Help with a propane line into the living area

[Lije Baley]

We sometimes use a Mr. Heater Big Buddy to heat the trailer, rather than running the furnace when dry camping. While the heater accepts the small 16.4 oz. propane bottles (2 of them), there is a 12-foot hose available from the manufacturer that attaches to a larger propane bottle.

With our 3150, it would be ideal if we could put the propane outside and run the propane line through the area of the gasket seal where the slide and trailer body come together. Without experimenting, I am not sure that the hose would not be crimped or broken by the slide however.

Does anyone have experience bringing a propane line into the trailer this way?

[dieselguy]

Just thinking out loud ... there would be one heck of a bend in the line between the fascia on the slide and the fiver wall.

[mlh]

I have a Mr Buddy heater. What I did on 2 campers is to add a T in one of my propane lines. The stove and the refrigerator once. They will both still work fine. And the Mr Buddy heater will heat your living area.
Lynwood

[Lije Baley]

I've been thinking about coming in from the refrigerator line as well. The plumbing job seems a bit more complicated, but if I put a regulator in the line by the tee, I could use the quick connect on the heater, avoid its regulator and the need for a line filter. I think.

[h2ojocky]

I have done exactly as you stated. I ran the hose from portable tank outside, through the bottom corner of the slide. There was a gap that allowed to push it through.

[Lije Baley]

That's what I like to hear....
I'll check to see whether I've got such a gap in the 3150.
As we only use the Mr. Heater when boondocking, I think I'd prefer the simplicity of running the line through the gap.

[mlh]

You don't need a regulator at the T. The Mr Buddy already has everything you need even a quick connect. I just ran a 10 foot hose off of the T with a quick connect to the heater.
Lynwood

[Lije Baley]

I mentioned a regulator because apparently running high pressure (rather than the regulated low pressure) propane causes oils to leach out of the hoses which can clog the heater. Mr. Heater has a filter for such an application that goes on the screw-in fitting. The company also sells a hose with regulator for its quick "connect" which prevents the problem. Or so I read on the internet...

[jlb27537]

Bill, here is what we did and it works just fine.

We have a Mr. Buddy 9K/4K. I removed the regulator from the input line to the Mr. Buddy. It's purpose is to regulate the 100+psi from the tank down to 11" wc.

Next I connected a LP approved hose to where I removed the regulator. I spliced into the line under the frig, installed a short hose with a LP approved quick disconnect.

Note, the line is copper and a flare fitting is required. The LP approved fittings are different from those approved for water lines.

You plug the MR.Buddy into the quick disconnect and it works using your on board 30lb tanks. No need for a filter.

I crack a roof vent in the bedroom a inch, if using it over night.

Jim

[Montana4two]

On our 3400RL, we removed the screen from one of the very small rear windows and put the 15ft extension tube through. Then we found a piece of cardboard to fit the hole and that did the trick for us

[Lije Baley]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537


We have a Mr. Buddy 9K/4K. I removed the regulator from the input line to the Mr. Buddy...Next I connected a LP approved hose to where I removed the regulator. I spliced into the line under the frig, installed a short hose with a LP approved quick disconnect.

Note, the line is copper and a flare fitting is required. The LP approved fittings are different from those approved for water lines.

You plug the MR.Buddy into the quick disconnect and it works using your on board 30lb tanks. No need for a filter...

Jim

Jim,

The pressure of the propane line to the fridge is already reduced? I was forgetting that. As you've the same floorplan as ours, the fridge is accessed by removing the panel in the cargo area? After you made a tee in the line to the fridge, did you run flexible hosing or copper tubing to the fridge?

I'm assuming your Mr. Heater does not have a quick connect fitting already built in. The Big Buddy has that. It should make the project a little easier.

Thanks.