The basic steps to relight your RV furnace pilot

To light your RV furnace pilot light, you'll turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button while holding a lighter or long match to the pilot burner opening, and keep the button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the flame catches. Once the pilot stays lit on its own, turn the knob to "On" or "Heat" to restore normal operation. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes.

The pilot light is a small flame that stays burning inside your furnace. When you turn the thermostat up, that pilot ignites the main burner. If the pilot goes out—from wind, a draft, or straightforward age—your furnace won't heat, even though the gas and ignition system are working fine.

Most RV furnaces have the control knob and pilot opening on the front of the unit, usually mounted low on the wall or under a cabinet. You'll need a lighter with a long stem or long fireplace matches; a regular kitchen match won't reach safely.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the gas control knob to "Pilot," press the ignition button, and hold a flame to the pilot opening until it catches and stays lit for at least 30 seconds.
  • Keep the ignition button pressed for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot lights so the thermocouple (the safety sensor) heats up and holds the gas valve open.
  • If the pilot won't stay lit after you release the button, the thermocouple may be dirty or failing, and you should have a technician inspect it.
  • If you smell gas but see no flame, turn the knob to "Off," open windows, and wait 5 minutes before trying again—never force ignition if gas is escaping.
  • RV furnace pilots go out more often than home furnaces because of vibration, drafts, and the tight spaces in travel trailers and motorhomes.

Locate the furnace control panel and gas knob

Open the furnace access panel or cabinet door. On most RVs, the furnace sits in a low cabinet, under a bed, or in a basement compartment. You'll see a metal box with a control knob on the front, usually labeled with positions like "Off," "Pilot," and "On" or "Heat."

The pilot opening is a small hole or tube just below or beside the control knob. Some furnaces have a clear plastic window so you can see inside; others require you to look directly into the opening. If your furnace has a window, use it—you'll be able to see the pilot flame catch without guessing.

Before you start, make sure the area around the furnace is clear of blankets, bedding, or anything flammable. RV furnaces run hot, and you don't want anything touching the unit while it's operating.

Turn the knob to Pilot and prepare to ignite

Rotate the gas control knob clockwise until it stops at the "Pilot" position. You should hear or feel a slight click. This setting allows gas to flow to the pilot burner only, not the main furnace.

Gather your lighter or long fireplace matches. A standard lighter with a long stem works best; if you use matches, hold several together so they burn long enough. Do not use a short match or your fingers will get too close to the flame.

Look into the pilot opening. You may see a small metal tube or a brass nozzle. The flame needs to reach this spot. If the furnace has a window, position yourself so you can see the burner clearly while you light it.

Press the ignition button and light the pilot

Press and hold the ignition button (usually a red or black button near the knob). You should hear a clicking sound—this is the spark igniter trying to light the gas. While holding the button, bring your lighter or match to the pilot opening and hold the flame there.

The pilot should light within a few seconds. You'll see a small blue flame appear at the opening. Keep the ignition button pressed even after the flame appears—do not release it yet.

If the flame doesn't appear after 10 to 15 seconds, release the button, wait 5 minutes for any gas to clear, and try again. Holding the button too long without ignition can flood the furnace with unburned gas.

Hold the button to let the thermocouple warm up

Once the pilot flame is burning steadily, keep the ignition button pressed for another 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple—a safety sensor at the tip of the pilot flame—to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out when ready.

Watch the flame while you hold the button. It should be a steady blue color, about the size of a pea or small marble. If the flame is yellow or orange, or if it's very small and flickering, the pilot may not be getting enough gas, and you may need a technician to check the gas line or burner.

After 60 seconds, slowly release the button. The flame should stay lit. If it goes out as soon as you let go, the thermocouple is not heating properly, and the furnace will need service.

Turn the knob to On and test the furnace

Once the pilot is holding steady on its own, rotate the gas control knob to "On" or "Heat." The furnace is now ready to respond to your thermostat. Set your RV thermostat to a temperature higher than the current temperature, and listen for the main burner to ignite with a soft whoosh sound.

You should feel warm air coming from the furnace vents within 30 seconds. If the main burner doesn't light, or if you hear the igniter clicking but no flame appears, turn the knob back to "Off" and wait 5 minutes before trying the pilot again.

Once the furnace is running and heating, close the access panel or cabinet door. The furnace will cycle on and off as your thermostat calls for heat, and the pilot will stay lit the whole time.

What to do if the pilot won't stay lit

If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the ignition button, the thermocouple is likely the problem. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a small electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it fails, the valve closes and the gas shuts off.

A dirty thermocouple can sometimes be cleaned, but this usually requires removing it from the furnace, which is a job for a technician. If you want to try a quick fix, turn the knob to "Off," wait 5 minutes, and try lighting the pilot again—sometimes a weak spark or a gust of air can blow out a marginal pilot, and a second attempt works.

If the pilot lights and holds for a few seconds but then goes out, or if it won't light at all after three attempts, stop trying and call an RV service center. Continuing to attempt ignition can waste gas and may indicate a problem with the gas line, regulator, or igniter that needs professional diagnosis.

Safety steps if you smell gas

If you smell gas but don't see a flame, or if you smell gas while the furnace is running, turn the gas control knob to "Off" when ready. Open windows and doors to ventilate the RV, and wait at least 5 minutes before trying to light the pilot again.

A strong gas smell usually means gas is escaping without igniting. This can happen if the pilot won't light, if the main burner isn't igniting, or if there's a leak in the gas line. Do not keep trying to light the furnace if you smell gas—this is a sign something is wrong.

If the smell doesn't go away after ventilating, or if it returns when you try to light the furnace again, do not use the furnace. Have an RV technician inspect the gas system before you operate the furnace again. Gas leaks are serious and require professional repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button after the pilot lights?

Hold it for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too soon, the pilot will go out. If you hold it much longer than 60 seconds, you're not gaining anything—the thermocouple reaches full temperature quickly.

What if my RV furnace doesn't have an ignition button?

Older RV furnaces sometimes use a piezo igniter (a button you press repeatedly to create sparks) instead of a continuous spark igniter. Press and hold the piezo button while holding a flame to the pilot opening. Some very old furnaces require you to light the pilot with a match and hold the knob in the pilot position for a minute or two without any button at all—check your furnace manual for the exact method.

Can I light the pilot if the RV is moving?

It's possible but not ideal. Movement and vibration can blow out the pilot flame or make it hard to hold a lighter steady. If you're traveling and the pilot goes out, wait until you're parked and the RV is level before relighting it. If you're parked and the pilot keeps going out, vibration from traffic or wind may be the cause—a technician can check the pilot tube and flame adjustment.

Why does my RV furnace pilot go out more often than my home furnace?

RV furnaces are exposed to more vibration, drafts, and temperature swings than home furnaces. Travel trailers and motorhomes move constantly, which can shake the pilot flame. RVs also have less insulation and more air leaks, so drafts can blow the pilot out. If your pilot goes out frequently, a technician can check whether the pilot tube is positioned correctly or whether the gas pressure needs adjustment.

Do I need to relight the pilot every time I use the furnace?

No. Once the pilot is lit, it stays lit as long as the furnace is in use and the gas supply is on. You only need to relight it if it goes out on its own, which shouldn't happen often. If your pilot goes out every few days or every time you travel, something is wrong—have it inspected.