Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-07-2009, 06:59 AM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
goswick's Avatar
 
1968 26' Overlander
Durham , North Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 130
Images: 1
LP gas system question

Hi all,

I looked a 1968 Airstream Landyacht Overlander yesterday and it seemed to be in good+ condition. Maybe a few things that need fixing/updating but I feel comfortable that I can do most everything that needs to be addressed.

I wasn't able to test the furnace/stove/cooktop because there wasn't any LP gas in the tanks. The seller said he purchased the A/S 2 to 3 years ago and has lived in it part-time using ony the electrical hookup to power the A/S. He has never used the stove/cooktop because he didn't prepare meals there. Should I be concered about the LP gas system that hasn't been used for 2 to 3 years? The seller said that the previous owner indicated that it all worked as it should when he got the A/S 2 to 3 years ago.

I felt a level of confidence that the seller is honest and that he isn't trying to conceal any issues that he knew about. He was open to any questions that I posed and allowed me to "kick the tires" as much as I wanted to. I just wasn't able to test the LP gas system. I realize that I could take a tank of gas up there and test the system but I'm mainly curious about the sitting-up, unused for a couple of years.

Thanks,

Pete
North Carolina.
goswick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2009, 07:11 AM   #2
Rivet Monster
 
wahoonc's Avatar

 
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak , North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
Images: 40
Pete,
Welcome to the forums, glad to see another NC person on here. I can think of quite few things that need to be checked on the LP. Spiders love the smell of LP and build webs/nests in places like water heater vents and furnace flues. Not sure about the 1968 but in the early 70's vintage there are a lot of parts to check out, every appliance has a shut off valve, you have the actual connections to the appliances and the appliances themselves. If the system has not been used in a few years I would expect at the very least to have to clean some burners and check for cobwebs, I would also get some fluid from your friendly HVAC/appliance dealer to check for connection leaks. The good news is that the LP system is exposed on the under side of the trailer (by code) and fairly easy to replace. I would consider replacement anyway. If the trailer still has the OEM system you are looking at 40+ year old copper tubing, fittings and rubber hoses that have been wandering down the road, and being exposed to all kinds of things.

Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2009, 07:47 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
overlander64's Avatar
 
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna , Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,856
Images: 196
Send a message via Yahoo to overlander64
LP gas system question

Greetings Pete!

Welcome to the Forums!

Several things come to mind regarding potential problems when bringing the LP system out of hybernation:
  • Given the period of time that the system has been inactive, the LP bottles very likely have not been updated to the now required OPD valves. A process that is economically justified if the tanks are aluminum -- but may not be cost effective if the tanks are steel.
  • Also, when an LP system has been inactive for an extended period of time, the regulator may have "gummed" up and may not be performing at its best.
  • My Overlander had been idle for a comparable time when I took it out of storage last month, and I discovered one of the largest spider nests that I have seen recently in the air tube for the water heater. On my coach, this tube is the spiders' favorite habitat and I fequently find a nest there -- a small, flexible bottle brush is great for eliminating these nests.
  • After the experience with the spider nest, I didn't use any of the other LP appliances until I had taken the coach to my usual RV service center and had the LP system fully inspected. The only issue uncovered was a large mud dauber nest in the furnace flue. For some reason the spiders and mud daubers had left the refrigerator untouched.
If you find that it is necessary to upgrade to OPD valves, it is also a good time to install new LP hoses from the regulator to the tanks -- the hoses for the LPD valves do not require a wrench for connection -- both of my coaches have been converted to this style hose and it certainly makes having the tanks refilled less painful.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
overlander64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gas or No Gas, that's the question... oldtrucksrul LP Gas, Piping, Tanks & Regulators 14 11-16-2008 10:29 AM
Water system question dld0517 Fresh Water Systems 4 08-01-2005 03:10 PM
water system question Alex Water Heaters, Filters & Pumps 1 01-17-2004 02:20 AM
Brake System Question joshua32064 Brakes & Brake Controllers 8 09-24-2003 09:37 AM
Electrical System Question ViewRVs Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 2 03-16-2002 07:39 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.