Poll on using the propane auto changeover

[wmtire]

We have several members currently stating their personal preferences on using the propane cylinders auto changeover valve. I thought this may be a good time to add a fun poll to see how many do or do not use it as intended. Of course this poll is just going to be consisting of our community who wish to participate and is not necessary reflective of the RV population in whole.

For those new members who may not understand what this is, we keep a good link in our FAQ section about same and how to use, that can be found here:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...or-146655.html

If you have a "running out of propane" story to share either pro or con on this, this thread is the place for such. Thanks

EDIT: I forgot to point out that there is a 3 option poll at the top of this thread. However those using the mobile app/version of the forums may not be able to view it.

[HangDiver]

I installed an auto change over valve a couple of years ago. While camping I leave both cylinders open (otherwise whats the point?). It works as designed. No issues...

[MillMitch]

Our 2018 Grey Wolf 23MK came equipped with 2 bottles and auto changeover. I can verify it works. Fall camping, 2nd yr of ownership, woke up to cold camper and furnace not running. Both bottles were empty, didn’t realize it had switched. Since then I turn on 1 bottle until it’s empty, then open the 2nd bottle and remove empty to get refilled.

[Reverse_snowbird]

We don't have the tt anymore, but when we did we sometimes used the changeover and sometimes didn't.
If it was cold outside and we didn't want to get up in the middle of the night, we'd open the second bottle and use the changeover.
We generally opened only one bottle at a time so that we'd know when one bottle ran out and had to be refilled.

[TacomaJoe]

Didn't know my trailer had one until I was reading about it on this forum. I was doing the manual change over when the tank felt light but now in AUTO, I drain the tank completely.

[GalsofEscape]

we do use it as intended - both tanks open.... i just have to add check for switch over in my prep checklist as we did run out of propane once. we seem to use about a tank a year and the frequency of checking that valve seemed to have become less frequent (well, not just less frequent - but apparently to non existent) ..... i was firing up the grill for dinner and just got a sputter sputter .... yep both tanks empty. it is a PITA to get those tanks out from under the front drop down bed of our hybrid.

[Bob K4TAX]

If one intends to use and rely on the propane automatic change-over system, then open both tanks. However, you should carry a spare tank in the truck for those times you find both tanks empty. That's when you're cold, the wife is cold, and the kids are cold. Not a nice thing to wake up to in the morning.

Just sayin'

Bob

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

If one intends to use and rely on the propane automatic change-over system, then open both tanks. However, you should carry a spare tank in the truck for those times you find both tanks empty. That's when you're cold, the wife is cold, and the kids are cold. Not a nice thing to wake up to in the morning.

Just sayin'

Bob

Yes, we use the auto changeover, but we have three 30 lb. Backup bottles under the trailer.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I'm in the third category. I only use it when I'm expecting a very cold night or want fridge backup if I'm going to be gone for a bit. Otherwise I want to know when a tank runs out.

[Sbosserman]

I’ll bet there is a large percentage of people out there that don’t use the auto changer because they don’t understand how it works, right people?

[free83118]

I always use the auto change over. We have 2, 30 lb bottles and don’t use a lot of propane so I’ll look at the indicator every few days while on a trip to see if it has changed over. It has always worked great until this year. While warming up some food in the stove, the stove went out. I looked at the indicator and it showed the bottle was empty. The second tank was still full. The problem was that the changeover valve did not change over to the full tank. When I switched over manually the full tank still would not feed. Something had failed internally in the regulator. I had to switch bottle positions so the full tank could be used. We have one tank on each side of the trailer so I couldn’t just swap the hoses over. I replaced the regulator assembly when we got home from our trip.

[Chuck_S]

Why would anyone not use this? Never crossed my mind in decades of trailer camping. It's no more complicated than turning two valves a couple times a season.

-- Chuck

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Why would anyone not use this? Never crossed my mind in decades of trailer camping. It's no more complicated than turning two valves a couple times a season.

-- Chuck

I don't understand either.

But then again there are other things discussed here I don't understand as well. Not drinking perfectly good water just because it came from a tank, not cooking in an RV, and last but not least----not putting used TP down the toilet, storing it in a waste can.


For propane I leave both tank valves on and have Mopeka tank level sensors installed. I know when a tank is approaching, or is, empty. I also carry a spare 20# tank with long pigtail so while getting empty tank filled there are always two tanks online. I camp year-round and haven't had to go out in the middle of the night to turn on the second tank.

I also inspect my tank pigtails annually and just replaced both as they were showing signs of cracking.


Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[JWood422]

I can’t explain my reasoning but I sometimes use it and sometimes don’t. I assumed it didn’t work at all until the day I discovered it had worked perfectly.
I check the tank levels by picking them up and shaking them. Pretty accurate, really.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I don't understand either.

But then again there are other things discussed here I don't understand as well. Not drinking perfectly good water just because it came from a tank, not cooking in an RV, and last but not least----not putting used TP down the toilet, storing it in a waste can.


For propane I leave both tank valves on and have Mopeka tank level sensors installed. I know when a tank is approaching, or is, empty. I also carry a spare 20# tank with long pigtail so while getting empty tank filled there are always two tanks online. I camp year-round and haven't had to go out in the middle of the night to turn on the second tank.

I also inspect my tank pigtails annually and just replaced both as they were showing signs of cracking.


Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Forest River Forums mobile app

I must admit, I don't use the "switch over device" much. I did it last winter for a while and wasn't terribly impressed much. I am perfectly fine with going out and turning a knob and then going for a refill. If it is the middle of the night, no problem. Ill do it in the morning.

As for cooking in the kitchen, I prefer cooking in the outside kitchen and not having the TT smelling like a grease trap-just a personal preference.

[stephndudb]

23 years using auto changeover with both tanks open. Never ran out of propane (knock on wood). I check the changeover indicator often and refill before the second tank runs dry.

[LittleBill]

I use the auto change-over on both my 5er and my TT. The 5er I have 30 lbs and haven't ever carried a spare.

On the TT, I changed from 30lbs to 20lbs when the 30lbs tanks went over the 12 year certified limit. I carry a couple of extra 20lbs tanks as I boondock with it during hunting season.

I did get the 30lbs tanks re-certified this past year. Don't know if I will now carry a spare on the 5er as I would have to travel with it in horizontally instead of vertically.

Be safe -

[lmiken]

I put depends. My trailer came with an auto change over. About the second time my tank ran dry, I realized that the changeover valve inicator was not working (it was always green, indicating tanks were full). So I monitor tank level (by lifting up and/or weighing). I usually leave both tanks on although when 1 tank gets low, sometimes I turn the full tank off so I will know when the other runs out (not in cold weather). someday I will replace the valve but not a priority now

[Flatlander49]

Always use it and it’s always worked.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

I must admit, I don't use the "switch over device" much. I did it last winter for a while and wasn't terribly impressed much. I am perfectly fine with going out and turning a knob and then going for a refill. If it is the middle of the night, no problem. Ill do it in the morning.

As for cooking in the kitchen, I prefer cooking in the outside kitchen and not having the TT smelling like a grease trap-just a personal preference.

I bake bread in my oven and have yet to have anyone complain about the smell