My truck camper has 20 lb upright removable propane tanks. There are a few dings on the tanks with some minor rust in the ding. I needed propane while in Las Vegas and found a local U-Haul and she said that she shouldn’t fill it because of the ding. But she filled it anyway because she knew it would become an argument if she didn’t.I saw the same thing on the U-Haul website that they won’t fill tanks with surface damage or if flaws have been painted over. Of course I can (and probably should) sand and paint over the dings, but that won’t help for U-Haul.I have spent hours on google searches trying to understand if I need to replace these tanks. With no luck because it keeps popping up other topics. One thing that did pop up (and causes problems in the searches) is that the horizontal permanently installed tanks are much thicker so some rust isn’t a problem. But the 20 lb upright removable propane tanks are thinner, and it is unclear if U-Haul is being overly cautious or if a few dings actually are a problem.Seems a new tank is around $30 each, plus I would need to find a place that knows how to purge the new tank. Also I am not clear if tanks for BBQs from a local store are good enough for RVs, or if you want a better quality.I doubt if it is necessary to replace the tanks but it is a problem if I drive through a city (and city traffic) to a propane fill place and they refuse to fill the tank. On the interstate I fill up at Pilot / Flying J and they don’t question it. But off the interstate sometimes U-Haul is the easiest (or only) local option for tank refill, and if they give me a hard time that is a problem.The tanks are 5 years old with a few dings. Is it time to replace the tanks?

I found this, states if dented they can't be refilled.Link

bobbolotune wrote:....The tanks are 5 years old with a few dings. Is it time to replace the tanks?Yes. Pretty much any damage, and they have to be replaced according to whoever makes the regulations. As you found out, some places may still refill them just to make the customer happy. Is there a difference between "BBQ" propane tanks and "RV" propane tanks?

Tvov wrote: Is there a difference between "BBQ" propane tanks and "RV" propane tanks?I don't know but, I'm guessing the only difference is the price.

bobbolotune wrote: One thing that did pop up (and causes problems in the searches) is that the horizontal permanently installed tanks are much thicker so some rust isn’t a problem. But the 20 lb upright removable propane tanks are thinner, and it is unclear if U-Haul is being overly cautious or if a few dings actually are a problem.Horizontal permanently installed tanks are "TANKS"20 lb upright removable tanks are "CYLINDERS"There is a significant difference and RVers should know the difference in construction and RVers should know the difference.Propane Cylinders for transportation are built to Department of Transportation (DOT) specificaions and their capacity is expressed in pounds of water. A popular example of a propane cylinder is one used the size used on barbeques known as a 20 pounds cylinder. Cylinder sizes range from a portable 5lbs cylinder to a residental storage size of a 420lbs cylinder. Propane Tanks for permanent installation are built to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) boiler and pressure vessel standards and their capacity is expressed in US Gallons. An example of a ASME Tank is supply for a backup generator, a horizontial 500 gallon tank.

gbopp wrote:Tvov wrote: Is there a difference between "BBQ" propane tanks and "RV" propane tanks?I don't know but, I'm guessing the only difference is the price.A cylinder is a cylinder, the previous two cylinders I have bought I got at a propane distributor. The last I got at HD and had it filled at a distributor, the vacuum purged tag had been torn off so they purged at no cost with the fill.

Problem with U-Haul refill. Time replace my propane tanks?

stevenal
Nomad II
Jul 13, 2021
I use exchange cylinders when certification lapses and when refilling is less convenient. The only problem was when I picked up a tank that was nearly out of date, and needed to exchange it once more when empty.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2021
bobbolotune wrote:
(I am surprised that some responses said they use cylinder exchange. I have always assumed that I should use tanks that I have owned since new so that I know they have been carefully handled. Which can be a pain because propane refill can be harder to find than exchange.
And I'm surprised you don't see that as a good deal.

Your original post was needing a serviceable tank, which propane exchanges will provide you. They aren't selling junk, their tanks are certified and fine, just not brand new in most cases, but I have found some pretty nice tanks from time to time. I have never had a propane place refuse to fill them.

The subject has drifted off to just propane.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 13, 2021
The only safe legal way to fill DOT portable cylinders is by WEIGHT. That said there are variations in the sale of LP
1. Some LP fillers sell by POUND(gallons) only. You only pay for the Pounds(gallons) they put in your tank
2. Some fill by TANK only. They charge by the full tank regardless of how much LP they put in----A 20 pound tank x dollars---A 30 pound tank x dollars
3. So by gallon only you only pay for what they put in
4. BY TANK, if your tank still has LP you are paying full price regardless of how much(or little) they actually put in the tank.
5. Last, COST and convienance is a variable. How much time or Gas money are you going to spend to get to that LP gas filler station? If close then refill, but if it is a lot of miles and time then use a exchange service. Doug

I use a by the pound(gallon) refiller. AND it is less than a mile from me.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Jul 13, 2021
Tvov wrote:
Do propane tank refill places refill exchange tanks? I always assumed you need to bring an exchange tank back to an exchange place……….

As long as the exchange cylinder has a “normal” OPD valve, it can be refilled anywhere. It’s your tank, you can do what you want with it. As I mentioned though, at one time Blue Rhino was trying to lock you into exchanging tanks with them by using a proprietary valve. I believe it was called a Trisafe2, and it took a magnetic “key” to unlock it for refilling. And then there’s their practice of “short filling” that I don’t like.

Some like exchange, some don’t. I’m on the “don’t” side.

:):)
Tom_M1
Explorer
Jul 13, 2021
I bought two used outdated 20lb tanks on Craig's List and exchanged the worst one at Menards. Picked out a brand new tank. I always have my tanks refilled so I get the maximum allowed. Tractor Supply is usually the cheapest and they refill.
Tvov
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2021
Do propane tank refill places refill exchange tanks? I always assumed you need to bring an exchange tank back to an exchange place.

Around me, exchanging a tank costs more than refilling one, and the exchanged tank is only 3/4 filled. After the initial cost of having to buy a tank, and if you use a lot of propane, refilling is a substantial cost savings.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Jul 13, 2021
I never use cylinder exchange. I want to keep mine, thank you.

Blue Rhino and the other exchange companies have admitted that they underfill the cylinders for “safety” reasons. Being a cynical person, I say it’s more likely they underfill them for profit reasons. At one time, they were also using valves that couldn’t be refilled by normal propane suppliers. It took some type of magnetic gadget in order to refill their cylinders, and of course only Blue Rhino had it.

Atlanta Urinal-Constipation article on this subject

I don’t participate in underwear exchange programs either. Keeping those too. :P

:):)
Sjm9911
Explorer
Jul 13, 2021
You do what you feel is good for you. But i will say the exchange tanks are fine. There is no records of then failing more then a reguler tank. ( and that os rare to non existent, so maybe the rules keep that from happening. And for the most part propane is pretty darn safe if used corectly. The most problems people have are with the conection lines. Have fun.
bobbolotune
Explorer
Jul 13, 2021
I’m the OP.

I took another look at the “ding” on the tank that U-Haul complained about. I think it would more properly be described as chipped paint than a dent or damage. Then it rusted a little where it chipped. There are small impressions less than the size of the head of a pin. Maybe it was set down on a rock at some point.

The lesson learned might be to inspect the tanks after each camping trip and use some touch up paint on any chipped paint.

However, the U-Haul website says “If a propane tank is uncertified, damaged... excessive rust or ***has been painted*** violates national propane gas rules and policies and will not be refilled.”. So it is unclear if touch up paint will get you grief when trying to refill.

I have gotten tanks from cylinder exchange for the BBQ in vastly worse shape than these tanks. Tanks with paint over rust then the paint chips so the tank is covered in rust.

(I am surprised that some responses said they use cylinder exchange. I have always assumed that I should use tanks that I have owned since new so that I know they have been carefully handled. Which can be a pain because propane refill can be harder to find than exchange. Maybe for a trailer where the tanks are outside, but in my truck camper I sleep literally a few feet from the propane tanks so I am hesitant to trust propane exchange.)

I am sure that my tanks are ok. On the other hand, I looked it up and the local U-Haul sells new tanks for $35, so for $70 I can have two new tanks and not worry about it. I’ll probably do that.

Thank you for the help! I was getting nowhere with google searches about this topic.
dougrainer
Nomad
Jul 13, 2021
philh wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Take them to any exchange place like Blue Rhino, located at stores everywhere.

and only get 15 lbs of propane instead of 20lbs

Lets see, They shortchange you $10 worth of LP but you get a certified tank that costs on average of $50. So, instead of paying $50 for a new cylinder you pay an extra $10 for lost LP and come out $40 ahead. I guess that is NOT a good deal to your way of thinking. Doug