Before you begin
Gather the equipment recommended in your owner’s manual, work in a safe and well-lit area, and check campground rules before using shared utilities or facilities.
Step-by-step instructions
1 Step 1
Locate the propane cylinders or tank, main shutoff, appliance controls and emergency instructions in your RV manual.
2 Step 2
Inspect visible hoses, mounting hardware and regulator area for damage. Have questionable components checked by a qualified propane technician.
3 Step 3
Confirm propane and carbon monoxide alarms are installed, in date and working; replace batteries or devices as instructed.
4 Step 4
Open the supply valve slowly when the system is ready for use. Follow each appliance’s lighting and operating instructions exactly.
5 Step 5
Keep furnace, refrigerator and water-heater vents clear of snow, debris and stored equipment.
6 Step 6
Use only appliances approved for RV installation; never use a cooking stove or outdoor barbecue to heat the living space.
7 Step 7
Shut off appliances and propane as required before refuelling, ferry travel, service work or storage, following the operator and carrier rules.
8 Step 8
If you smell gas or an alarm activates, do not operate electrical switches or ignition sources. Leave the RV, shut off gas only if safe and call emergency services or a qualified technician.
Detailed Canadian RV guide
The following practical details expand on the quick steps above. Equipment differs between motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and truck campers; use the instructions for your particular RV and components whenever they differ.
Understand the system
Propane can fuel furnaces, cooktops, refrigerators and water heaters. Cylinders or permanently mounted tanks supply gas through regulators and distribution lines. Different RVs have different shutoff locations, gauges and automatic changeover arrangements.
Read the appliance instructions and learn the location of the main shutoff. A propane detector, smoke alarm and carbon-monoxide alarm serve different purposes; maintain all of them.
Cylinder and tank handling
Use only approved cylinders and tanks, and have filling performed by qualified personnel. Secure portable cylinders upright in their designed compartment with ventilation openings unobstructed. Never store spare cylinders in an enclosed living space.
Inspect hoses and visible fittings for abrasion, corrosion and physical damage. Canadian cylinder requalification and filling requirements apply; ask a licensed propane supplier about a cylinder’s status.
Lighting and operating appliances
Before operating a stove, furnace or water heater, ensure required vents and exhaust outlets are clear. Follow the appliance’s ignition instructions rather than repeatedly trying to light a unit that has failed.
Never use an RV cooktop or oven to heat the living space. Combustion appliances need correct ventilation and can create carbon monoxide if malfunctioning.
What to do if you smell gas
If you suspect a leak, do not operate electrical switches, phones or ignition sources inside the RV. Extinguish flames only if safe, evacuate everyone, shut off the gas supply if you can do so safely from outside, and call emergency services or the propane supplier from a safe location.
Do not re-enter or restore service until the system has been inspected and cleared by a qualified technician. Never test a suspected leak with a flame.
Travel, ferries and storage
Some tunnels, bridges and ferries impose restrictions or require cylinders to be closed. Rules vary by operator and route; check the current operator instructions before travel.
For storage, follow the RV and propane supplier guidance for shutting down appliances and securing cylinders. Schedule a professional inspection if a regulator, hose or fitting is old, damaged or behaving unusually.
Propane use in Canada
Turn appliances off before refuelling, keep cylinders upright and secured, and have your system inspected if you detect an odour. Follow rules at ferries and tunnels.
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