Camco 59005 Two-Stage Auto Changeover LP Regulator

The Camco 59005 is a two-stage automatic changeover LP regulator built for RVs that run on a pair of propane cylinders. Hook up two tanks and this regulator quietly manages both. When the tank you're drawing from runs dry, it switches over to the full one on its own. No interruption to the stove, the furnace, or the water heater. You just refill the empty bottle whenever it's convenient, not when dinner's half cooked.

Here's why the two-stage design matters. A single-stage regulator drops tank pressure straight down to appliance pressure in one step, and that can get twitchy as the cylinder empties or the temperature drops overnight. This one does the job in two stages. The first stage knocks the high, variable cylinder pressure down to an intermediate level. The second stage trims it to a steady 11 inches of water column, which is the pressure your RV appliances are built around. The payoff is cleaner burner performance and better resistance to regulator freeze-up on cold mornings.

The automatic changeover feature is the part most owners end up loving. Set one tank as the service side and the other as the reserve. The regulator pulls from the service tank until it's empty, then flips to the reserve without you lifting a finger. An indicator window on the body shows a color change, red, once a cylinder is spent. That's your cue to swap or refill the empty one at your leisure while the RV keeps running off the reserve. It's the difference between a relaxed refill on a travel day and a scramble in the dark.

Connections are standard RV sizes. The inlet is 1/4 inch NPT and the outlet is 3/8 inch NPT. The 1/4 inch inlet takes the pigtails that run from your two cylinders, and the 3/8 inch outlet feeds the LP distribution line into the coach. Because threaded gas fittings need to seal right, use gas-rated thread sealant and check every joint with soapy water before you light anything.

A couple of things to know before you order. This unit ships without a hose and without a shut off valve, so you'll pair it with the pigtails and any lockable valve your setup calls for. That's on purpose. It lets you match the pigtail length and any manual shutoff to your tank tray instead of paying for parts you might not use. If your local code or your own preference calls for a manual shutoff at the regulator, add one on the outlet side.

Mounting is vertical. The 59005 is designed to sit upright on a standard RV propane tank tray or in the front cover box of a travel trailer, and keeping it vertical is important for the internals to seat and read correctly. It's approved for RV use, so it's the right regulator for travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes carrying two removable cylinders.

Installation is straightforward for anyone comfortable working with LP fittings, but it pays to be careful. Wrap the male threads with gas-rated sealant, snug the pigtails and the outlet line, and then leak-check every joint with a soapy water solution before you open a valve to an appliance. Watch for bubbles at each connection. If you see any, back off, reseal, and try again. Never use an open flame to hunt for leaks, and give the whole system a minute after you pressurize it so a slow weep has a chance to show itself.

Who's this for? Anyone running a dual-cylinder RV who's tired of a burner cutting out mid-meal, and anyone replacing a tired old regulator that no longer holds steady pressure. If your appliances have been running lean, sputtering, or your furnace can't keep up on a cold night, a worn regulator is a common culprit and this two-stage changeover unit is a straightforward upgrade. It's a Camco part, so it drops into the footprint most RVers already know, and it keeps the propane side of your rig simple and dependable trip after trip.