Cracked Propane Lines

[DT6]

Refilled my propane tanks yesterday and noticed I now have cracks in the lines coming of the tanks - see attached pics. I am assuming I should replace these as soon as possible, or is this just cracks in the rubber "cover/insulation" and is normal?

My second question, related to the first, is how often do you need to check ALL of the propane lines/connections on the trailer and are they all visible/accessible? Anything else I'm missing that is important to this topic? We have a 21C.

I'm afraid I don't know much about propane / gas lines. The only thing I remember or know about propane is that you can actually collect it in a drinking glass (by opening a propane line valve and inserting the line into the glass), then actually "pour" it into a empty cereal bowl. Once you pour it, you take a match and light the propane poured into the bowl. Don't do this at home! It was done in one of my science classes in high school.

Thanks.

 

[Ron in BC]

Yes, cracks happen. Two main factors are heat and sharp bends. Many of us have replaced those lines. Some, including me used the s/s covered lines.

How available for inspection the rest of the system is depends largely on if you have foam insulation. Without it the lines under the trailer are very easy to visually inspect. Except for one problem posted in the last couple of days, lines in the under area aren't as common a problem as the ones attached to the tank.

The underneath problem posted recently looked to me to be largely caused by sharp bends instead of using a 90* fitting.

Ron

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

The SS lines are pretty much bogus, other than looking shiny. Most of them are cheap chinese junk.

Get a pair of pigtails from Marshall-Excelesior, the MER425-15 (or -12 if you can find them, the -15 are a bit long but work). Made in USA, and they last a long time.

 

[MD-Escape]

Here’s what I just purchased a few months ago. The extra length allows you to rotate the tanks to minimize sharp bends within the tight 5.0 tank cabinet. At least...a little better than factory.

Oops, just realized you have a 21c (not 5.0) so choose the length as needed.

Marshall Excelsior MER425-24P2 Thermo Pigtail, 1/4" Inverted Flare X QCC - 24", Pack of 2
Sold and shipped by Amazon (minimizes counterfeits)

You can see how our tank line failed.

 

[Ron in BC]

The extra length allows you to rotate the tanks to minimize sharp bends

Oops, just realized you have a 21c .

I have a 21C and that's exactly what I did. Definitely want to avoid tight bends.

Ron

 

[MVA]

Check the propane hose running from the exit on the regulator to underneath the trailer where it attaches to copper tubing. Ours had cracks after a few years.

 

[iamunique127]

My green-cap propane lines cracked like yours after just two years. They were long ones with not a particularly tight bend in them.

I just replaced them with Mr. Heater brand hoses hoping they will be better quality.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

Check the propane hose running from the exit on the regulator to underneath the trailer where it attaches to copper tubing. Ours had cracks after a few years.

I inspected that hose pretty closely when I replaced my regulator a few years ago, and it was fine.

The best hose assemblies and regulators are Marshall Excelsior, made in USA.

 

[Selkirk]

There is a known issue with the outer rubber jacket cracking on the pigtail lines (between the tank and regulator) on ETI trailers circa 2022-2023. It is a supplier defect ....not due to a sharp bend, etc.

Cracks started to appear on the pigtail lines on my trailer in May 2024...about a year after delivery. ETI sent me replacements under warranty. At the time, they told me that although the replacement lines were sourced from the same vendor and carried the same part number as the originals, the supplier had changed the jacketing material. There was a noticeable difference between old and new. There have been no issues with the replacements.

Although the rest of the propane system (downstream from the regulator) on my trailer is largely buried under spray foam, I do regularly inspect the visible portions.

I know it is recommended that a propane pressure drop test be performed periodically by a qualified RV tech. They use a manometer to verify that the trailer's propane system is capable of maintaining pressure within certain parameters. I can see why this would be important to do as the trailer ages.

 

[DT6]

I found a set of Marshall-Excelesior, the MER425-12 on the Walmart website and they should be delivered by this weekend, so now we will be ready to depart for the rally at Osoyoos in a few weeks. BTW, for some reason they were a lot cheaper on Walmarts website vs. Amazon and a few others.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, as always it was extremely helpful!

 

[Thrak]

Good info on replacement hoses. I have to take the cover off of the E19 we just bought (used) and check things out. If the hoses look funky I will now know what to get to replace them. I'm assuming the setup is self swapping as far as when one tank runs empty. As I haven't looked yet I don't know if ETI includes a gauge to let me know which tank is low and which is not. Is there a "set" position for which is the primary tank and which is the secondary tank? (Yes, I know it should be easy to look and see for myself if there is an indicator but I have a lot going on right now and other stuff I need to do and it's freaking windy as heck today.)

Also wondering if anybody here has installed something such as the Gas Stop. It sounds like a good thing to have but I value the voice of experience more than the voice of advertising.

 

[Luvnlife-ESC]

On mine the valve lever points to the tank in service. No gauge, but it does automatically change when the selected tank goes empty.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

there is a lever that can point to either tank, the one its pointing to is used first... there's an indicator which is 'green' when you're on the first tank, and 'red' when you're on the second.

both these pics, the lever is pointing towards the curbside tank, the indicator on top is green on the first, and red on the 2nd. This is a Marshall Excelsior regulator, I replaced the original one that came on my trailer about 5 years ago when it malfunctioned.

 

[DT6]

Well, I ordered the MER425-12P RV Thermo Pigtail from MEC, with what I thought was a standard male 1/4" connector. I tried to install today and apparently the regulators ETI used in 2022 were not 1/4" connectors, but appear to be appropriately 14mm or 1/2". I've looked for these on the internet and not having much luck.

We have a Camping World somewhat nearby that I can get some from, but would rather get first-rate ones from MEC. I'll probably try to call ETI on Monday to verify the size and ask where I can get them, I might also call MEC. I'm sure they make them, but I can't find them on their website.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

Well, I ordered the MER425-12P RV Thermo Pigtail from MEC, with what I thought was a standard male 1/4" connector. I tried to install today and apparently the regulators ETI used in 2022 were not 1/4" connectors, but appear to be appropriately 14mm or 1/2". I've looked for these on the internet and not having much luck.

We have a Camping World somewhat nearby that I can get some from, but would rather get first-rate ones from MEC. I'll probably try to call ETI on Monday to verify the size and ask where I can get them, I might also call MEC. I'm sure they make them, but I can't find them on their website.

I thought they all used 1/4" inverted flare connectors aka NPT ?

 

[MrLynn]

Repeating from earlier thread:

Panther RV Products is a good source for the exact propane pigtail you may need:

Home Page

Type 1 (ACME Nut) RV Hose

 

[DT6]

Here is a pic comparing the two. The one on the left is the new MEC pigtail I ordered. The one on the right is the original from ETI. I never had to replace them on my 19, so I don't know what ETI used back in 2018. We picked up or 21C during the summer of 2022.

 

[SRS]

Here is a pic comparing the two. The one on the left is the new MEC pigtail I ordered. The one on the right is the original from ETI. I never had to replace them on my 19, so I don't know what ETI used back in 2018. We picked up or 21C during the summer of 2022.

Is that silver label covering the 1/4 connection? My regulator has the larger nut screwed into the regulator and it accepts the 1/4 inverted flare. You can get the adapter nut at lots of places and on my previous trailer I had to do that so I could use the 1/4 connection. My 2022 17A accepts the 1/4 flare because I've had to replace 3 pigtails so far.

 

[DT6]

Is that silver label covering the 1/4 connection?

That is why I love this forum! Just when you think you are beginning to know your trailer someone comes along and thankfully points out something you missed. In this case SRS is exactly right, the 1/4" hose is fine as the silver tape on the OEM pigtail was covering the connection to an adaptor.

Just saved me a trip to Walmart to return, and then the hassle of finding new ones. Thanks!!!

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

OOOOH yeah, my MEGR-253 regulator came with those adapters. things you forget about when its been 5+ years since you messed with it.