Smaller refillable propane tanks

[MoreGone]

Picked up an offroad trailer recently that had a 20# tank with mount on the tongue.

I've since put a tongue box up there and would like to have the propane tank on the fenders. Problem is the 20# tank is wider than the fender. So I am looking for a smaller tank.

Any ideas where to get one? Feel silly but I am not finding much online. Local seems like it would be best but open to shipping. Something with a matching mount would be nice too.

Thanks

 

[Boort]

@ MoreGone

...I am looking for a smaller tank. Any ideas where to get one? Feel silly but I am not finding much online. Local seems like it would be best but open to shipping. Something with a matching mount would be nice too.
Thanks

Look for Refillable Steel Propane Cylinders in either 4.5 lb. / 1 gal or 11 Lb. IIRC we got our 11Lb can at Camping World for about $60 then paid to fill it at the local rental center.

Both B.O.R.G. and MalWart seem to sell them online. Not sure about in store.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Worthington-Pro-Grade-11-lb-Empty-Propane-Tank-281165/202034839
https://www.walmart.com/ip/5Lb-Propane-Tank/39086357

Boort

 

[MoreGone]

@ MoreGone


Look for Refillable Steel Propane Cylinders in either 4.5 lb. / 1 gal or 11 Lb. IIRC we got our 11Lb can at Camping World for about $60 then paid to fill it at the local rental center.

Both B.O.R.G. and MalWart seem to sell them online. Not sure about in store.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Worthington-Pro-Grade-11-lb-Empty-Propane-Tank-281165/202034839
https://www.walmart.com/ip/5Lb-Propane-Tank/39086357

Boort

Thank you! In hindsight I do believe I saw some options like that in my search but I thought they were bigger, not smaller for some reason

 

[Boort]

@MoreGone

Thank you! In hindsight I do believe I saw some options like that in my search but I thought they were bigger, not smaller for some reason

Your welcome. Yeah it can be difficult to judge size in product pics. There is another thread ( https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/small-propane-tanks.13228/#post-208630 ) @NorCalCrisp posted this link https://shop.sportsbasement.com/blogs/news/introducing-refillable-propane-canisters

If you are heading west to CA Hitup @shoredreamer He has a spare 5Lb listed for sale ( https://www.overlandbound.com/forums/threads/worthington-5-propane-tank-bay-area.8130/#post-122927 )

Boort

 

[flyfisher117]

My local farm and ranch has small refillable ones but hold on. They cost more than going and buying a full 20 lb cylinder from local cylinder exchanges.

 

[MoreGone]

My local farm and ranch has small refillable ones but hold on. They cost more than going and buying a full 20 lb cylinder from local cylinder exchanges.

Yeah I have been noticing that. 20#tanks are running $40-50 Full, vs $55+ for an empty 5# tank.

What gives...?

 

[Boort]

@MoreGone, @flyfisher117

Yeah I have been noticing that. 20#tanks are running $40-50 Full, vs $55+ for an empty 5# tank.
What gives...?

We've found that the propane exchanges near us tend to under fill the 20Lb tanks, Usually only ~13Lbs or 3-3.5 gallons. Now we go to the local tool rental place. I think over Memorial Day Weekend we paid a bit over $3 per Gallon + taxes to fill the 20Lb tank with ~4Gal of propane. Say $13-$14 to fill. The exchange boxes around here start at $20 and go to like $32 for a tank swap in good condition. The little tank costs the same to fill per gallon and the 20Lb tank at this shop. If you can somehow say it's for an alt. fuel vehicle the cost drops to like $2.90 Tax included. Go Figure on that one...

Boort

 

[flyfisher117]

@MoreGone, @flyfisher117


We've found that the propane exchanges near us tend to under fill the 20Lb tanks, Usually only ~13Lbs or 3-3.5 gallons. Now we go to the local tool rental place. I think over Memorial Day Weekend we paid a bit over $3 per Gallon + taxes to fill the 20Lb tank with ~4Gal of propane. Say $13-$14 to fill. The exchange boxes around here start at $20 and go to like $32 for a tank swap in good condition. The little tank costs the same to fill per gallon and the 20Lb tank at this shop. If you can somehow say it's for an alt. fuel vehicle the cost drops to like $2.90 Tax included. Go Figure on that one...

Boort

But why are 20# tanks even half full still less than an empty 5# tank?

 

[vegasjeepguy]

10# tank

 

[MoreGone]

But why are 20# tanks even half full still less than an empty 5# tank?

I'm sure it's just because the 20# tanks are standard and sold in much higher volume compared to the specialty sizes

 

[MoreGone]

10# tank

View attachment 58347

That looks like it may work for my needs. But aren't you concerned with it getting beat up there? Looks like there is nothing to protect it and I'd imagine thats one of the most commonly hit places on a offroad trailer.

I'm looking for one that will fit on my step on the front of the fender

 

[vegasjeepguy]

That looks like it may work for my needs. But aren't you concerned with it getting beat up there? Looks like there is nothing to protect it and I'd imagine thats one of the most commonly hit places on a offroad trailer.

I'm looking for one that will fit on my step on the front of the fender

View attachment 58356

The mount doesn’t sit below the frame rails and I haven’t had an issue yet.

 

[TrippinStfflr]

Got my 5# from Ace hardware, but yeah, it was 50 bucks. I had problems finding a place that would purge it. Took it to 3 different places. All said they couldn't. Had to take it to a propain dealer to get it purged. I think the other 3 just didnt know how or didnt want to waste the small amount of propain it takes to purge it.
The worst part is the cost of a mounting bracket.

 

[Boort]

@flyfisher117

But why are 20# tanks even half full still less than an empty 5# tank?

Sorry, if I got to rambling and was not able to clearly make my point. When I fill up the 5Lb bottle I get charged for what ever it takes. If the going rate is $3 per Gallon + taxes and I top it off with 1.5 gallons then I pay $4.50 + taxes for the fill. It does not matter if it is a 5Lb or 20Lb bottle. They will fill it as long as it has the correct valve on it and "don't look too dangerous".

I think that @MoreGone got it right on the economies of scale helping the 20Lb tanks when he said"

I'm sure it's just because the 20# tanks are standard and sold in much higher volume compared to the specialty sizes

Boort

 

[Corbet]

Search the marine industry for smaller lightweight tank options.