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nasi View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Apr 2021
Location: Wisconsin
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Proprane shutoff valves
    Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 10:10am

Hello you all,

I'm Steve and we have a new 180 that we haven't traveled with yet.  So, many questions.  First, are there propane shutoff valves for the frig and the furnace, or just the shutoff on the tank itself?  We will probably dry camp for our first trip to visit our old Auntie and Uncle.  So I won't have any immediate questions about plumbing.  But, what length fresh water and black water holding tank flush hoses should we buy? Confused

Thanks much.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Joined: 15 May 2017
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Posts: 2627 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 10:13am
We have the propane valve at the tank shut off most of the time, except when we're actually camping. We may be more paranoid than most.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 10:36am
If you want to run your fridge on propane while travelling then you'll need to leave your cylinder valve on. If you run it on 12v (charging from your vehicle alternator through the 7 way connector) then you can shut off the cylinder valve. But do remember to select propane or plug in to shore power as soon as you stop or your battery will quickly discharge. There is an age old debate about the pros and cons of each. Personal choice at the end of the day.

There aren't any other propane valves to worry about and propane won't leak if you leave the cylinder valve open unless there is some kind of weird failure in an appliance.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6285 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 10:40am
Hello nasi,

First, the only propane shut-off valves we have on our 2016 RP179 are on the tanks. (I have two installed). There is no separate valve. I don't know if the newer ones with the low-pressure connection for a grill have a valve, but that would only be for that connection. To shut all off, it would still be at the tank.

What length hose? The biggest one that will fit in your carrier. 10 foot is minimum. 15 foot would be better if it will fit. anything longer would be unlikely to fit. The original carrier we had would barely fit 10 foot. The one I built will hold 20 easily. As for fresh water, 25 foot would probably be sufficient. Make sure it states on the label that it is drinking water safe. It may be white or blue, but not the typical garden hose green. As for black tank flush hose, don't use your drinking water hose for that. Again, 25 foot should be sufficient. If you use a biological treatment, that will help with the breakdown of solids in the black tank. Don't use any treatment with formaldehyde.
StephenH
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3216 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 3:52pm
Greetings,
+1 to OG and StephenH responses above.

After owning a 177 for 10 years, our choice for the black tank flush hose is a ten footer.  Been in many different types of campgrounds and have never needed anything longer than 10' which is easier to store anyway vs. something much longer.

The only time our propane valve is turned off is when we switch tanks, otherwise it is always left on.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your 180!
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Colt View Drop Down
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Posts: 383 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2021 at 5:15pm
Originally posted by nasi


Hello you all,

I'm Steve and we have a new 180 that we haven't traveled with yet.  So, many questions.  First, are there propane shutoff valves for the frig and the furnace, or just the shutoff on the tank itself?  We will probably dry camp for our first trip to visit our old Auntie and Uncle.  So I won't have any immediate questions about plumbing.  But, what length fresh water and black water holding tank flush hoses should we buy? Confused

Thanks much.


This is almost like asking what engine oil should I use!  Big smile  Long enough to reach.  I think my fresh water hose is 25'.  It has been long enough, so far. 

If you wish, you can buy a cheap light garden hose for the black tank flush.  i built an adapter with a check valve in it and an 8" length of garden hose.  I use it with any old hose to flush the black tank. 

My 180 has only 1 gas shut off valve, at the tank. 

I will recommend a battery cut-off switch.  There is enough stuff in the trailer that pulls power to kill the battery in 2 weeks, or so.  A few cloudy days and my 25 watt solar panel can't save it, either. 
John
'16 R-Pod 180
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