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getpower1's avatar
getpower1
Explorer
Nov 18, 2015

Propane tanks in truck camper

Whenever I try to use the search function, I never seem to find exactly the answer that fits my needs. So again, new here, and trying to get things figured out.

Just bought a 1994 Caribou and I don't believe that I will be able to get the propane bottles filled. My question is: can I just buy any rv propane bottles and make them work in the camper or do they need to be of a certain kind to work? Or should I still be able to get the old ones filled? They don't have the OPD valves.

What have you guys with older campers done to solve this problem? They are sideways in the compartment (or they lay on their side, rather), so I don't know if they are special tanks so that they draw the gas out in a certain way.

So basically, will any 30lb bottles work, or do they have to be designed to use on their side? And do I just replace the whole bottles, or can I retrofit the old bottles to be able to fill them?

I think this is truck camper specific???
Truck Campers

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  • getpower1's avatar
    getpower1
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2015
    I live south of SF. I've called three different propane suppliers and found one in San Jose that'll recertify the tanks that I have. They are only open during the week and during the hours that I work. So that's not going to work. Then they'll have to be done every five years.

    I have storage that could carry a bottle. What recommendations do you have about adapters or extensions??? There are two in the camper now, this may be a stupid question, but if I leave the horizontal tanks at home and I only use one 20lb tank, do I need to cap off the other line when I'm hooked up to the 20 pounder?

    I'm about to try my luck with one of the kids at the local gas station and just plead my case about them being exempt from needing an OPD valve. Does anyone know if they have to be filled horizontally too?
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Nov 18, 2015
    Look further away. There must be a gas supplier somewhere within an hour or two driving that can inspect and certify the tanks.

    New tanks are probably going to cost you as much as you paid for the entire camper!

    The other option is to go grab your grill tank and see if it will fit in the compartment standing up.

    If there's any external compartment on the camper that will hold a 20lb grill tank, you can get rid of the 30lb tanks and make that area into storage. When you arrive at the campground, take the grill tank out, put it on the ground, and connect it to the camper. Unless you are VERY wasteful you will not go through a 20lb tank of propane in a single weekend during prime camping season.
  • getpower1's avatar
    getpower1
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2015
    Well, looks like all the bulk gas suppliers around me have closed down. Any other ideas???

    Can I replace the bottles? Does anyone make these that are designed for horizontal use?

    Kinda sucks if I have to do that because of the way they are mounted in the camper. Would have to come up with something new for holding them down.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 18, 2015
    Your propane cylinders are 'horizontal' ones........designed to be used laying down

    'Vertical' cylinders can NOT be used laying down....must be standing up

    Has to do with relief valve and vapor draw designs.....neither can be in liquid.

    Remove them from camper.
    Take them to a Bulk Propane Dealer and have them recertified and purged/refilled
    OR buy new 'horizontal cylinders which are expensive

    I have a horizontal cylinder on my recreational vehicle. Are OPD's available for that kind of service?

    The 2001 edition of NFPA 58 (the LP-Gas Code) recognizes that horizontally oriented cylinders that were manufactured prior to October 1, 1998, are unable to be retrofitted with the OPD's. As a result of this fact, the Code now exempts these cylinders from having to be retrofit with OPD valves. Any such cylinder must have a label affixed to it to inform the user and the refiller that an OPD valve is not installed.
  • eubank's avatar
    eubank
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2015
    Yes, your cylinders are indeed different from the everyday vertical cylinders that one sees. They are specifically designed for use in a specific horizontal position. Replacing them with vertical cylinders will not be good for your short-term or long-term health.

    So the question is why you cannot get your original cylinders filled? Is it because they haven't been recertified? Rusted out or otherwise damaged? (Note that there is an exemption from the OPD requirement for certain older cylinders, namely, those manufactured before Oct. 1998, but these cylinders must have a label attached to explain the exemption.)

    Lynn

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