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olywa1978's avatar
olywa1978
Explorer
Dec 08, 2014

Best ways to fill non-removable LP tank?

Hey everyone, I am a new full-time RVer and I just now went through my first LP tank on my furnace. It looks to be about a 35-40 lb. (7-8 gallon) tank and is removable. I have my rig parked for the winter, skirted and on boards and was wondering what the best approach is to filling my tank WITHOUT undoing everything and driving it to the service station.

An old-timer I know said there are attachments that would allow me to transfer propane from one tank to another, but after researching that, it seems that method is considered dangerous and possibly even illegal? The only solution I could find is to fork out $100 for an "extend-a-stay" kit and attach a second tank to run off of and completely bypass the permanently attached stock tank. Is that all I can do without actually driving the rig somewhere to be filled? Thanks!

Mike
Class C

19 Replies

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  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2014
    If you are in a park with others, ask them what they do. If you are off to yourself, call a propane dealer and they can fix you right up.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2014
    call a propane dealer in the area you arn,t the only one that needs a temp tank.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Have you contacted local propane co? When I fid it a few years back I rented a 120 gal tank. They connected and filled as necessary. When I was finished they picked up the tank, weighed it and gave me credit for remaining propane.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Worse choice is to use the exchange program. (Blue Rhino, etc.) Often you get 'short fills' and it's always more expensive than having existing tanks refilled.

    Easiest would be to pay a truck to come in and do refills for you. Least expensive but more work would be to take 20's to a propane fill outfit yourself.
  • olywa1978's avatar
    olywa1978
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    If I'm on a tight budget and relying on workamping to make ends meet, what would be the best rout: buy two 20-lb tanks and rotate them, having each filled as I go...or to use one of the exchange programs I out there (Amerigas, Blue Rhino, etc.)? Or does it make a difference?
  • olywa1978's avatar
    olywa1978
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    I would like to by a large tank to keep beside my rig and have a company come fill it, but I feel that would only work if I'm parked permanently. There's no way I could find room to haul a large tank if I relocate 1-2 times a year or more. I guess I will buy an extend-a-stay kit, since that will come in handy for gas grills and such when the weather warms up. Please give me any other ideas or tips any of you might have, they are all very appreciated!

    Mike
  • pugslyyy's avatar
    pugslyyy
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Well you can always pay to have a truck come and fill it up - but since you have such a small tank that is probably not going to make good economic sense.

    For the whole winter I think I would go with the extend-a-stay rigging.

    I have a permanent 20 gallon tank and a removable 5 gallon tank with an autoswitcher. It gives nice flexibility.

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