A Guide to Gas Installation in Caravans & RVs

Who can install a gas system in your caravan?

Considering that a gas system is very complicated to work with and can be dangerous, only a licensed gas fitter can install one in your caravan. A professional gas fitter is needed for the installation, relocation, and replacement of any of the gas appliances you have in your RV. They can also perform modifications and repairs of the pipework that connects your appliances to your gas cylinder.

Having a gas system in your RV is an efficient way to power up your caravan and its appliances. That said, the components need to be installed properly to ensure a safe and fully working gas system. Never attempt to install a gas system on your own unless you are a licensed gas fitter as it is dangerous and can lead to serious injury and death. Also, please be sure to use the correct gas equipment to avoid any issues.

The benefits of a gas system

There’s just something about caravans that give a freeing experience when you’re out on the road. With so many places to explore in Australia, you’re bound to have a great time outdoors, all within the comforts of your own vehicle. Modern caravans today are powered by either electricity and gas, and having the latter can certainly make a difference when you want to camp away from RV sites and campgrounds.

With a gas-powered caravan, you don’t have to worry about power regardless of your location. You’re free to stay in any area you wish and it’s definitely a convenient way to power your appliances. But installing a caravan can be a bit tricky, especially to those who aren’t familiar with how gas systems work.

In this guide, we’ll be discussing how to install a gas system in your caravan so you can have a self-sufficient power source anytime, anywhere.

The main components of a caravan gas system

A caravan gas system is comprised of four main components and these are the gas cylinder, gas regulator, pigtail, and the copper pipes. To fully understand how a gas system powers your caravan, let’s take a closer look at how each component works.

• Gas cylinder - The gas cylinder is a small, round tank that holds liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This is where your gas system’s power will come from and is usually installed outside of your caravan. LPG comes in two types and these are propane and butane, with the former being more suited for mild conditions while the latter is known for its year-round capabilities.

• Gas regulator -  A gas regulator plays an important role in regulating the gas pressure that’s being supplied to your RV and its appliances. It’s basically a valve that sits in between the gas cylinder and the copper pipes. Gas regulators often don’t need maintenance, but they will deteriorate over time and will eventually need replacing.

• Pigtail - The pigtail is the hose that connects the gas cylinder to the regulator. Because it comes before the regulator, the pigtail is carrying gas at a high pressure which is why most pigtails available in the market are rated for this specific purpose.

• Copper pipes - The copper pipes connect the regular to the appliances to be powered. These pipes come in different sizes and lengths to suit a variety of appliances. Choosing the right sized copper pipe will depend on the distance the gas has to travel along with the gas consumption of the appliances. It’s safe to assume that the larger your RV, the larger your appliances will be (which translates to larger copper pipes as well).

Where to Place Your Gas Cylinders

Gas cylinders cannot be installed anywhere inside your caravan as it can lead to potential leakage and create a fire hazard. There are two main locations where you can safely install a gas cylinder.

First, you can install a gas cylinder inside of your caravan provided that you have a glass bottle enclosure that’s sealed from the RV but is vented to the outside.

Second, you can install a gas cylinder outside of your caravan using a drawbar. The cylinder should be mounted on an upright position with the valve on top. 

Gas Appliance Restrictions

Keep in mind that there are restrictions as to what kind of gas appliances you can use in your caravan. Only low-pressure appliances (operating at or below 2.75kPa) are allowed inside an RV for safety purposes, but the good news is that almost all appliances are available in low-pressure versions. Things like caravan heaters, gas ovens, and fridges can be safely installed in your caravan without any issues.

Flueless gas water heaters cannot be installed since they have the potential to release dangerous compounds into the air and escalate to risky levels if there’s insufficient ventilation. Installation guidelines for fridges and heaters that require outside flue ventilation should be adhered to closely. This should be done to ensure that the minimum required distance from windows, annex areas, and inlet vents are strictly followed.

All appliances must be fastened down prior to installing a gas system. When transporting gas cylinders, make sure they are secured in place. There are a couple of gas cylinder holders that you can use to hold them in place like roof racks, gas cylinder brackets, stands, and straps.