, a list of It's faster and cheaper to do this than determine IF. Perhaps a new permanent heading?
eichacsj
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
westend wrote:
eichacsj wrote:
Here in AZ where it sits full time in the sun I usually have to replace them every year. I see if they flex and when I hear hissing so I replace them. Couple of years on the regulator.

There only a couple of dollars so not worth getting up to the remote camping spot and find out the tank drained going up there. So every year now I change them.
Have you tried a cover on them? Something like this Techflex Flexo pet might save you a few dollars.

Then again, I've been in AZ in the Summer and ol Sol bakes a lot of stuff.

This AF 30u they are covered, they sit in a compartment in the front cap. Also I cover the whole TT with the ADCO premium cover during the summer. When I uncover one of the the first things I do is replace the lines

Where they fail is the factory connection at the line to the fitting, they just loose there seal, dry out is the way I would describe it. If you try to bend them they actually crack.
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
westend wrote:
eichacsj wrote:
Here in AZ where it sits full time in the sun I usually have to replace them every year. I see if they flex and when I hear hissing so I replace them. Couple of years on the regulator.

There only a couple of dollars so not worth getting up to the remote camping spot and find out the tank drained going up there. So every year now I change them.
Have you tried a cover on them? Something like this Techflex Flexo pet might save you a few dollars.

Then again, I've been in AZ in the Summer and ol Sol bakes a lot of stuff.

X2 I carry spares as mine don't last very long either. Been looking for a higher quality brand. I also carry a spare regulator.
westend
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
eichacsj wrote:
Here in AZ where it sits full time in the sun I usually have to replace them every year. I see if they flex and when I hear hissing so I replace them. Couple of years on the regulator.

There only a couple of dollars so not worth getting up to the remote camping spot and find out the tank drained going up there. So every year now I change them.
Have you tried a cover on them? Something like this Techflex Flexo pet might save you a few dollars.

Then again, I've been in AZ in the Summer and ol Sol bakes a lot of stuff.
eichacsj
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
Here in AZ where it sits full time in the sun I usually have to replace them every year. I see if they flex and when I hear hissing so I replace them. Couple of years on the regulator.

There only a couple of dollars so not worth getting up to the remote camping spot and find out the tank drained going up there. So every year now I change them.
Steamguy
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
There's also an O-ring on the fitting that screws into the tank that can go bad. With 12 years on our old trailer, I found a problem with one, so I disconnected everything and took it to a fireplace/barbecue dealer. Walked out with everything new and ready to reinstall for about $50-$60.

Much easier than trying to puzzle out hoses and stuff at a big box store.
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
austex wrote:
Need-A-Vacation wrote:
...
Check the dates on the propane tanks also. Need to be recertified after 12yrs. A propane place near me will do inspect for free with a fill, maybe you have a similar propane place.

....

I think this should say 'recertified', yes?

Now that was funny!!! Lol

YES, recertified!!!
westend
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
I'd vote for replacing the hose. They can fail internally and will be a head-scratching mess to diagnose as an issue with the propane system. $15 will buy peace of mind.
austex
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2015
Need-A-Vacation wrote:
...
Check the dates on the propane tanks also. Need to be decertified after 12yrs. A propane place near me will do inspect for free with a fill, maybe you have a similar propane place.

....

I think this should say 'recertified', yes?
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
Bud,

I think our first trailer was a little over 20yrs old when the propane hoses needed replacing. But that was here in Mi. Best thing to do is get some soapy water and turn the propane on to pressurize the lines, then spray/ soap all the hoses, lines, and fittings. Have someone ready to shut the tank off if you find a leak under the trailer. Of course, keep all flames away! :)

Check the dates on the propane tanks also. Need to be recertified after 12yrs. A propane place near me will do inspect for free with a fill, maybe you have a similar propane place.

Also go through the wheel bearings and brakes. Sanitize the water system. Inspect the roof, reseal it. May not leak now, but probably will once the trailer is moved.

Good luck!

BB,

Sounds like you may need new hoses! Take them to a propane dealer and they can make new ones for you. As for the tank fitting, I believe all new tanks have the outside thread which do not require a wrench to tighten. Matter of preference. I had the (green- mine were black from what I recall???) "outside" fitting put in for convenience. I can't recall the fitting "name".