Switch to vertical propane tanks

If you are changing to noncommon tanks and smaller, why go to the trouble?

I have a Lance 820 with the two horizontal tanks. I do find horizontal tanks a little strange, plus mine are old. I suppose I could make a winter project out of refinishing them. They are a little rusty, but my list of winter projects keeps growing....:)

That space for the propane tanks is pretty huge. I just measured it at: 12.75" high, almost 25" wide and 18.5" deep.

I could put the smaller vertical tanks in there, vertically, like they were meant to be !!

I just looked at this chart of cylinder sizes here and I was thinking I could fit 2 x 11 lb of the squat vertical propane tanks and maybe one 5-lb vertical tank in there. The 11 lbs ones are 12.4 inches high and 12.2 inches in diameter, and the 5 lbs ones are 12 inches high and only 8 inches in diameter. Might be able to fit 2 extra ones in there.

Or I could fit 6 x 5-lbs ones in there .... hmm....but would that support the evaporation rate for the heater if I needed it?

The connectors for those tanks are below upper steel collar, so it's already included in the height.

You would lose some propane storage capacity, but if you don't really camp in really cold weather, and just need 20 lbs of propane on-board, it's a lot cheaper for 2x 11 lbs tanks than 2 x 20 lbs horizontal tanks. The horizontal ones run $195 bucks on Amazon, vs. the squat 11 lbs ones at $65 clams.

The only question would be how to secure the smaller tanks in there, but a little wood should do the trick.

dirtyhandz wrote:
Anybody switch to regular 20 pound vertical tanks from the horizontal ones?

Yes -- I'm almost finished doing that right now. But not in a Lance. Picture thread soon.

I don't know about where you are at, but here they will not fill a tank that has been modified in any way. Painting a tank is accepted. Rust is questionable, with light surface rust usually ignored. Rather than argue, I usually wire brush the rust and spot paint or repaint the tank.

I wanted to remove 1/4" from the handle of my tanks. The propane guy advised against it, stating it would be considered a modified tank.

You can weld all fuel tanks/cylinders once you filled them up with water.
Doubt you will pass the inspection though.

Why does one of your tanks need to be replaced?

One of my tanks has developed a rust spot on the weld for the bung that the gauge screws into. I'd post a pic but the tank is in the shed at home.

Thought about just buzzing a quick bead of weld on it with the trusty ol buzz box but figured that might be more excitement than I need rite now.......

SidecarFlip wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
Why does one of your tanks need to be replaced? ...

Wayne...

Could be wrong but I think a propane supplier can refit a non OPD tank to an OPD fill. Just the valve and fill/pickup tube replacement.

You are correct, a few years back I had two vertical tanks updated with OPD fill/pickup tubes. It was several years ago, and cost about $25 per tank.

The OPD fill/pickup tubes are not required on old Horizontal tanks. That is why I ask the OP why they needed to replace one of their tanks.

Wayne

SidecarFlip wrote:



Could be wrong but I think a propane supplier can refit a non OPD tank to an OPD fill. Just the valve and fill/pickup tube replacement.

Any propane service station can do that.
I did it with old aluminium tank that I wanted for Airstream.
That retrofit cost much more than whole new steel tank at Costco, but we tend not to look for value when it comes to cosmetics.

Reddog1 wrote:
Why does one of your tanks need to be replaced?

I have horizontal tanks in my 5th wheel, and have not found a place to mount my vertical tanks. I have two spare tanks. Two of my horizontal tanks have the OPD Valves and two do not. I have no problem filling them.

I pick up spare tanks from my local auto steel scrap yard, for 5 to 10 dollars each. If they are out of date, a local AmraGas dist re-certifies them for $5.

I have vertical in my TC. All of my vertical tanks have the required OPD Valves.

Wayne

Wayne...

Could be wrong but I think a propane supplier can refit a non OPD tank to an OPD fill. Just the valve and fill/pickup tube replacement.

Why does one of your tanks need to be replaced?

I have horizontal tanks in my 5th wheel, and have not found a place to mount my vertical tanks. I have two spare tanks. Two of my horizontal tanks have the OPD Valves and two do not. I have no problem filling them.

I pick up spare tanks from my local auto steel scrap yard, for 5 to 10 dollars each. If they are out of date, a local AmraGas dist re-certifies them for $5.

I have vertical in my TC. All of my vertical tanks have the required OPD Valves.

Wayne