Switch from 30 lb. to 20 lb.propane tanks?

JimK wrote:
Will we have a problem with the smaller tanks running out frequently?

Our previous Spree had 30 lb tanks so when we took delivery of our current Coachmen I was initially disappointed to see they were 20 lb tanks. That was 3 yrs ago and not once have I ever come remotely close to running out of propane ... IMO it's a total non-issue and I now in fact prefer 20 pounders if for no other reason than they're so much easier to haul around that 30 pounders.

Sandia Man wrote:
Yeah, recertification might be the best way to go. Secondly, swapping out tanks from the many stores that do exchanges only gives you a tank that is 3/4 full at 15#, not the 20# that most believe they are receiving.

You weigh them?

If you swap out the 30 pounders for the 20 poundners, you know you have to fill them or exchange them more often. How frequent, depends upon your usage. All of us are different.

But, with the smaller tank, you are right, you can exchange them almost everywhere, which is more convenient, but will require more often. There's always a trade off. Personally, I want to keep my own tanks. Even when used gas grills at home that used 20 pound tanks, I'd keep the same one and have it filled. I just felt better using my own tank where I knew the history of the tank, and knew it's reliability. I don't mind getting refills, even with 20 pounders. It's cheaper than exchanging, but does take a little effort to find a fill station. There again ... there's the trade-off delima.

I did that years ago with our 22' Camper. It made the tongue weight lighter and I was able to get a refill or exchange almost anywhere. I never had to worry about the tanks getting too old due to exchanging them.

Yeah, recertification might be the best way to go. Secondly, swapping out tanks from the many stores that do exchanges only gives you a tank that is 3/4 full at 15#, not the 20# that most believe they are receiving.

Yes, they don't hold as much, but instead of 2 bigger ones I now carry 4 smaller ones. Much easier on the back, easier to get in the limited space. I like the exchange stations, although refilling is much cheaper.

Find a gas dealer who can recertify your tanks. Cheaper and you get to keep the bigger tanks. Cheaper too.