Propane Cover

markvt · 06-05-2014, 05:35 PM

Here is another question for our Escape Trailer family . On our new Escape 19 trailer the Propane Cover that ETI ships with the trailer has no mounting hardware came with it is this normal? When you look at the bottom of the cover there is only two holes where to mount the cover to the frame of the trailer. So the big question is what have you done to mount the plastic cover?

Dave Walter · 06-05-2014, 05:39 PM

My cover is just set over top of the tanks and is not fastened down. Seems to be a reasonable amount of friction between the sides of the cover and the tank to hold it in place. I am not terribly worried about it. However, I did lose one of the nuts that holds the top inspection port closed on the propane cover. Will have to search a local hardware store for something that may work as a replacement.

Paul S. · 06-05-2014, 06:32 PM

I added two vertical strips of 1" thick coarse foam to the inside at the closest point to the tanks. Worked great until a freak gust of wind lifted it up and off into the ditch on the Connector last summer just East of Merritt. The new cover I had to buy now has the same foam but I also use a rubber bungie that goes from the small plastic tab on the front of the cover under the metal plate that supports the tanks to the same tab on the back. I don't have to fill the tanks enough for it to be a pain.

Scruffy Varmint · 06-05-2014, 07:03 PM

I used a couple of long tie-wraps looped through the tabs on the cover and around the trailer chassis frame.

walloe · 06-05-2014, 08:10 PM

Although I don't have an Escape (yet), I drilled a couple of holes in the bottom about 1" from the edge on the front and back and use a bungee cord to attach underneath. I lost one of the nuts to the inspection port also, and lost the whole lid. Well, it's really easy to inspect and turn the propane on now.

tractors1 · 06-05-2014, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walloe

Although I don't have an Escape (yet), I drilled a couple of holes in the bottom about 1" from the edge on the front and back and use a bungee cord to attach underneath. I lost one of the nuts to the inspection port also, and lost the whole lid. Well, it's really easy to inspect and turn the propane on now.

Bungee cords really should come with the cover (along with the holes!)

gbaglo · 06-05-2014, 08:32 PM

I have a zap strap looped around the propane tank handle and up through an existing slot in the tank cover. Can't say how effective it is, but I haven't lost the tank cover.

Burloak · 06-05-2014, 08:50 PM

I'm now 2/3rds through my 5th North American migration.. standard ETI setup (no cover retention device) No dislodged/lose cover here. I am wearing out the propane tanks retention rod with all the bottle refills. I definitely would be ordering the 30 pounders if I got to peruse an Escape build option sheet again ;-)

markvt · 06-05-2014, 09:30 PM

I am just amazed that no one has lost there whole plastic propane tank cover with how flimsy attached there are. But I guess the cover for the most part stay on from what I am hear from you all . When you think about it you really don't want to be fighting the cover on and off when changeling LP tanks so the least amount of fastening that works is the best way to go.
Thanks
Mark

Burloak · 06-05-2014, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markvt

I am just amazed that no one has lost there whole plastic propane tank cover with how flimsy attached there are. But I guess the cover for the most part stay on from what I am hear from you all . When you think about it you really don't want to be fighting the cover on and off when changeling LP tanks so the least amount of fastening that works is the best way to go.
Thanks
Mark

Actually you end up taking the cover off even more often to check the auto cutover valve status..

If/when you see red its time reach for your wallet and another tank fill/replacement cycle

jamman · 06-05-2014, 10:48 PM

I drilled a 1" hole in the front of the cover so I can see the change-over gauge with the cover in place.

MyronL · 06-06-2014, 09:04 AM

[QUOTE=Burloak;54672]Actually you end up taking the cover off even more often to check the auto cutover valve status..

Exactly. Mine is a too-snug fit between my tongue box and the tongue jack so it isn't going anywhere. That said it seems a simple thing to loop a rope through that bottom tab and tie it to the frame.

Paul S. · 06-06-2014, 09:20 AM

Why do you have to remove the cover to see the switch-over valve? It can be seen through the lid.......!!!

swamibob · 06-06-2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S.

Why do you have to remove the cover to see the switch-over valve? It can be seen through the lid.......!!!

Exactly! I started to wonder if some folks had been overcome by fumes ;-)

tractors1 · 06-06-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S.

Why do you have to remove the cover to see the switch-over valve? It can be seen through the lid.......!!!

The 21 with dual tanks has the gauge vertical facing the tow; thinking of either remounting when I get mine or a hole with
plexiglass window.

Burloak · 06-06-2014, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S.

Why do you have to remove the cover to see the switch-over valve? It can be seen through the lid.......!!!

Hmm.. I'm not able to determine the change over valve status (green or red indicator) without removing the tank cover.

swamibob · 06-06-2014, 10:37 AM

I guess there are various set-ups and accessibility. Mine is a 17B with dual tanks. There is the ETI storage box between the trailer and the tanks. It"s easy to flip the little lid and see what's up.