Can I transport a 20lb propane tank on its side in my 5th wheel basement? I know I will have to secure it from rolling around, but the height with it standing up is the issue I have.

That would not be a good idea. If the pressure in the tank causes the relief valve to open liquid propane will be expelled instead of gas. When the liquid then evaporates much more gas will be in the compartment than would be there if gas were expelled.

The following is from 'propane101.com'Position of LP Gas Cylinders In StoragePropane cylinders should always be positioned so that their relief valve is in direct communication with the vapor space of the container. Cylinders that are stored vertically upright will have the relief valve communicating with vapor space. Regarding the cylinder relief valve, it is important to keep the safety relief valve pointed away from anything that escaping propane could come in contact with possibly causing a fire or accident. If cylinders are stored improperly, such as on their side with the relief valve in contact with propane liquid and the safety relief valve opens for any reason, liquid will be escaping instead of vapor posing a much greater danger. In short, be sure the relief valve is communicating with the vapor space of the tank. All consumer propane cylinders should be stored vertically upright in all circumstances.A 'vertical' propane cylinder should always be vertical......filling, in use, transporting, storageNot everyone does........you decide if risk/benefit is worth it.Why not secure it in bed of truck?

I'm not an RVer, but do RVs ever get stopped for an Inspection as some trucks do? If so, that may be a problem with a horizontally mounted propane cylinder.

Rickhuntfish wrote:Can I transport a 20lb propane tank on its side in my 5th wheel basement? Not safely. Doing so will disable the safety mechanisms built in for your protection. If you're just wanting to carry some backup propane, you might consider an 11-lb. vertical like this one. Same width as the twenty, under a foot tall, a little over half the capacity. Enough to give you a couple days to fill your main tanks, and easy to store. I bought one for the same purpose and it's worked very well for me.

SaltiDawg wrote:I'm not an RVer, but do RVs ever get stopped for an Inspection as some trucks do? If so, that may be a problem with a horizontally mounted propane cylinder.I have never been stopped since we started rving in '82.

Propane Tank - Laying down for transport? | Good Sam Community

wgriswold
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
posted accidently
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2014
If it's partially empty, you should be alright if you keep it partially tilted. It won't be a recommended or 100% safe position, but safer than horizontal because the gas won't flood the valve at the top.

With 20lb tank being almost as high as it is wide, I don't even understand the question. If the 5-er storage space isn't high enough, put it in your truck upright.

About safety... I remember Mexicans delivering 66 lbs cylinder to the camp. The cylinders were transported vertically on the flatbed truck, to please the authorities. Having arrived on the camp, they threw it down from the truck - not lowered, but threw - and one of them rolled it to my rig, kicking with his feet. Horizontally.
BFL13
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
Yes, only have one regulator at a time.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
Safety wise, does it really make any difference how big the cylinder is when carried inside a passenger vehicle? Be it a 20 or 30 pound cylinder, it is enough gas to blow you away. Personally, I sometimes carry a 20 pound strapped in the cab. I am more concerned with it bouncing around in case of an accident, than any other reason.

I am not familiar with the BabyQ, but I do have several other grills I use. I have a quick disconnect to connect to my Camper and a 12-foot hose. It requires no modification to my grills for connection. I have had it several years, and never used it. What I do not know, is if I will have issues with the Camper regulator and grill regulator both connected. As for connecting the grills to the camper, I use a different hose (without quick disconnect) from tank to grill.

Wayne
Dusty_R
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
RVnRobin wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
I take a 30lb tank for a refill sitting on the front passenger seat of the truck, on a towel or pad so it doesn't cut the leather, strapped in by the seat belt. It is supposed to be vertical, so that's how I do it.
UUUMMM...:h In the cab with you? Looks like another legal/code question.

Last I knew only a 20lb. is allowed to be carried inside a passenger vehicle.

Dusty
RVnRobin
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
BFL13 wrote:
I take a 30lb tank for a refill sitting on the front passenger seat of the truck, on a towel or pad so it doesn't cut the leather, strapped in by the seat belt. It is supposed to be vertical, so that's how I do it.
UUUMMM...:h In the cab with you? Looks like another legal/code question.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
Rickhuntfish wrote:
Can I transport a 20lb propane tank on its side in my 5th wheel basement? I know I will have to secure it from rolling around, but the height with it standing up is the issue I have.

No!
BFL13
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
I take a 30lb tank for a refill sitting on the front passenger seat of the truck, on a towel or pad so it doesn't cut the leather, strapped in by the seat belt. It is supposed to be vertical, so that's how I do it.

(cost was back to $29 here lately, but was briefly up to $33 last month with all the fuss in the States on propane cost that was going on back then)
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Rickhuntfish, If you use a high pressure fitting instead of trying to use a low pressure QD, you may find it takes about 30 seconds longer to hook up and disconnect the hose and you won't have to remove and replace the BabyQ when you switch from S&B to Rv and back. Beside the whole setup for HP is cheaper than the LP setup.
down_home
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
They make a cradle or stand that holds 20 lb tanks upright for transport. They are usually green and made of plastic. I might want to screw it down because a full 20 lb tank or even empty has a lot of energy when you hit the brakes or accelerate. I've seen them at Ace and perhaps at CW but not lately. Anyplace that sells the tanks should stock them or maybe not.