We tested ten best-selling RV propane regulators, and our top pick for overall performance and value is the Two-Stage Auto-Changeover Vertical Propane Regulatorfrom JR Products – the best regulator for a dual-tank RV propane system.
To experience the full benefit of an RV, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or camper van, having a reliable propane system plumbed into your mobile home is essential.
A two-stage propane regulator is the CEO of an RV’s propane system – suitably specified to supply the correct gas pressure and gas volume to your RV’s appliances, including the water heater, furnace, stovetop, oven, and refrigerator.
We tested the best RV propane regulators for each tank type to assist you in buying your ideal RV gas valve.
1.JR Products 07-31525 Compact -Best Value
2. SENMOD Fairview -Best Premium
3. Flame King ACR6a Without Pigtails -Best Budget
4. Camco 59313 -Best Premium Vertical
5. Stanbroil Vertical Two Stage Propane Regulator– Best Budget Vertical two-stage
6. Azdele 10ft Two Stage Propane Regulator with Hose – Best Value Vertical two-stage
7. Mr. Heater– Best Premium Horizontal
8. Only fire Horizontal Two Stage Propane Regulator -Best Budget Horizontal
9. Stanbroil plus Stainless Steel Braided Hose with Gauge– Best Value Horizontal
10. Camco Low Pressure Gas Regulator with 12′ Hose –Best Low-Pressure
From the selection above, our propane regulator of choice is the JR Products vertical two-stage auto-changeover propane regulator. We chose this regulator because of its overall functionality, convenience, quality, and low price point.
Auto-changeover propane regulators offer peace-of-mind, convenience, and a greater degree of energy supply security for RVers who have dual propane tanks (arguably the most common RV/camper propane tank configuration).
The JR Products 07-31525 is an innovative propane regulator, providing gas to the RV in all seasons without you having to worry about running empty.
Let’s dive in and discover what our 10 RV propane regulators have to offer with a review of each.
1. JR Products 07-31525
Made in India, this RV auto-changeover regulator can increase pressure/flow in cold weather when propane begins to liquefy (and freeze). It’s a lightweight but robust powder-coated die-cast zinc unit with an indicator window.
The 07-31525 is suitable for dual tank camper vans, travel trailers, RVs, and fifth wheels.
Easy to install, the JR Products 07-31525 is rated at 262,500BTU/hour.
2. Senmod Fairview
This auto-changeover two-stage vertical RV regulator is ideal for RVs, fifth wheels, travel trailers, camper vans, and pop-up campers equipped with dual propane tanks. The Senmod regulator comes with two pigtails connect to the propane tanks hassle-free.
The Senmod is made from rugged powder-coated zinc and features an indicator dome that changes from green to red when the service tank runs empty. The unthreaded mounting holes require self-tapping screws.
This Senmod auto-changeover propane regulator is rated at 345,000BTU/hour.
3. Flame King ACR-6a
This vertical two-stage auto-changeover regulator comes packaged with a bracket and cover. It’s a robust but compact unit with an indicator window on the regulator’s side.
Optional pigtails can be ordered along with the ACR-6a to avoid connection issues with your propane tanks, but this offer does not include pigtails or connectors.
This propane regulator will work on all dual tank RVs, camper vans, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and pop-up campers.
The Flame King ACR-6a is rated at 190,000BTU/hour.
4. Camco 59313
Ideal for smaller RVs, travel trailers, and camper vans that use a single propane tank hook-up, this Camco two-stage regulator supplies a suitably rated gas flow for all propane appliances inside a mobile home.
With a vertical mount design, the Camco 59313 can be easily installed in a compact propane closet inside an RV or camper van.
The Camco 59313 is rated for 160,000BTU/hour and sells for resonable price!
5. Stanbroil Vertical Two-Stage Regulator
The Stanbroil vertical standard two-stage regulator is made of solid brass and ships with a brass POL connector for easy installation in single-tank RV propane systems.
Rated at 160,000BTU/hour, the Stanbroil will supply RV propane appliances to the specified pressure and volume.
6. Azdele Vertical Two-Stage Standard Regulator
The Azdele vertical standard two-stage regulator has a certified upgrade that promises leak-free service, and it comes with a 10’ hose with a brass POL connector.
Suitable for RVs, campers and vans, the Azdele arrives well-packaged and is easy to install. The 10’ hose can be used for outdoor grills and fire pits.
Rated at a moderate 150,000BTU/hour.
7. Mr. Heater Horizontal Two-Stage Propane Regulator
Mr. Heater has an excellent reputation for producing reliable propane regulators. The horizontal two-stage propane regulator is specified for Class A motorhomes with ASME horizontal propane tanks.
Designed with an excess-flow safety valve and shipped with a brass POO connector, the Mr. Heater regulator is rated at 160,000BTU/hour.
8. only fire Horizontal Two-Stage Propane Regulator
A budget-friendly option for RV owners with ASME horizontal tanks, the only fire two-stage regulator is easy to install and comes with a brass POL connector and a practical plastic thumb fastener.
With its quality build and finish, the only fire regulator includes a gauge port. The only fire is rated at 160,000BTU/hour.
9. Stanbroil Horizontal Two-Stage Propane Regulator
Included in the package with the RV horizontal two-stage regulator is an aluminum braided 12” pigtail with a brass ACME nut and a pressure gauge. Ideal for motorhomes with ASME horizontal tanks, the Stanbroil package makes for easy fitment.
The gauge offers an extra line of safety in the event of leaks and makes monitoring gas levels easy.
The Stanbroil regulator is rated at 160,000BTU/hour.
10. Camco Low-Pressure Regulator
The Camco low-pressure regulator ships with a 12’ hose, an ideal auxiliary propane supply line for outdoor gas grills, heaters, and fire pits.
The Camco low-pressure regulator works with a type-1 propane cylinder. RVers who enjoy outdoor cooking can hook a 5lb tank to the Camco low-pressure regulator and 12’ hose (with an ACME nut) to power an outdoor heater, grill, or fire pit that doesn’t have a built-in regulator.
The Camco regulator kit is rated at 70,000BTU/hour.
There’s an overview of the 10 Best RV Propane Regulators on Amazon. Before you decide which is the one for you, here’s some background information on the science and purpose underlying each of the specific types of RV regulators covered in our review.
Propane tanks in RVs come in three basic types:
- Vertical propane cylinders found in travel trailers, fifth wheels, and vans.
- Large ASME horizontal tanks found permanently installed in Class A and Class C motorhomes.
- Small portable propane cylinders typically used to fuel outdoor appliances like grills and fire pits.
All three tank designs can be found in RVs of various types. Each requires a specific propane regulator (aka a gas valve).
- Type #1 needs a vertical two-stage auto-changeover propane regulator or a standard vertical two-stage regulator.
- Type #2 needs a horizontal dual-stage propane regulator.
- Type #3 needs a low-pressure (single-stage) propane regulator.
What Does An RV Two-Stage Propane Regulator Do?
A two-stage propane regulator reduces the gas pressure from a propane tank in two stages to safely supply low-pressure gas appliances inside the RV. The first stage reduces gas pressure from above 180psi to approximately 13psi, while the second stage cuts pressure to 0.4psi, or an 11” WC rating.
In a nutshell, a propane regulator harmonizes the propane supply tank with propane appliances. A high-pressure propane cylinder feeds gas into hoses that lead to your cooktop and oven, refrigerator, furnace, and water heater in your RV.
- Without a two-stage regulator plumbed directly into the propane system at the main ‘house’ tank, each propane appliance would be an inferno.
The two-stage propane regulator ensures the correct amount of gas pressure and delivers the required volume of propane to each RV appliance. The unit of measurement that the regulator and gas appliances share to ensure compatibility is BTU (British Thermal Unit).
Each RV propane appliance will have a specific BTU demand, which the regulator must satisfy if the appliance is to function correctly.
An RV two-stage regulator must supply sufficient BTUs to power several propane appliances simultaneously.
- The higher the BTU rating on an RV two-stage propane regulator, the better it will power your gas appliances.
- All RV two-stage regulators are set to a standard 11-inch WC (Water Column) rating and are not adjustable.
There are three types of two-stage regulators suitable for RVs. Let’s have a look at them.
What Are The Three Types Of RV Two-Stage Regulators?
Two-stage regulators for RVs include the following types:
- The standard vertical two-stage regulator
- The auto-changeover vertical two-stage regulator
- The horizontal two-stage regulator
Vertical regulators are fitted to DOT propane cylinders, while horizontal regulators are fitted to ASME tanks.
The propane regulator suitable for your RV will depend on the kind of propane tanks in your mobile home. Standard vertical two-stage regulators are ideal for single-cylinder systems, while a dual-tank system can be equipped with an auto-changeover vertical regulator.
A horizontal ASME tank must be fitted with a horizontal two-stage regulator.
A standard vertical two-stage regulator and a horizontal two-stage regulator work exactly the same way but mounted differently.
An auto-changeover vertical regulator differs from the other two types. It has an internal switching device that senses when one tank is empty and automatically switches the valve opening to allow gas from the full tank to enter the gas line feeding the RV.
The auto-changeover regulator has an inspection window that indicates when a tank is empty. A lever on the regulator allows the empty tank to be closed to optimize pressure in the gas system.
When the auto-changeover regulator draws gas from the reserve tank, the empty tank can be removed and filled without the RV moving from its location.
An auto-changeover propane regulator brings valuable convenience to RV life by automating the switchover procedure from one propane cylinder to another.
What Is A Low-Pressure Propane Regulator?
Low-pressure propane regulators regulate high, fluctuating gas pressure exiting a gas cylinder, reducing pressure to a specified level where a gas appliance can safely use the propane. RV low-pressure propane regulators typically power cookers, fire pits, fridges, and lanterns.
Most propane appliances inside an RV come with a standard built-in low-pressure propane regulator. Aftermarket low-pressure propane regulators are typically used to fuel outdoor appliances like propane fire pits and grills.
A low-pressure propane regulator can be hooked up to a small portable propane cylinder or pipe gas directly from the RV house tank/cylinder using a brass tee adapter that serves as an auxiliary inlet/outlet for the propane system.
- The tee adapter allows a backup portable gas cylinder to plug into the house gas lines, enabling extended camping when the main propane tank runs dry. A low-pressure regulator isn’t needed because the existing RV regulator will manage the gas pressure inside the vehicle.
- The tee adapter allows a long hose to run from the RV tank to an outdoor fire pit or grill. The low-pressure regulator will be needed if the appliance doesn’t have a built-in regulator because the tee adapter sits upstream of the RV’s two-stage regulator.
Because dual-stage propane regulators differ in type according to the kind of propane tank in the RV, it isn’t easy to choose one as the overall best.
However, because the auto-changeover vertical regulator is so standard in the RV community and offers unmatched convenience, we’re going with:
Our best RV auto-changeover is JR Products 07-31525. Its solid build quality, impressive BTU rating, ability to handle cold weather, and reliable switching mechanism give it the nod.
Good luck, and happy camping!
Check out our article on: How To Heat An RV Without Propane (3 Great Tips)
