Safe Transport/Storage of Aux LP Tanks?

[greenrvgreen]

Does anyone here have any recommendations regarding transporting an additional (full) LP tank? I tow with an SUV so the easy option of the truc bed isn't available to me. I'm considering constructing a wider rack for the TT tongue, but was hoping there's an easier option that would be safe.

As I understand it, all modern LP tanks have a pressure discharge valve that will compensate as temps rise and leak gas. Since my main use for LP would be in cold temps, I would expect there wouold be some discharge.

Canadian winrer campers, what do you guys do?

[ctilsie242]

I wondered this myself. My current ride, I put the cylinders in the back, strap them down so they stay vertical, and that works well. However, if I go for a "B" or a one ton truck + truck camper, I will need to find another spot for the cylinders. I have thought of putting them on a hitch mounted cargo holder or even in the front of the vehicle, but I feel that is asking for trouble.

As an alternative, I've minimized my propane use, so I carry as little as possible. For example, a Buddy heater and some Coleman 16 ounce bottles (which are easily stored in more places), and an electric fan forced heater allow me to run the generator or use the Buddy heater and have about four hours of decent heat in the rig per pair of the small propane bottles, without drawing down the main cylinders.

Come a truck camper or class "B", it would be even more so. I'd probably carry a bunch of the little bottles, just so the furnace is supplemented by the Buddy heater for most of the night.

[kampinguru]

buta4 wrote:
20 lb tanks fit nicely into plastic milk crates.:)

I use this method too. 30 lb tanks fit too. I put them in the back and strap them all down.

[Lwiddis]

"I carry one in the back seat in the cab. I'm sure I'll be blown up any day now."

I'll miss you, 2oldman.

[KrowNB]

buta4 wrote:
20 lb tanks fit nicely into plastic milk crates.:)

X2

[DrewE]

Federal DOT regulations prohibit at least permanent LP tanks from extending in front of, behind, below, or above the structure of the vehicle. (As I recall extending beyond it to the side was not specifically prohibited, I suppose because just about nobody was crazy enough to attempt that permutation.) I am not sure whether or not those DOT regulations extend to cylinders that are "temporarily" mounted on a vehicle, but common sense would suggest that it's still a good idea in as much as the basic danger in a collision still exists.

If there's room on the trailer tongue, that would be a much better place than hanging off the back of the trailer, in my humble opinion.

[greenrvgreen]

Yup, welding a 3-bottle rack on the tongue is my likely course of action(3x40lbs)for deep winter boondocking. FWIW, what does the law say about transport on the back of the trailer (WA, OR, CA)?

[time2roll]

While supposedly it is safe at least buy a base holder made for car transport. Always transport upright so it will vent vapor not liquid.

Honestly I would have a welder make up a holder to put in the hitch receiver.
I searched but could not find one.
https://www.etrailer.com/search/Propane+Tank+Holder

I am nervous if I transport a cylinder in my vehicle and mostly pull up with the trailer or it is in the back of the truck.

[westend]

I've posted this before but it's a good warning: Years ago, I was transporting freshly filled 20 lb cylinders in the back of a conventional 1/2 ton van. The kid at the pump overfilled them. I was driving on a stretch of two-lane, straight roadway. When the pressure relief valve opened, within milliseconds, I could not see my hands on the wheel. Luckily, it was Summer and I had the driver's side window open. I glided onto the shoulder and exited the vehicle. Had there been a spark or source of ignition, you would not have read this post.

Later, at our camping spot, another cylinder did the same thing. We then, evacuated some gas off each cylinder. Be careful out there!

[beemerphile1]

WNYBob wrote:
Here is what I was thinking of

Cylinder Stabilizer

Those things are really flimsy and a milk crate works better if available.

[mgirardo]

We bring a 20lb tank with us when we go camping for our Weber Q1200 and 2 burner stove. We just put the propane tank in a milk crate and put the hoses in the open spaces. In the thousands of miles we've traveled with it in the milk crate, it's never been an issue. No problems no matter how much propane is in the tanks.

-Michael

[DrewE]

The relief vent is there mainly in case the cylinder (or rather its contents) gets so hot that the headspace is reduced to zero. Liquid propane has a fairly significant coefficient of thermal expansion; and, like basically all liquids, is incompressible for any practical purposes. This means that once the headspace is gone, any additional warming will make it exert tremendous pressure on the container and probably burst it catastrophically.

So long as the valves are not leaking and the temperature is kept reasonable and the tank was properly filled (in particular, was not overfilled), there's little cause for any concern in carrying it inside a vehicle, particularly for relatively short distances. As one who owns a gas grill but no pickup or trailer, I bring the cylinders to and from the store to be refilled in my hatchback. I also get gasoline for the lawn mower can in the same vehicle, and that's a little more likely to be dangerous in my opinion.

[WNYBob]

Here is what I was thinking of

Cylinder Stabilizer

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Get orange plastic POL plugs with o-rings and butterfly thumb twisters. Bungee tanks together. unless you get nailed by an errant U-Boat torpedo that otter be enough...

[Old-Biscuit]

Propane portable cylinders should NEVER be transported laying down UNLESS EMPTY OR they are HORIZONTAL cylinders

Relief valves open due to overpressure---roughly 300 psi so ODDS are low BUT???

When on their side the relief valve will spew LIQUID Propane vs vapor should relief valve open
Liquid propane is -43.6*F (-42C) and expands 270X. Don't want liquid spewing out of a relief valve for obvious reasons

Transport upright in a 'milk crate' secured in outside area or compartment with open grate floor.
Add an additional one to trailer tongue with proper mounting hardware
Transport on a platform attached to a receiver



IF you currently have TWO 20#------5/gal each....10 gallon total
then you could swap them out for TWO 30#.....7/gal each -----14 gal total

Three 20# would only give you 1 gallon more then TWO 30#s (15 vs 14)
30# cylinders are same diameter just 6" taller then 20#