Old propane tanks in Class B RV - how to change out?

[thedanimal]

Hello,

I aquired a 1971 Ford E300 Shasta camper in great shape however the horizontal propane tanks are from the 80's so I need to change them out. My question is, can I replace these with standard #20 pound tanks? I searched for horizontal #20 tanks on Ebay and they are upwards of $400 per cylinder!? If I cannot fasten them in should I just remove the old ones and buy the extension kit and run a standard #20 in the vertical position? Any reason why I would not want to give away the original tanks? Thanks for any help on this!

[tuna_fisher]

tuna fisher wrote:
I belive horz. tanks are excempt from the OPD valves.

That's what I was saying...exempt.

[Ex-Tech]

Just went through this issue last month.

Horizontal tanks are exempt from the OPD valve rules.Took two expired tanks without the OPD valve to Amerigas and they re-certified the tanks for $10.00 each and they are good for another 5 years. No new valve needed.

The issue will be that many propane suppliers such as gas stations that refill tanks, are unaware of the exemption rule and will refuse to fill them.

[Gdetrailer]

thedanimal wrote:
Following up on this one to share what I've been told. I have the tanks that Chris B. posted in the link above and they are bolted to the frame of our camper van. I contacted a local propane service/dealer shop and they advised that the horizontal tanks I have do not fall under DOT regulation(requiring the OPD)and are certified by ASME; thus they can be filled but do require re-certification every 12 years.

:C

Thanks for posting your findings!

Glad you got this mess cleared up.

[thedanimal]

Following up on this one to share what I've been told. I have the tanks that Chris B. posted in the link above and they are bolted to the frame of our camper van. I contacted a local propane service/dealer shop and they advised that the horizontal tanks I have do not fall under DOT regulation(requiring the OPD)and are certified by ASME; thus they can be filled but do require re-certification every 12 years.

[Gdetrailer]

tuna fisher wrote:
I belive horz. tanks are excempt from the OPD valves.

PORTABLE HORIZONTAL (portable as in not permanently bolted and plumbed to the RV)are not "exempt" unless they are FORK TRUCK tanks (which by the way already have OPD built in). Fork truck tanks however most likely does not have DOT approval for uses other than FORK LIFTS. I believe fork lift tanks are also aluminum which would make then extremely expensive..

Portable horizontal tanks are designed to mount in ONE specific direction so the "dip tube" inside always faces UP. You can not simply take a vertical tank and lay it on the side nor can you use a horizontal tank standing up.

I am painfully aware of the dreaded horizontal portable tanks, which do not have OPD. Any filling station caught loading one of those tanks risks losing their entire business therefore they will not fill them.

I HAD a pair of horizontal 30 lb tanks, NO ONE WOULD FILL THEM, in the end it was cheaper to buy new vertical tanks, tray, cover and be done with the mess.

[tuna_fisher]

I belive horz. tanks are excempt from the OPD valves.

[Gdetrailer]

Chris Bryant wrote:
If the OP has portable DOT cylinders, replacements are readily available- it's just retrofit valves for horizontal cylinders that are not.

I suspect the OP has portable tanks which look like THESE for $171.56

If OP has the above tanks, you may as well scrap them and buy new since the valves are specifically designed for the tanks.

I would doubt that the OP has TWO permanent tanks which would look like THESE, if OP DOES have this tank, there is NO NEED to replace unless damaged or severely rusted beyond safe usage.

While one would tend to think a motorhome or van would have permanent tanks it isn't out of the realm to have portable tanks instead..

It WOULD be helpful if OP posted a photo of the tanks in question...

[Chris_Bryant]

If the OP has portable DOT cylinders, replacements are readily available- it's just retrofit valves for horizontal cylinders that are not.

[BrianinMichigan]

With my permanently mounted tank, it was slightly rusting. I took a wire wheel on a right angle grinder and cleaned up the tank and then sandpapered it and then a couple of coats of silver. It still looks great after 6 years.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Hmmm...

Looks like we might have been wrong, O.P....I always thought that on a motorhome, the tanks are permanently mounted and thus exempt, but maybe not!

Better doublecheck your particular rig with the right authorities.

[Gdetrailer]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

thedanimal wrote:
They look fine, however I was "informed" that (at least in Colorado) tanks older than 12 years need to be replaced and was under that assumption.

I'm pretty sure those rules are for portable cylinders under a certain size. I doubt that they cover permanent onboard tanks.

If you have any doubts, check with a reputable propane company or your State DOT.

That would be correct except in the case that these tanks ARE NOT permanent. If the OPs, tanks are mounted as a removable tank (IE not bolted to the underside), NOT hard plumbed in and do not use a permanent "filler" the tanks FALL UNDER the OPD REQUIREMENTS.

I am guessing that the OP HAS TWO removable horizontal 20lb tanks and therefore WILL need to replace.

I ran into this same issue with a 1981 Terry trailer which had two 30 lb horizontal tanks (these tanks lay down).

Got one refilled before the OPD reg went into affect, didn't realize the other tank was empty so I squeaked a couple of years out of it.

Once the tanks were empty my options was to try and find a propane place that could get the proper valve with a dip tube for horizontal tanks (dip tube is special made which when in the tank, points to the top of the tank to get vapors) and then pay to have tank certified. Most places did not want to even touch it, said the valve was going to cost MORE than a new upright tank and then toss in the cert cost.

I was lucky to have plenty of tongue space to mount new 30 lb upright tanks, had to buy two new tanks ($30 each at the time), a new tank tray with mounting hardware and a new cover.

[thedanimal]

Excellent! Thanks for the guidance on this one Gents.

[copeland343]

12 year rule is for portable tanks only. Not frame mounted tanks.

[Francesca_Knowl]

thedanimal wrote:
They look fine, however I was "informed" that (at least in Colorado) tanks older than 12 years need to be replaced and was under that assumption.

I'm pretty sure those rules are for portable cylinders under a certain size. I doubt that they cover permanent onboard tanks.

If you have any doubts, check with a reputable propane company or your State DOT.