Long Propane Hose: The Maximum Length of a Propane Hose
When it comes to being safe, especially when handling propane, having enough distance is your friend. However, there may be limits as to how long your hose can be. This is not a legal issue but a gas flow problem that may interfere with your plans.
There seems to be no legal limit to how long a propane hose has to be. The maximum you should use, though, is 20 feet. Any longer and you might start experience flow issues or pressure problems. You will have to be the judge of that length as you will be the one using it.
To learn more about the maximum length a propane hose should be just continue to read our article. It explores the issues so that you have the answers to your questions. While there is no legal limit there is a practical use limit.
Propane Hose Length 101
Does Propane Hose Length Matter?
It does when it comes to the amount of pressure you need to light that barbecue or gas heater. The lower the pressure the harder to keep your devices lit. That low pressure is connected to the length of your propane hose.
But, with that said, regulations are more concerned with propane tank sizes, regulators, and location not the hose length. That means that the length of the hose doesn't matter except in the area of gas pressure.
There seems to be no fire or explosion hazard that government bodies are worried about. They have not created legislation, so far, that governs the length of the propane hose. If you are unsure about all of this, you can talk to two different groups of people.
The one group would be the many RV owners who use different propane hose lengths. These owners are found on the many RV discussion forums and they are more than willing to share their experiences and what they have done.
The other group would be your local propane dealer. If they are knowledgeable enough and know their business well, then they should be able to give you some guidance on this matter.
Does Longer Propane Hose Effect Pressure?
Yes, a longer propane hose will affect the pressure. For the most part, the pressure will equalize in the hose when that hose is not over 20 feet. In fact, it is not recommended that you have any propane hose over 20 feet as you will lose gas pressure.
The exception to this recommendation would be if you are running some low-pressure system. One owner does just that and uses a 25-foot hose to transfer the gas. Also, the size of the propane tank will affect the length of the hose you use.
Normally, those propane tanks under 10 pounds are not well suited for longer hoses. To maintain pressure on a 20-foot line, you would need at least a 20 or 30-pound tank or heavier.
There will always be exceptions to these recommendations and a little research on your part will help you solve your length dilemma. If you are thinking of hooking two 12 foot or other sized hoses together that total over 20 feet, think again. Go with the one 20 foot length and you should have no problems.
Keep the hose length under 20 feet or no longer than 20 feet and your camping experience should be fine.
How Long Can a Propane Hose Be?
Legally, you can use just about any length of propane hose. There are no regulations, that we have found so far, that govern the length of the propane hose. The main problem you will have, and as just discussed, is pressure.
Unless you need low pressure running through your hose, your propane hose should not be longer than 20 feet. The experts have a consensus on this length as any longer and you may have trouble keeping your gas-powered devices lit.
When the gas is in a 20-foot hose, the gas should naturally equalize making sure you have the high pressure you need to run your favorite devices. If you need a longer hose length, then you should talk to some propane experts in your area and see what they say.
Keep in mind that the longer the hose, the higher the cost. You would have to do some garage sale, etc., shopping to keep your costs to a minimum when looking for longer propane hoses. Shop around and see where you can get the best deal.
One other thing, the longer the hose, the greater the weight. You will need to factor in that extra weight before you hit the road.
Can I Extend a Propane Hose?
This is not an issue either. It is perfectly legal to do so as long as you use the right connectors to couple the hoses together. Remember, that what has already been said in the previous sections will apply to your extended hose.
If you are doing it yourself, you cannot use shark bite connectors to connect the two hoses. You need to stick with compression, threaded, or flared fittings only. This is for safety reasons.
Also, some retailers sell shorter hose extensions with all the fittings attached. That way you do not have to search for the right fittings to use. Then the extension would be added to your existing hose and placed between it and the device you want to use.
Before you attach the two connections, make sure to apply an ample amount of pipe sealer to the threads of the extension hose connector. Once you have the extension connected, it is a good idea to check your connectors to see if there are any leaks.
You will need soapy water or liquid soap to do this. Once the soap has been applied, turn on your gas supply and look for bubbles. If you see bubbles, turn off the gas supply, unhook the connectors and try again.
Finding a Long Propane Hose
This is not a difficult task as your go-to marketplace, Amazon has some for sale right now. There are different lengths for sale there and you can find 36-foot, 18-foot, and even 20-foot propane hoses.
But Amazon is not the only outlet that has long propane hoses. You might be able to find some at the different home improvement stores found in every city. What length you find will depend on what they have in stock at the time of your visit.
You may also be able to find those hoses in different diameters as well. Then there are the many propane accessories and supplies dealers you can check with. Or those retail outlets that deal in hoses of all types.
The price you will pay at any of these options will depend on the diameter size and length of the hose. You can also look at eBay or even garage or yard sales to see what other people have to offer.
The latter places will get you the best price possible especially if the sellers are motivated. The last-ditch place to look would be flea markets as you can find just about anything for sale at those locations. The major concern will be the price as flea markets are not known to be cheap.
30 ft Propane Hose Options
This is a possibility. Many smaller companies sell propane hoses in this length. Usually, this length of hose is used for high-pressure situations and can handle a lot of p.s.i.
If you need it, they also deal in longer lengths but those longer lengths are not especially practical for RV users. Neither are the 30-foot options but they are available if the need arises.
Amazon is said to have propane hoses in the 30 meter or 100-foot length and that is a good size if you want to replace your propane lines in your RV. It should be long enough to handle upgrading your devices so that there are no leaks in your system.
When you are doing the upgrading yourself, you need to make sure you use the right fittings to keep yourself and your family safe from any leaks or hazards that come with using propane.
Double-check your fittings and make sure you have used the right materials to seal threads and other connections. the last thing you will want is any type of leak no matter how small. Leaks will interfere with your gas pressure and lower your performance.
Maximum Length Of a Propane Hose For a bbq
The best rule of thumb you can use in this situation or in using other gas-powered devices is 20 feet. After 20 feet, the line loses a lot of pressure and your bbq may not get enough pressure to operate correctly or at optimum levels.
That length is standard for just about any device you are thinking of moving away from your RV. In the case of the bbq, shorter may be best. That way you are not risking losing any pressure and your bbq should perform as expected.
However, you are free to try longer lengths if you want. Depending on the size of your propane tank, you may be able to get away with a longer length. But that propane tank needs to be large enough to produce the flow and pressure you need.
Also, make sure to use the right pipe sealer, the right connections if you are not buying a pre-made extension. There is more to adding length to your bbq than just adding a longer hose. You need to make sure everything is set up safely and that there are no leaks.
Just be careful when you do this project.
How Long Is The Hose On a Propane Delivery Truck?
It seems that a home propane delivery truck comes with a 100-foot hose. They may be longer or shorter depending on the nature of the neighborhood and how far from the easiest access point the propane tank resides.
Some delivery trucks may use two hoses when making their delivery. The second hose is called the vapor return and is used on those days when the temperature is already very hot or rising very quickly.
This hose has to recover or remove any extra pressure. This is a safety feature and it doesn't recover any liquid propane from your tank. Then you may see some liquid propane coming out of your tank during the refueling stage.
That is normal and is done according to the law. The bleeder valve lets the driver know when to stop the delivery process. You are not losing any propane or paying for something you have not received.
Propane Safety
Even with the longer hose, you still have to be safe and practice good safety maintenance Here are some tips to use before and after you are on the road.
- Inspect your propane tanks, hoses, and other fittings to make sure no rust or damage has ocurred
- Inspect your hoses for frays, kinks, or other damage.
- Have your propane equipment inspected by a pro at least once a year.
- Check for leaks in your hoses before you go and store the hoses in a safe place until needed.
- Always turn off your propane supply when driving.
- Never use your outdoor fuel-burning devices inside your RV.
- Make sure tanks are at least 10 feet away from heat-producing devices.
- When storing for the winter, make sure to turn off all propane valves and tanks. Then store the tanks etc. upright and in a well-ventilated area.
Some Final Words
You may think that longer is better but in the case of propane that is not correct. It is best to keep your hoses at or shorter than 20 feet to make sure your devices are getting the gas pressure they need. That way your devices will perform at optimum levels all the time.
