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greenrvgreen's avatar
greenrvgreen
Explorer
Apr 28, 2017

Extreme Cold+Propane Tanks: Advice Needed!

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!

16 Replies

  • I lived FT in a 3 season TT for two Alberta winters.
    There were a few times when it was around minus 34C that I had issues with my LP not flowing properly and my furnace wouldn't function properly. Due to it running a lot the flow was a lot higher.
    There were a few times when I had to warm up my 2 30 pounders to make it flow.
    I used a body heating pad, the one you use on sore muscles. I took the bottle cover off and put the pad between the bottles. It did the trick for me.
    However, I did have a 15 amp plug in so I had 110 to run the pad with. You without hookups would have to find an alternate way to warm things up. As mentioned, batteries would be an issue. They would go flat in a hurry in those conditions.
    If you are only into single digits below zero, it's not that big of an issue. Should be ok.
    Then there's the water flow issues with pipes freezing..... That's another topic.
  • Subzero, as in Fahrenheit, is too cold for me and my Winnie.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.