Those of us that have a Lance 1161 have two 30 pound verticle propane tanks mounted on a slide out drawer. One is behind the other.They can NOT be refilled in place.They are so high off the ground that I have to use a short ladder to remove them. This is a bit tricky if the pavement or gravel is uneven.For 12 years I have been able to remove the tanks for refilling. Due to age and injuries this has become overwhelming for me.... and maybe some of the other 1161 owners too. This is a good time... the existing bottles also have to be recertified at 12 years... which is now. New bottles are about as inexpensive as the recertification of the old ones.I want to convert the two verticle 30 pound propane tanks to two HORIZONTAL 30 pound tanks.The verticle and horizontal 30 pound tanks are all the same size.... 12.5" in diameter... X 23.5"So, the tanks will fit into the space with no problem. and they are easy to obtain for about the same price as new verticle bottles. I need some help deciding how to best utilize the space... specifically how to safely mount the horizontal bottles, one above the other. I would prefer to use the slide out platform if possible.The valves on each horizontal bottle would face the outside of the camper and be refillable from the ground... a very good thing for me.I would enjoy as much imput as possible. Good ideas often add up.Thanks in advance.Chet2003 Lance 1161

Gosh Chet, why not put in two 20 pound bottles. They weigh about ten pounds less and still go for a long long time. I doubt very much if anyone will fill your bottles in the vehicle. I think they purposely have short fill hoses so that method cannot be used.It's not the best idea, but it is my plan when the 30's on my fifth wheel go past their fill date.Mike

Yeah many spots will not fill them in place, and do purposely have hoses that won't reach. The place I use has a long hose but there are cement barriers that prevent a camper from getting close enough. I have two 20lb tanks side by side so getting them in and out is not so bad. Sorry.

Artum Snowbird wrote:Gosh Chet, why not put in two 20 pound bottles. They weigh about ten pounds less and still go for a long long time. I doubt very much if anyone will fill your bottles in the vehicle. I think they purposely have short fill hoses so that method cannot be used.It's not the best idea, but it is my plan when the 30's on my fifth wheel go past their fill date.MikeX2Two 20 pound bottles are lighter weight, last a long time, and can be exchanged almost anywhere.Sorry for not have an answer to your direct question.

Artum Snowbird wrote:Gosh Chet, why not put in two 20 pound bottles. They weigh about ten pounds less and still go for a long long time. I doubt very much if anyone will fill your bottles in the vehicle. I think they purposely have short fill hoses so that method cannot be used.It's not the best idea, but it is my plan when the 30's on my fifth wheel go past their fill date.MikeYour solution is OK for people that don't stay off the grid for long periods of time. I would never give up 1/3 of my total propane capacity by converting to 20# propane bottles. Because:1) It would limit my boondocking... to 2/3rds of the amount of time that we are now able to stay off grid between propane refills.2) If the verticle 20# bottles save 10 pounds so what? I'd still be up on a ladder, at risk of falling. That is the reason I am looking for a solution.I would much rather have 40# propane bottles... but they won't fit in the avialable space.I have watched horizontal propane bottles being filled where they were mounted in place in RV's... that was where I got the idea. I don't know if all propane operators will do it though.I searched for some answers and found an interesting article on propane syatems. Please click on this link.

The horizontals are supposed to be filled in a vertical position and should be vented in the vertical position prior to re-install to ensure you only get gas , not liquid which also helps avoid build-up on/in appliances. Not advisable to fill while still in the vehicle as stated above.

How do I install horizontal propane tanks in my Lance 1161?

pjay9
Explorer
May 05, 2015
Chet, are you having a good trip and enjoying the weather and views? Safe travel for you!
sleepy
Explorer
May 05, 2015
I have only refilled one tank in the past 5 weeks.... thePlatCat vented heater has been used every night.... but it just sips propane and the very small electrick exhaust fan uses about 1/2 A per day

I must look old... people are holding doors for me.... and grabbing the propane tank and hoisting it for me (at least before we left and again a couple of weeks ago)

Chet
Sante Fe, NM
Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
May 02, 2015
Reading through older comments, it looks like this has already been proposed and dismissed.
Never mind.

(Would it be possible to simply do like on a travel trailer and mount twin tanks externally, resting on the rear TC bumper? From there the tanks would be easily accessible and low which would eliminate the lifting and compartment door and tightness of getting the tank in and out for filling. Get an enclosure for a trailer and mount that. Then run a gas line connecting to where the old tank location was. You gain easy access and more storage area in the now free space in the former propane compartment. DOT rules may prevent this but sounds like it's worth a shot to me.)

Bedlam had a good suggestion of a working platform to get you up higher relative to the tanks. Something like this would get you the height and enough space to set the tanks. How is your personal stability or balance? It is more stuff to carry are the two obvious issues going this route.
Height adjustable work platform.

Good luck Sleepy.
Love to see you on and read your tales from the road again soon.
J&K
pjay9
Explorer
May 02, 2015
Just saw this...dual valves. Saw it on CList Seattle then found this on web...interesting!
dual valve tank
sleepy
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Raften wrote:
Sleepy, I got enthused when you said Amergas recerts tanks for $10. Turns out in the Golden State the going rate is $25. Not a surprise to me .

ask them how much they want for new ones.... in Knoxville they told me ~$45 ea for new 30# tanks..... Ace Hardware had them on the sales floor fo $61 each... Tractor supply has them too.

You should have stayed in Tennessee.
Raften
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Sleepy, I got enthused when you said Amergas recerts tanks for $10. Turns out in the Golden State the going rate is $25. Not a surprise to me .
pjay9
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Sleepy, I think that B.A has a big 100 gallon tank mounted in his bed box cabinet system crosswise. Don't know what he did with original bottles. I sure like the idea of a mounted tank under the bed with quick connector...I wonder if there is any room! Warm regards, PJ
sleepy
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
Raften wrote:
So I have a idea I am thinking of trying. Have some alum I beam stock, not big but strong and light . Take two of them and connect with chain so they cant pull apart. Put some angle on one end so they hook onto the tank compartment and slide the tank up instead of lifting. Store lashed to ladder. Just a idea at present, even have have Teflon sheet stock I could add.

I have piles of stuff... scrap aluminum... and sheet teflon... looking forward to your solution.

Makes me wonder... if the stake holes in the truck bed side could be used for a lift mount and it's storage too? If done properly the device couldn't come out when the camper is loaded.... and still be used

Sleepy
sleepy
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
ticki2 wrote:
Well Sleepy , I really didn't need the math lesson , I'm more than capable . Good luck to you .

This wasn't intended to teach anyone... just my way of verbalizing what I have learned and trying to share.

It was just the process that went on as Janet and I discussed the possibilities.... and for us the impossibles.

We spent a lot of time trying to maintain the benifits of what we have... and make changes too... it just can't happen as we see it now.

If I were starting new like we did in 1969 we wouldn't do much different.

We we started over all new in 2002 I would make one major change... or at least make a very serious look at it.

I would seriously consider a work box bed similar to Bryan Applebys... and move the propane bottles into the box's... lower the weight, easy in, easy out.

Thanks to every one of you... your input helped a lot more people than me...

we are all getting older.

OMG.... I am 5 1/2 years from 80

Chet
Raften
Explorer
Mar 20, 2015
So I have a idea I am thinking of trying. Have some alum I beam stock, not big but strong and light . Take two of them and connect with chain so they cant pull apart. Put some angle on one end so they hook onto the tank compartment and slide the tank up instead of lifting. Store lashed to ladder. Just a idea at present, even have have Teflon sheet stock I could add.

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How do I install horizontal propane tanks in my Lance 1161?

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