AVION Travel Trailers

I had to remove the propane gas-leak detector to replace some rotted wood around it. The detector is located in the side of the fridge cabinet at floor level near the entry door. I plan on replacing it because the detector is more than 5 years old.

I decided to do some research on what is considered to be the best location for a gas-leak detector in an RV. I came across the installation instructions written by MTI Industries, the manufacturer of my current detector.

https://www.mtiindustries.com/PDFs/rv/30_Series.pdf

According to their instructions, the detector is in the wrong location for our trailer. The information below is lifted from these instructions:

WHERE TO INSTALL GAS ALARMS
This alarm is UL®
listed for installation in recreational
vehicles. Install this alarm near sources of a potential
gas leak. Some potential sources are a furnace, water
heater, stove or oven. If potential sources of a gas leak
are in separated areas, MTI recommends installing an
alarm in each area. See Figure 1 and 2.
CAUTION: Propane is heavier than air. For
propane gas detection, install this alarm from 4 to
20 inches off the floor.
!
WARNING
WHERE NOT TO INSTALL THIS GAS ALARM.
See Figure 3.
 BEHIND FURNITURE, DRAPES, IN
CLOSETS OR AREAS THAT WILL BLOCK
AIR FLOW TO THE ALARM.
 WITHIN 12 INCHES OF EXTERIOR DOORS,
WINDOWS, HEATING OR RETURN VENTS,
OR OTHER DRAFTY AREAS.
 IN OR ON OUTSIDE WALLS
 TO A WALL SWITCH CONTROLLED
POWER LINE, GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
OR CIRCUIT BREAKER. See Master Storage
Switch on front Panel
NOTE: Older homes and RVs may have little or no
insulation and therefore are more drafty. Carefully
consider mounting locations.


For these reasons, I'm moving the location of the detector. Since our bedroom butts up to the kitchen and furnace, I'll choose a spot that protects us while sleeping as well.

I'm sure some think I'm being anal-retentive about this. I have replaced 90% of the gas lines in and under the trailer. I have conducted a thorough leak-check evaluation as well. However, considering the shaking forces a trailer incurs in motion, the propane gas detector is the last line of defense to a compromised appliance.

Good information to have! Thank you for letting everyone know.

Which one are you going with? Here’s a few options...

https://www.amazon.com/MTI-Industries-3 ... B000AMBHG4

https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Alert-Trail ... 5PG7XH5C3F

And this one says it’s good for 84 months...

https://www.amazon.com/Atwood-36720-Pro ... 5PG7XH5C3F

I like how small this one is, and the optional second sensor, but I don’t see it for sale in the US.

https://www.3gasplus.com/en/3gas-homepage-en/

Another option is a bubbler like this (made by Guardian Systems, Inc.), but I can’t seem to find it online. I’ve got this on my trailer and it seems to work well.


Here’s a different brand sold in the UK.

https://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails-2.html

Thanks for the info. I opted for the 1st one on your list, KY. I plan on locating it in the toe-kick below the furnace. The fridge and range are adjacent and across from the furnace.

I called MTI to verify if floor level location was OK; they said yes. This spot meets all the other criteria on their installation document. I'll just extend the OEM 12v power connection to the new spot.

Looking into adding this now as part of our bedroom reconfiguration. I don't believe we have one currently aside from some sort of device with a 9V battery and no other markings on it which was located under the bed by the water heater.

Are the Avions not wired for LP detectors from the factory and I'd need to run a new circuit for it? I am not certain (yet) if the Parallax DC side has any empty slots.

update: looks like there are two unused slots in the 12V panel and the mysterious device under the bed was a water leak detector.