How Do You fill LP Tanks?

[JohnG4706]

I just bought a Puma 23FB with two 30 lb LPG tanks. RVW does not fill them and I will need to get them filled. I pickup the TT on 12/29.

Is there a safe and recommended method to have the tanks filled?

Do I remove the tanks from the TT and take them to a LPG service station? I would plan on laying them down on their side and securing them together so that they don't roll around in the back of my SUV.

Or, do I take the TT to the LPG service station with the tanks in place and have them filled in place?

I don't want to do something that's illegal or dangerous.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks.

[mowermech]

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

Campinghoss@51 wrote:

Secondly I have never seen a LP service center that did not have to remove the cylinders and place them on a scale to properly fill them. There may be a system somewhere but I have never seen it.

Every time I've filled my propane, whether it's the tank on my motorhome or the bottles from my trailers or BBQ, the filling station has always had a gauge on the pump that measures gallons pumped - I've never seen them use a scale...

Me, too. I haven't seen a "fill by weight" propane dispenser in over 20 years.
I have, however, just recently encountered a "our meter is broken, so we fill by what your cylinder should hold!" In other words, a "flat rate" dispenser. I won't go back there.

[Alan_Hepburn]

Campinghoss@51 wrote:

Secondly I have never seen a LP service center that did not have to remove the cylinders and place them on a scale to properly fill them. There may be a system somewhere but I have never seen it.

Every time I've filled my propane, whether it's the tank on my motorhome or the bottles from my trailers or BBQ, the filling station has always had a gauge on the pump that measures gallons pumped - I've never seen them use a scale...

[wa8yxm]

I have transported propane tanks on their side as well.. HOWEVER, the other poster was correct, the tank is designed to always be upright, Full time upright. Due to the way the relief valve works.

If the tank heats up (Say due to sunlight) you do not want to vent liquid propane, first, it is way more expensive to vent a gallon of liquid than it is a gallon of gas, and 2nd, it's way more explosive as well. Odds of gas (vapor) venting fast enough to build up an explosive concentration very low from a single tank or even two tanks.

Liquid however can do it.

True story:
Instructor: What happens if you mix Propane and air in the right ratio and add a spark.
My answer; You land 2 counties over
Instructor: Correct (once the laughter died).

[kellertx5er]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Remove from trailer
Transport upright.......especially after filling (Relief valve issue)

This reminds me of the conventional thinking that a compressor-type refrigerator MUST be transported upright or it will be ruined. Absolutely untrue. You CAN lay it down IF you then let it stand upright for at least an hour before running. Same with propane. Letting it stand before using allows the gasses and liquids to settle back to their proper places..

Have been laying my propane tanks down after filling for many, many years with zero problems.

[wa8yxm]

There are basically 3 ways to re-fill Propane tanks.

IF the tanks are horizontal mounted tanks bolted to the vehicle, You can drive to a refill station, Many RV parks have them or google PROPANE {zip code} and look for a wholesale house, USUALLY this is the best price, though I can tell yo uthe one in Seneca, SC is very expesive,, in Seneca, try ACE hardware.

You also learn to look for the big tank as you drive.

In some areas, the folks who deliver, will send a truck to you and re-fill on site,,, One of the many reasons I am happy that my major breakdown happened here (I can not drive the motor home due to a blown engine) not where my other major breakdown did (Dang near blew MY engine last fall, mine, not the motor homes, but got to repair facility (Hospital) in time) is that the local propane supplier delivers to the RV

Finally if the tanks are clamped on. Remove to refill location (NOTE: Driving to the pump house is always an option, or towing in the case of a trailer)

[Campinghoss]

John,
The dealer should have them properly purged and filled otherwise how could they ensure the system did not leak and the appliances all worked properly.

Secondly I have never seen a LP service center that did not have to remove the cylinders and place them on a scale to properly fill them. There may be a system somewhere but I have never seen it. I sorta doubt that anyone is going to fill them on the TT. You probably will always have to remove them.

Lastly always transport them upright and secured.

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I have a local Gas station with Propane refill service. I have always taken my tanks to them in the back of the TV secured in the upright position and physically stood there when the attendant refilled them. (I know my way around such things servicing LOX bottles in the Air Force)
That said my Nu-2-Me '05 TT came with old, rusted, outdated tanks... I will be taking them to the zit faced kid at the local gas station / hardware store for exchange. They let me pick the tank when I say "I need it to look pretty for my camper" All the while I nonchalantly check the cert dates....

Caveat Emptor. AKA: there is more than one way to skin a cat.

[JohnG4706]

Again, thanks for all of your comments.

Something relatively simple, taken for granted, can have serious consequences.

I will definitely have the tanks purged and filled for a complete PDI. And, I will transport them secured in a vertical position. I would assume this will be a first and last time to remove the tanks to get filled. In the future, I would assume I would just take the TT to a LPG or CG service.

Again, thanks.

[Old-Biscuit]

fullautodave wrote:

powderman426 wrote:
Definitely transport them in an upright position. If you take them to a welding supply store to get them filled. They can show you why they need to be upright. Once you see how the valve mechanism works you will understand.

I have always hauled.my 40lb tanks and sometimes a 100 lb tank in my pickup laying down. Never had a problem.

The relief valve needs to be in communication with the vapor space of the cylinder in case it opens. For this reason, all consumer propane cylinders such as this should be stored in an upright position.

Transporting incorrectly and getting away with it doesn't make it safe. Suggesting to do so is wrong.

[fullautodave]

powderman426 wrote:
Definitely transport them in an upright position. If you take them to a welding supply store to get them filled. They can show you why they need to be upright. Once you see how the valve mechanism works you will understand.

I have always hauled.my 40lb tanks and sometimes a 100 lb tank in my pickup laying down. Never had a problem.

[2oldman]

Oasisbob wrote:
Never do the propane tank exchanges. I once got a tank that was expired and could not be refilled.

Wouldn't it be illegal for a tank exchange to sell propane from an old, non-recerted tank?

You'd think that Blue Rhino would have an easy way to find them. Nope. Just like any other propane search - it is where you find it.

[2oldman]

RVW.. is that aka camping world?

[mileshuff]

I always remove and take down to station. Many gas stations fill propane.

Check with RV parks you plan on staying. Many of them fill tanks on site. Sometimes a bit more expensive but very convenient.

[mdamerell]

We bought our RV through RVW in Lakeview OH. We also have all our maintenance done there. Scott is the service manager and will work with me. They do not have any propane at the facility. They hooked up a bottle for our walk through, but my tanks were empty. They ship empty from the manufacturer. We just stopped at the KOA in Wapakoneta, OH (19 miles away) and had them filled. There are many campgrounds around Indian Lake next to RVWs. I normally put my 30# bottle in the rear passenger seat and seatbelt it in through the handhold for the trip across the street to fill mine.