A dependable, code-compliant propane pigtail built for RV service. This 18-inch hose bridges your LP cylinder's QCC Type 1 (POL-style hand-wheel) valve to a 1/4" male inverted flare fitting on your regulator or manifold -- with thermal protection, fully crimped brass ferrules, and UL/CGA-approved construction right out of the box.
Marshall Excelsior has manufactured propane handling equipment in the USA for decades, and the MECMER425-18 reflects that pedigree. The flexible thermoplastic hose body resists cracking, kinking, and UV degradation that shortens the life of cheaper imports, while the crimped brass ferrules on both ends eliminate field-assembled clamp joints that can weep under pressure.
At 18 inches, this pigtail gives you enough working length to reach between a standard ASME or DOT cylinder valve and a dual-stage or single-stage regulator without pulling taut -- a common cause of stress cracking at the fitting root. It is long enough for most under-chassis or exterior compartment installations without creating a coil that traps moisture.
Female QCC Type 1 (quick-closing coupling) hand-tightens directly onto standard Type 1 ACME-threaded cylinder valves. Rated for 200,000 BTU and 100 SCFH flow -- sufficient for most RV dual-appliance demands.
Standard 1/4" SAE inverted flare threads directly into most RV two-stage regulators, T-fittings, and manifold inlets without adapters in typical installations.
Integral thermal protection device activates if the hose is exposed to excessive heat -- such as a nearby flame or fire -- to limit propane flow and reduce ignition risk.
Hose assembly meets UL and CGA standards. Fully crimped brass ferrules on both ends meet NFPA 58 requirements for LP gas hose assemblies used in RV and recreational vehicle service.
The MECMER425-18 is the standard connection hose between a 20 lb. or 30 lb. DOT propane cylinder and a two-stage RV regulator -- the setup found on the A-frame or tongue compartment of most travel trailers and fifth wheels. It is also used in side-by-side dual-cylinder manifold assemblies where each cylinder gets its own pigtail feeding into a tee or automatic changeover regulator.
The hose body is a flexible thermoplastic construction approved by both UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and CGA (Compressed Gas Association) for LP gas service. Thermoplastic construction is lighter and more flexible in cold weather than rubber-bodied hoses, making it a good choice for RVers who travel in varied climates.
Both ends are terminated with fully crimped brass ferrules -- not clamps or field-swaged fittings. Factory crimping ensures a gas-tight, pull-tested seal. The 400 lb. pull test rating means the hose will withstand significant tension before the ferrule separates, which matters in an installation where the hose can be inadvertently tugged during hitching or compartment access.
The QCC Type 1 fitting is hand-tightened only -- no wrench is needed or recommended on the cylinder end. The 1/4" male inverted flare outlet connects to your regulator's inlet port. Use two wrenches (one to hold the regulator fitting, one to turn the hose nut) when tightening the inverted flare end. Do not use pipe dope or PTFE tape on inverted flare connections -- the flare seat makes its own metal-to-metal seal.