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Old 08-23-2017, 05:30 AM   #1
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Exposed gas piping on bottom of '76 Sovereign

Renovating a 76 Sovereign as a newbie, and the lp gas piping is fastened to the underside of the bedpan. I'm assuming this is aftermarket work. Concerns me since it exposed to rocks or road debris while traveling. Wasn't this originally installed elsewhere, more protected?
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Old 08-23-2017, 05:33 AM   #2
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Are you sure it's connected to a bed pan? It should be attached to the belly pan, on the underside of the trailer.
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Old 08-23-2017, 05:43 AM   #3
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Wasn't this originally installed elsewhere, more protected?
No. It's supposed to be that way. The intent is, if a leak does develop, it dissipates harmlessly instead of building up in an enclosed area.

It's a 1976 trailer, and the propane plumbing is still there and still intact 41 years later. That by itself should tell you that it's safe, and not in any particular danger from flying rocks and road debris.
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Old 08-23-2017, 05:44 AM   #4
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Belly pan is what I meant. It is on the underside of the trailer. So that's how it should be?
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Old 08-23-2017, 06:18 AM   #5
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Belly pan is what I meant. It is on the underside of the trailer. So that's how it should be?
Yes.
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Old 08-23-2017, 06:45 AM   #6
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I believe rv codes call for lines under, and exposed, as to danger of leaks in enclosed area, and as others have stated, AS installed this way.
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Old 08-23-2017, 07:10 AM   #7
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Ok, great to know and makes sense from leak/safety standpoint. The previous owner has done some other work that is suspect (loose water plumbing run underneath hallway goucho, open ended piping going to nowhere, etc.) , so I questioned this. I've ordered a service manual for this model year, so hopefully that is going to help.
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Old 08-23-2017, 07:34 AM   #8
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Typical

I thought the same when looking under my first AS. Seemed unwise to expose the piping to potential damage but I learned the reasoning behind it and it makes sense. One thing you can do to reduce the chances of damage is to split some pex and use it to cover the copper..
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Old 08-23-2017, 11:24 AM   #9
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I have exposed propane lines on my 2013.
I assume they're all this way.
Possibly to make it easier to detect leaks and replace lines?
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Old 08-23-2017, 12:15 PM   #10
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Hi Scotty,

Yes as others have said, totally normal for the LP piping to be under the AS.

Here is the manual for your trailer I think:

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...0110i.arc_.pdf

For other old documents at the main Airstream site:

https://www.airstream.com/

. . . just click on the Service tab at the top right, and then hit Manuals or Document Archives in the drop-down menu. There is a fairly good selection plus some videos. YouTube also has many how-to videos FYI.

Also, you might be interested in this sub-forum which covers your '76 Sovereign model: [edit -- see that you already know about this forum!]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f221/

Good luck with the new Airstream!

Cheers,

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Old 08-23-2017, 12:28 PM   #11
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Risk of explosion

A Propane leak in an enclosed space is an explosion risk. Also propane is not good to breathe. The opd valves in propane tanks prevents overfill so that a tank stored at home won't fill the garage with propane and cause an explosion.
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Old 08-23-2017, 12:54 PM   #12
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A Propane leak in an enclosed space is an explosion risk. Also propane is not good to breathe. The opd valves in propane tanks prevents overfill so that a tank stored at home won't fill the garage with propane and cause an explosion.
It' def. will blow when garage filled with gas, as I witnessed when former national hot air balloon champion owner pilot turned cyl. on in garage w/furnace at floor level, result massive explosion and fire to house. Also propane will kill you if breathing it.
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Old 08-23-2017, 01:25 PM   #13
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Any chance we could keep this thread from turning into a free-for-all "dangers of propane" thread?

The OP had a specific question which appears to have been answered IMO.

Thanks
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Old 08-23-2017, 01:35 PM   #14
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Not a chance, people want to impress others with their knowledge, whether accurate or not.
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Old 08-23-2017, 01:56 PM   #15
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Any chance we could keep this thread from turning into a free-for-all "dangers of propane" thread?

The OP had a specific question which appears to have been answered IMO.
Now that the OP's question has been answered, with several responses generally in agreement, a modest amount of thread drift will do no harm for the edification and/or amusement of future readers. As long as no one gets carried away and hijacks the thread down a rabbit hole from which it can't re-emerge…

The Forums aren't a debate, they're a conversation. We don't have to follow Roberts' Rules of Order or other parliamentary procedures, just the Forums community rules. And like many conversations, any given thread often lasts longer than it needs to, and the topic under discussion changes over time.
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Old 08-23-2017, 02:32 PM   #16
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. . . a modest amount of thread drift
. . .


When was the last time that happened?

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Old 08-23-2017, 05:12 PM   #17
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When was the last time that happened?
Thread drift? At least a couple of times an hour. Only a modest amount of it? Never yet.
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Old 08-24-2017, 08:05 PM   #18
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in regard to the pex on LP gas lines I would think that could create more issues with rubbing on the copper line, which is soft, creating leaks.

I am sure the instance of a leak on LP line does happen but most likely a small number in the scheme of things. Most new LP tank or ones younger than like 1960 have a shut off valve so if the line get a hole/leak the valve with shut off flow.

the LP systems on very safe on most modern 1960 and younger units by a long shot..
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Old 09-03-2017, 05:55 PM   #19
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I have a 72 and it's the same way
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