Ever want to top off propane (18 gal fixed mount tank) before a trip, maybe 2-4 gals, and find it a real PITA to do so, especially when theres a 5 gal minimum, or when a single attendant pumping gas, and has a very unpleasant attitude about pumping a few gals of propane ? Its happened more than once. I'm thinking I could just gravity fill it at home from a 40# ?? bottle, same one I use to fill 1 lb bottles, and fill my little 2.5 gal BBQ bottle.I'd like to fill it thru the 2" acme thread filler, but not sure that would work, not to mention that an adapter for 2" acme is 40 bucks.So I'd guess just drop the regulator off the valve and fill it like I do other bottles. If I installed an "extend a stay" maybe could fill thru that ? Just an idea ???

Why top off? Do you have a Genny that runs on the stuff?

Probably not a good idea,, unless you have a nozzle to fit the fill connection on the tank. Most fill valves have a limiter that will not allow you to fill over 80% to leave expansion room. The other options you suggest might allow you to overfill, which could present problems. The places I fill always open the overflow valve before filling, then fill until liquid comes out. that assures that the tank is no more than 80% full.

Also, if the vendor has an unpleasant attitude, or does not want to sell less that a certain amount, I find someplace else with better attitude. I try not to do business with vendors that do not appreciate my business, small as it may be.

I think that the original poster didn't mean overfill, just make sure that the tank started off at 'full', i.e. %80. I'd suggest shopping around someplace with better customer service (although such a concept seems to be going the way of the buggy whip at times.) There should be a number of sources to choose from unless you are located in a very rural area, and someone is bound to be happy to land a new customer.- Randy

You can't backfill through an Extend-A-stay.

PITA Topping Off Propane | Good Sam Community

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
down home wrote:
Our Mh is a pain to fill with propane. The bay door swings up. If close to the curb at Flyin J you have to practically crawl under to connect the hose.....

I stopped getting propane at flying j for 2 reasons.
The propane island can be accessed in both directions. I've seen fist fights breakout over this when one comes in one way and another the other way when the lines are long and no one can see which way the one at the pump is facing. :R
AND they now insist I remove all my dogs from the MH before they will fill propane tank. NOT.
bcbigfoot
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
I have gravity filled/topped up (80% full) 20lb bottles and forklift bottles for 25 years. I simply place one tank in sun and one in the shade the night before I plan to exchange propane. By 10 am the next morning there is plenty of temp differential to move 8 lbs of propane in 20 minutes. I use a bathroom scale and a 4ft hose with a POL fitting at each end. With a little planning topping up works well for me.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2014
mlts22 wrote:
JMHO, Austin is a canary in the coal mine. As things get more crowded, the fear of someone using propane tanks for nefarious uses mount, so one has to go further and further out to find refillers. I wouldn't be surprised that other cities will follow suit and only allow fixed tanks (as in either in ground or above ground and bolted down) to be refilled, while 20# containers will have to be exchanged, and 30-40# cylinders will have to be taken outside the city for that.

The most common illegal use for propane cylinders is for meth processing. For that purpose, they do not want full tanks, they prefer empty tanks to save them the bother of venting it all out.
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 29, 2014
There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is meant by "topping off".
No one here is suggesting that the tank be filled beyond 80%... In fact to do so would require that the tank have a defective overfill protection device, or that it be defeated somehow.

As far as gravity filling being able to fill beyond 80%... Not if it is working as designed. When the tank being filled arrives at 80% then the float in that tank shuts off the incoming flow.
Just as it would when being filled with a pump.
If it works with a pump, then it will work with the lower pressure of gravity fill.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
I disagree.
As posted before, if I fill thru the outlet valve, (no choice) that will defeat the float shutoff that is attached to the 2" acme thread filler valve that is normally used by filling stations.
And where do they get 20% ?? My tank in question is a 29 gal tank, stamped right on the metal plate, but it holds only 18.2 max when its bone dry. So I'm sure not worried about over filling. So maybe by gravity filling, I can finally get a full tank of propane,....or at least 23.2 gals ?? Get 2 birds w/ 1 stone ?? This is sounding better all the time.
pnichols
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2014
FWIW, we camped in a campground in January that would refill RV tanks right in the campground. Boy, was that campground really tuned in to the needs of it's customers!
NinerBikes
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
pnichols wrote:
FWIW, we camped in a campground in January that would refill RV tanks right in the campground. Boy, was that campground really tuned in to the needs of it's customers!

Where were ya camping in Jan?
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
RJsfishin wrote:
I disagree.
As posted before, if I fill thru the outlet valve, (no choice) that will defeat the float shutoff that is attached to the 2" acme thread filler valve that is normally used by filling stations.

Not sure what tanks you have. But the standard TT tanks only have one valve. It is used for both filling the tanks, and during use of the propane. I can't think of a way to defeat the OPD on them without doing something unusual.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Mar 30, 2014
O yes, gravity filling a 29 gal permanent mounted tank on a motorhome, could be called "unusual" for sure :)
But it would sure beat the hastle of taking on just a few gallons to be safe of running out, and a busy attendant probably wouldn't shed no tears over it either.
pnichols
Explorer II
Mar 30, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
Where were ya camping in Jan?

Ramblin Roads RV Resort in the AZ desert ... close to Hope, AZ:

http://www.ramblinroads.com/services

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