1976 31' Sovereign high pressure lines

[Kens76]

Just got word from RV place that checked out my trailer.
They said that all appliances work except have a leak in my high pressure line starting behind frig. Told me that they do not have those kind of fittings.
My plan is to ask camping world if they have required parts and if they don't try to get parts elsewhere and fix myself. Not enthusiastic about doing myself. Due to my past mechanical try's.
Anyone have a diagram? Thoughts?
Thank you.
Ken

[idroba]

I can't imagine what "high pressure line" they are talking about. All the propane lines are very low pressure, not even one PSI and are easily repaired. The water lines are normal home pressure and use normal fittings. The refrigerator itself has some limited pressure in the Ammonia refrigerant loop, but it is a sealed unit and no one puts new fittings on it. Only specialists can rebuild the cooling units and very often the refrigerator, once it does not work, is simply replaced, especially in an almost 40 year trailer.

More clarification is needed from the RV place as to what they are finding wrong with your trailer. Then we might be able to give you the group's collective advice.

[wahoonc]

I am a bit puzzled too. I could see the fittings possibly not being available, those have changed over the years from a single flare to a double flare to meet updated codes, but other than that.

I have a schematic... have to search for it. Is yours center bath or rear bath?

Aaron

[overlander63]

Does your trailer have disc brakes?

[jdalrymple]

As mentioned above, as far as the propane system is concerned and assuming no modifications have been performed at some point, there are no "high pressure lines" any where on a RV trailer.

The propane regulator is normally tank mounted and supplies only around 7-12 inches water column, or about .25 PSI. Factory LPG plumbing is done using standard off-the -shelf copper tubing and common brass fittings. Any decent home store would stock them.

Did this trailer perhaps have the on-board engine powered battery charger at some point?
That might explain a direct feed LPG line to the back of the trailer.



Reagards,

JD

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

Ken, be careful, sometimes you can find people that if they think they are dealing with someone they can pull the wool. Make them show and tell. Any reservation seek out a second opinion. I can't help you as my 76 frig went to recycle and replaced with a larger electric only from the hardware store. Before I went too far in to the project I got a tee, pressure gage, air hose fitting etc and put regulated air on the system at the tanks and did a 24 hour pressure drop test plus soap test.

[perryg114]

The fittings are available at Lowes and HD. 45 degree flare fittings will work fine. The pressure is such that aquarium air hose would work but they use copper for safety. Usually a fitting can be cleaned and tightened if it is leaking. Most fittings will be flare fittings and possibly tapered pipe threads where lines go into gas valves. The tapered pipe threads need Teflon tape on them. Some say there is a special Teflon tape for gas but I don't know of a technical reason for using it over the white stuff. Both are available from Lowes or Home Depot. As far as flare fittings go the connection needs to be corrosion free and have no dirt in it. I think home plumbing uses 45 degree flare fittings for water and gas. In Aerospace applications we use 37 degree flare fittings and they are good to several thousand psi.

If they start talking about muffler bearings you need to run. It sounds like you don't want them working on your trailer anyway. They are either trying to BS you or they don't know what they are doing. Do you really want dumb and dumber working on your gas system?

Perry

[overlander63]

It is also possible the RV place doesn't want to fool with the trailer, and are trying to blow you out the door. Camping World has told me many times that Airstreams take special, Airstream-only appliances, and it would be more cost effective to scrap mine and buy a new SOB. They knew better, they just didn't want to do the work.

[perryg114]

I am for boycotting BS and those that spread same. Service industries are rampant with it. Use soap and water to detect leaks. Remove all residue when completed. Take some photos of the suspect fittings and maybe we can help with a fix. If you can turn a wrench you can fix a fitting. It does not require even a high school education or any special skills or ability.

Perry

[Kens76]

Wow. Thanks guys for quick reply. I am surprised that these guys are blowing smoke because they don't want to work on it, but you never know.
I will call them out on it and ask to see what they're talking about.
I am planning on changing out the frig and toilet. Feeling the start of age and tired of getting down on hands and knees to see if a light is lit.
Will let you know. This should be interesting.

[Kens76]

Rear bath

[mccrosti]

Quick question: aren't gas fittings setup to turn left to tighten?

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by mccrosti

Quick question: aren't gas fittings setup to turn left to tighten?

Not these fittings. Acetylene gas lines are left hand threaded.

[perryg114]

Most flammable gases have left hand threads at the regulator. Like Acetylene and Propane. One reason for this is to prevent you hooking O2 to a gas system that might contain oil and other flammables and to prevent flammables from being connected to breathing air. Down stream of the regulator, standard right handed flare or NPT fittings are used. Also flammables for consumer use tend to be low pressure and you don't want to hook a 2500 psi bottle of O2 or other gas to a low pressure system or you will have a potential from explosions for too much pressure.

Backwards threaded regulators/hoses usually have notches on them to identify reverse threads.

Perry

[AL’ UM- MONEY]

Ken, did you ever get a satisfactory answer to the question about the high pressure fitting on your refrigarator. Just wondering.

[Splitrock]

My 1976 31' Sovereign doesn't have any high pressure lines anywhere. It has water, electric, and low pressure gas only.

[mccrosti]

Thank you for the informative answers. My good friend who worked in the heating business mentioned the left Han threads and it stuck with me.

[Kens76]

Thanks guys. Sorry. Been busy with a lot at home. Hope everyone's doing great.

[Kens76]

Follow up. Rv place told me that I must of had a freeze and have breaks behind frig, around toilet, and under sink at filtration system. My buddy and I are going to check it out.