How long will 2x20 lb propane tanks last?

PSUJIM85 wrote:
Thanks for all the responses. I am new to this and just wanted to know how many times a week I have to fill the tanks.

Another item would be where do most people dump their tanks at?

If you dump your tanks you will have no propane...of course, if you had a dually you would never have to fill your tanks!

I had two 20 pound propane tanks last for more than 12 years... they might last longer than me.... I don't plan on every using them again.

I never use shore power or go to campgronds so our experiences will be different. We have only used this truck camper for 1081 nights.

I changed to two 30 pound tanks.... PVSolar panels, a PlatCat vented heater, the electric microwave, convection Oven etc get their power from the inverter... so.... the fridge uses propane.... the tanks last for many weeks as long as the sun shines.

You didn't say if you use a propane grill... I don't. That might be a factor.

And of course I use my built-in propane generator to run the airconditioner... but you didn't ask about summer uses.

Best of luck as you gather the information that you need.

How long are you going out for? Weekend trips, I just empty at home. Longer trips, the campgrounds. If you are doing more boondocking, I've emptied at truck stops.

Thanks for all the responses. I am new to this and just wanted to know how many times a week I have to fill the tanks.

Another item would be where do most people dump their tanks at?

I hate it when the OP just leaves us hanging. LOL!

Way too many variables to make a prediction. Weather being the biggest variable. I've seen weather below zero, when I'd go through a 30 lb. bottle in about three days and other times with temps above freezing when that same 30 lb. bottle would last me for several weeks. Of course this also depends on how much water you heat with LP and how much cooking you do, how warm you keep your RV and how well insulated it is.

In the winter when we dry camp, I can burn through one of my 30 lb bottles in two nights. Between the generator and heater, they consume the most.

Hi,

It is 4.5 gallons per tank, and each gallon is about 95,000 Btu's. The typical TC furnace is around 16,000 Btu's per hour. Water heater is around 8,800 BTUH. Refrigerator is 2,200 Btu's but don't expect it to run more than about 5-8 hours per day, less in the winter. upwards of 20 hours per day in the summer.

I have a Olympic Catalytic heater that does not consume 12 volt power, and a large solar system for charging the batteries. 6,000 Btu keeps my 30' Bounder with dual pane windows warm at 30F outside, and I run the furnace only about 10 minutes per hour when it is 25F out.

SunElec.com

I guess if you really want to know, set up the RV at home and try camping in it for a weekend, then refill the propane tank, see how much it used, and how long you needed to run the generator to keep the battery full.

It would last more than 5 days - if that is all that you need to know.

I was refilling my 12 gallon main tank every 6 weeks in the summer - just running the refrigerator and a small amount of propane to heat hot water. I could run through a 5 gallon tank in about 3 days running the furnace at 20F overnight and 50's in the daytime.

Fred.

Now that you have changed title from 2X40 lb to 2X20 lb. the propane will only last half as long. :B

Too many variables...depends on how YOU use it.

Water heater ON
Furnace ON
Stove top Burners
Oven
Fridge ON

20# cylinder has approx 4.7 gallons. Each gallon has 91,500 btus (430,050 btus total per cylinder)
Add up the propane appliances btu usage per hour. Divide total btus by that number and that will give you an approx. idea of total run time.
Then figure YOUR usage patterns.

How far is the horizon?


If I had to GUESS...Fall in New England (20*F-40*F night time/50*F-70*F day time) 2 40# tanks (do you really have 40#ers in a TC?) might last 1 month.
As noted, there are a LOT of variables.
What does the genny run on gas/propane?
If you have a genny you can run electric heater at times also...this will save propane.

For a comparison in winter (teens at night) 1 20# tank might last us 3-4 days running heat/hot water/fridge. 2 20# get us about 1 week.

Hope this helps...but you need to provide more details.

Bill