I was messing with my camper this week before it turned cold again. I opened one propane tank and I can smell the odor of it. You know the smells like rotten eggs smell.I turned everything off right away.BUT do you or have you, know of a good starting spot to see what might be leaking or where.We had this our last trip out but I had also run over my black tank rinse( another whole story) so I thought it was that until this week. I now know it was the propane smell.Any thoughts on a direction or just start at the tanks and work every joint or fitting location of propane. Got to find this ASAP. 1st trip in 6 weeks.thanksrandy

Mix up some very soapy water or buy a small bottle of children's bubble soap. Use it to check every connection you can find if you can't localize the odor to a smaller area by smell. Also check any rubber hoses and copper tubing for cracks, as well as any iron piping for heavily rusted areas that could have pinhole leaks. Your trailer isn't old enough to expect iron pipe corrosion issues though, so check the easiest stuff first.

The regulator would be high on my list of possible suspects. Seems like most OEM regulators are not built with a good diaphragm and failures are typical after a few years of use. Hopefully, someone will post the brand of a durable regulator (if that is the problem).

I get that smell when my tank us almost empty. Full them up before wasting your time on imaginary leaks.

donn0128 wrote:I get that smell when my tank us almost empty. Full them up before wasting your time on imaginary leaks.X2 I checked for leaks too but get that smell when almost empty.

donn0128 wrote:I get that smell when my tank us almost empty. Full them up before wasting your time on imaginary leaks.+3If there is a service shop that you usually deal with call them.If there IS a leak it is a LOT easier to track down with a "sniffer" and they probably have one.It is not unusual to have some smell outside when first turned ON. The valve stems don't seal perfectly; you need to turn it all the way on to seal the handle.

GOT the odor of gas smell. | Good Sam Community

byrdr1
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
red31 wrote:
vent pointed down, leaking valves need fixin

thanks
I got it right now.
no odors now..
randy

on edit:
One week since I replaced the red made in India regulator with a new one (CAVAGNA).
Nothing has leaked since.
thanks all,
randy
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
I had a rotten potatoes smell and I would never have found it without a sniffer. The copper line on the floor behind the cabinet ran under a wood board where the heater was mounted. One of the screws was driven through the wood and 1mm was sticking through and tapping at the copper line for 14 years before it finally made a small hole.
So you never know!
red31
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
vent pointed down, leaking valves need fixin
byrdr1
Explorer
Feb 25, 2017
Question, would or does it matter which way the regulator is. Like does it need to be flat top up or doesnt matter as long as in/out is right. I feel I can tighten it up some more but kept itvflat side up
j_p_f_
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
I have run into that same thing, now I always run the valve all the way in or out.
hi jon say hi to l.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
Sam Spade wrote:

It is not unusual to have some smell outside when first turned ON. The valve stems don't seal perfectly; you need to turn it all the way on to seal the handle.

We have a gas smell every time we use the camper but using soap I couldn't locate the leak and it would go away. I have tried several times to locate it and I finally did.
One of the 2 tanks shut off valve leaks when it is not all the way on or all the way off, So when I am opening or closing the valve it leaks but in the on or off position it doesn't leak. Ours are horizontal tanks
j_p_f_
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
wow, a leaking seal smelling like a propane leak.
I'd never thought of that.
down_home
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2017
We had the horrible sulfurous smell. Seemed just like propane.
It was the left front axle sea or wheel seal. Gar oil was getting on the brakes and other places. Had it towed to Freighliner before bearings went dry.
Replaced seal and brakes and machined the drum.
It seemed strongest around the propane tank bay too.
Where we store it called and said we had a lot of oil under the front of the coach and down the wheel. He was checking for the leak too asyou don't want propane floating around in an enclosed storage with several millions of dollars worth of coaches. That would be one heck of an insurance loss.
j_p_f_
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Check the front wheel bearings or rather the seals.

???
down_home
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
Check the front wheel bearings or rather the seals.

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GOT the odor of gas smell.

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