A recreational vehicle, or RV, is your best friend if you are used to driving all over the country and like to set up camp wherever you want. It comes with several stellar features that make it an instant hit among travelers.
For instance, you have access to a stove, oven, refrigerator, and even a bathroom. It solves one of the biggest problems you face while traveling: cooking food and storing it.
You can cook whatever you need with the help of propane appliances, including the stove, heating system, water heater, etc. However, you need a steady supply of propane on your hands. This article discusses how you can safely store and use propane in your truck camper.
- Learn Everything About Propane
The first thing you need to do is read up on propane and its characteristics. For instance, propane needs to be stored at -44°F, and it exists as a white-colored gas when not in the tank. Its combustion occurs at temperatures higher than -44°F.
It also has a noticeable smell, so if you smell it inside your camper truck, turn off all your appliances and close the valve to your tank. Since it has an extremely low storage temperature, you can encounter frostbite due to prolonged exposure to propane.
- Conduct Periodic Inspection Of Your Tanks
Another important thing to do is regularly check your propane tanks, their regulator, and the lines used to transport them between the appliances and the tank. In some models, you might find an RV external propane connection. Over the passage of time, the tank might start rusting or accumulate a lot of dirt, which can also result in cracking and leaking.
As you know already, this can be quite dangerous, as it would lead to propane gas escaping from the tank and causing you to come in contact with it. Therefore, you should check your propane tank regularly, keeping you safe and preventing costly repairs. However, if your tank is quite old and rusty, you are better off replacing it.
- Check Your Propane Appliances As Well
Apart from the propane tank, regulator, and lines, you should also pay attention to the propane appliances installed in your camper truck. Most models come with a propane-powered stove, heater, or refrigerator.
You should examine the inlet from which propane enters the appliance and check it for any leaks or cracks. If you can smell propane gas near the inlet or the line, you should stop using the particular appliance right away. If you think there is a leak, you can grab soapy water and pour it on the inlets and outlets with a sponge.
The formation of bubbles will detect a leak instantly, and you should call a professional to fix it right away.
- Clean Any Debris Around The Tanks Or Appliances
When you use propane appliances, you will often notice the buildup of debris on the inlets and lines of the appliances. Over time, this debris can cause bugs and dirt to enter the lines, affecting the gas and also increasing the possibility of a fire.
The best thing to do in this regard is to check these appliances and remove any dirt around their lines. If you find any nooks or corners where you might not be able to clean properly, you can grab a longer brush or use compressed air to get the debris out. You should regularly check the lines for any debris and then turn the appliances on.
- Get A Propane Gas Detector
A highly useful method for safely using propane in your truck camper is buying and installing a propane gas detector specially designed for RVs. These detectors will instantly detect any propane leakage in your camper and quickly notify you through a sound alarm.
It is usually installed closer to your propane appliances, particularly the stove. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to check your propane tank or appliances from time to time. Also, you will need to regularly maintain your propane detector so that you are sure of its function.
- Vent The Space When Using Propane
When cooking your food or heating water with a propane appliance, always make sure to keep the door, or a couple of windows open so that the fumes from the stove don’t fill up the entire camper.
By opening up the doors and windows, you give the propane gas a chance to escape into the open air, and it would protect you from the fumes.
Finally…
This concludes our guide on safely using propane for various purposes in your truck camper.
Although these tips make using propane sound unsafe and dangerous, nothing bad will happen if you are careful and proactive. Just follow these steps, and you will have a safe and enjoyable experience.
