Squirrel Ate LP Line!!!

kathleenbas · 10-03-2010, 06:38 PM

Hi, we have an 87 Sunline Satellite... haven't gone out yet, October 15 will be first trip... getting all systems going and no LP to fire anything up! Checked and found a chewed up LP Gas line. As we are parked where we have too many squirrels (who were watching us the whole time) where do I get a replacement line and a stainless steel braided line cover... um, ASAP! Thanks for your help.. been googling...

Gene · 10-03-2010, 07:44 PM

I couldn't find any SS braided LP lines but came across this

Description: 24" steel spring hose protector - Price: $11.59

MCM82424 - Part Info at Appliance Factory Parts

Maybe something like that over the rubber LP hose would stop those ####

### squirrels.

Good luck,

Gene

christeve · 10-03-2010, 08:30 PM

I had the same squirrel lunch on my hose so I replaced it with soft copper tubing. Not according to code but Squirrel proof.

**Tweety** · 10-04-2010, 05:17 AM

I went to the local RV shop to replace ours when this happened and they told me to wrap the line in aluminum foil while it's sitting. Squirells won't chew through the foil. So far so good

MACK C-85 · 10-04-2010, 07:13 AM

I had this problem too. Aluminum Duct tape and a corrigated split-plastic wire protector has kept it from happening again for four years now.

After replacing the hose, I wrapped the full length of the rubber hose in the aluminum duct tape and then covered that with the split plastic wire loom secured with a couple of wire ties.

Mack

kathleenbas · 10-04-2010, 04:47 PM

Thank you so much for your ideas! First step, new hose... will go to a place tomorrow.... then will try your cover ideas. Thanks so much!

**JohnB** · 10-05-2010, 06:54 AM

Hi Folks

So the squirrels are now after us, they must think we are nuts….LOL

Sorry, that Boy Scout camp fire skit just keeps coming back each time I read this.

Boy, learn something new every day here on SOC!

Never knew this even occurred. Have already combated , bees, ants and mice, now the squirrels too……

Question: Do these over energetic squirrels only go after the 1/2" low pressure hose between the down stream side of the regulator and the steel pipe that goes thru the A frame header or do they go after the smaller high pressure pig tail hoses up top at the LP tank fitting?

Must be something about the LP hose that attracts them? Any one know what? Why not the shore line power cord?

This could be really a bad situation if they partially gnawed thru and then the hose lets loose under operation. If the aluminum tape trick seems to work that is not that hard to do as a preventive measure. It may mask the odor that attracts them and give a level of resistance. The last 2 campgrounds we where in a week ago we where under oak trees and it was the time of year the acorns where dropping. Boy do they make a heck of a sound falling on the roof… The squirrels and chipmunks where having a field day running everywhere. My odds may have just stepped up a notch for a squirrel desert of LP hose….

Kathleen, sorry about your hose but thank you for posting. We all learn from these things and this one I would of never given a 2nd thought.

John

Castaldi · 10-13-2010, 04:24 PM

Tin foil wrap. Works well. Please don't use copper line. In the summer lp has up to 250psi. Use the right line!!!

MACK C-85 · 10-14-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Question: Do these over energetic squirrels only go after the 1/2" low pressure hose between the down stream side of the regulator and the steel pipe that goes thru the A frame header or do they go after the smaller high pressure pig tail hoses up top at the LP tank fitting?

John in my case it was the low pressure line between the regulator and the iron pipe. There were about three places where they "attacked" the hose, all three of which were possible "rubbing" contact areas with the frame. That's what I thought had happened until I got to Leo's for a replacement hose, they pointed out the teeth marks!! They said they get upwards of a dozen or so of these damaged hoses each year.

Quote:

This could be really a bad situation if they partially gnawed thru and then the hose lets loose under operation.

The hose didn't "let loose" but we did have an active leak. We store the trailer in my mother-in-law's driveway, she smelled the LP and called me.

Quote:

If the aluminum tape trick seems to work that is not that hard to do as a preventive measure. It may mask the odor that attracts them and give a level of resistance.

I've had it on my trailer for four years now and have had no repeat of the squirrel attacks. The trailer is stored in the same place, so it must work. After I wrapped the tape around the line, I enclosed it in plastic wire loom. That also helps prevent the rubbing on the frame that I thought was the original problem.

Mack

**JohnB** · 10-14-2010, 10:46 AM

Thanks Mack, Good info. This should also help the sun effect on the rubber. Seems like a tape upgrade and wire loop is in my near future. I can see the frame rub happening without much trouble.