Propane tank question

[tbred]

Hi, is it okay to use the 20lb. propane tanks on tt that you swap for refills at the local retailers? Reason I'm asking is, it looks like the closest refill station is quite a ways away and I need them sooner than later. I will set aside our brand new tanks for later fill. Thanks!

[rrupert]

You may want to consider upgrading to two 30 pound tanks, that will give you the equivalent of three 20 pounders. The only drawback is that they aren't exchangeable. We have 30 pounders on our Hilo and they go for a long ways between refills.

[Huntindog]

Sure you can do it. I have done it in a pinch myself...Sometimes you gotta get it wherever, however you can...

[wgander]

There are a few gas stations in my neighborhood with LP but it can be difficult to get the motor home close to the refill station. I stopped looking for LP, and refill at a camp ground when necessary. We don't use that much: water heater for a few minutes before dinner and again for morning wash up, heater for the morning chill, and cooking.

[tbred]

DWolfrom wrote:
I see your profile states Chicagoland as your location...I believe that most Menard's stores are now offering refill services. Just something you might want to check in to...and it's reasonably priced as well!

Great thought, unfortunately ours only offers exchange not refill.

We are weekend/weeklong campers and this is a brand new tt. Dealer only filled 1 tank and we have used most of it testing, running things. I will save the brand new shiny tanks for when I have time to fill them, but this week is hectic and we are leaving on a 10 day trip Thursday. DH thought he recalled rv tech saying something about only using "those" tanks during pdi but must have been mistaken, that's why I was curious about using exchange tanks. The closest refill location I could find charged 17.00 for a refill, and our local grocery a mile away charges 17.99 for an exchange (using our gas grill tanks) seems easier for the present just to exchange a couple. Thanks to all!!!

[DWolfrom]

I see your profile states Chicagoland as your location...I believe that most Menard's stores are now offering refill services. Just something you might want to check in to...and it's reasonably priced as well!

[mlts22]

Sometimes you can get better than $20 for exchanges. I have had one place had a limited time where I was only paying $5.

To the OP: Is this a place you are staying at for the season? If so, I'd second the above suggestion at getting a rental tank, rather than keep messing around with 20# bottles. Just the gasoline saved by not having to drive to exchange tanks may make a large tank be worth the initial expense. If a rental tank isn't feasible, perhaps go with 30# or even 40# bottles? I'd say go with 3-5 of those, to minimize the times when you have to go for a fill, plus when down to the last 1-2 full ones, you can swap tanks and then get the 2-3 spares refilled.

[Bob_Landry]

Another thing to consider is if you are going to trade in a quality tank like Manchester for a cheapie Rhino like Home Depot and Walgreens sells. I would track down a local source for refills and use them.

[RJsfishin]

You can even use the one pound bottles,.......ifn you have the adapter.

If you livin in it, why not set a bigger rental tank there, save lots a money.

[Chrisatthebeach]

Also Tractor Supply has propane fill stations. Around here they are the lowest price.

[rrupert]

bobsallyh wrote:
Another thing to consider, some of those exchange outfits are no longer filling the tanks to 80%. Read the fine print on the steel cages if you can find it.

There is a good chance that the exchange tank will be filled to 15 pounds. That appears to be the trend in the industry. Their excuse is to keep the prices down. It's just like the downsizing of products in the grocery store.

[HappyKayakers]

skipnchar wrote:

tbred wrote:
Hi, is it okay to use the 20lb. propane tanks on tt that you swap for refills at the local retailers? Reason I'm asking is, it looks like the closest refill station is quite a ways away and I need them sooner than later. I will set aside our brand new tanks for later fill. Thanks!

Perfectly ok to use BOTTLES that you swap provided you like paying quite a bit more than necessary. Have your bottles filled at most any LP DEALER and your costs will be about 25% lower.

Doesn't have to be an LP dealer. Many U-Haul and hardware stores will also fill LP bottles. Let your fingers do the walking as prices are usually not posted outside and may vary widely in a small area.

[robsouth]

To answer your question, Yes they will work. Any other considerations are your own.

[skipnchar]

tbred wrote:
Hi, is it okay to use the 20lb. propane tanks on tt that you swap for refills at the local retailers? Reason I'm asking is, it looks like the closest refill station is quite a ways away and I need them sooner than later. I will set aside our brand new tanks for later fill. Thanks!

Perfectly ok to use BOTTLES that you swap provided you like paying quite a bit more than necessary. Have your bottles filled at most any LP DEALER and your costs will be about 25% lower.

[bobsallyh]

Another thing to consider, some of those exchange outfits are no longer filling the tanks to 80%. Read the fine print on the steel cages if you can find it.