How to tap into propane on RV?

Hi,

I guess that I have propane taps on both the high pressure and low pressure piping. The low pressure pipe is a tee under the oven, and goes to a shut off- then a quick disconnect for my Olympic Catalytic heater. The quick connect is to the left of the oven, near the wall and 2" off the floor, where I will not hit it with my foot.

The high pressure tap is a 'Extend a stay' type of fitting. It basically has a inlet that looks like it bolts onto the RV propane tank, and another side that the propane regulator bolts onto. The tee looks just like the top of a portable 1 pound propane tank. The kit also included a 4' long high pressure propane extension hose that goes into my BBQ or gas lantern.

You can look at Extend a stay products at CampingWorld.com Camping World host's this site, so it helps if we buy a product there now and again. . .

Good luck,

Fred.

The Extend A Flow by Marshall Brass works well,I've had one since 2000. Part numbers 535-000 or 538-00 depending on your tank connections.

Camco also makes one... part # 59123.

I highly modified ours with a longer frame mounted LP hose assembly and quick disconnects with an aux cutoff valve.

I tapped mine right after the regulator for supplying a generator. I had an LP shop make up the hose for me. I actually bought all the fittings from them. I could deal with hardpipe, but this new flex stuff is a technology I'm not tooled for.

I was able to tap into the heater at a tee on the frame in front of the entrance door and then make a small hole in the plastic and a quick disconnect sticks out about 2" has worked perfect for several years.

My rig came from the factory with the tap in place, it is connected between the stop valve and the regulator. In my opinion it is installed in the best place. I do not have to alter any of my appliances in order to connect them to the gas line. My lantern can be hooked up directly to the tap as can the BBQ and the portable stove top. The tap I have is a factory made unit but making one is easy and probably cheaper than buying the fittings.

My rig does not have any flexible line or rubber hose so installing a "T" would require some extensive work. If your trailer has a rubber hose from the regulator to the manifold it is easy but I would still place it between the valve and the regulator.

There are several manufacturers of camping "T"s. Camco, MEC, MB Sturgis. They run $50 to over $100 depending on what you buy. Check with your local RV parts house or propane dealer. If anyone mentions Extend A Stay, they sold out to MB Sturgis and are called Sturgis Stay or something like that.

If you only plan on a BBQ, after the regulator would be the easiest. A lot harder to tap into the system before the regulator and have to run lines to the location you want, but you would be set up for using any propane stuff. A good propane supply outfit should carry everything you would need.

Do you intend to use a BBQ with or without a regulator?

Did you try searching 'tap propane', all words, any order?