Propane explosion below cooktop

[j3cub]

I am heartbroken to watch this tragedy play out!!!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

The first thing I did notice is that there is no gas shutoff for the stove. I'll blame Rease and Tammy for that faux pas.

Originally Posted by brroberts

Gas shut off: I have asked for them on my current build sheet configuration. Joldie replied the production manager said no.

Not saying it is right or wrong but I don't believe this is something typically done in RV's. Curious if anyone has had an RV with propane shutoff valves local to appliances?

[brroberts]

I’ve never seen it in an RV, but something I’d like to have. For those without foam, it could be done at outside junctions. I want foam because I know we will push the 3 season edge and want plumbing.

[ritacasita]

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

Let me be the first to respond to your poll. I too have had dealings with Dustin and let's just say, --I wouldn't want working for me. And that's putting it mildly.

Ditto!!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Calicia

I will need my propane open to run the refrigerator and water heater. I do not want to use this dangerous stove so it would help to have a gas shut off just to the stove. I plan on cooking outside until I can replace this Suburban.

The straightforward solution is to the lack of a shutoff valve for each appliance is to turn off the propane supply then disconnect and cap off the propane line to the stove. Of course a qualified technician should do this.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

The straightforward solution is to the lack of a shutoff valve for each appliance is to turn off the propane supply then disconnect and cap off the propane line to the stove. Of course a qualified technician should do this.

Why not have the qualified technician put in a shut-off valve?

[Effie]

Interesting observation, got newsletter #159 from the forum in my inbox today, this thread (spanning nine pages last time I checked) was not in it, I guess someone is thinking this issue is not important enough

[zieranna]

Originally Posted by kootenaigirl

So sorry that happened to you Granna, a very scary situation. Hope you heal quickly and please keep us updated.
I feel for people who have this stove and are not on this forum and therefore could be totally unaware of a potential life threatening issue.

Thank you for your kind reply. I am healing well and energy returning. Also, thank you rubicon for the link to the NHTSA, making this process simple (which I need right now). I will join Perry in reporting my incident. I have already had 2 run-ins with Dustin with less than satisfying results from his being either argumentative or dismissive, so I'm trying to approach this issue differently. It's difficult to know the best attitude to have and I appreciate the different perspectives and offers of solutions. NWTraveller's husband sent me a Legal Agency link and it sounds like that may also be an avenue to pursue.

I must admit, I am reticent to sing Escape's praises now, which I have been doing since I began this journey in November.

Granna

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Why not have the qualified technician put in a shut-off valve?

You could, but since that valve may never be used in the rest of the life of the trailer, it's not clear that it makes sense to buy the part, to pay for more installation time, or to have one more joint in the system. I might put a valve in if I were in this situation, but I wouldn't be paying anyone else to do it.

There are valid reasons that the trailer doesn't come with shutoff valves for each appliance.

[j3cub]

Zieranna, Please get an attorney as soon as possible and get well soon!

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by zieranna

I must admit, I am reticent to sing Escape's praises now, which I have been doing since I began this journey in November.

Hmm, only one post of praise since November..........?

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by zieranna

Thank you for your kind reply. I am healing well and energy returning. Also, thank you rubicon for the link to the NHTSA, making this process simple (which I need right now). I will join Perry in reporting my incident. I have already had 2 run-ins with Dustin with less than satisfying results from his being either argumentative or dismissive, so I'm trying to approach this issue differently. It's difficult to know the best attitude to have and I appreciate the different perspectives and offers of solutions. NWTraveller's husband sent me a Legal Agency link and it sounds like that may also be an avenue to pursue.

Forget Dustin!

Talk to Melissa at Escape. Our conversation lasted at least 10 minutes and I could tell not only was she listening, but taking down notes as well. Unless you talk to her, their number is still only at three and you haven't gotten Escape's proper attention. That's more important than contacting NHTSA. I'm also sending a registered letter to Karl with the same information I'll be giving to NHTSA.

It's still raining here, so no trailer waxing or campsite improvements will take place today. Unless we head to Rochester for our weekly shopping trip, I'll be going down to the camper, remove the stove, flip it over, and see what I can find. Once that is done I'll have the information needed to properly report my incident to NHTSA.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

The first thing I did notice is that there is no gas shutoff for the stove. I'll blame Rease and Tammy for that faux pas.

You need to blame the folks that make the rules for the construction of RVs. Reace told me that you are only allowed the connection to an appliance inside the trailer, no tees, splitters, nothing else. This is done to maximize safety with the gas lines inside. He also said that they were actually not supposed to install a capped line only, but did so for me because he knew I was going to use it right away. All other connections need to be on the exterior of the trailer.

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Why not have the qualified technician put in a shut-off valve?

While a manufacturer is not allowed to do this, you could yourself and they would not be liable should something go wrong, but still, it is just something I would never take a chance on.

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I might put a valve in if I were in this situation, but I wouldn't be paying anyone else to do it.

I too would only do cap or add a valve (with a cap/plug) to the line in a situation like this if warranted. It would be removed with a new appliance. Conversely, you could cap it at the tee on the line outside/underneath and that would be legal.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

The first thing I did notice is that there is no gas shutoff for the stove. I'll blame Rease and Tammy for that faux pas.

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

You need to blame the folks that make the rules for the construction of RVs. Reace told me that you are only allowed the connection to an appliance inside the trailer, no tees, splitters, nothing else. This is done to maximize safety with the gas lines inside. He also said that they were actually not supposed to install a capped line only, but did so for me because he knew I was going to use it right away. All other connections need to be on the exterior of the trailer.


While a manufacturer is not allowed to do this, you could yourself and they would not be liable should something go wrong, but still, it is just something I would never take a chance on.

I stand corrected! Thanks Jim!

After reading various posts here and other forums I will NOT be installing a shutoff valve.

Instead a cap/plug (?) will be purchased from my local LP vendor, put in a small ziplock bag and stapled to the back wall, underneath the counter, behind the stove, for future use. Of course, with my impending dementia I'll forget I stapled it there.

Enjoy,

Perry

[SWCO]

Originally Posted by zieranna
"I must admit, I am reticent to sing Escape's praises now, which I have been doing since I began this journey in November."

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Hmm, only one post of praise since November..........?

It seems extremely shortsighted to assume this forum is the sole place folks communicate with others about their Escape trailers.

We have had relevant conversations with friends, family, neighbors, those directed to us by ETI, at gas stations, rest stops, grocery store parking lots, restaurants, hardware stores, campgrounds, museums, a border crossing, and so on ad nauseam.

[Craiger]

Ok, from everybody I've read it appears that escape is taking the issue seriously. Please remember this is a corporation and they're not the fastest moving things on the planet. If you compare them to numerous other companies that manufacture RVs. They're probably sitting on the right side of God. Yes it's a joke but it's halfway truthful. The individual who was injured needs to make a report to the federal agency responsible and a separate one to the Canadian agency. Furthermore they need to make a formal complaint to the manufacturer of the product. So many companies have turned over their manufacturing to companies in China. As someone who spent 40+ years in manufacturing, and has watched in horror as this crap comes out of China because it's cheap, and the company can make more profit. I watch companies going to bankruptcy because of the crap out of China. To blame escape for going with suburban, had they ever had a previous complaint Okay you've had my two cents,

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Instead a cap/plug (?) will be purchased from my local LP vendor, put in a small ziplock bag and stapled to the back wall, underneath the counter, behind the stove, for future use.

Sounds like a good plan.
Assuming that the termination at the stove is a 3/8" flare, that would be a 3/8" flare plug... available at building supply and plumbing stores (e.g. Home Depot), so you don't need to go to a specialist retailer.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Sounds like a good plan.
Assuming that the termination at the stove is a 3/8" flare, that would be a 3/8" flare plug... available at building supply and plumbing stores (e.g. Home Depot), so you don't need to go to a specialist retailer.

My LP guy is four blocks away. Lowes, and Menards are 45 and Home Depot is over 50 miles away. I support my local businesses as much as possible!

Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, etc. have ruined small town America. Six years ago we moved to this vibrant small town area because we don't like the impersonal touch that has become prevalent today. Everyone says "Hello" and waves when driving by because they know me and I know them. I personally know the owner of VIS Plumbing and his employees.

Look up Lanesboro, Minnesota or try the Root River Towns. People drive from all over America to go to the Root River Valley for it's camping, hiking, biking, tubing, trout fishing, etc. The biking and trout fishing are second to none. Lanesboro is also home to the Eagle Bluff Environmental Center. Not bad for a town of 750 people!

Do you live in a small town?

Enjoy,

Perry

[RangerMan]

I rarely use it but after all the back and forth here on the stove top I decided to vent the cabinet. No actual vent just opened the cabinet door. I put a portable propane detector in the cabinet.

Wont fix anything but will let me know if I have a problem before I blow up.

[ritacasita]

This looks like an apppropriate place to post another propane leak problem. It is a long story about getting my Dometic oven and cooktop repaired under the recall and I’ll skip the name calling and finger pointing. It is fixed. But, my local RV dealer is amazing and after the oven fix they pressure tested the whole LP gas system. Guess what? They found a leaky coupling under the unit above the axle. Both sides of the coupling were only finger tight. It obviously left the factory that way. Of course a stray spark from an evening campfire could have ruined our whole day. CHECK YOUR LINE COUPLING NOW. I’m sending the small repair bill to ETI. Based on previous dealings with them, I don’t suspect I will hear a word let alone get a penny back.