How (and Where) to Connect an RV Propane Grill

When you're grilling up pork steaks or burgers at the campsite on a fine summer evening, you're in the zone. Focused on grilling meat, seasoning it to perfection, and finally sitting down to enjoy a well-deserved meal. It's a staple of summer camping.

And it really sucks when that little portable propane bottle runs out halfway through.

This is why hooking your grill directly to your RV propane tank just makes sense. It's right there, it holds plenty of propane, and it means not having to devote precious space to all those little portable bottles.

That said, modifying your propane setup can be confusing. If you don't make your grill connection in the right spot in regard to your regulator, your grill won't work right. Which means no delicious food. Which means you're not a happy camper. So let's go over how to connect a grill to your RV — the right way.

In this article:

Connecting to a Grill with a Regulator
Connecting to a Grill without a Regulator

Connecting a Gas Grill to Your RV Propane Tank

Generally speaking, you connect your grill to your RV propane setup in one of two ways: you either connect directly to a Quick-Disconnect (if you've got one) or tee into the propane system with a T-fitting.

Pictured: A Quick-Disconnect fitting beneath an RV

Pictured: A T-Fitting installed on an RV propane system

It's important to realize that propane regulation plays a big part in how you make these connections. It's really all about the regulators.

As an RV owner, you probably recognize the regulator as being part of your propane setup, but you may also have one on your gas grill. The problem is, if you run gas through two regulators, the propane pressure will be reduced to such a degree that your grill might not get hot enough to cook, or might not light at all.

Pictured: Regulators

So how do you you make sure your propane pressure is not too high, not to low, but just right? Below, we'll look at the potential scenarios you may be looking at and show you how to get that Goldilocks pressure.

If Your Grill Has a Regulator

If your grill has its very own regulator, it most likely requires high-pressure (unregulated) propane, because it regulates the gas itself. You'll see this on certain larger grills, like many Colemans, Webers, and Blackstones.

To use this type of grill with your RV, you can either:

1) Bypass your RV's regulator with a T-fitting and power the grill with high-pressure propane, or

2) Remove the regulator on the grill so that it can use low-pressure propane from your RV.

The Exception: Your Small RV Grill Might Have a Regulator...and Need Low-Pressure Propane

Although most grills that come with a regulator need high-pressure propane to function, some small RV grills come with a regulator and still need pre-regulated propane.

You'll typically only see this on smaller RV grills that include a "miniature" regulator. The RV reduces the gas pressure enough to power appliances like the stove, fridge, and furnace. This is still too much pressure for some small RV grills, so they include a small additional regulator at the grill. Just treat these grills as if they don't have a regulator, and use them the way you would any other grill that requires low-pressure propane (keep reading below if you're not sure how to do this).

Pictured: RVQ grill with small regulator

Option 1: Bypass the RV's regulator

When to do this:

Bypassing the RV's regulator and supplying high-pressure propane to your grill is usually the best option if you can't (or don't want to) remove the grill's regulator.

To do this, just install a T-fitting between your propane tank and regulator. You'll run your grill connection off this T-fitting. The gas flowing to the grill doesn't touch the RV's regulator at all, leaving the grill's regulator do the work instead.

Connecting Low-Pressure Grill to RV with a T-Fitting

Option 2: Remove the grill's regulator

When to do this:

The second option is to modify the grill by removing its regulator so your propane is only regulated by your RV. Keep in mind that you can't remove a gas grill's regulator if it's combined with the temperature control, so this is only possible if your grill has separate components.

To do this, just remove the grill's regulator and add a Quick-Disconnect fitting (like this one).

If your camper has a Quick-Disconnect port, you can hook up the grill here after removing the regulator. If your camper doesn't have a Quick-Disconnect port, install a T-fitting downstream of your RV's regulator (between the regulator and supply hose). This way, the gas flowing to your grill is already regulated by the RV.

Keep in mind that you'll need to reinstall the grill's regulator if you ever use the grill separately from your RV, so you might not want to go this route unless you plan on only using this grill for camping.

Connecting Low-Pressure Grill to RV - Remove Grill Regulator

If Your Grill Does Not Have a Regulator

If your grill doesn't have a regulator, this means it requires low-pressure (regulated) propane. (High-pressure, unregulated propane shooting toward a fiery grill is a recipe for disaster.)

To use this type of grill with your RV, you can:

1) Hook directly to your camper's Quick-Disconnect (which is regulated by the RV) or install one off your main propane line

2) Install a T-fitting between your RV regulator and supply hose

Pictured: Grill with no regulator

Option 1: Hook to your Quick-Disconnect

When to do this:

This is the easiest way to hook up a grill to your camper. If your RV came with a Quick-Disconnect port (it may be on the underside of your camper), you can run a hose between your grill and this connection.

If you don't have a Quick-Disconnect and plan on using your grill often, it might be worth installing your own Quick-Disconnect fitting. Just purchase some black iron pipe from your local hardware store and T into the main (low-pressure) propane line on the underside of your RV. (Do keep in mind that this connection may be more involved if you have an "all-seasons" camper with an underbelly, which will prevent easy access to your propane lines.)

Quick-Disconnects are much easier to use than other connection types and are less likely to be damaged than hoses running along the bottom of your RV. Plus, you can install a Quick-Disconnect fitting almost anywhere off the main line, so you're not limited by the reach of your hose.

Option 2: Install a Tee-Fitting

When to do this:

If you don't have a Quick-Disconnect connection, you can also install a T-fitting downstream of your RV's regulator (between the regulator and supply hose) and run the grill off this connection. This way, the gas will be regulated before it reaches the grill.

Connecting Low-Pressure Grill to RV - Install T-Fitting

The above principles also apply to making other propane connections on your RV (such as fire pits or other accessories). Adding an auxiliary tank? Read more about that here.

A few final tips:

After you're finished making your connections, spray your hoses and fittings with a soapy water solution to check for bubbles indicating gas leaks
Use yellow thread tape designed for gas connections (this is different than the white tape used for plumbing connections)
When installing adapter fittings or connectors, only use those that specifically say they're designed for propane use
When installing adapter fittings or connectors, make sure the fitting is rated for use with either high- or low-pressure propane, as required

Still have questions?

Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!

About the Author

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

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Written by: Amber S.

Updated on: 3/18/2022

Jeff F.

7/10/2023

I have an RV with Propane disconnect. I bought a regulated grill and instantly yanked off the regulator and just added a quick disconnect. But the grill runs very very by hot. Can I just add a low pressure regulator at the grill? The one it came with was design to connect right to the propane bottle. I would need an in line regulator.

Chris R.

7/28/2023

@JeffF If there's not a regulator at the grill then there needs to be one after propane connection. Running unregulated propane is definitely why you're getting a firestorm when trying to cook hot dogs.

Jefff

7/29/2023

@ChrisR Actually, the camper has a regulator at the tanks and the feed for the grill comes off that regulator. It just seems like the pressure at the grill is way too much.

Chris R.

7/29/2023

@Jefff Interesting, then a regulator wouldn't be the problem (unless it's bad). Adding another one at the grill will reverse your issues. How's the grease buildup on the grill?

See All (4) Replies to Jeff F. ∨

John

5/23/2023

Which grill is best?

Rick M.

11/14/2022

I own a 2020 Keystone Bullet Travel Trailer. At the rear bumper, I have a propane Quick-Connect. I want to connect this Qucik-Connect to a Cabela Portable Grill with a Regulator that connects to a Coleman Propane Cannister. I realize the Grill's Regulator may need to be bypassed, because my propane lines already regulated at the Propane source. The male fitting into the grill is a 1/4 - 3/16" connection. My Question: where do I find the fittings and hoses from my grill to the quick connect?

David B.

11/15/2022

I don't recommend bypassing the regulator on your grill. It would be safer and easier to T joint off your propane source and run a line from there. You can use these links and the side menu to filter down the fittings and parts to what you need.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-propane_fittings.aspx

propane-parts

11/10/2022

Looking to hook up auxiliary LP gas tank for winter camping, need kit number and recommended hose ID

David B.

11/12/2022

Hey PJ, what kind of set up do you have right now? You can essentially get an aux tank by hooking up a T joint and running a line from the T with whatever type of connection you have/need. If you would let me know what type of tank you have I can get you specifics.

Helpful Links

s.aspx?qry=propane+accessories&furl=-pg-propane_fittings

Suzanne B.

8/17/2022

I have a 2019 Thor Class C motorcoach (BL24 model). I am searching for a propane adapter to connect to the onboard connector on the outside passenger side of coach to connect to my Weber 22Q grill so I don't have to use the little green canisters. Any help is appreciated.

David B.

8/18/2022

Hello Suzanne, if you have a quick disconnect port on the side of your RV I recommend this # 100476-120-MBS. Let me know what you think.

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