How do you handle your propane needs?

[Glenn]

I am building up our rig up for a long haul tour, maybe a year or so on/off the road. I want us to be able to stay put in areas that we really like for extended periods without running low on propane for cooking/heating. I did not want to carry a whole tote of small cans and I got a great deal on this Worthington Aluminum 20lb tank that I am going to mount to the Rubicon.

Was curious as too how everyone else here handles their needs?

 

[ASNOBODY]

That's a good lookin' tank. How long would that size typically last being used the way you intend? I don't have much experience with propane beyond a few small tools etc..

 

[Glenn]

That's a good lookin' tank. How long would that size typically last being used the way you intend? I don't have much experience with propane beyond a few small tools etc..

If the temps are good and I don't need to heat at all it would last me well over a month easily just cooking daily on it. I have a Mr Heater that lasts a little over 5hrs on low burn on a 1lb cylinder. This is a 20lb so I think I could last a good week heating and cooking in one camp comfortably which is most likely more than I will need in any one place on our trip.

 

[ASNOBODY]

If the temps are good and I don't need to heat at all it would last me well over a month easily just cooking daily on it. I have a Mr Heater that lasts a little over 5hrs on low burn on a 1lb cylinder. This is a 20lb so I think I could last a good week heating and cooking in one camp comfortably which is most likely more than I will need in any one place on our trip.

Wow that's great! May have to look into a larger more permanent set up…hhmmm...

 

[Glenn]

Im going to weld a bracket to my swing away tire rack and bolt it sideways (as intended with this tank) above my spare tire. I would prefer keep it lower but I don't trust drivers these days and I don't need to get rear ended in a tank...lol. Being aluminum, this tank is a lot lighter than the steel tanks. Its only 35 lbs filled and steel tanks are 40lbs....I need to save weight where I can, my girl is a pack rat Italian and filling the rig with "stuff"...lol

 

[WillyGoat]

How will you refill the tank? Nobody refills any more where I live. I was told it's illegal and has to be an exchange system type tank.


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[badmnky]

How will you refill the tank? Nobody refills any more where I live. I was told it's illegal and has to be an exchange system type tank.


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There was a time here when they switched to the automatic cut off for filling tanks and you had to exchange the old ones, but we can still fill in WA. I can't see why it would be illegal unless you have a bottle that doesn't meet new specs. But I don't know about you east of the Rockies people :)

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[Glenn]

How will you refill the tank? Nobody refills any more where I live. I was told it's illegal and has to be an exchange system type tank.

Illegal? Somebody must be feeding you a story for the sale...lol. Most box stores and small hardware stores are going the way of the swap the tank thing but as long as your tank is up to spec they will fill. A lot of the places around me do the swap only now but I can still fill my tanks.

 

[WillyGoat]

I did some research tonight and think I'm a bit closer to the truth now. Indiana changed liability laws as it relates to propane refills. The little hardware stores and gas stations didn't want the liability exposure so they pulled the tanks and went to an exchange system. But, the major suppliers had to conform to the laws so I can get my tanks refilled there. I'm going to call a local supplier tomorrow and get the full scoop. Thanks for helping me everyone.


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[Glenn]

But, the major suppliers had to conform to the laws so I can get my tanks refilled there.

Yeah that's the way it is around here...stores and stations, no, but there are still distributors for home delivery that still fill.

 

[The other Sean]

Here in MN, places that fill are far and few between. I'll stick with a standard 20lb steel tank. A person is usually no more than a mile or 3 from a swap station.

 

[Vyscera]

having full timed in a 5th wheel for 3 years I'm pretty used to hunting down fill stations. Plus we had a pair of 40# tanks that we couldn't exchange. There was a big deal a few years ago when the nozzles got standardized, and you could no longer get the old style filled, only swapped out. Fill places are more common than people think, they just don't stand out like a giant white box outside a store. welding and RV places are good places to start.

 

[WillyGoat]

Well I feel stupid and I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I called an RV dealership about 40 miles from me. They said as long as its DOT approved they will refill. Story again about hijacking your conversation.


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[Glenn]

Here in MN, places that fill are far and few between. I'll stick with a standard 20lb steel tank. A person is usually no more than a mile or 3 from a swap station.

Something to keep in mind from state to state...plan ahead...thx !

Fill places are more common than people think, they just don't stand out like a giant white box outside a store. welding and RV places are good places to start.

Very true! A lot of campgrounds have their own fill stations too around me.

Well I feel stupid and I didn't mean to hijack your thread. I called an RV dealership about 40 miles from me. They said as long as its DOT approved they will refill. Story again about hijacking your conversation.

Oh don't feel bad man, it was relevant, not a hijack! Having a DOT approved tank is huge for travel. The aluminum is also approved for Canada I found out. Would love to do Canada some year.

 

[Glenn]

So as an update, I have the rack built and welded on the tire carrier. Here is how I mounted the tank.