Proper carrying of propane tanks

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   StephenH can afford to add more propane because he removed his lead acid batteries from the tongue, and if I was planning a trip to Alaska I'd want to carry plenty of propane too.  But for the rest of us, yes, your question is not dumb at all. 
I wouldn't want a 30 lb tank personally because that would eliminate the option of swapping tanks out at a convenience store. The other solution is just to carry an additional 20lb tank in your tow vehicle. 

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offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Topic: Proper carrying of propane tanks Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 9:46am
	StephenH can afford to add more propane because he removed his lead acid batteries from the tongue, and if I was planning a trip to Alaska I'd want to carry plenty of propane too. But for the rest of us, yes, your question is not dumb at all. I wouldn't want a 30 lb tank personally because that would eliminate the option of swapping tanks out at a convenience store. The other solution is just to carry an additional 20lb tank in your tow vehicle.
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lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 9:39am
	I'm going to ask a dumb question, though far from the first in my life. When you start adding steel racks, extra propane tanks, and other cool stuff on the tongue of your trailer, aren't you adding an awful lot of tongue weight that can affect your weight/balance? Propane is pretty easy to find most of the time and one tank lasts adequately for most camping. If you really need more propane, then you can get a 30# or a 40# tank. They'll just be a little taller in the existing rack with no need to change anything, except, perhaps, for a little longer propane hose.
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offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 9:04am
	The applicable standard for design of propane systems on RV's in the US is NFPA 1192, Chapter 5. You can set up an account and get free access to NFPA standards for personal use here. That will also get you access to the national electric code (NFPA 70) and maybe some other useful specs. https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/Free-access I did a quick scan and the only thing I saw that might be an issue with moving the propane cylinders back toward the trailer box is the requirement that the cylinder pressure relief outlet be a minimum of 3 feet from any appliance intake or exhaust port. So the water heater might possibly get too close. If it is you can pipe away the pressure relief vent. But you should probably read through the standard yourself, I didn't spend a lot of time scanning it.
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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 8:38am
	Believe it or not, I thought about that when I was thinking of getting a larger generator. Seriously though, I just ordered a double 20 lb tank rack, auto-changeover regulator, and Camco cover. I will need to figure out how to mount the rack. The original rack is welded to the A frame. I may cut the square section out and use the remaining parts to bolt the new rack in rather than drilling holes in the A frame or trying to use U bolts around the A frame to hold the rack in place. That decision will wait until the rack arrives though and I see where it fits best and can clear the brackets and jacks for the Hensley Cub hitch.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 8:21am
	Yeah they do get kinda heavy when full. No problem tho, just install a small motorized lifting crane in the back of the tow vehicle! <<you always have to insert a smiley like this or SOMEBODY will take the joke seriously!
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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 08 Feb 2020 at 5:41am
	30 pound cylinders would not be easy to get in and out of a rack like the one I have now because of the Stromberg-Carlsen Trailer Tray which limits the space above them. However, a dual-rack which does not have the ring would work as they could go in from the sides instead of having to go over the ring.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 10:50pm
	Carrying two 30 pounder tanks, vertically in the rack, will get you about the same amount of propane as three of the 20 pounders.
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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6428	Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 7:49pm
	Now I know why it is unsafe to transport or store 20 lb propane cylinders on their sides, especially if they are full enough so that the safety relief valve would be covered by liquid propane. I might consider changing from a single-tank mount to a dual-tank mount now that I have made the changes. I don't think the tri Five would be workable for me.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 3:46pm
	I don't see any issue with carrying in a mount, on it's side. Just swap it into the upright rack before use. Or, now that you have extra room, move the existing tank rack as far towards the body as possible, and see if you have room for an extra (3rd) tank on the A frame in front of them. Our current camper has this arraignment... Called "tri Five" by the manufacturer

geewizard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Apr 2017 Location: Spokane Online Status: Offline Posts: 347	Posted: 07 Feb 2020 at 2:29pm
	Indeed true. Thanks for the clarification.
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