Forum Discussion

samhain7's avatar
samhain7
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014

Tighten you propane tank wing nut

So on the way home, I exited our town exit for the highway. The next turn I here a clunk and look in the rear view to see my 30lb propane tanks being dragged on the ground. I stopped right away and the only damage was some scratches to the tank cover and tanks. I am sure it could have been worse.
I have a checklist of things to go over before leaving for a trip and leaving for home. I added that to the list tonight....

30 Replies

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  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    samhain7 wrote:
    this is a brand new trailer. It was likely not very tight when I got it and has probably been loosening more and more. Again, something not on my checklist. ..
    It will never happen to me again now though!!:)
    I'll be interested in those checking now if their mount was tight or loosening. Please reply when you check...

    Mine was tight when I first removed one of the tanks for refilling. Since that time the secureness (?) is on me and I ensure that it is is tight. There is a fairly long rod on my assembly so there is little chance that it would come loose. Thanks for the reply.
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    I found the wing nut loose a few years ago. Ever since I tie a scrap of polar fleece fabric (2"x18" - my wife sews and has lots of scraps) around the wingnut to prevent it from loosening again. I tie it on the side of the first tank I use, so it also provides me a reminder to fill the tank if I'm drawing from the side without the tie.
  • Bigbird65's avatar
    Bigbird65
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    Just checked mine and it is tight. Never checked it before. Trailer is 4 months old.
  • samhain7's avatar
    samhain7
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    wmoses wrote:
    I wonder why the wingnut was loose in the first place? What was the root cause of this problem?
    this is a brand new trailer. It was likely not very tight when I got it and has probably been loosening more and more. Again, something not on my checklist. ..
    It will never happen to me again now though!!:)
    I'll be interested in those checking now if their mount was tight or loosening. Please reply when you check...
  • Doug33's avatar
    Doug33
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    I'm going to go outside right now and check my propane mount!
  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    I wonder why the wingnut was loose in the first place? What was the root cause of this problem?
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    Tighten my propane, check. And don't call me 'wingnut' :D

    I've found wiggling the tank a little while tightening helps get everything a bit more solid. The bracket can get in a bind or be on an angle (dual tanks) and the nut will be tight, but the bracket/tank is not.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    The rod is threaded down thru a sheet metal base. I place a large fender washer next to the sheet metal and then use a locking nut there.
  • fallsrider's avatar
    fallsrider
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    It sounds like you were fortunate to avoid what could have been a very bad day. I don't want to think about what could happen if your tank(s) had come loose, gotten run over, etc.

    I should at least check the wing nut occasionally when I have the cover open to turn on/off the gas.

    Great reminder.

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