Advice to omit the auto change LP valve

Many many years ago, I had auto change-over Marshall brass unit. It lasted for numerous years.
Looks like they now offer a kit that includes either a 15" or 24" hose MEGR-253HP-PT15 or PT 24. Difference is in kit it has high flow pigtails. 253 kit
Marshall now calls them selves MEC.

Why not use the auto changeover valve as is is designed? I have one on my TT and really like not getting up in the middle of the night to switch tanks. I check my valve every day to see if it had switched itself to the backup bottle. I never smell any propane near the regulator and don't worry about it. We do a fair amount of cold weather camping so we enjoy a warm camper.

Rego might still build a commercial quality automatic changeover two stage propane regulator... $$$!
I also have two of the old Marshall regulators that are put together with screws and I have repaired one of them. Since those Marshall regulators have gone extinct, I’ve only seen cheapo crimped together, throw away junk RV regulators. Craig

I never leave the second tank open. The auto change is useless for me. All i need right now is 1 hose with inverted male flare.

Just hoping that hose will be compatible with a future regulator. Thats why im considering buying a good quality non change over regulator now, and get whatever hose to match. Seems like the high flow 2 stage regulators use the NPT instead of the inverted flare.

A gauge would be more useful than the auto change. Before a camping trip i loosen the brace and lift the tanks to see how full.

You do you, but if you go to sell the camper then having the auto regulator will be something a buyer will want. Not a good sign to a buyer that little details, like not having the dual reg, is missing. Those send up red flags for me as a used buyer... makes me wonder what other cheap-o compromises have been made.
I understand that one camp trip for you will never consume a tank, and u start full.

I looked into the differences. I have no idea why RV industry does it this way, but all the regulators seem to have NPT type female threads, ALL, and fall within two sizes that I have seen *. The dual-regulators then use a brass inverted male flare fitting that screws into the NPT thread on the regulator, and bam, you have an inverted flare fitting on the regulator and now need an inverted flare hose. Sp, the dual regulator still uses the same fitting as the single, it just has the flare fitting already installed. If there is a difference in the quality or performance needed in a hose for a dual vs a single regulator then I am lost on that.

The regulator threads are called an FTP not an NPT.

Solution is to take the inverted flare fitting out of the regulator and screw in your FPT hose.

If your regulator is fine and you want to use one tank then just put an FPT plug in the empty side and use it as a single tank reg.

*1/4 inch FTP on the inlet side is the most common I have seen. That's a little bigger hole than 1/4 of an inch.

There may be regulators out there i have not seen, but I have looked at all the current popular ones on the market and these are my findings.

Hard to mill the regulator to a reverse flair female connection. Easier to simply thread for Female Tapered Thread. It is National Pipe Thread.

If your auto change is not leaking now, but you are fearful it will, then replace it.. Just keep it so when/if you sell the trailer, you can let the next person decide on it.

I personally have used the auto change feature and have never had an issue with it.. First one on a 2003 Prowler and worked great. Traded it in 2019 for the new Rockwood.

Loved it. I too check it and when I see green, I know it's still on the tank the lever is pointing to. I've had it switch on me many times between checks and when I see red, I move the lever to the other tank (cylinder for those that will get picky..) and know to get the other one filled at the next chance..

But, your trailer, your choice, do what works for you!

Good luck! Mitch

If you want a single cylinder regulator.... get one.
I would stay with the automatic. I recommend Cavagna brand.

Replace the hose with a bubble.

Never had a problem with my auto change over valve on my last 2 trailers.

Im going off the highly scientific data of my camping friends saying "the regulators on trailers are junk and leak all the time."

I dont use the auto feature and hoped i could find a higher quality single regulator for a cheaper price.

The Marshal high flow is $30 but it looks to be the same "crimped" construction as someone described above. My lack of knowledge on the subject makes me wonder if its the overall construction that fails. Or do the auto change components fail?