Propane Tanks

[Colo_Native]

Why don't they put mounted tanks in FW like they have in Class A or C? With that being said has anyone had one mounted in their FW.

[rhagfo]

laknox wrote:
My biggest issue is that they most often, nowadays, put the damn tanks on opposite sides from each other. I =like= my tanks next to each other.

Lyle

Our first 5er had them both on the same side. 1986 King of the Road 28' the tanks were on a full extension slide out, meaning the inside tank was 3' outside the body of the 56er when the tray was all the way out, so easy to change either.

[Mile_High]

But it sure helps clear up some storage by having them on both sides outside the actual frame. Mine have always been that way and never found it to be an inconvenience.

What I did find to be an inconvenience was our Motorhome with an ASME tank and trying to maneuver that thing up close to some of these small ma and pa fueling stations that installed propone fill convenience as an afterthought. I could have never got into half of them with a 40 ft fifth wheel and truck.

[laknox]

My biggest issue is that they most often, nowadays, put the damn tanks on opposite sides from each other. I =like= my tanks next to each other.

Lyle

[austinjenna]

We looked at a fiver at the show last year. It had a 90 gallon tank mounted underneath, and you could also take bottles with you too. I had to talk to the guy about this because its the first time I heard of a permanently mounted tank on a fiver. Thats a lot of propane! I forget what manufacturer it was, but it was a nice rig and priced at the 90 range.

[Old-Biscuit]

MM49 wrote:

Colo Native wrote:
Why don't they put mounted tanks in FW like they have in Class A or C? With that being said has anyone had one mounted in their FW.

I don't know if I would want a fixed tank. I would however like improved larger, lighter aluminum tanks.

I fish in the Michigan UP a met a senior that was camping in an Airstream. The trailer was an original from the 50's. It had 40# polished aluminum tanks. I helped the senior unload his generator and took his tanks to be refilled. I was amazed at how light they were.

If I had a RV with enough room I would consider upgrading to 40# aluminum cylinders used on commercial lift trucks.
MM49

Check the cost of those aluminum cylinders

[2oldman]

SkiSmuggs wrote:
If you wanted mounted tanks on your fiver, you could just leave them in place and tow it to be filled. Then you get the experience without the cost. If you don't like it, you are not out anything.

Hey, great idea!

[SkiSmuggs]

If you wanted mounted tanks on your fiver, you could just leave them in place and tow it to be filled. Then you get the experience without the cost. If you don't like it, you are not out anything.

[MM49]

Colo Native wrote:
Why don't they put mounted tanks in FW like they have in Class A or C? With that being said has anyone had one mounted in their FW.

I don't know if I would want a fixed tank. I would however like improved larger, lighter aluminum tanks.

I fish in the Michigan UP a met a senior that was camping in an Airstream. The trailer was an original from the 50's. It had 40# polished aluminum tanks. I helped the senior unload his generator and took his tanks to be refilled. I was amazed at how light they were.

If I had a RV with enough room I would consider upgrading to 40# aluminum cylinders used on commercial lift trucks.
MM49

[Old-Biscuit]

Actually propane cylinders are under DOT jurisdiction....that is why they have to be re-certified 12 yrs. after mfg. date.

Permanent tanks are under ASME Pressure Vessel/NFPA jurisdiction.......do not need re-certification.

I would rather cart a propane cylinder to be refilled vs towing my 5vr to get a propane tank refilled.

Propane cylinders are easier to stow/locate in 5vr/TT's.
Not sure where a propane tank would be installed

We typically go 6 weeks on a 30# cylinder.

What benefit would there be having a permanent tank ?

[richardcoxid]

The reason I can't justify, but Motor Homes come under DOT Propane Code rules. Towablescome under ASTME Propane code.

[Mile_High]

The only advantage I can think of for the frame mounted tanks is I believe they are larger capacity. We have two 40# tanks, but I think our old motor home tank was over 100# if I remember.

[christopherglen]

Not all MH's drag a toad, so going to refill propane tanks would involve driving the MH to the filling station no matter what. All trailers have a TV, and by being removable you just put the empties in the TV, take them to be filled, and return - all without touching (other then R&R) the trailer. No braking camp needed. My 405 has 3 tanks, 2 in use and the third on the side as a spare. I just upgraded the 2 main tanks to 40's (from 30's) for more winter fun. When needed I fish the propane hose to the spare, run off that and refill the main tanks. I put 5' pigtails on the auto changeover regulator, so I can reach the spare, or any tank sitting on the ground without needing any extra pieces. The trailer lives in my backyard when not in use, so a standard 20lb bbq tank is attached for heat during the random power outages, keeps the onboard tanks full for camping. I plan on taking the -now extra- 30's along to use when camping in the snow.

[fj12ryder]

I was just wondering, what the advantage would be to having permanently mounted LP tanks? Seems like more of a hassle to me. It's a lot easier to pull mine and take them to the fill station than hauling my 40' toyhauler to the same place.

[KD4UPL]

MH are motor vehicles therefore required by DOT to have the tanks permanently mounted. I think if it weren't for that they would have re moveable also. I can't think of any advantage to a permanently installed tank. It's more of a hassle to fill, can't be "swapped", can't be traded in when re certification is necessary, etc.
However, if you really want one, by all means, get one installed. I'm not sure who would do the work. Possible a MH manufacturer. Does the maker of your trailer also make MHs? That's where I would start.