Replacing propane tank?

[maillemaker]

Our propane tank on our 25-year old Class C is looking pretty rusty. Sometimes the main valve will leak in between the open and closed position. I read here that it was a lose packing valve but looking at the valve I see nothing to tighten.

Anyway I'm thinking it would probably be a good idea to replace this tank given its age and state.

Any idea how much this job would cost?

[ron_dittmer]

sodajerk wrote:
My 43 year old tank was getting hard to turn off. I removed the 6 bolts that held it on and took it to a supplier. They replaced all the rubber parts, fill valve, overflow and shut off for less than $50.00. Also an inspection.
A few years ago, I had removed it and removed the rust and a new coat of primer and paint. Looks good now and still works fine.
Just searched for a supplier, not a fill station and a phone call confirmed they did that type of work. It looked like they did a lot of tanks for fork lifts, they also was refurbishing a big one like for a house. Good luck.

I agree with what sodajerk has done. If our propane tank needed refurbishing or replacing that is what I would do.

[sodajerk]

My 43 year old tank was getting hard to turn off. I removed the 6 bolts that held it on and took it to a supplier. They replaced all the rubber parts, fill valve, overflow and shut off for less than $50.00. Also an inspection.
A few years ago, I had removed it and removed the rust and a new coat of primer and paint. Looks good now and still works fine.
Just searched for a supplier, not a fill station and a phone call confirmed they did that type of work. It looked like they did a lot of tanks for fork lifts, they also was refurbishing a big one like for a house. Good luck.

[jolvi]

I bought a new surplus AMSE tank from timsrvinc.com for the one that was leaking on our class C. It had more gas leak detector sprayed on the fittings than I care to recap on. The valve and all parts that had opening to tank not a bit of leakage. Leaving unit in storage it would leak out and when you were around it you could smell the propane. Found out that the welds on the brackets had rusted into the tank, the tank itself was not that rusted. Anyway the cost of the tank was really good, with free shipping. The place that installed it had to re-manufacture the brackets but now it fits better than the old tank, easier to fill and no more smell. The shop I used charges $95.00 an hour but wish I could tell you what it would cost for labor but that really depends on where you are at.

[vic46]

Actually, from my experience, propane distributors also do sales and service of LPG or NG appliances and permanent and removable storage tanks/vessels.

[maillemaker]

I crawled under the RV. The tank has two large flanges that bolt to attachment points on the frame.

I would think most propane distributors just sell propane, I would not expect them to service RV tanks?

[DrewE]

maillemaker wrote:
I'd have to go under and look and see if it is replaceable. I assume it is bolted in place.

The tank is quite rusty. My propane source has commented on it before but he's kind of a back-country place (it's an old gas station) so he fills it up anyway.

Do "propane service places" do this kind of work or should my RV place do this kind of work?

Steve

It's a permanent tank if its attached to the frame somehow and filled in place, whether held on with bolts or welded brackets or whatever. The other option is BBQ-style portables (of various sizes) which are removed from the RV for refilling.

Go to a propane distributor/service center, the kind of place that sells and services tanks for residential use and not just a hardware store or gas station that sells propane on the side. Most RV repair places would not be equipped or qualified to do this sort of work (just as they would not rebuild a transmission).

[maillemaker]

I'd have to go under and look and see if it is replaceable. I assume it is bolted in place.

The tank is quite rusty. My propane source has commented on it before but he's kind of a back-country place (it's an old gas station) so he fills it up anyway.

Do "propane service places" do this kind of work or should my RV place do this kind of work?

Steve

[vic46]

Is the tank permanently attached or is the tank removable?

[mlts22]

I have not read about many propane tanks being replaced.

Other than getting the hoses out of the way, there can be the issue with the tank mounts being rusty as well, so it may take some prep/fab work to make sure a new tank can be installed without existing rust being an issue down the line.

[Matt_Colie]

On a new (from my POV) coach like that, you should not have to replace the LP tank. It was built to ASTM code and should not need to be inspected or replaced. Mine has been painted and that is all. The valves do leak a lot in mid-position when old. I could neither located a repair kit or an individual willing to repair the valve, but I could purchase a replacement ea$ily.

If you go the "replace the valve" route, be real ready. They screw those babes in there.

Matt

[coolmom42]

johntank wrote:
I think I would take the C by a propane dealer/supplier and have them check the tank to see what needs to be done or if you need a complete replacement tank. JMHO

I agree.

The valve can definitely be fixed.

The tank may only have cosmetic rust and be sound. The real way to tell is to pressure test it, which a propane supplier should be able to do.

[DrewE]

johntank wrote:
I think I would take the C by a propane dealer/supplier and have them check the tank to see what needs to be done or if you need a complete replacement tank. JMHO

This seems like very good advice to me, as well. If you can just replace the valve (or not—they aren't really designed to be left in positions between fully open and fully closed) and paint the tank and be safe, there's no need to do anything more. Maybe they would recommend inspecting the interior of it or something along those lines; I'm not a propane specialist by a very long stretch.

You do have to have the tank empty to replace the valve, but then again you need to empty the tank to replace the tank, so there's not much difference there.

Many propane tanks are in safe regular use that are older than 25 years old.

[johntank]

I think I would take the C by a propane dealer/supplier and have them check the tank to see what needs to be done or if you need a complete replacement tank. JMHO

[scbwr]

If they are that old, I suggest buying some new tanks and avoid having a dangerous situation. I know they aren't cheap, but a malfunction of the propane system could be a lot more costly.

And, the suggestion for looking for a couple of used tanks in good condition could reduce the cost.

I know in some states, a tank in poor condition can be refused for refilling.