Hauling an extra propane tank

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Thank God we all have brains and can make decisions for ourselves based on the circumstances we have at the time
I would never put a propane tank in my cab and walk away, in the heat of summer , and I don't think anyone that has had a tank pop -off due to heat and expansion would either
But I routinely carry a tank in the cab to get it filled rather than bother tieing it down in he back of the truck , but I don't stop and shop at Walmart on the way home , would be more likely to do that in the cold of Calif winter though
Would`nt have a problem with a tank secured at above bumper height on the rear of camper , or tucked in below overhang of camper in a hitch haul

I have always carried my 3rd propane tank in the Cab while driving. I'm not too worried about undetected leaks as you can smell the odorant a mile away.

It is not safe for me to store anything on the roof, especially if it has much weight. I find it too easy to lose my grip and/or footing climbing with one hand. I do believe the younger you are, the easier it is.

On the fuel tanks, for many years the tanks were behind the seat. They were moved outside the cabs in the late '80's as I recall. GM moved theirs outside the frame, and vulnerable to side collision. A doom and gloom company staged phoney safety test showing outside the frame explosions. They were to be proven fraud test. Ford, as I recall put their truck tanks between the frame rails. In the rear I think. Greater protection except possibly rear end collisions. Eventually most if not all fuel tanks are made of plastic, with no metal shield. The Pinto automobile had the fuel tank in the rear, and Ford was sued due to rear end collisions and fuel tank explosions.

If it is more safety you are after, you can be safer by driving a diesel fueled truck. Diesel fuel is not as easy to burn as gasoline. If the conversion was not so expensive, I would convert my Honda to propane, and probably store the tank on a ladder rack.

I always have at least two tie down methods to secure my plastic gasoline boat fuel tank. The boat tank is much thicker than plastic fuel cans. I have steel NATO type fuel cans now.

Reddog1 wrote:
Personally, I have no concerns carrying a tank inside my truck back seat or TC, other that it being loose rolling around. I seldom carry a spare tank, but when I do, I usually put it in a plastic milk crate and put in on the back seat buckled up. It can't move.

I occasionally do the same if we're going to be boon docking for an extended period, especially during the winter. Our camper is not exactly super insulated. We can easily go through two 20 pounders in less than 10 days in low temps. Having that extra propane means the difference of packing up early or not.

I also have no problem travelling with my generator and 2 gal. gas can (can on the bath floor) stowed securely in the camper (the genny is almost always out of fuel anyway when it gets stowed). Having a vent cover over the F fan, leaving it open along with the bath vent when heading down the road, I'm not overly concerned. It mitigates any potential fume build up should something overturn or bust open. Excessive heat build up is really my main concern with any tanks, inside or out. I've heard of propane tanks discharging due to being in direct sunlight.

I think that just because our propane compartments are labeled as such, it doesn't insulate from catastrophe in a side impact collision or rollover. In fact, in that case, they may be MORE prone to discharge and explosion than a tank stowed securely inside. Consider a vehicle's fuel tank and the hazard potential there. Even more so with a rear mounted tank vs inside the frame rails. Didn't Ford have an issue with tanks and side impact collisions back in the 80's?

I have, a few times, years ago, shot at full propane tanks with a .30-06. Yeah, I know. Dangerous. Sue me. Never once could I ignite one. The bullets simply went through and the tank gassed out. No fire. BOO!

Not saying that there isn't a remote, small chance of something bad happening when stowing an extra tank inside, but it's low enough (for me) to not be worried about. If someone takes the appropriate steps to secure and monitor it, I see no issue.

Stowing on the roof, to me, seems less safe but doable so long as it's not not exposed to excessive heat. My concern would be it possibly coming loose on the hwy and causing a major accident. I think that's more likely than an outright explosion or fire. Although, still a low probability.

We're probably overthinking this. We all do dangerous things every day. How many propane tank explosions do you hear of? Any of the vehicle related? Yet we happily send our kids off in school buses that have no seat belts every day. Life is a risk. Personally I'd transport it in the back seat.

Reddog1 wrote:
Personally, I have no concerns carrying a tank inside my truck back seat or TC

I agree with Wayne. Not a problem inside. I carry my spare in a large rubber box with my small grill.

Thank you for understanding Scott. I think you and I are finally on the same page and in agreement.

Wayne

Reddog1 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
There are varying degrees in a case like this. Is having a plastic jug of gasoline secured to the back of a vehicle by bungee cords as safe as hauling it in another location that would not be hit in a rear end collision?

Absolutely, you could put it in the back seat of the truck, or under the dinette inside the TC. These two places would not be hit in a rear end collision.

It is very common for 4x4 vehicles to have one or two 5-gallon fuel cans on the back of their 4x4s. Ever seen one rear ended and have a problem?

ScottG wrote:
Auto makers would certainly say it is not and that's why they protect tanks in cars even though they are near the back of the vehicle.

I can only smile at this. I certainly do not agree with it.

ScottG wrote:
My point is simply that there are much safer locations to store fuel - and on the flip side, there isn't a more dangerous place.

If you are saying there is a safer place to store fuel than seven feet off the ground, where is that place? I think only a flat nose freightliner could hit a fuel can seven feet off the ground in a rear end collision.

It appears you and I have very different experiences and beliefs on this subject. I can accept that. I encourage you to transport your fuel in a way you are comfortable with.

Wayne

Well Wayne, it all comes down to motivation and needs.
You do what you want to do because it suits your needs.
I am asking people to consider a safer choice because I don't want something bad to happen. I don't want to argue with you, I wont change your mind because we all have different motivations.

Good luck in your travels,
Scott

Propane will not explode in free air. Burn, yes, explode, no.

For an explosion to occur, you must fill an enclosed space with the correct air to fuel ratio, then have an ignition source. A propane tank will not explode on impact (and neither will a gasoline tank). It's the vapors/fumes that burn, not the liquid.

I've been one of those guys who tossed a somewhat empty propane bottle into a fire, and it did not explode. The safety valves melt down, and release the contents into a stream that burns (think flame thrower).