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Thread: My first camper! So exciting!

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Southern Alberta - or where the truck is parked
    Posts
    318
    I don't want to get this thread off topic but after doing research on this for years there is no law on the books in any province or state that requires that propane in an RV needs to be turned off - a lot of assumptions and some scare tactics used on web sites - but no laws. Many manufacturers advise the use of propane when traveling so this would be going against the law if it were so. The only laws on the books are in effect in some jurisdictions with the operation of propane in tunnels (this is being revised or reviewed in a lot of areas with more and more propane & NG vehicles coming into operation as well as better venting of tunnels), propane on ferries (not allowed and will be checked and tanks tagged in the off position), Parking garages (most RV's do not fit so not an issue) and in refueling (this is listed at the pumps when you are getting fuel but to be truthful there is not one documented case of a propane appliance causing a fire at a gas station (again a lot of "I heard ....." but nothing that was ever proven to be from an RV appliance that I have seen)).

    Propane in an RV is a completely different set of rules than propane in the back of a car or truck (many of the listings on Google quote carrying propane tanks in a car or truck as being the same rules as an RV - not so). A propane tank attached to a barbeque in the back of a truck must be shut off as this is not a permanent or a registered use for such an appliance.

    Likewise supposed comments of "this accident was made so much worse because the propane tanks were open" are again false. I have been to a number of accidents that involved RV's and it is just part of the procedure to check the tanks and if on shut off. Just like disconnecting the battery and stopping fuel leaks. I have never seen or heard an actual report about propane making an accident scene worse.

    As far as common sense I always hate when this is tossed out as it is a general assumption that what one person thinks everyone should follow and if you don't follow it then you must be stupid. Common sense to some is never leaving the house as accidents happen, to others it means something completely different.

    With all the above I am not saying that there has never been a problem with propane. I am sure that there are problems, have been problems and will be problems in the future. But if used correctly there is nothing more to fear from propane than any other item in the RV - and this includes using it when in motion for keeping the fridge cold.
    2002 GMC 2500HD - 1992 Northern Lite Truck Camper

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  2. #22
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Walla Walla, WA
    Posts
    163
    Interesting thoughts on propane and driving. I wouldn't have a problem with it, personally, but would probably shut it off at fuel stations...

    Regardless, my fridge doesn't stay very cold on 12v only, anyone else have this problem? Is that common? Even when driving, and having my camper wired to charge off of my truck, the fridge is only cool when arriving (but nice and cold on 110)

    This weekend's maiden voyage! Potholes State Park, WA


    from the dike on the way in


    Nice and clean, well maintained, friendly staff


    My Dad and I. Haven't been camping together in 8 years!



    As you can see, we didn't eat well.

    Everything went well. Only issue with the aforementioned fridge deal.

    Still to address:
    Bathroom light and fan don't work
    Running lights don't work (related to bathroom?)
    ---- there is a small section of "soft" roof (rot that doesn't leak through yet) at the top of the ladder, above the bath. Maybe the wires run through here and are shorted somewhere?

    Great to have a refridgerator. Even makes ice cubes!
    Great to have hot water.
    Draining black/grey tanks is easy.

    Next mission: Dry camping! How long can we go with out plugging in? Tune in next time, same bat time, same bat channel!!
    2007 LBZ 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab 4x4
    Cranked torsion, 285/70/17 BFG KO's, Bilstein 5150's, Cognito Idler and Pitman Braces, Edge Attitude
    Amsoil bumper to bumper

    1993 Northland 9' Self-contained Camper - old, but works great, and we're learning and loving it more every trip!

    1999 Land Rover Discovery II
    245/75/15 Duratracs, Optima red top

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Whistler BC
    Posts
    1,961
    Enjoy your camper however you like, but in BC, it IS illegal to drive with propane on. Personally, I don't want an open propane tank in my rig (or on any rig) if I am in an accident.

    Check Transport Canada "TDG section 5.1 (3)". It clearly (is any gov't document clear?) states containers must be closed.
    Last edited by redthies; 06-20-2012 at 12:00 PM.
    '98 Dodge 3500 CTD NV4500 complete with a crap load of goodies. "Bought, not built"
    '11 Rubicon Unlimited OME heavies
    '07 Adventurer 10T
    No kids, 3 dogs, many surfboards...

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Walla Walla, WA
    Posts
    163
    Now, now, boys. My mother always said, if you're having gas problems, take it outside
    2007 LBZ 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab 4x4
    Cranked torsion, 285/70/17 BFG KO's, Bilstein 5150's, Cognito Idler and Pitman Braces, Edge Attitude
    Amsoil bumper to bumper

    1993 Northland 9' Self-contained Camper - old, but works great, and we're learning and loving it more every trip!

    1999 Land Rover Discovery II
    245/75/15 Duratracs, Optima red top

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Walla Walla, WA
    Posts
    163
    Tonight I will be installing my set of Torklift tiedowns that I purchased used from a gentleman in NC. (craigslist is awesome!!)
    Looking into tie-downs...
    First dry-camping (boondocking) trip this weekend!
    2007 LBZ 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab 4x4
    Cranked torsion, 285/70/17 BFG KO's, Bilstein 5150's, Cognito Idler and Pitman Braces, Edge Attitude
    Amsoil bumper to bumper

    1993 Northland 9' Self-contained Camper - old, but works great, and we're learning and loving it more every trip!

    1999 Land Rover Discovery II
    245/75/15 Duratracs, Optima red top

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Walla Walla, WA
    Posts
    163
    Trip Reports:

    Have now been on three camper outings, the most recent our first boondock/dry camp, tuesday night.

    Harris Park, NE Oregon, with some friends (jealous of his Bigfoot!)
    [if you look close, you can see how close the camper got to the roof of the cab when I leveled with jacks only. Needless to say, the next trip I brought wood for under the tires!


    Our friends are into Dutch Oven cooking... rolls from scratch! Delicous!


    Near the summit of the Blue Mountains (5000 feet ish), near Elgin, OR




    Breakfast in bed. They're a bit spoiled.



    Updates:

    Everything is working great. Furnace was a bit reluctant to fire up a few times, but seems to be working now.

    Still no electrical in bathroom, haven't really had a chance to look at it yet. I wish the wires in the walls were a little easier to access.
    Still no clearance lights either. Looking into that tonight.

    Got the rear Torklifts installed. One side needed a bit of hacksaw-ing to clear [nothing structural] Fronts still to come, with the drilling and whatnot, required more time.

    Picked up a hitch platform from a buddy for $50. Trying to find an extension locally, may resort to welding one. Should work great for extra storage and a step/patio.

    Need to build some shelves in the wardrobe compartment - suggestions? The walls are super thins and not supported, I may frame them in first, or at least use those adjustable shelving brackets with screws and glue to spread the load.

    Doing a few little storage mods here and there. Anyone seen any good threads on people's typical camper "loadout"? Would be interesting to see other people
    s solutions.



    Our determination so far? WE LOVE IT!!
    2007 LBZ 2500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab 4x4
    Cranked torsion, 285/70/17 BFG KO's, Bilstein 5150's, Cognito Idler and Pitman Braces, Edge Attitude
    Amsoil bumper to bumper

    1993 Northland 9' Self-contained Camper - old, but works great, and we're learning and loving it more every trip!

    1999 Land Rover Discovery II
    245/75/15 Duratracs, Optima red top

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