I know there are several forum members who routinely camp in sub-zero temperatures, and I'm hoping they can chime in with their experiences. I'm hoping next winter to camp WITHOUT hookups in places where temps regularly dip into the single digits (F) or below zero overnight. Temps would rise in the daytime but are not likely to rise above freezing. And as I said I would be boondocking without hookups.My question for those who camp in cold temps, what can be done to prevent your LP tanks from getting so cold that the gas no longer flows? I see there are tank heaters out there, do they work? And what about the piping? If the LP needs to flow twenty feet outside the cabin before it gets to the LP generator, is that an additional vulnerability? And what should be done? Pipe heaters and/or insulation?Thanks!

Hi Greenrvgreen,Propane boils at -42.5 C.I've used my RV at -37 C (-34 F)I do have a tank heater--but have never had to use it. It is one of those stick on Magnetic heaters intended for use as a block heater.If the tank is large I don't think it will be an issue. Large lines from the tank to the furnace should be used.

Are you using a propane generator?Otherwise the flow rate is fairly small so stay above minus 30 degrees.I would be far more concerned about my battery freezing as the charge is depleted.Have only been down to about -10F.

Our LP furnace heated Adirondack cottage has kept us warm at -20? with no issues. And our LP fired coach furnace has kept us warm at -4? also with no issues. At the temps you're talking about, it should not be a problem. Keep in mind there are plenty of folks heating with LP in the northern states where even colder temps are pretty routine in the winter.

The gas flows fine at low temperatures; the problem comes from the propane boiling/evaporating in the tank, and there not being enough heat from the environment to keep up with the supply. (Well, also if it's cold enough the vapor pressure can fall too low.)An LP generator needs a good bit more gas than most appliances and probably runs at a higher pressure. I would expect it to have trouble well before the furnace or stove. I might consider looking for a gasoline generator, some model that's known to start well in cold weather, assuming running a generator was generally a necessity. With sufficient solar, for instance, it may not be at most latitudes even during the winter. If you're in Fairbanks or some place like that solar would not be very much help during the winter.

Subzero, as in Fahrenheit, is too cold for me and my Winnie.

Extreme Cold+Propane Tanks: Advice Needed! | Good Sam Community

Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Apr 28, 2017
Horizontal tanks are far better than vertical cylinders in cold weather, due to the larger "wetted" surface. For vertical cylinders, keeping them as full as possible is the key- they need to absorb the heat for vaporization from the outside-
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Apr 28, 2017
SDcampowneroperator wrote:

' Bobs' trouble was due to small tanks that could not boil off enough vapor. fast enough.
Aint that right. Bob? , 'Tuna?
Your friend , been there, Max

Yup! That's right! :)
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Apr 28, 2017
What can be done is to make sure they are full of PROPANE not BUTANE

Why:
Vapor temp of PROPANE is roughly -40 (39.something as I recall) at any temp over -30 you will have enough pressure for everything to work.. at -40, it will not.

NOTE; at -40 it don't matter if you are using "C" or "F". same temp.

Butane however the vapor point is right around the freezing point of water. So if it's freezing out, it don't work

SOME stores.. Epically here where I am in the "Sunny South" lie to you and sell the cheaper Butane at Propane prices.. Butane gives slightly more heat per unit volume so nobody comnplains.. But if you get cold. it don't work.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 28, 2017
Hi Max.

Yes.

Insulating the feed line to the generator would be the worst thing you could do unless the ambient was lower than -42.5 C.

Get a horizontal tank in the 250 to 500 gallon range. They can be rented.

SDcampowneroperator wrote:

In temps nearing those lows, only very large tanks, say 250 to 500 gal. tanks can boil off enough vapor to power a 35 k furnace. At minus 40 c or f its all the same,
' Bobs' trouble was due to small tanks that could not boil off enough vapor. fast enough.
Aint that right. Bob? , 'Tuna?
Your friend , been there, Max
alfredmay
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
I second the propane not butane comment. Filled one of my two tanks in Florida in the early spring and then went north. It froze........ took me a bit to figure the problem out.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
Professional propane distributors mount infrared heaters to shine on bulk tanks (like 500 gallon size) during bitter cold. DO NOT FORGET THE REGULATOR. Professionals call it "Freeze Up".

Check with a professional propane distributor (a distributor has a fleet of bulk trucks that fill 500 gallon pad mount tanks). They will give you professional advice.

In my case 35 years ago I had to change the small RV regulator over to a larger 2 stage regulator to stop freeze up. -29F.

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