INCREASING lpg capacity ?

CA Traveler wrote:
check the date as it could 12 years to go or less than a year..

I used to assume I was getting a fairly new tank.. until I actually checked the date as a park I was staying at was real fussy about the tank's age. Some were over 10 years old.. and that included the entire rack.

If you exchange a portable tank be sure to check the date as it could 12 years to go or less than a year. Or maybe even out of date. This assumes you want to refill it at lower cost.

ie You will be getting a used tank, not a new tank.

Hi guyz …. No … I’m looking at changing and/or adding permanent ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HOME tank or tanks. I’ve found a brand new 29 gallon tank that I think could replace the one that’s attached to the underneath of the motor home now …. But I’d kind of like to get a larger one than that

LandYacht35diesel wrote:
Are older tanks worth the effort or the expense? Does anyone actually check dates of manufacture ? Best to just buy new ? Best deals ?

Two answers:
For "luggable" tanks. Yes they do check the dates. however many places can re-certify and you are good for another x years (10 I think but don't quote me)

On "Fixed" tanks (IE: class A) some will and yammer "out of date" but they are not supposed to do that..

Increasing capacity.
Luggable tanks easiest is to get a 3rd tank. or even easier. With a two tank system you have an auto-change over regulator.. The arrow on the manual valve points to the "in use" tank. and the indicator shows Red or Green. When it goes to RED flip the valve .then close the tank valve on the now empty tank and get it refilled.. when the other tank shows red. Flip back and .. .this goes on and on and on.

I had a single tank luggable trailer and a spare tank. Same process only when it went RED I changed tanks..

NOTE method 1 is how we did it at my parent's house for a lot of years with 100 pound luggables.

On a Class A. if you need to extend your stay.. Well Extend-a-Stay used to be made by marshall Brass (I think they discontinued but do not know if they brought it back) Stay-a-while, is a competing (identical near as I can tell but.. not all that "near") device.

It goes between the Valve on the tank and the regulator.
It has
One POL male fitting
One POL female (These are still used on Fixed tanks)
One "Quick Disconnect" fitting capped This is like a throw-a-way Propane bottle (the 1 pounders or there abouts)
And an "inlet" (This is a smaller plugged fitting)

Comes with a 5' "inlet" hose (Well some of 'em do) and optionally a 10' Quick Disconnect Extension hose.

Hook your Gas Grill to the RV's tank
Hook your luggable grill tank to the RV
Works both ways.

4x4van wrote:
you can simply exchange an old one for a relatively new one, already full (albeit a bit under-filled) for $20?

They're $30 now.

dougrainer wrote:
I thought you had asked this question months ago on a previous post?

Yes, a similar post on Oct 12.

I thought you had asked this question months ago on a previous post? Well, anyway, You must have a LP Genset. Increasing the Motorhome ASME tank capacity which would mean replacing the existing tank would probably NOT yield much more gallons for the cost. Ballpark of a new 100 lb ASME tank is about $1200 to $1500, then labor. That yields 25 gallons Liquid LP. 20 to 22 hours of LP genset operation. HOW big is your existing tank? Years ago, Airstream (1980 to 1982) built a Class A(26 or 28 forget which) Diesel with an Isuzu Diesel engine up front in place of the Chevy 454. They installed 2 ASME LP tanks. Small one on left side up(For all LP appliances except Genset) and a larger one(for LP Genset) on the right side up front. Your model A/S, there will be no way to add an AMSE tank unless you take out some lower outside Storage compartments. Doug

As KD4UPL said, if we are talking about the standard size BBQ cylinder, then simply exchange if yours is getting old in the tooth. Why pay $40+ dollars for a new empty cylinder and then pay to fill it, when you can simply exchange an old one for a relatively new one, already full (albeit a bit under-filled) for $20? Then simply refill as needed till it also gets old; and repeat. The only reason I can see to buy a new cylinder is if you want an "additional" one. And even then, you can "buy" a cylinder from the exchange places as well. Is it new? No, but it is new enough. They can't legally have them available for exchange if they have expired.

Of course if you want/need a 30 or 40 pounder, then the exchange is a non-issue. And fixed "tanks" on an RV is a whole different conversion, as they do not require certification/replacement.

KD4UPL wrote:
. If one of yours needs re certification you can exchange it at a Blue Rhino or other exchange place and get a newer one.

Be careful and check the dates. Many stations do not offer newer tanks.

KD4UPL wrote:
There's no need to buy a new cylinder unless you need additional tanks. If one of yours needs re certification you can exchange it at a Blue Rhino or other exchange place and get a newer one. I don't use those places regularly because they charge more for a tank that isn't full but they are nice if you need to "upgrade" to a newer tank.
I've suggested this before and had people jump all over me that it is somehow unethical or stealing or fraud or something. If you check out the websites of the big exchange companies they are quite fine with the practice and fully expect it as part of their business model.

Not jumping on you, but have you ever seen a cylinder exchange that handles the 30 and 40 lb cylinders many towable RV's use? I haven't...