External Propane Tanks and Cylinders

[beelbill]

I am a new full-timer and am trying to find out how to have an adequate supply of propane to heat the 5th wheel without having to run to have the 30 lb tanks filled every few days. I installed an extend-a-stay valve on our system and thought it would be easy. I called the local propane guy to bring me a 250 gallon tank and he said no. He would not set up or fill a tank that wasn't permanently connected to a structure.

So, I am looking at setting up a couple 100 lb tanks and having to haul them in to the dealer to have them filled. But, I can't find any kind of bracket for safely anchoring them beside the camper or for transporting them in the truck to the dealer.

How do any of you full-timers keep supplied in propane?

[Fleetwood_Coupl]

I just set up a 40 pounder and took it in to have it filled. Way easier to handle than a hundred pounder. I think I had to fill it 3 times for the mild winter we had in Washington state. Where I am now in Montana has a 250 lb tank hard plumbed to a stantion that has a place to hook up the extend a stay hose. Maybe that would be a work around. I stayed in the park next to Wal-Mart in springfield last fall for a week and remember seeing the propane guy come by. There are also several mobile homes there perhaps the office there might know someone. Sorry can't recall the name of the park.

[hoodidean]

We are full-timing in Springfield, MO and have the same problem. Living outside city limits on kids property - called several companies, all say same thing. Can only do if hard connected and they have to hook and unhook. Well that would be ok if we never went anywhere but we do. Some said not at all, need to be tied down.

[TXiceman]

The best solution to use less propane is to move to a warmer climate. Otherwise, pipe in a 125# tank to be your main tank. Also use one or two 1500 Watt electric heaters to supplement the propane furnace.

Ken

[coosting]

The propane company I deal with set a 120 gal tank for me. We ran a hose and installed an adapter that screwed into my tank connection which is connected to the red pressure regulator. I also have an extend a stay on the other side which is connected to a 100 pounder as a backup. remember they can only fill the tanks to 80 percent.

[jaycocreek]

RTompkins3 wrote:
I have 2 100 lb tanks and "extension cords" for the hoses on the trailer. I would just load the tanks in the truck and go to a local propane dealer and fill them. I have a fold up hand truck to handle them when they are full.

Same here. I prefer having my own versus renting from a propane company.

[mmiille]

We put a tee and valves in our propane line to allow hooking up to a 250 gallon tank. I have two tees, one before the regulator and one after the regulator. I have hooked up both ways. The one I have hooked up right now has a regulator on the tank so my hose is hooked up after the regulator. They fill it once a month. We use 200 gallons per month in the winter. The permanent installation part is a matter of interpretation. Its the same for construction companies doing winter work and temporary heaters.

[RTompkins3]

I have 2 100 lb tanks and "extension cords" for the hoses on the trailer. I would just load the tanks in the truck and go to a local propane dealer and fill them. I have a fold up hand truck to handle them when they are full.

[Old-Biscuit]

We traveled for 7 yrs.

Have seen numerous, many, quite a number of 100# bottles set up next to long term RVvrs and everyone that we talked with..........local propane company set up, hooked up and provided refilling service.

Shop around....unless 'he' is only source

[beelbill]

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Check your local fire codes for placement of larger capacity propane tanks.
In our city, the propane co. can't set a tank thats less than 10' from structure and must be hard piped. No hose.
Out of town, its a different story.
NFPA 1194 guidelines cover rules most AHJs folllow, however some are more restrictive. Then,maybe it could be you just need to look for another supplier.

The 10 ft isn't a problem. There was a propane tank there in the past and you can see where it sat. It was 10 ft away. But, it is the hard piped that he insisted upon. Said he can't do that to an RV.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
You asked about a 250 gallon tank.......

Really need to be asking about one 100# bottle.

Many full time/long term RVrs have that set up. And propane company comes by with truck to refill.
That has been very common at numerous places across US in our travels.

I did also ask about a 100 lb bottle. He said he didn't rent those. I found I could buy them at Lowes, but I can't find an outside holder to stabilize them next to the camper or a bracket to transport them to the Propane dealer when they need to be refilled. If it is very common, what is everyone else doing, making their own brackets and holders?

[Old-Biscuit]

You asked about a 250 gallon tank.......

Really need to be asking about one 100# bottle.

Many full time/long term RVrs have that set up. And propane company comes by with truck to refill.
That has been very common at numerous places across US in our travels.

[SDcampowneroper]

Check your local fire codes for placement of larger capacity propane tanks.
In our city, the propane co. can't set a tank thats less than 10' from structure and must be hard piped. No hose.
Out of town, its a different story.
NFPA 1194 guidelines cover rules most AHJs folllow, however some are more restrictive. Then,maybe it could be you just need to look for another supplier.

[robsouth]

Most LP dealers will gladly set you up with a tank and keep it full for you. I think the guy you talked to did not want the business, or perhaps some sort of local ordinance?

[Oasisbob]

When I was full timing in my fiver I leased a fifty gallon from a propane company that came by every other week. Never came close to running low. You will learn your consumption rate in a month or so and it will all make sense. Even if I drained one twenty pounder I would simply go out and switch over from the one to another.

[Dog_Folks]

jandjbaums wrote:
I would call another co. to see if they wanted the business. Sounds like this co. didnt want the hassle to do 100# tanks. This seems to be the going thing in sparsly populated areas. You might have to haul your 30# tanks to get them filled. Sad but nobody wants to work for business anymore.

What jandjbaums said above.