RvFNG76 wrote:
Thought about that but my plan was to use replacement bottles if you will i can buy a new 30 lb. tank for really cheap $75 plus propane business is close by me at $2.38 a gallon so about $10 or so to have refilled any thoughts
I understand, I've gone over that ground myself and researched laws, regulations, and guidance.
It might be tempting to mount the tanks on exposed racks on the back. Don't. There's negative air pressure in the back of a moving motorhome that can cause propane to be drawn into the motorhome. Also, exposed propane tanks tend to be a magnet for law enforcement officers.
(My '49 Int'l Metro had an exposed propane tank on the back, for the heater, and I was pulled over four times specifically for 'safety' inspections.)
You're going to need to build a compartment in the side of the motorhome. (Not in the rear ... see above.)
As noted, the compartment needs to be completely sealed to prevent propane from leaking into the interior. Likewise, compartment must be vented to the exterior. (Open outdoor air.). Compartment must be large enough for the tank(s) plus regulator.
(Under certain conditions, regulators can vent propane so they need to be 'outdoors.')
Almost all portable propane tanks must be stored and used in the vertical position. (For safety reasons, I cringe whenever I see a propane tank being transported in horizontal orientation.). There are some suitable for horizontal use -- primarily on forklifts -- but they're hard to find and usually more expensive. (Price for portable horizontal tanks is probably close to the price for permanent tanks.)
30 and 40 pound vertical tanks cost significantly more than the common 20 pound 'barbecue' tanks. The added height of 30 and 40 pounders makes it much more difficult to find a suitable place for a compartment.
Photograph and document everything involved in creating a compartment and installing the propane system. Insurance companies are likely to decline a claim based on 'nonprofessional' propane installation. So, be prepared to fight it out in court, should the need arise.
Check state and local laws, in addition to federal regulations. Many places strictly limit work on propane systems to certified/licensed propane professionals. These restrictions could extend to propane installations and compartments in recreational vehicles. (Or, misinterpreted and misapplied by over-zealous government officials.)
Yes, it's a lot of big headaches, especially considering propane is less dangerous than gasoline. (On the other hand, gasoline isn't stored in pressurized tanks.)
To be honest, I'm torn between two preferred types of propane installations:
1. Permanent tank with an 'extend-a-stay' connection and valve for a portable tank. This would be my preference in the Lower 48.
2. Two 20 pound tanks in a suitable compartment, with spares carried on a trailer for lengthy stays. This is my preference for Alaska because 'bottle swap' stations are common while propane refill stations are often 100-200 miles away, (Fairbanks and Anchorage are 360 miles apart and I'm not sure it there's anywhere to get propane refilled in between.)
BTW, I prefer POL tank fittings and keep an extra wrench on hand specifically for changing tanks.
