Propane cover - Learning the hard way

skiman · 04-22-2015, 10:06 AM

We left our propane hinged panel somewhere in Idaho. Saw this somewhere when I was looking for the replacement. Drilled two holes and installed larger wire ties. That way if you forget to snap it back in place it will not fly off like ours.

Jim Bennett · 04-22-2015, 10:14 AM

My bottles are nekkid. This reminds me, I need to find a new vinyl cover, none of the plastic ones will fit.

fudge_brownie · 04-22-2015, 10:49 AM

I lost the lid four years ago. Bought an entire cover in Colonial White as it matched better with the Escape. This cover was fastened on the inside using that fiber reinforced tape, not so visible but perhaps not as strong as the zip ties.

Fast forward to last summer. Picked up our new 21 and planned ahead and brought along a can of the recommended spray paint. Did a nice color match while camping on Vancouver Island. Then proceeded to loose the entire cover, not just the lid, while crossing Montana. At that time Escape was not using the bunge cord fastener, I noticed that and Dennis said it is not needed any longer. Wrong!

I would recommend checking to be sure yours is fastened, I can attest that they do disappear.

padlin · 04-22-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

My bottles are nekkid. This reminds me, I need to find a new vinyl cover, none of the plastic ones will fit.

Here I was typing Nekkid into google to see what they were. Rough few days...

LeonW · 04-22-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiman

We left our propane hinged panel somewhere in Idaho. Saw this somewhere when I was looking for the replacement. Drilled two holes and installed larger wire ties. That way if you forget to snap it back in place it will not fly off like ours.

Carl, Thanks for this suggestion. We haven't had any problem with the propane cover, but I think a couple of zip ties make a lot of sense.

cpaharley2008 · 04-22-2015, 12:24 PM

Carl, you bottle cover is backwards? All the ones I have seen have the opening towards the front and the jack is against that flat portion you have in the rear now?

skiman · 04-22-2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Carl, you bottle cover is backwards? All the ones I have seen have the opening towards the front and the jack is against that flat portion you have in the rear now?

The two halves are indentical. The pretty side of the pop rivets face the front. I didn't change the round latches when I lost the cover. Must have been that way from ETI. I will leave that way since my hinge is front and cover won't catch the wind if I forget to latch it. Interesting...

steve dunham · 04-22-2015, 01:22 PM

After loosing my propane cover in parts unknown ,I purchased a new cover and was determined not to repeat the same mistake . I riveted a piece of 1/8" x 1" aluminum across the bottom inside of the tank cover with a hole drilled through both the plastic and the aluminum to accept a bungee . I also extended the threaded rod which anchors the propane tanks so that it extends through the flip lid on the tank cover and anchored the flip lid with a 3/8" acorn nut and a large fender washer. A good example of the belt and suspenders approach to a problem. I have not lost my cover or flip lid since the mod

Jim Bennett · 04-22-2015, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padlin

Here I was typing Nekkid into google to see what they were. Rough few days...

Sorry for confusing the brain cells.

Jubal · 04-22-2015, 02:27 PM

"I will leave that way since my hinge is front and cover won't catch the wind if I forget to latch it." The correct and sensible orientation.

santacruzer · 04-22-2015, 02:36 PM

I ordered the electric tongue jack with my 19, and with the storage box. With the stock hard propane tank covers in place, I can't open the storage box. I guess it has to do with the combination of the placement of the storage box and the propane tanks. Since it doesn't appear to be worthwhile to try to move anything, I just purchased the cloth covers with zippers and am pleased with that..

dfandrews · 04-22-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiman

We left our propane hinged panel somewhere in Idaho. Saw this somewhere when I was looking for the replacement. Drilled two holes and installed larger wire ties. That way if you forget to snap it back in place it will not fly off like ours.

Saw the solution on Cypherian's post, and bookmarked it:
Escape Trailer Owners Community - Cypherian's Album: Some Modifications - Picture

Brian B-P · 04-22-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzer

I ordered the electric tongue jack with my 19, and with the storage box. With the stock hard propane tank covers in place, I can't open the storage box. I guess it has to do with the combination of the placement of the storage box and the propane tanks.

Since the hard tank cover is standard, and the propane tank placement is the same regardless of the storage box, wouldn't everyone with the storage box (at least with a 19') have the same problem... or is the tank cover positioned differently in some way to accommodate the electric jack?

cpaharley2008 · 04-22-2015, 04:34 PM

I have noticed the cover orientation to vary and that maybe the issue. The covers are shipped loose in the trailer.

Dave Walter · 04-22-2015, 05:20 PM

It is a pretty tight squeeze between the tank cover and the lid of the storage box. Because the tank cover is loosely fit over the tanks, it is possible to pull the plastic tank cover away from the storage box lid to make a bit more room to open the lid. I have found that the plastic tank cover also rubs on the edge of the storage box lid, and I have taken to placing a small piece of fabric between the two to prevent further rubbing while travelling. Use of a soft cover for the tanks sounds like it may be a good idea.

gbaglo · 04-22-2015, 05:22 PM

I replaced my soft vinyl cover with the hard cover. The soft one was getting to look rather ratty and it was a struggle to do up the snaps.

Patandlinda · 04-22-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Saw the solution on Cypherian's post, and bookmarked it:
Escape Trailer Owners Community - Cypherian's Album: Some Modifications - Picture

We were concerned about losing cover so did about the same after you saw our trailer . Pat

Rossue · 04-22-2015, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzer

I ordered the electric tongue jack with my 19, and with the storage box. With the stock hard propane tank covers in place, I can't open the storage box. I guess it has to do with the combination of the placement of the storage box and the propane tanks. Since it doesn't appear to be worthwhile to try to move anything, I just purchased the cloth covers with zippers and am pleased with that..

Am surprised; don't have that problem with electric tongue jack/storage box. Must be the frame is just a little short on the 19.

One can get just the lid for the propane tank cover. Camco item. Persuaded a RV parts retailer to just sell me the lid from the complete kit and she ordered another tonal it whole. $9 as I recall vs. $30-40 for complete assembly which of course one has to assemble.