A bit colder here in the south than I was expecting and using significant amount of propane. I have built in 24 gal tank and wanted to ask how everyone finds local sources for propane fill ups. Any experience with delivery, or too expensive to consider?Upper 20's at night with highs in the 30's-40's in GA and Alabama for past few weeks and we just started full timing. Brrrrr.Appreciate the help.

Some local propane companies may deliver. If you are in a CG they may have LP or know a place in town that will help. If all else fails I have resorted to taking the RV to places like Tractor supply or an RV dealer for a fill up. Call the dealer first as they too might know a delivery place in town. Rest assured, you aren't the first person to encounter this problem. Leverage what has probably already been figured out.

Ok, so whatcha do, is pull up to any gas station tht fills propane, propane place, most farm stores, UHauls, etc. Get out of your coach, go inside, tell the person in the store you need to fill a propane tank, pull up next to the propane tank, they fill it, you go in and pay. Generally in that order.

When we snowbirded in the Tampa, Florida or San Antonio,Texas area for 18 years most of the motorhome owners there used a propane delivery service so they would not have to unhook and get the rig ready for travel just to fill propane. I have a travel trailer so I was able to just take the propane tanks to the fill station. I suspect the delivery cost for the motorhome is quite a bit higher than what I had to pay but would probably be worth it to not have to move.You might want to consider moving a bit farther South where the temperatures are not so cold. Just about anything in Florida South of Interstate 4 would probably be ok. One thing for sure, you would use less propane!:DBarney

Local people should be able to help with delivery to your site.And of course you have a portable electric heater!

If you are staying in an RV park...especially one catering to snowbirds, just ask the front office. I'm sure they know the local options.If it's a busy park, odds are they either have propane on site or there is a delivery service that comes thru periodically. Whenever we've used them, they have always been very cost competitive to other sources.If that doesn't work, call around to places that fill tanks. Good chance one will be able to do it. Gives you a good chance to exercise the motor in your motorhome.If you are boondocking or otherwise not in a busy park, a special run just for your 24gal tank will likely incur an extra cost.If you aren't tied to the park/area, give consideration to moving further south. With those temps, you will burn a fair amount of propane.We just got into the RGV last weekend and the snowbird parks are empty and offering deals (We paid $299 for a month at a nice park). They also are having a cold snap but lows are still in the upper 30's and by the end of the week will be in the low 50's.

Filling large propane tank on the road | Good Sam Community

36 Replies

Land_Yachters
Explorer
Feb 15, 2021
thanks for all the input. I can't catch a break this winter. Now in Southern Texas by the border and it's going into the mid 20's for the next 2 days with 30 mph winds. I keep my fireplace/heater on all day and now just making sure pipes don't freeze. I am sure I will burn through most of my propane in the next few days.
afidel
Explorer II
Feb 14, 2021
Just to put some numbers to propane usage, January averaged 30.8 degrees here, I've been heating the trailer M-F 9-8 on average to 68F and 40F the rest of the time. I'm running the "1500W" electric fireplace 24x7. I've averaged just over 20 pounds per week of propane. I'm sure that letting the trailer cool during the colder night has helped with useage, but if you've got hookups I'd definitely run an electric heater to minimize propane usage based on my experience.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
Ok, so whatcha do, is pull up to any gas station tht fills propane, propane place, most farm stores, UHauls, etc. Get out of your coach, go inside, tell the person in the store you need to fill a propane tank, pull up next to the propane tank, they fill it, you go in and pay.
Generally in that order.

Pretty much covers it!
Gjac
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2021
cross21114 wrote:
bucky wrote:
Most ACE hardware stores also sell propane.

In my area, I have found out that the cost of propane at Tractor Supply is half of Ace, which I had previously been using.

I took my RV down to our goose club so I would not have to eat and sleep in the clubhouse. I used a 20# bottle connected to an extended stay. This worked out well. Tractor Supply was close by which is how I learned of my mistake. Was shocked at the difference in price. Needless to say, I filled up the RV Saturday when I brought the RV home.

I refilled my 20# bottle about 4 times during the season and would be able to get about 3 nights in cold weather. If I were ataying full time, I would have 2 bottles.

Note: Tractor Supply has a corporate policy that they will not fill Blue Rhino bottles.
This is my experience also. TS, U-Haul and FJ all have web sites and will list there prices. TS is always cheaper where I live. I always call ahead for TS and U-Haul when I am traveling because not all have room for a large MH. FJ is the most convenient, get gas, water and propane at the same time.
MrMark52
Explorer
Feb 07, 2021
And FWIW - the rate of propane usage is not linear due to the shape of the tank, assuming your tank is primarily round and is laying on its round side like most fixed tanks are mounted. Some portable tanks are filled standing up, but are installed laying on their round side.

The lack of linearity is due to the circumference of the tank. For example, the gauge will move slower the closer the liquid fill level is to the center of the tank. As the liquid level falls from “full” to closer to centers, the gauge moves faster than it does going thru the center liquid fill level of the tank. And as the liquid level starts falling below the center of the tank, the rate of gauge change starts increasing again.
MrMark52
Explorer
Feb 07, 2021
Land Yachters wrote:
OK, update. I did get the tank filled at CG yesterday on our way out. Figured 24 gal tank and gauge showed 41% and needed to get to 85%, so my limited math skills said I needed about 12 gal. +/- or so. In a hurry blocking exit to CG and guy filled it with 17 gal saying I must have been on empty....didn't look at gauge until I got to next stop, and sure enough, gauge shows 96% full. To get rid of some propane, I am using propane hot water heater, but don't think that will "bleed" off excess propane anytime soon.
Should I worry about 96% fill on tank?

.8 x 24 = 19.2 gallons.

If he put 17 in, you must have 2.2 gallons in the tank.

There is a valve in the tank that prevents filling above 80% (unless you have an ancient tank).

The monitor inside your coach 99% of the time is driven off the tank gauge. So if one is wrong, the other is likely wrong unless there is a calibration setup that allows the monitor to read full at 80% fill (which is a true reading of tank capacity).
cross21114
Explorer
Feb 01, 2021
MrMark52 wrote:
FWIW - We’re in Dallas, and the Tractor Supply’s around here will not fill permanent tanks in a motorhome. I’m not sure any of the, will - YMMV, but I would recommend calling first.

In my area, they will but not all the personnel are qualified to fill horizonal tanks (I think that is the requirement). Agree with the call first.
cross21114
Explorer
Feb 01, 2021
bucky wrote:
Most ACE hardware stores also sell propane.

In my area, I have found out that the cost of propane at Tractor Supply is half of Ace, which I had previously been using.

I took my RV down to our goose club so I would not have to eat and sleep in the clubhouse. I used a 20# bottle connected to an extended stay. This worked out well. Tractor Supply was close by which is how I learned of my mistake. Was shocked at the difference in price. Needless to say, I filled up the RV Saturday when I brought the RV home.

I refilled my 20# bottle about 4 times during the season and would be able to get about 3 nights in cold weather. If I were ataying full time, I would have 2 bottles.

Note: Tractor Supply has a corporate policy that they will not fill Blue Rhino bottles.
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 27, 2021
Land Yachters wrote:
Should I worry about 96% fill on tank?
No. Why would you worry?
MrMark52
Explorer
Jan 27, 2021
Land Yachters wrote:
OK, update. I did get the tank filled at CG yesterday on our way out. Figured 24 gal tank and gauge showed 41% and needed to get to 85%, so my limited math skills said I needed about 12 gal. +/- or so. In a hurry blocking exit to CG and guy filled it with 17 gal saying I must have been on empty....didn't look at gauge until I got to next stop, and sure enough, gauge shows 96% full. To get rid of some propane, I am using propane hot water heater, but don't think that will "bleed" off excess propane anytime soon.
Should I worry about 96% fill on tank?

.8 x 24 = 19.2 gallons.

If he put 17 in, you must have 2.2 gallons in the tank.

There is a valve in the tank that prevents filling above 80% (unless you have an ancient tank).

The monitor inside your coach 99% of the time is driven off the tank gauge. So if one is wrong, the other is likely wrong unless there is a calibration setup that allows the monitor to read full at 80% fill (which is a true reading of tank capacity).