BBQ quick-connect after the fact?

[medora]

When we got our Escape 17B we opted for almost ALL the options.

Except for the propane quick-connect.

BOY do we regret it. Our Baby Q is draining little propane cans like nobody's business.

How difficult is it to retrofit a propane quick connect? We are not mechanically inclined -- curious if anyone has ever had this done by a pro, and if so how much it cost?

Thanks!

 

[Brian B-P]

It's not complex or difficult, but it is propane plumbing so you need to be sure that it is done right. The easiest way to do it is to tee in at the front of the trailer, if you don't mind having the outlet up there.

The other option is to stay with a high-pressure setup and just put a tee in at a tank (or just connect to the spare tank) and use an extension hose... no modification to the trailer's propane system. Again, if you use a tank sitting on the bracket the tongue, the hose will need to run to the front of the trailer.

 

[gbaglo]

I use a 10lb. tank with my Weber Q.
I can put the Q anywhere on my site, or take it to the beach.
Used to have a 5lb.tank, which are also available. Either will cost more than a 20lb. tank, but cheaper than propane plumbing.
It's also handy to have as backup for the full size grill at home.

 

[medora]

Brian, so if we were willing to pay the $ (and that would depend on how much $ we're talking about), could we have a pro install a T that'd be closer in line with where Reace would have put the connect in, which if I'm right is by the door? Or at this point would we have to T off the front? Glenn, I suspect we'll end up going with your smaller tank in the end (thanks for the idea), but still curious about the retrofit.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Pretty much any RV repair shop could plumb in the low pressure quick connect to wherever you like it. It really is an easy job, and I imagine would be about an hours labour, plus parts.

I just love having a LP QC, and plan to use both the BBQ and a stove with it in the future. Only twice in the 3 years of owning my Spitfire BBQ have I had any need to use it away from the trailer, and it is about a 2 minute ordeal to put the regulator back on.

Using a high pressure tee with a hose is another real easy thing to do, something you could set up yourself. Saves on having an extra bottle, seeing you have two already. This is the method used by just about everyone I came with, other than a couple of us with low pressure connections. Actually, I use both, as I need the high pressure for my Coleman stove, and have had the tee for 20 years now.

Like everything with our trailers, there are dozens of different ways of doing things. I much prefer not to have an extra tank to tote along, and the hose is easy to store.

 

[medora]

Jim, thanks -- we'd do the smaller tank that Glenn suggested in a pinch, but if it was possible to have it plumbed in, as Reace would have done in the first place, that'd obviously be way easier over the life of the trailer. Generally we'll drag our site's picnic table to the left of the door, as we're facing the trailer, and put the BBQ right there for easy fridge/kitchen access, so a T from the front means a long extension -- another (explosive) thing to trip over. I'm curious though, would they actually have to pop a hole in the trailer shell?

 

[Jim Bennett]

I'm curious though, would they actually have to pop a hole in the trailer shell?

They would tee off under the trailer body, no need for a hole in the shell. All the gas for the inside appliances runs underneath to near the location of each appliance before entering.

 

[santacruzer]

A DIY approach

RV BBQ Quick Connect Kit | ModMyRV

 

[medora]

Gotcha, so you'd just have to reach under to hook up? Would that be awkward to access or is it just a quick snap? Not sure if those connectors are different (hubby is actually the "gas man" -- in more ways than this, sadly

 

[medora]

And thx Santacruzer -- you could do that in the line near the fridge, so that the connect would tee off there?

 

[Jim Bennett]

A DIY approach

RV BBQ Quick Connect Kit | ModMyRV

This is the high pressure tee we were referring to.

Gotcha, so you'd just have to reach under to hook up? Would that be awkward to access or is it just a quick snap? Not sure if those connectors are different (hubby is actually the "gas man" -- in more ways than this, sadly

If it is mounted as Escape does, it is quite easy to reach and connect.

Here is a shot of Escapes low pressure connection.

 

[medora]

THAT is highly awesome. So you're thinking that if we are mechanically UNinclined, this is something a shop could do with an hour or two of labor -- and a not so expensive part? And is the quick connect kinda like what you see on hoses, where you're just snapping in (and not trying to match threads/screw on/etc?)

 

[gbaglo]

Just curious. Do you follow the instructions to shut off gas supply?
If you do, do you have to restart fridge?

 

[medora]

Glenn, are you saying to install -- or to use?

 

[santacruzer]

Maybe you could tee it there, but you wouldn't want any quick connector near the refrigerator...flame?

 

[medora]

So maybe to RIGHT of door as you face it? Where are these installed by Reace?

 

[santacruzer]

Are you certain that's a high pressure connection? I thought ETI only did low pressure.

 

[medora]

This is the part where I sit back, let the pros figure it out, and then take whatever you guys tell me and share it with the RV mechanic

 

[Jim Bennett]

Are you certain that's a high pressure connection? I thought ETI only did low pressure.

Not certain who, or what, you were referring to as there was a flurry of posts there, but yes, Escape only does the low pressure connection.

 

[gbaglo]

And back a few, there is a sticker next to the quick connect in the picture Jim B posted. Says to shut off gas supply before disconnecting appliance. Do you follow those instructions? Does that shut down the fridge every time you disconnect?