What is the purpose of the mystery gas valve?

[gklugie]

RV= 2001 Roadtrek Popular 190 (Dodge Ram 3500)

There is an intermediary LP gas shutoff valve on my RV. It is located next to the fuel (gasoline)cap. This wing-shape valve seems to be an intermediary shutoff which is between the main tank valve and the regulator.

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What is the purpose of this valve?

Why not a more direct Main tank-to-regulator connection?

Can I have it bypassed?

[jmai]

I use mine to turn off propane when filling up with gasoline. There is also a main shut-off at the tank behind the rear wheel.

[gklugie]

Yes and thanks Joe. It would indeed seem to make sense to have a LP gas shutoff near the gasoline filler for safety and convenience. The problem is that the LP gas is still routed through a rubber hose right up to the convenience shutoff. Ergo there is LP fuel under pressure in the valve next to the gas filler.

Why not just shut off the propane at the main valve on the tank?

I am still thinking about bypassing that wing valve.... I have a leak in that vicinity and am trying to track it down.

[jmai]

Certainly get the leak checked out. Way too much to loose.

I assume they put the valve there as a convenience and as visual reminder. On my 2001 RT 190, the tank is behind the rear wheel and there is a a shut-off valve there, but you have to get down very low and reach under the vehicle. Not easy when you get gas.

Regarding the high pressure hose from tank to gas filler area, I don't think the actual length, which is quite short, really matters. If you had a leak at the gas filler area or the actual propane tank and there was an open flame or spark, I think the result would be the same. I'm not sure if anyone replaces the hose over time as routine maintenance.

I would find the leak and keep the gas plumbing original. I'm sure there are regulations and I'm sure the Raodtrek engineers knew what they were doing when they designed it.

[Davydd]

If the valve is between the tank and the regulator there very well be a good reason. Regulators are known to fail and leak. I had one that did. You have to shut off the tank in order to replace the regulator otherwise you will have to empty the tank to do so. That is not an easy or safe process.

I also say, if you have to ask, you don't know, don't do anything to change it.

[gklugie]

I found my leak. It is at a fitting in the rubber hose coming out of the main LP tank and going to the intermediate shut-off valve. I turned off the propane at the main valve and will remove the offending hose section for replacement.

[jmai]

Good job. Keep us posted and take some pictures if you can.