Potential Gas Leak After Ride Down Washboard Road

manyman297

Currently Boondocking on BLM land. Had to drive in on some washboard roads. Took it slow but upon arrival I noticed the distinct smell of propane in the interior. I know good design is to limit the amount of propane lines running inside the camper so I knew I either had a split line (unlikely) or a connection to an appliance had come loose. I checked the Alde connection and all was good. Then I checked the stove’s connection…pretty much completely loose…loose enough to allow a small leak. 

Anyway, just thought I’d mention this if anybody is driving on rough roads. May even add this to my annual checklist.

dragonsdofly

@manyman297 given the age of my t@b (2017) delivery date 05/16, putting an item on the annual check we do for all propane lines, regulator, connections seems very appropriate. 

Thanks for the heads-up.  -Denise

Grumpy_G

Similarly, I had the connection for the thermocouple at the safety valve come loose. Tested fridge before leaving, didn't want to hold the flame once I arrived at the camp spot. Fortunately I carry tools ...  

manyman297

@dragonsdofly Definitely something to check annually!

@Grumpy_G Fortunately I have a toolkit I just leave in the camper so fixing it was no big deal. Definitely a scary thing...and surprised the propane detector didn't go off. 

Binghi

Was the propane tank valve closed while you were on the road?

manyman297

@Binghi Yeah, I always turn the propane off when traveling. 

Binghi

Hmmm. I guess the lines still are pressurized with gas after you turn the tank off. Had not thought about that.

manyman297

@Binghi Well, that's true but I had turned the gas on when I arrived to camp so the lines were pressurized when I first noticed the smell. I don't think this would've happened with the gas off.

Binghi

Oh, I get it now. Ugh, having a slow day. Thanks - you have prompted me to check my stove connections to make sure they’re tight.

Marceline

FWIW, in the CS the gas line runs all the way to the back, so I've been turning off the gas with the burners lit to burn off gas left in the line. I'm not sure how effective or necessary it is, but it seems like it wouldn't hurt.

manyman297

@Marceline Yeah, that's not a bad idea at all. 

Maxcamp

For travel we disconnect propane tank fitting, and flush out hoses by briefly opening the push-on gascock below rear of trailer (320S) which I'd extended for easier access. 

Basil48192

@manyman297, @Grumpy_G.  I have a 2021 320S.  I have noticed a strong smell inside the camper after it has been closed up for a few hours and (due to a short cold snap) having the propane on to run my Alde.  I'm 99% sure it is propane as, after disconnecting the tank, it hasn't seemed to come back.
To check the connection to the stove, I believe I have to remove the cooktop.  Not a big deal, but I'll have to remove my nice, neat caulk joint aroud the stovetop.  Do most people just leave this un-caulked to enable quick removal for yearly inspections?  Thanks!

manyman297

On our 2021 400 I was able to remove the top bottom cabinet drawer and fairly easily snug up the gas connection. I’m not real familiar with the 320 but it would seem like you’d have to remove the fridge to access the connections or, like you mentioned, pull the cooktop out. 

What happened to me seems isolated but I definitely had a loose connection and a decent odor or propane in our 400 and once I snugged it up everything was fine.

Basil48192

@manyman297.  Thank you!  Honestly, I thought it was a sewage smell...but I keep my camper very clean and just finished sanitizing the fresh water and rinsing the gray water tank.  It may have been that one of my stove burners was slightly 'on' and leaking.  The Alde supply line is tight.  I'll let you know if I find anything loose when I remove the stovetop.  
Thanks again!

Basil48192

It was the cooktop that was leaking...but surprisingly, it was the saddle valve washers (orange, deformed washers in the photo below) on the gas manifold. 
I hope I can find replacement washers...so I don't have to replace the entire manfold.  

manyman297

Glad you found the source!