Newbies don’t be scared! Hooking propane tanks to your travel trailer is straight forward. Here I’ll go over beginner propane basics for RVs and useful bits of information so you can feel safe and secure on your next camping adventure.

How to you change a propane tank on an RV?

1. Simply close the valve on top of the tank (lefty loosy, righty tighty!) and unscrew it from the hose.
2. Remove it from the mount and take it to a propane exchange station or have it refilled by a propane supplier.
3. Place the new tank in the mount, attach the hose then open the valve on your tank.
4. Light the gas on your stove 10-20 seconds to fill the lines with gas.

The reason to light your stove is to purge the lines of any air pockets so your appliances can run more smoothly. If your appliances ever act spotty (like the fridge keeps kicking over to run off of battery and not gas, especially after a tank exchange) check your propane connection.

Your pigtail hoses will run from your tank to a regulator and then to your RV and appliances. These are super important, just like having a pressure regulator on your water hose when hooked up to city water.

Regulators should be replaced every 10 to 15 years. It is a great idea to keep an extra one on hand (about $25) should it go bad on your trip leaving you without heat or other accommodations. We slept covered in snow once, not terribly fun. Luckily we got it fixed in time for my morning cup of coffee!

Automatic changeover valves are super handy , if you have dual propane tanks you wont have to manually monitor and switch the tanks. In order for them to switch tanks for you, both tanks must be turned on. They cost around $30 or around $55 with the pigtail hoses included. Note that my regulator pictured above has a cover on the bottom half to keep the vent from becoming clogged with dust.

Where to exchange or refill propane tanks?

Propane a.k.a. LPG (liquid petroleum gas) needs to be filled by a trained professional. A great example why is the tanks should only be filled to about %80 capacity to allow for expansion due to temperature. I’m glad they know what they’re doing!

Smaller tanks can be exchanged and can come in crazy handy. Propane exchange centers are everywhere… Hardware, grocery, drug and convenience stores and more. They are usually locked up and a clerk will assist you. Start keeping your eyes peeled for one now and you will notice them everywhere!

To purchase or refill propane tanks should prove easy as well. Lots of RV parks, campgrounds and truck stops should be able to accommodate you in filling tanks. Even home improvement stores and Uhaul typically fill and sell tanks.

Where are my RV propane tanks?

Go take a peek. On travel trailers your propane tank(s) are typically found on the front of your camper, resting on the frame between the trailer and the coupler (the piece that fits over the ball that’s attached to the hitch) which supply gas to power the refrigerator, furnace, water heater and stove. These are known as DOT cylinders. Easily removable and typically come in 20, 30 or 40 lb. sizes.

Your tanks may be housed in a propane cover for good reason. Regulator vents must be covered or at the very least pointed downward to reduce the likelihood of it becoming clogged by dirt, water or insects. If the vent becomes clogged the tank cannot “breathe” and can cause safety issues.

Motorhome systems usually run on ASME tanks that are attached to the frame up underneath the RV and cannot be removed. Drive your motorhome to a propane dealer to have them fill your tanks. Many RV parks and campgrounds have propane stations. For safety reasons they may have everyone including pets exit the motorhome while filling.

How big are RV propane tanks? How much do they weigh?

Tank size	Gallons held	Actual weight	Refill estimate	Exchange estimate
20 lbs	4.5	37 lbs	$30	$60
30 lbs	7	55 lbs	$40	$100
40 lbs	9.4	72 lbs

The lines can also be tapped with a “propane tee” to power external grills and such. Tees cost from $30 to $100 and takes just minutes to install.

What runs on propane in a travel trailer?

RV propane typically powers water heater, furnace, fridge, stove. In most campers the fridge and water heater can run off of battery power too so they can switch over if needed. How convenient!

Is it ok to drive with propane on?

Since driving with your gas on can pose safety risks (should you get in a collision), it’s best to run off battery power in between stops. You may come across a location that requires tanks to be turned off such as a tunnel for example.

Can a camper A/C run on propane?

No, RV A/C units typically cannot run off propane gas. It takes some serious power to run your A/C. Cooling your entire camper takes MUCH more energy to cool than your fridge. This is where electric hook ups come in handy!

What do I do if I smell propane gas?

Shut off your tanks, turn off appliances (Turn off the propane switch in your camper), open windows and remove any flames or fires from the area. Do this before you launch your investigation to be on the safe side. Hopefully it’s just a hose that can be replaced!

Note: Keep your tanks clean and white so they can reflect heat. Painted or rusty tanks could potentially be dangerous.

There you have it. These were all the questions I had in the beginning. We have had many fun, safe and memorable trips since. I hope you do the same!

Where are you planning to go? Is your camper adorable? (I bet it is!) Come show us pics and join the conversation on Instagram @mamas.little.camper. See you there!