Propane hose cracked and leaking

[efal]

The cause of my propane leak is really scary. The rubber hose cracked in several places when it bends behind the Dometic refrigerator. I've included a picture. I suggest we all look carefully at every inch of out rubber hoses for possible failures like this, especially if the hose is steeply curved.

We store our 17B in a sheltered car port and bought it in 2018

[efal]

Here is the picture of cracked propane hose.

[cpaharley2008]

Looks like a lot of strain was placed on that hose to prematurely cause it to crack. Weather extremes could also have precipitated the failure also.

[efal]

Anyone have suggestions how to best fix this so it does not happen again? One RV repairman made a suggestion to replace most/all rubber hoses with copper. I've seen other threads suggest braided stainless??

Thanks

[Rossue]

This must be a change with Gen2 trailers. Both my Gen1 17B and now 21 had copper back there.

With my new RMD 10.5XT I had to use a short rubber hose as the copper pipe didn't reach all the way. It is fully exposed with no sharp bends.

That area can probably get hot too which probably hastened its demise. I just replaced the original pigtails to the propane tanks as one was cracked and leaking after 8 years. I inspected the main hose feeding the regulator and it looks great still.

[Rossue]

Delta RV - owned by regional propane supplier Delta Liquid Energy in Paso Robles told me the braided stainless are more apt to leak is their experience. Speculation on the crimping process during manufacturing.

[Grasshog]

Originally Posted by efal

Anyone have suggestions how to best fix this so it does not happen again? One RV repairman made a suggestion to replace most/all rubber hoses with copper. I've seen other threads suggest braided stainless??

Thanks

I would use rigid 1/2" pipe for the main runs to 3/8th's copper tubing
this is how I have always seen it done. How do they plum the stove?

[CharlesinGA]

Originally Posted by Grasshog

I would use rigid 1/2" pipe for the main runs to 3/8th's copper tubing
this is how I have always seen it done. How do they plum the stove?

Black iron used to be the norm, with copper tubing running off of it to each appliance. For whatever reason, the gas codes changed and black iron is no longer allowed to be used in new production/installations on RVs and stay in compliance with codes. That is why you see so much rubber hose being used, its cheap, easy and in compliance.

My Bigfoot is plumbed completely with 3/8 copper tubing and brass Tees throughout the trailer. It has a 4 ft or so section of hose from the regulator back to a bulkhead fitting where it becomes copper.

Charles