Out of propane...

[BJR]

When you get to your spot and the water heater won't start because you are out of propane...

[JFlightRisk]

That's never good! Did something chew on it, or just wear on something?

[Jim Davis]

I've had two propane pigtails eaten by Tree Rats (squirrels). Now I'm using one with a stainless braid cover.

[spoon059]

Ouch... that's a pain. Thankfully its exposed so it shouldn't be too difficult to replace. I'd agree, stainless steel braided would be a good upgrade.

On another note, I am very grateful that my Jayco has the option of propane OR electric. We've had our camper 5 years and only filled up the 30 lbs tanks once each. We use propane for cooking and running the fridge down the road.

[BJR]

It was chewed by something in the last two weeks. We were out the second weekend in June and no issues. I put on a full tank at the beginning of the season and now have two empty tanks.

Stainless might be a nice option but really just looking to fix it before next weekend. Our Jay Feather had the electric water heater option but the SLX is too low budget.

I can't imagine what a ~15' long stainless hose would cost.

[Gogrampa]

F€¥#@$& squirrels they chewed 3 holes in my line .
I bought 25 ‘ of SS 11/4” braiding from Amazon about $55. and put it on all exposed hose including my fuel station hoses.
So far no more holes. Lucky I discovered before we were on the road.
Researching I found out that to combat UV rays todays modern “rubber” hoses manufacturers use a protein compound that rodents think tastes good.

http://https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VG5CQI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[muckinfuss]

Type K copper tubing is generally used for propane in rural installations and it is rated for underground installations. 60 ft of 1/2 inch should run around $100. It may be available on line in shorter coils.

Could give the critters some real teething issues if you went to that.

[NC Roamer]

Squirrel chewed through the main line running from our Greyhawk LP tank to the distribution block recently. He went down that line like a buttered ear of corn. I found the tank was empty the day before we were to leave on a trip.



FYI, I was able to easily uncouple the end of that hose at the tank, but the end attached to the distribution block was apparently screwed in using the red thread-lock liquid, the permanent kind.



Winter before last they chewed up the main Ford wiring harness under the hood. I bought a catch-and-release trap last week and will relocate as many as I can entice into it. %$# squirrels!

[Les7h]

NC Roamer - catch and do what??? Not what happens when i catch them - they don’t cause me or anyone else future problems Les

[RAurand]

Squirrel stew.

[WeRJuliian]

We have cats...

.. and no squirrels :-)

[tott9713]

Originally Posted by NC Roamer

Squirrel chewed through the main line running from our Greyhawk LP tank to the distribution block recently. He went down that line like a buttered ear of corn. I found the tank was empty the day before we were to leave on a trip.

Attachment 50911

FYI, I was able to easily uncouple the end of that hose at the tank, but the end attached to the distribution block was apparently screwed in using the red thread-lock liquid, the permanent kind.

Attachment 50913

Winter before last they chewed up the main Ford wiring harness under the hood. I bought a catch-and-release trap last week and will relocate as many as I can entice into it. %$# squirrels!

What method did you use to defeat the red loctite. I’m staring down this problem as we speak. Fortunately the squirrels didn’t chew far enough to cause leaks however the hose still needs replaced to be safe.

Thanks in advance

[Jim Davis]

When my dealer had to replace the hose going to the refrigerator because it was badly kinked he had to replace the manifold because of the red locktite. A simple fix cost Jayco.

[Seann45]

Hmmm my lines from the nose of the TT back are all iron.. (factory)

[norty1]

Yep, my 2011 has all black iron pipes, no manifold.

[NC Roamer]

Originally Posted by tott9713

What method did you use to defeat the red loctite. I’m staring down this problem as we speak. Fortunately the squirrels didn’t chew far enough to cause leaks however the hose still needs replaced to be safe.

Thanks in advance

After soaking in penetrating oil and then completely rounding off the nut on the main LP feed line at the distribution block, I gave up. Have an appointment with dealer in July to fix it. Shop manager said they have a non-open flame heating tool to loosen red thread-lock fittings.

He also said he’s seen header wrap used around LP piping as anti-squirrel armor.

[SkyBound]

I absolutely hate squirrels. They have chewed holes through the walls of my barn, chewed my trailer's spare tire cover, and more. I went on a rampage last year and got rid of about a dozen of them and it's been much quieter since. My .17HMR is as good as an orange tabby.

[Duke4857]

I would replace it all with black pipe if it were me. I also have installed natural gas lines in two houses. I had no troubles with the inspectors when they came to test the new gas lines. I also have all the tools to cut, deburr and thread many sizes of pipe. Dad had a friend who retired from the natural gas company in this area. I got a lot of those tools when he moved out of town. Copper line would be just as good, but black pipe is cheaper. I will wait until we have trouble with squirrels. Porcupines will chew gas lines and brake lines on vehicles also.

[diver6]

Not telling you how to run your rig but I always leave one tank valve closed in case things like this happen. Its really no trouble to go turn it one when I run out. I also bought the Topeka Tank Monitor one of the best things I ever bought!

[BJR]

Originally Posted by tott9713

What method did you use to defeat the red loctite. I’m staring down this problem as we speak. Fortunately the squirrels didn’t chew far enough to cause leaks however the hose still needs replaced to be safe.

Thanks in advance

I had a hard time getting the fitting out so I cut the fitting in half so the threaded portion was separate from the brass part that goes over the hose. Once I had clear access to the threaded portion I tried a pipe wrench but then ViseGrips did the trick. I will try and get a picture when I get a new hose.

Originally Posted by diver6

Not telling you how to run your rig but I always leave one tank valve closed in case things like this happen. Its really no trouble to go turn it one when I run out. I also bought the Topeka Tank Monitor one of the best things I ever bought!

It would have save me the $12 fill up but otherwise I had propane I was carrying for the griddle. You would think the flow prevention built into the system would help...



The little bastards were under the camper again today when I stopped in for lunch. Hopefully they did not start on anything new and my yelling and stomping like a lunatic will keep them away till the deterrent spray comes tomorrow.