A two-stage regulator handles the pressure drop in two steps -- first stage at the tank, second stage closer to the appliances -- delivering a smoother, more consistent gas flow than single-stage designs. The Camco 59333 packs both stages into one compact horizontal unit, making it a practical upgrade or replacement for RVs, travel trailers, and outdoor LP systems running multiple appliances.
Single-stage regulators can let output pressure drift as tank pressure drops on a cold morning or when demand spikes across multiple appliances. The Camco 59333 solves that with integrated first and second stages in one body. The first stage steps tank pressure down to an intermediate level; the second stage fine-tunes delivery to a consistent 11 inches of water column -- the standard working pressure for most RV LP appliances including furnaces, ranges, water heaters, and refrigerators.
The horizontal mounting orientation suits the majority of RV compartment layouts, and the POL (left-hand thread) inlet connects directly to standard DOT and ASME propane cylinders without an adapter.
First and second stages in a single body -- no separate high-pressure pigtail stage needed. Reduces leak points and simplifies installation.
Certified by the Canadian Standards Association for LP gas service. Meets safety and performance requirements for residential and recreational vehicle propane systems.
Rated at 160,000 BTU/hr on propane -- enough headroom for a furnace, range, water heater, and refrigerator running simultaneously in most RV setups.
POL inlet threads directly onto typical OPD-valve cylinders. 1/4" FNPT inlet port and 3/8" FNPT outlet port match common RV LP piping and hose fittings.
In a single-stage regulator, the full pressure drop from tank pressure (often 100+ PSI when full) to appliance working pressure (11" WC, roughly 0.4 PSI) happens in one step. As tank temperature drops or gas level decreases, that large pressure differential makes it harder to hold a precise output -- you may notice burner flames fluctuating or appliances lighting inconsistently.
A two-stage regulator splits the job. The first stage reduces tank pressure to roughly 10-15 PSI regardless of tank fill level or temperature. The second stage then steps that stable intermediate pressure down to the final 11" WC. The result is more consistent appliance performance across a wider range of conditions -- important for full-timers, winter campers, and anyone running multiple LP appliances at once.
Two-stage regulation is particularly valuable when ambient temperatures drop. As propane vaporization slows in cold weather, tank pressure falls -- a two-stage unit compensates more effectively than a single-stage design, keeping appliance performance stable down to lower temperatures.
POL (Prest-O-Lite) fittings use a left-hand internal thread and thread directly into the service valve on most pre-2002 tanks and many current ASME tanks. Most modern OPD-equipped DOT cylinders also accept a POL connection. If your tank has only a QCC1/Type 1 outlet, you will need a POL-to-QCC1 adapter pigtail (not included) to use this regulator.
Inspect the regulator vent annually for spider webs or insect nests -- these are a leading cause of regulator malfunction. A small piece of vent screen or a vent cover (sold separately) can prevent blockages in storage or between uses.