Our HiLo came without the auto changer regulator on the two LP bottles. I've now fixed that. Didn't want to empty one bottle, and have to go outside in the middle of the night to manually cut on the 2nd bottle.
I also installed a Barker VIP3000 power tongue jack. Sure is going to be nice not to have to manually crank the tongue when hooking and unhooking the trailer.
Erroll, Mary, Duffy the Badger Dog plus "Ollie"
2009 HiLo Towlite 2209T
2005 F150 Supercab 4x4, w/ 5.4L
When we took delivery of our first TT a couple months ago the tech suggested we leave our auto changer in manual mode. He made a pretty good point. If you leave it on manual and run on one tank - when that tank runs out you'll know you've burned through half your propane supply. Instead of leaving it on auto and running out completely.
Congrats on the Barker jack! I have a refurb UF (replacement is sitting at my doorstep right now) and I can't wait to be able to use it and not have to wrench my arm off manually jacking the TT up and down.
2012 Crossroads Z-1 271BH
2004 Nissan Armada with Blue Ox BXW1500, Prodigy P3
Chromag wrote: When we took delivery of our first TT a couple months ago the tech suggested we leave our auto changer in manual mode. He made a pretty good point. If you leave it on manual and run on one tank - when that tank runs out you'll know you've burned through half your propane supply. Instead of leaving it on auto and running out completely.
Congrats on the Barker jack! I have a refurb UF (replacement is sitting at my doorstep right now) and I can't wait to be able to use it and not have to wrench my arm off manually jacking the TT up and down.
That's not how I understand the auto changeover works. Yes both bottles are on, but gas is taken from only one. When that one's empty, the regulator automatically switches over to the other bottle, while throwing up a red flag, telling you one tank is empty. You can then take the empty and refill it.
The changeover feature allows users the benefit of uninterrupted LP gas to the RV LP system. Turn on both bottles and place the black lever toward either cylinder. This becomes the service cylinder. When the service cylinder empties, the regulator will start drawing LP gas from the reserve cylinder. The full-empty color changes from green to red indicating that the service cylinder is empty and the system is drawing from the reserve cylinder. Prior to disconnecting the service cylinder, close the bottle service handle and then rotate the black lever all the way over to the reserve cylinder. The full-empty indicator will turn green and the reserve cylinder becomes the service cylinder. Have the empty bottle filled and then place it back in place. Open the service handle and this bottle becomes the reserve cylinder.
2007 Coachman 32 foot Travel Trailer
2010 Ford F350 Super Duty 4X2, SRW, 6.4L
I leave mine in manual also. On auto it can empty both then run out in the middle of the night, a bad deal. Usually just before a tank empties you'll notice the flame on the stove get a bit smaller and you can switch it during the day.
Last winter in Fla. I lucked out and it never ran out at night. 4.5 months.
You have it correct. Both tanks do not run out at the same time. The red indicator will tell you the first tank is empty but the gas will continue to flow.
I think you are going to like the "new" set up as you will your tongue jack. The invention of the crossover made camping a little easier and better in my opinion. If you never, never take the time to check your tanks then yes, you will stand the chance of running out completely. I still can't imagine not using this feature. It is like having a furnace and not running it or a refrigerator that you pack with ice to travel to your destination. Can't figure some of these things out.
You are going to like your improvements. Have fun.
2008 Toyota Tundra, Double Cab, 5.7L V8
2006 Airstream 25 FB SE
Equalizer Hitch
Prodigy Controler
That what I figured, and common sense says that's correct. If all an auto change over did was use both bottles, empty both at the same time, and leave a person without any gas, then 1) who would want one, and 2) why were they designed and made in the 1st place?
I'm definitely liking the pwr tongue jack. Sure beats all that hand cranking to lift the trailer.
aftermath wrote: Atlee,
You have it correct. Both tanks do not run out at the same time. The red indicator will tell you the first tank is empty but the gas will continue to flow.
I think you are going to like the "new" set up as you will your tongue jack. The invention of the crossover made camping a little easier and better in my opinion. If you never, never take the time to check your tanks then yes, you will stand the chance of running out completely. I still can't imagine not using this feature. It is like having a furnace and not running it or a refrigerator that you pack with ice to travel to your destination. Can't figure some of these things out.
You are going to like your improvements. Have fun.
Different strokes for different folks on how they wish to leave their auto change over working..
Some like to know exactly when their first tank runs out.. (ironic that it usually happens in the middle of the night.. ) So, they leave only one tank open (manual). Some like to have it actually automatically change over when one empties and start using the next one.
I like the automatic feature.. I never know when it switches and that's fine with me... Why? Because I actually check the little gage on top of the auto changer from time to time... If it's green, I know I'm still on the main tank. If it's red I know I'm on my reserve.
Even when it's on green, and I know it has been for awhile, I'll loosen the wing nut and lift the main tank to get a feel for how much gas is left. If it's lite, I know it's not long for this world and will check the gage in another day or so.. If it's heavy, I figure I'll have enough to not worry about it and continue with my camping trip.
To date, (9 years of camping trips with the specific rig), I've never ran out of propane while camping.. I usually go thru both tanks for a full season of camping (~ 5 long 4 day weekend camping trips).
Anyway, I also have an electric tongue jack and using both have made our camping that much more enjoyable..
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
Atlee wrote: That what I figured, and common sense says that's correct. If all an auto change over did was use both bottles, empty both at the same time, and leave a person without any gas, then 1) who would want one, and 2) why were they designed and made in the 1st place?
I don't think it uses both bottles. It uses one until it runs out then automatically switches to the other.
MitchF150 wrote: I like the automatic feature.. I never know when it switches and that's fine with me... Why? Because I actually check the little gage on top of the auto changer from time to time... If it's green, I know I'm still on the main tank. If it's red I know I'm on my reserve.
The geniuses over at Crossroads who designed the Z-1 put the gauge and switchover lever on the BACK of the tanks. The gauge is practically impossible to see. I have to squeeze my poor head between the front of the TT and the tanks to see the gauge.
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) So, they leave only one tank open (manual). Some like to have it actually automatically change over when one empties and start using the next one. 
If it's 
