I hate searching out propane

[tsetsaf]

6:30pm the tanks ran empty... 1.5 hours later I finally found a station to fill them. Such a pain finding propane; or should I say such a pain finding someone to fill the propane bottles.

[SoundGuy]

Mich F wrote:
I don't know why many have turned this in to a bash the OP for running out of propane thread :h ...

What I don't understand is why you would interpret this as "bashing". The OP is complaining about suddenly having to go look for propane at 6:30pm when he discovers both of his tanks have run dry ... some of us are simply pointing out there's no need to run out of propane in the first place, ergo no need to go looking for more at a time and place not of your choosing. Running an auto changeover regulator manually is one way, carrying a spare tank is another, even a couple of spare 16.4 oz canisters and a 1"20 > Acme Type 1 adapter is another. This isn't bashing, it's useful advice that can help anyone avoid this scenario the OP is complaining about, including the OP. Geesh. :S

[mlts22]

I can understand the difficulty of finding propane. I just exchange two 20# cylinders every weekend before I go out when it is wintertime, or one when it is summer, so I don't worry about running out.

Of course, when I move to a motorhome with an actual tank that is permanently mounted, finding a filling place is going to be a PITA. U-hauls supposedly have it, but someone trained to fill propane is usually not on site (so they claim), the propane companies won't lift a finger unless you are willing to sign a contract that you will buy 500 gallons in a year.

So, this leaves RV dealers and RV parks. There are some decent dealers, as well as RV parks, so this is an option.

Of course, the backup plan is an Extend-A-Stay, so I can use exchangable cylinders as opposed to the propane tank.

[PRodacy]

Propane fill stations are on nearly every corner around here. No minimum charges, either.

[2oldman]

Mich F wrote:
I don't know why many have turned this in to a bash the OP for running out of propane thread :h , but I do know you can find propane by searching for propane sales on Google maps on a smart phone.

I don't either.. after a few pages every thread turns into a "you're stupid and i would never do that" thread.

Propane sales searches are good at finding propane dealers who aren't open and are 12 miles from you. Not so good at finding gas stations that sell propane. I think that's the OP's point, they're hard to find.

[Lantley]

smkettner wrote:

Lantley wrote:
For those with dual tanks using the one tank on one off method is the foolproof way never to run out. The auto switch over valve creates more problems than it solves.

I see this as a foolproof way to run out because you must run out to know a tank is empty. Fine in mid-afternoon. Not so good at 3a getting elbowed to get the heat working. Actually checking the regulator has worked great for me. Check daily with heavy use, weekly with light usage.

I hear you because there is that running out in the middle of the night scenario. Nevertheless even at 3:00 AM I am not totally out and can just turn the valve to be back in business.
If I use the auto switch over I have to be more proactive to see if tanks have switched. Yes there is a risk of a cold night but no monitoring required and I never run totally out of LP.
With the auto switch over unless you monitor things constantly you can run out in the middle of the night or late Sunday evening and be totally out of LP. Just ask the OP....;) Sorry tsetsaf I could not resist!:)

[Mich_F]

I don't know why many have turned this in to a bash the OP for running out of propane thread :h , but I do know you can find propane by searching for propane sales on Google maps on a smart phone.

[GaryWT]

Can be fun. At home I know where to go and while camping usually just go to the campground store as many fill propane. I leave both tanks on but it is real hard to get to see my gauge so I need to guess at times. Most of the time it is not an issue if we run out but when it is cold, I generally carry an extra 20# tank in the truck just in case.

[time2roll]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Many retailers have moved away from selling Propane. There are new regulations every couple of years that generally involve either new equipment or relocating the tanks and fueling area. It isn't very profitable to begin with if you want to be price competitive and when you add in the labor it just doesn't make financial sense. On top of that, many RV propane fill connections range from either very difficult to access to a location that would challenge a Cirque Du Soleil acrobat. I threw in the towel when I crawled under a VW campervan in a 35 degree rainstorm to put in exactly 3/10s of one gallon of propane all for a whopping 75 cents. I don't envy those retailers at all.

Around here there is often a 5 gallon minimum or $15 minimum connect charge.

[2oldman]

noplace2 wrote:

pira114 wrote:
I top off my tanks after every single trip. Even if I only used $5 worth,

Propane dispensers just LOVE people like you 🙂

x2. Sounds like OCD.

Read westernrvparkowner's comment in this thread.

[noplace2]

pira114 wrote:
I top off my tanks after every single trip. Even if I only used $5 worth,

Propane dispensers just LOVE people like you 🙂

You drag them out in the rain or otherwise inclement weather, have them go through the whole process and end up spending $5 or less. I know of what I type. I'm certified to dispense and spent a summer doing so at an RV park.

To stay on topic, if there is a Tractor Supply in the area, they nearly always ( a few don't) have propane and typically have the best prices locally.

[momentum_rv]

smkettner wrote:

Lantley wrote:
For those with dual tanks using the one tank on one off method is the foolproof way never to run out. The auto switch over valve creates more problems than it solves.

I see this as a foolproof way to run out because you must run out to know a tank is empty. Fine in mid-afternoon. Not so good at 3a getting elbowed to get the heat working. Actually checking the regulator has worked great for me. Check daily with heavy use, weekly with light usage.

X2 -- Just something ya gotta check to avoid middle of the night issues (cuz it always happens in the middle of the night)

[Wishbone51]

Many equipment rental facilities also sell propane. At least in my town.

[Pogoil]

Seems to be everywhere out west. No problem.

[wanderingbob]

DRIVER ERROR !

[SoundGuy]

Dave H M wrote:
It is hard to imagine how many folks do not take advantage of the auto switch over. To me it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. :h

SoundGuy wrote:
"Sliced bread" isn't so great when you run your tanks with an auto switchover regulator, aren't paying attention, and allow both tanks to run dry! :S

Dave H M wrote:
not paying attention? Well i just won't go there today. :W

Ummmm, OK. :h