Forum Discussion

dshinnick's avatar
dshinnick
Explorer
Jun 07, 2019

Propane fill for parked motorhome?

While waiting for the "right" house to become available for us to purchase we're in our 2015 Itasca Sunstar (Winnebago Vista) behind a house, with full hookups, in central California. I'm concerned about refilling our propane tank when the need arises. I had hoped that I could get a propane truck with a long hose to come by and fill us, but the local propane company says no. It was a job getting into this parking space and I can't go through it again just for a propane refill. What are my options? If I could get a standard barbecue-type tank and hook it up to my system to replace the large tank built into the coach, that would work; I'm just not sure if those kinds of connectors are available, or if the pressure would work, etc. I also have a secondary propane connector, on the opposite side of the coach from the tank, for connecting a gas grill. Could I connect a small tank to that and have it work, even if the gas would be going in the "wrong" direction?

Anyone who has experience with this, please share your thoughts. I'm not low on propane right now, but that day isn't far off....

Thanks for any ideas-

Dave
Class A
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Jun 08, 2019
    It depends on where you are if the local regulations will allow them to fill on site or not. In TX - yes we could. In AZ - yes we could. In MS - No we could not. In AL - no we could not. It may even vary within the same state. We use an extend a stay with a 20# tank and it works out very well. Lasts for quite awhile unless it gets really cold. We run off the small tank and keep the big tank for use only until the small tank gets filled (usually within 1 day). We look for refills and not exchanges too.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Jun 08, 2019
    Get some portable tanks. In Europe it is very common to see people at the hardware store getting propane for their residences.
  • PNW_Steve's avatar
    PNW_Steve
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2019
    I have had propane suppliers come to me to fill my tanks. I did have one circumstance where the propane truck could not get close enough for the hose to reach. No propane for me.... I had to move the trailer.

    Price delivered in the US has been expensive. We had propane delivered in Arizona and it was almost $4 a gallon. Then went to San Carlos Sonora. I had 15 gallons delivered. All the cash I had was $20US. I gave that to them and they responded "too much. No change". I told them "tip" and they said "too much" I insisted and they went away. I still have no idea what the price per gallon was.
  • chuckftboy's avatar
    chuckftboy
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2019
    Our local propane company will fill an RV tank but they charge a higher price per gallon when delivered. Odds are that someone in the area will be filling a large tank at their home close by and they could fill when in the area without a special trip.
  • crawford's avatar
    crawford
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2019
    many company's won't come out to fill a propane tank because it's just to little or volume on a RV alone.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2019
    Why did the local propane dealer say no? My provider has no issue filling my home tank then topping off my MH tank. Yeah it’s not a lot of propane, but they have a happy customer. I’ve also seen a propane truck come to a local state park and fill MH’s. I’m sure there is a delivery charge.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 07, 2019
    RVs have two stage regularos. Connecting to the low pressure RV hose with a typical BBQ single stage regulator may have problems regulating or freezing. But it might work for you.

    On my rig I could disconnect the high pressure side of the regulator and the fitting is the same as a BBQ tank. See the picture.

    I installed this connector (basically a extend a stay) for the high pressure connection (the one with the red shut off valve) which allows me to connect to any BBQ.

    Of interest to the OP is the top vertical port which is the standard high pressure port to connect to a portable tank.


    Click For Full-Size Image.
  • dshinnick's avatar
    dshinnick
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2019
    OK, after (downstream of) the regulator I have a flexible hose. At the end of the hose is a brass female connector screwed into a male connector about 3/4" wide. This male connector is the end of a brass pipe which feeds the coach. If I could disconnect these two, and somehow connect the male connector, which is the gas input into the coach, to a hose which then connects to a bbq-type propane tank, that would be lovely. What kind of hose would I need, and, this setup would bypass the regulator. Is that a problem? If so, I suppose I'd have to use the Extend-a-stay, which connects before (upstream of) the regulator.

    Thoughts?
  • alid's avatar
    alid
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2019
    Here is what I did:
    Get 2 30lb tanks and a change over valve like a travel trailer would use.
    Turn off the tank that is attached to the motorhome and if you follow the the rubber line it will connect to a pipe. remove the connection to the pipe and put the one from the change over valve on it. Then when you need propane take the tank and have it filled.
    parts list:
    2 30lb tanks
    1 2-Stage Auto Changeover Propane Gas Regulator with 2 12" Pigtails
    1 Propane Hose, 10-Feet (from regulator to pipe on Motorhome)

    2nd option is to install an extend-a-stay kit...
    I didn't like it because I could only conn2-Stage Auto Changeover Propane Gas Regulator with 2 12" Pigtails ect 1 tank and I always ran out of propane in the middle of the night. not convenient.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2019
    It’s called an extend-a-stay kit, goes between the frame mounted tank and regulator, and is a “T” with an inlet for a standard lp pigtail.
    Otherwise, if you have flexible line after the regulator, your regulator and pol fitting will fit a standard lp cylinder, even though it is the old left hand thread.

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