Questio for a friend

[theoldwizard1]

My friend bought an Itasca Class C built on a Mercedes/Sprinter chassis this summer (Sorry, I don't know the specific model). She has enjoyed it on several weekend outings and even been out for a full week. She is planning a multi-week trip to FL (from MI) and back along the East coast.

With only 1 30lb bottle, built in, and no way to connect a second bottle, she is concerned about running out of propane.

What do other Class C owners do ? I suggested she carry a spare 10 or 20 lb bottle and have her dealer modify the propane line so that a second bottle can temporarily be attached.

[Tvov]

ronfisherman wrote:

Tvov wrote:


I have to go and re-read this thread... or do Class B campers use different propane tanks than a TT?

Most motor homes have a permanently mounted propane tank. That is mounted horizontally.

Roger that! Learn something new every day.

[theoldwizard1]

One last comment about tee-ing 2 propane tanks together. This is likely old info for most of you.

If you open both valves, they "equalize". So if your "big" tank is 50% full and you connect a "small" tank, you will quickly have 2 tanks, 50% full !

The trick is to make the receiving tank colder than the other tank.

But if you have a built-in tank in a motorhome, this is hard (impossible) to do ! Simple. Make the other tank warmer !

So if you want to add the contents of a 20# tank to you partial full built-in tank, hook them together, open both valves and position the 20# tank in the sunshine ! If you have a big enough plastic "tub", fill it with hot water and place the 20# tank in it. This is not an "instant" transfer and you need to keep the sending temp warm continuously. It might take an hour or so, which is why sunshine is better although hot water is faster.

(No the tank won't explode if you are using boiling water. Remember there is a safety valve !)

[theoldwizard1]

Gonzo42 wrote:
Regarding the propane tank gauge (on the side of the tank) in our Winnie, I have found it to be wildly inaccurate. I recorded the measurement before filling any number of times, and in addition I recorded the gallons and prices (not to mention the odo reading).

I have heard that also. Probably should fill it if it get down to 1/4 full.

One thing nice about a tee (especially if you are paranoid about running out of propane) is that you can use a 20-30# portable bottle as your primary propane source if you have a smallish built in tank (Class C). Yes, that 20# bottle will not last very long, but when it runs out you can carry it (okay, use a wagon or maybe a neighbor will drive you) up to the campground refill station.

I think the real answer is, as you use your motorhome/camper, you will develop a "feel" for how much propane you are using and will know when it is time to refill.

[theoldwizard1]

DrewE wrote:
Assuming it's a built-in tank, there should be a float gauge on the tank itself that is a lot more precise than the typical three or four light bargraph display in the motorhome (generally with the sender for the interior gauge attached onto it). Your friend should be able to get a fairly good idea of how the propane usage is going by periodically examining this gauge.

Yes, this is exactly what I have read. As long as the gauge/lights are working I don't understand her concern. (She was also worried about places to buy propane. For some reason she thought they were "seasonal" ?)

[theoldwizard1]

Tvov wrote:
I'm getting a little confused by some terminology here. I always considered the two tanks on my TT to be 30 pound tanks, and the smaller tank for my grill at home to be a 20 pound tank. Some people are talking about 30 gallons... I would think that is massive, and I wouldn't be able to pickup a 30 gallon tank.

I think "portable" tanks (up to 100# ?) are usually measured in pounds and permanently installed tanks are measure in gallons/liters.

[Gonzo42]

Regarding the propane tank gauge (on the side of the tank) in our Winnie, I have found it to be wildly inaccurate. I recorded the measurement before filling any number of times, and in addition I recorded the gallons and prices (not to mention the odo reading).

But in any case, I always refill after each trip and our longest trip to date in 2 years of ownership has been 4 days. Most usage of propane was in the aformentioned Yosemite trip. Still didn't even come close to the probable empty state.

[DrewE]

Assuming it's a built-in tank, there should be a float gauge on the tank itself that is a lot more precise than the typical three or four light bargraph display in the motorhome (generally with the sender for the interior gauge attached onto it). Your friend should be able to get a fairly good idea of how the propane usage is going by periodically examining this gauge.

Another approach is to figure the propane usage based on the appliances. The fridge typically uses about a pound a day (or maybe a bit less), of course depending a lot on how hot it is out and how frequently one opens the door. For other appliances, figure a pound of propane produces around 21,000 btu, so a 20,000 btu furnace will use about a pound per hour of operation, etc. (Appliance btu ratings are technically in btu per hour.)

[theoldwizard1]

More research. The coach is likely a Itasca Navion. It has a 13 gallon propane tank (about 60#) but the OPD only allows it to be filled to 80% (about 48#). That is still more 2 BBQ tanks (20# ea).

[Bobbo]

The way DW and I RV, a 30 pound LP tank would last us nearly a year.

[rockhillmanor]

First of all propane lasts a lot longer than one would think.

Second you can fill your propane tanks up at ANY CG that has a propane tank. You DO NOT have to be a guest in the CG.

Just pull in by the propane tank and they will fill you up. Easy in and easy out! :C

[bsinmich]

My Roadtrek has a permanent chassis mounted tank and it uses very little propane. I filled it once this year and have used the heater, water heater, and frig. I was in a lot of cold weather also. I had to scrape frost off my windows North od Lake Superior on a couple mornings in June.

[ronfisherman]

Tvov wrote:


I have to go and re-read this thread... or do Class B campers use different propane tanks than a TT?

Most motor homes have a permanently mounted propane tank. That is mounted horizontally.

[Tvov]

As a couple others have posted, your friend may find out that the propane tank will last a heck of a lot longer then she might think.

I'm getting a little confused by some terminology here. I always considered the two tanks on my TT to be 30 pound tanks, and the smaller tank for my grill at home to be a 20 pound tank. Some people are talking about 30 gallons... I would think that is massive, and I wouldn't be able to pickup a 30 gallon tank.

I have to go and re-read this thread... or do Class B campers use different propane tanks than a TT?

[theoldwizard1]

tatest wrote:
I don't think Winnebago has ever installed a LPG tank that small in a motorhome. More likely, it is at least the equivalent of two 20-pound bottles in capacity, and the tank has a usable level gauge.

Likely I have the size wrong.

I still like the idea of the tee.