PITA Topping Off Propane

A good businessperson knows they can't make money on every transaction. Some things you just do for the goodwill or good karma. But what do I know, I only owned a business.

Just a comment here. Disposable 1# bottles are just that DISPOSABLE.
They are not designed to be refilled or is it safe to do so, they dont have a fixed liquid level gauge to open so it is extremely likely you will overfill them. As for bad customer service let your money speak, if you get treated badly complain to a manager, if that doesnt work take your money elsewhere. The LP Gas market is extremely competitive there will be someone more than willing to help you.

GASMAN6674 wrote:
The LP Gas market is extremely competitive there will be someone more than willing to help you.

Many propane refillers have stopped refilling propane tanks and in some places it is now illegal to refill a propane tank. If you have a 30lb tank you are out of luck as they only sell exchange full 20lb tanks. In my city of over a million people I only know of Costco refilling tanks. Change is coming.

My Monaco had a slightly larger tank, but I never bothered to make sure I was topped off every trip. But I would make sure I was full after first use out of winter storage, depending on propane use during spring I might have had it topped off on my way home from a memorial day trip, if not I always topped off at the July 4th trip because I would be down to a half tank by then. My next top off would usually be just before my last two camping weekends in November before I winterized. If I did not top off then, I would always top off heading to my Florida vacation to ensure I had enough while I was at my campground for 2 weeks.


With the 5th wheel it is a little easier, but I need to remember I only carry 14 gallons now, not 26.


You are correct, many retail/strip mall locations are going exchange only. But I have never had an issue finding someone to refill, usually my local tractor supply, uhaul, and any place that isnt at a strip mall continues to fill bottles while all the strip mall locations have cozied up to the exchanges.

"Many propane refillers have stopped refilling propane tanks and in some places it is now illegal to refill a propane tank. If you have a 30lb tank you are out of luck as they only sell exchange full 20lb tanks. In my city of over a million people I only know of Costco refilling tanks. Change is coming."

Say what, not around here or any other place I have traveled.

olygene wrote:
But why top off with 2 - 4 gallons of propane for an 18 gal tank. To me, that's like stopping at a gas station when your 60 gal gas tank is down 5 to 7 gallons of gas. Perhaps if I understood the logic, I can offer better insight.

Think about it.......

2 to 4 gallons on an 18 gallon tank.
That's almost 10-20% of tank.

Now for 2 gallons I wouldn't bother BUT 4 gallons would be worth it.

And if weather is cold I'd get the 2 gallons.

Why top off ? Because I hate looking for propane
In semi cold weather, my "full" LP goes 16-18 days
My black tank goes 17-18 days. When its full I have to move. I don't like having to move because I wasn't full on propane. And I really hate being in a strange town, looking for propane. But an extend a tank is a good way to go.

And no, not over filling, just topping off to the 80% full.

As far as no more filling propane tanks, lets get real.

Filling 1# bottles,.....a whole nother subject, and not for discussion amongst those that have a mind set against it.

I may try a gravity refill top off, just for the challenge if nothing else.

Add the extened-a-stay and carry a couple of those forty pounders and you will be good to go.
May need to start conserving on the black vs propane ;)

You will have to have a double headed POL hose (easy to make), and remove the regulator. Even then, unless you heat the cylinder, it will take a long time.
I'll do this to put a gallon in an empty tank, and even that takes a while- in to an empty tank, with a hose with full flow pol fittings.