How long will propane last?

[TNGW1500SE]

I have an 18 gallon tank that's filled now. We only use it for the water heater and we turn that off during the day. We heat water for 2 showers each morning and then turn it on once again a night to wash dishes. The water heater is gas only. How many days can I expect a tank of gas to last? I've never stayed this long before and have always just filled the tank before each trip.

[TNGW1500SE]

BobR wrote:
A little off subject, I like to microwave hot water for doing dishes instead of heating the entire contents of the water heater. Even when boondocking, I just time doing the dishes with other electrical needs requiring the generator.

That's a great idea! I have 50 amps 24/7. We'll do that so we don't have to mess with filling propane as much. Thanks

[BobR]

A little off subject, I like to microwave hot water for doing dishes instead of heating the entire contents of the water heater. Even when boondocking, I just time doing the dishes with other electrical needs requiring the generator.

[tatest]

Propane will last until it is used up. I have an 18 gallon tank, and when camping one week per month heating water, running the fridge, and cooking on the stove (but not using the oven) I top off the tank about once a year.

When traveling in the winter, near freezing or just subfreezing, and using the furnace for warmth, I find that I am topping off the tank every 5-10 days.

[Beverley_Ken]

On our c-class, similar amount of propane, we get a full season, 40-60 camping days and top up before storing for winter. Water heater(gas only) is turned on at beginning of trip and turn off at the end. The gas range and oven are also used regularly for cooking, and the furnace for chilly nights. The only times that the propane has been refilled more than once a season are when heading south and the furnace has be used in sub zero temps for a couple of nights.

Ken

[pnichols]

The OP's "18 gallon" propane tank probably only holds around 80% of that when filled - about 15 actual gallons of propane. At least that's the case with our 24 foot Class C's 18 gallon (water capacity) propane tank.

Our 15 gallons of actual onboard propane requires refilling fairly often, as we use our propane furnace to keep warm nights when drycamping. We don't care to sleep and get up in the middle of the night in the cold, so we keep the coach interior temperature in the 60-65 degree range.

Our 15 gallons of onboard propane is a long way from being enough to last for months.

[2edgesword]

With the same type of usage you describe (hot water for showers) we get 30+ days (summer months when no heat is required) on a 20lbs tank.

[DutchmenSport]

It will last until it's gone! :B

It will probably be gone next year.

[Dutch_12078]

SoundGuy wrote:

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I have an 18 gallon tank that's filled now.

Seriously? At 4.2 lbs per gallon that would be ~ 75 lbs ... you sure? Heck, I have two 20 lb tanks on my Coachmen, use propane freely for anything that may be needed, and may only refill one of those tanks during the course of the camping season. And you have 75 lbs?!! :h

I just had 20.4 gallons pumped into my 29.3 gallon ASME tank. The 29.3 gallons is water capacity though, so the propane maximum capacity is 80% of that or 23.44 gallons. That's about the same capacity as a standard vertical 100 lb DOT portable cylinder.

[time2roll]

Yes an 18 gallon RV tank should last a long time with just water heater and maybe some use of the stove. A trailer with two propane cylinders carries about 10 to 15 gallons and lasts a long time also.

You will need to watch propane level much closer if using the propane furnace to stay warm in sub-freezing temperatures or using a propane generator to run the air conditioner 24/7.

[SoundGuy]

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I have an 18 gallon tank that's filled now.

SoundGuy wrote:
Seriously? At 4.2 lbs per gallon that would be ~ 75 lbs ... you sure?

TNGW1500SE wrote:
The tank says "18 gal" right on the label.

Then why worry about it? ... that's enough to last most people a couple of seasons!

[the_bear_II]

We leave our water heater and refrigerator on propane when boondocking 24/7 and our propane lasts for several weeks. Two standard sized tanks.

[TNGW1500SE]

SoundGuy wrote:

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I have an 18 gallon tank that's filled now.

Seriously? At 4.2 lbs per gallon that would be ~ 75 lbs ... you sure? Heck, I have two 20 lb tanks on my Coachmen, use propane freely for anything that may be needed, and may only refill one of those tanks during the course of the camping season. And you have 75 lbs?!! :h

The tank says "18 gal" right on the label.

[Old-Biscuit]

Your Class A propane tank with 18 gallons will last this whole camping season

Water heater at most uses a 12,000btu/hr burner which you are only burning propane for 20 minutes 3X a day........roughly 12,000btu
Gallon of propane has 91,600btu....would take you 7 days to use 1 gallon (if only using water heater)

You have many many days of propane use

[TNGW1500SE]

RoyF wrote:
Only a rough guess, but I think at least a month, maybe more. But why not use the electric water heater if you are plugged in?

It's gas only 😞