Propane tank pigtails\ help ASAP please

[PonyExpress]

found a leaking pigtail today. its under warranty but I dont have time to monkey around since we are using it this weekend.

Crestview wont exchange it for me because its a "safety" issue so im looking to just buy one localy.

Problem is that when I took it off there is a little steel ball and spring in the fitting where it connects to the duel auto change regulator.

All the replacements im finding dont have that ball and spring and even the jayco dealer crestview says that the replacement that they would put on would NOT have it either.

My question is this ball and spring needed? what was it supposed to do?

[Seann45]

The ball and spring keeps propane from leaning out when you change tanks over.. its not really a big deal..

[norty1]

I just changed my regulator a few years back and last year replaced a bad pigtail. I never saw any spring/ ball on mine and they do not leak if the empty tank is removed?

Maybe something new? Something sounds fishy but I would not waste my time going to the dealer for a $20. hose.

[Camper_bob]

Weird, I had the same thing happen a few years ago, and Crestview Selma just switched it out for me. I brought the old one in and they grabbed a new one off the shelf, along with the adapter that was required. They even wrapped the ends with yellow tape for me so I didn't have to go buy a roll.

Anyway, I would just replace with the hose/fittings that fit from anywhere and go on. There didn't seem to be anything special about the one I put on. A couple years later the other one went, and I just ordered a replacement from Amazon; nothing special that I know of...

[Jagiven]

Do you have dual tanks? If so, is it just one pigtail that is acting up? If so, leave that tank off, and use the other tank. If you need to swap tanks, physically switch the tanks, so the good pig tail is still in use. The regulator switch will keep the propane from leaking out the bad pigtail.

A local LG service facility can make you custom pigtails.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Do you have dual tanks? If so, is it just one pigtail that is acting up? If so, leave that tank off, and use the other tank. If you need to swap tanks, physically switch the tanks, so the good pig tail is still in use. The regulator switch will keep the propane from leaking out the bad pigtail.

A local LG service facility can make you custom pigtails.

+1

Last time I was at Pinnacle Propane on N. Austin St, they had a good selection of hoses, and they could make them too.

[norty1]

Any RV supply should stock 12 inch and 20 inch pigtails. .

[GarlicDude]

I put one of these in my regulator so I wouldn't lose propane in my system, similar might work on the hose end:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best,
Steve

[vcbice]

If you just manually switch the regulator you won't lose any propane when you disconnect a tank.

That one way check ball may be for those who leave an 'autoswitch' regulator in the auto mode when they disconnect a tank.

[PonyExpress]

Thanks all.

I went to Crestview in Selma and TJ swapped out the bad pig tail and is taking of the warranty for me. Great service there. Wish I had bought my TT from them.

Im guessing that the ball and spring is to hold the propane charge in the line while replacing tank. But as you have said turn the regulator to the opposite tank and all is good.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

Thanks all.

I went to Crestview in Selma and TJ swapped out the bad pig tail and is taking of the warranty for me. Great service there. Wish I had bought my TT from them.

Im guessing that the ball and spring is to hold the propane charge in the line while replacing tank. But as you have said turn the regulator to the opposite tank and all is good.

TJ always did me right over there in Selma. I bought my TT there and never regretted it. They don't carry Jayco motorized, so I went somewhere else for the MH. Wish I could've bought from them this time too.

Just in case you didn't know, the Crestview in Selma is run by someone outside the family. The ones in Buda and Georgetown are "family-owned and operated" (or at least they used to be). Anyway, Steve Spearing, the GM over there at the Crestview in Selma is a good guy, and his service department (including TJ) is great, and different than the other two locations.

[Fosdawg]

I replaced my propane tank pigtails a couple days ago and also found the tiny steel ball and spring...but lost it when fiddling around. Didn't worry to much about it cuz all worked fine afterward. However that night the furnace quit working after one cycle of heating.
I hope it's not related to the mini ball.

[JFlightRisk]

I've never seen that happen, and I've replaced several hoses in the past, both on our TT, and a friends. It might be part of a check valve, and if it was me, I wouldn't take any chances. I'd replace that hose, as there may have been a problem in the manufacturing process.

I did receive a new hose once, from a name brand company, and found two very tiny cracks in the brass end that connects to the tank. I called them, and without hesitation, they sent me a new one, and just told me to destroy the bad one, which i did do. Perhaps you could return it as a defective part and get another one on them.

[travelingjw]

The ball and spring are actually a check valve built into some hoses. I posted this question here about a year ago and someone from the propane industry pm'd me and said that some states require the check valve above a certain pressure for certain applications; it is a condensation protection. My guess is that some mfg's purchase hoses and if one is supplied with a check valve, no big deal. I had one on my right pigtail and none on the left. The purpose of the check valve is so no condensation will leak back into the tank if the tank is left open (and not used) for an extended period of time. At least, the above is the best explanation I received.

[poohbear]

As many campers/mh's we've had over the years I get rid of the rubber hoses & replace with the stainless steel hoses as soon as I can

[TaftCoach]

I'll add another positive comment about Crestview. They have always taken care of me.