HOWTO: Propane System
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© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Slam shut valve
The propane system is equipped with a slam-shut valve. If this valve detects a sudden increase in flow (as if from a ruptured
line) or a shock (as if from an accident) the valve will shut down the propane system. The slam shut valve can also be
triggered by a sudden high demand, for example turning on both burners and the furnace. If you detect weak or no propane
flow, and you have checked that you have propane in the tank, shut off all appliances and the main valve.
Turn on one burner on the stove and light it. Let it burn out completely.
Slowly turn on the propane, turning the main valve very slowly, until the valve is open. Check for propane smell as you turn
on the valve. You may hear a click as the slam shut valve resets.
Once the valve is open, turn on the stove and try to light it. If air entered the line, it may take a short time to purge the air
out of the line.
It may take a few tries to reset the slam shut valve.
If you still have no propane at the stove, and you detect no propane smell, have a qualified technician check the system.
About Propane
Propane fuel is colourless, heavier than air and smells like garlic or rotten eggs. The odor is added by the distributor so
propane may smell differently as you travel and purchase propane from various distributors. Being heavier than air it will
collect in low spots and along the floor of your vehicle.
If you smell propane or your propane detector sounds, immediately get all occupants out of the vehicle and turn the manual
shutoff valve off. Wait for the propane to dissipate. Once the smell is gone, take the vehicle to a qualified repair facility to find
and fix the problem before using the propane system again. If closing the manual shutoff valve does not stop the propane
leak and you still smell propane, do not attempt to start, drive, occupy or otherwise use the vehicle in the presence of a
propane smell.
Propane tanks must not be placed or stored inside your vehicle. Propane tanks are equipped with safety devices
which relieve excessive pressure by discharging gas to the atmosphere. The Roadtrek's propane tank is mounted outside
the vehicle and will vent propane where it can dissipate; any tank inside the vehicle will vent into the passenger
compartment, creating an explosive propane-air mixture inside the enclosed space, which also contains many potential
sources of ignition.
