Strange Propane Tubing in Euro Travel Trailer (small images)

[TheLostBoy]

Reposting as I didn't specify a size for the images in my original post and they were so big that it made it unreadable.

My wife and I bought an older travel trailer that we are fixing up and we've run into (well many) a snag. We're guessing that it was originally built in Germany judging by all the labels in German.

The original propane fridge was ripped out and the propane line was just cut and crimped (jerks!) and we finally purchased a replacement just this week. I thought that it was just copper tubing that I could flare and attach a compressing fitting to end up with a male 3/8 flare fitting. Unfortunately, the tubing doesn't seem to be a North American standard.

Existing Tubing:


Looks like steel, and VERY thick:


Has about an 8mm diameter with a 5mm diameter core:


Or 5/16" and 3/16":


I originally tried using the flaring tool but it was way too loose for the 3/8 tubing holder:


And it was too tight for the 5/16 holder:


I tried forcing it in at 5/16 and no matter how much I tightened, it just wouldn't flare (too thick, I guess).

The old propane heater was torn out as well so I thought I would try to find the old line/connector for that. I was lucky and it was intact, but I have never seen a fitting like this:


It looks almost like there was a compression ring put on it like a fitting for a copper water line. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before, or might know of a way I could find a fitting that would work on this line which would allow me to end up with a 3/8" male flare connection? I'm at my wits end with this camper.

Thank you,

Kevin

[TheLostBoy]

*FINAL UPDATE*
I've been trying to find a fitting for this pipe for months and couldn't find any supplier who had anything that would fit this pipe. Most of the ones I talked to said it would be easier to re-run the line with new and STANDARD fittings, which is exactly what I did. Took my only two evenings (was pretty simple actually) and a couple trips to a plumbing shop and as of yesterday evening, my propane fridge is up and running!

I REALLY wish that I'd had just done this from the start as it was much faster and simpler. Thanks to everyone for your great tips and feedback.

TLB

[steveman5]

I'd verify with a hydraulic adapter Fitting Thread Chart. Pretty simple to decipher.

[mike-s]

From the most recent picture, that tubing looks like it may be tern coated copper. The end looks like it may be a DIN ("bubble") flare, which is quite common on Euro brake lines. It may even be 8 mm (5/16" is slightly smaller) tern coated copper or cunifer/nicopp brake line.

[TheLostBoy]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Kevin,

It has been more than 50 years, but European codes were different than US and Canadian.

Is that 8mm tubing steel?
They did use that. If you want to try to use it and not replumb the entire thing in US code copper, you will have to make friends with McMaster-Carr, they supply just about anything used in western technology.

Their site is pretty straight forward and I just checked and they do have metric compression fittings. They have them in steel and have male adapters with NPT threads.

Good luck.

Matt

It looks like it could be 8mm tubing steel. Measurement looks about right.

I would love to replumb it, but I have a range that I don't think I'd be able to find a fitting for to connect it to the new tubing, though, I haven't tried McMasters. But should I use them if they're compression fittings? A fellow above mentioned that I shouldn't use them with propane. I know I'll NEVER get this trailer up to code, but I just want it safe so me and my family don't die in our sleep.

[TheLostBoy]

beemerphile1 wrote:
Follow the line back to the nearest threaded fitting and repipe from there. In case you are not aware, do not use any compression fittings for LPG, only threaded or flared.

It goes back to a "T" valve, but I don't think I'd be able to make that fitting work with standard 3/8" copper tubing. It's some sort of old European fitting (similar to the photo I took above of where the heater used to be). It looks like a compression fitting though, and I may be forced to use that as this tubing cannot be flared (tried and I think I almost broke the flaring tool). Very thick stuff.

[TheLostBoy]

Chris Bryant wrote:
I would guess that's metric pipe- I do find metric adapters on google, but I have zero experience with them. My bet is it would be easier to replumb the whole thing with US sizes, and find the adapters for the appliances- most of which should be easily available, if the appliances are also sold in the US- like Dometic.

This is where I'm in a pinch. I would LOVE to replumb everything to standard fittings, but the problem is my gas range. I don't think I'd be able to find a fitting for it to convert to a North American standard, so I may be stuck.

[Matt_Colie]

Kevin,

It has been more than 50 years, but European codes were different than US and Canadian.

Is that 8mm tubing steel?
They did use that. If you want to try to use it and not replumb the entire thing in US code copper, you will have to make friends with McMaster-Carr, they supply just about anything used in western technology.

Their site is pretty straight forward and I just checked and they do have metric compression fittings. They have them in steel and have male adapters with NPT threads.

Good luck.

Matt

[beemerphile1]

Follow the line back to the nearest threaded fitting and repipe from there. In case you are not aware, do not use any compression fittings for LPG, only threaded or flared.

[Chris_Bryant]

I would guess that's metric pipe- I do find metric adapters on google, but I have zero experience with them. My bet is it would be easier to replumb the whole thing with US sizes, and find the adapters for the appliances- most of which should be easily available, if the appliances are also sold in the US- like Dometic.