propane tank
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11489
Printed Date: 10 May 2024 at 10:12am
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Topic: propane tank
Posted By: grizwalsh
Subject: propane tank
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 3:44pm
Hi there---I'm a definite newbie for rving and for the r-pod so I probably will be using this forum a lot! Can anyone tell me how you refill the propane tank--It seems you have to disconnect the regulator to take the cover off of the tank--is this right? thanks
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grizwalsh
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Replies:
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 3:48pm
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Depends on your model and year. Mine has a small wing nut in the back of the cover, I remove that, the cover comes right off. Then I release the nut on the tank holder. Then just unscrew connector from tank and its loose. It sounds like alot but takes a minute to do.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 3:55pm
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there is a large black knob that screws into the top of the propane tan. With a hose connected to it. Turn off the tank and unscrew the black knob. Then undo the hold downs and lift the tank off. An empty tank weighs around 16 lbs, and holds around 16 pounds of propane. you might be advised to watch for 5 gal tanks on sale for around $25 or30 and pick up a spare. Then take it to a gas station that also sells propane. After the tank is filled, don't tip it over as the pickup tube might freeze, or so I have been told. Some places sell a prefilled tank on an exchange basis. some of their tanks look pretty beat up so I prefer to reuse mine. And some of them don't fill the tanks as full.
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 4:06pm
Originally posted by john in idaho
An empty tank weighs around 16 lbs, and holds around 16 pounds of propane. you might be advised to watch for 5 gal tanks on sale for around $25 or30 and pick up a spare. Then take it to a gas station that also sells propane. After the tank is filled, don't tip it over as the pickup tube might freeze, or so I have been told. Some places sell a prefilled tank on an exchange basis. some of their tanks look pretty beat up so I prefer to reuse mine. And some of them don't fill the tanks as full. |
I refill them until they reach their expiration date. The ones we get are marked that they need re-certification after a particular date. I don't know what the life expectancy is; perhaps around 8 or 10 years? At that point, I will exchange the tank. All the ones that we've gotten this way look brand new (Blue Rhino or Amerigas).
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 4:27pm
Tanks are requalified 12 years after original manufacture date and every 5 years after that, Blue Rhino and Amerigas are excellent and selling only qualified tanks. If I see an empty tank for sale at a garage sale I buy it as a deposit tank for a prequalified tank. Nobody checks on the turn in side.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: grizwalsh
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 5:07pm
I have a 2018 177 and it does have a small wing nut on the back but it also has the regulator and hose hook-up to the trailer attached to the back of the cover on the inside--it looks like you have to detach the hose line going from the regulator to the trailer--I can do this but it doesn't look real handy
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grizwalsh
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 5:12pm
Can you post a photo? I can't imagine that replacing a tank would be that difficult. It's a common operation.
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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
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Posted By: grizwalsh
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 5:42pm
Yea --I know--have to get you a picture tomorrow--if I can figure that process out--thanks for responding
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grizwalsh
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 6:24pm
Couple of things not covered above: 1) when disconnecting the line be advised that it is a left hand thread so turn knob clockwise to unscrew from the tank. 2) You will be a much better deal by NOT refilling your tank at either Blue Rhino, Amerigas or other places like them that exchange your tank. Around here you will pay about 26.00 for an exchange at Blue Rhino and you only get a tank that is 75% full or 15 lbs of propane which will cost you about $ 1.73/ lb. By going to a hardware store, I just had mine filled in Elk Rapids, MI, you will get a "FILLED" propane tank, 20 lbs, and I payed $ 13.99 for it which figures to a cost of just under $ 0.70/lb or about 60% cheaper. What you pay may vary by location but I guarantee that you will definitely get a better deal at your local hardware store, plus you get to keep your tank, not get someone else's that may have issues with it.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:01pm
Originally posted by jato
Couple of things not covered above: 1) when disconnecting the line be advised that it is a left hand thread so turn knob clockwise to unscrew from the tank. 2) You will be a much better deal by NOT refilling your tank at either Blue Rhino, Amerigas or other places like them that exchange your tank. Around here you will pay about 26.00 for an exchange at Blue Rhino and you only get a tank that is 75% full or 15 lbs of propane which will cost you about $ 1.73/ lb. By going to a hardware store, I just had mine filled in Elk Rapids, MI, you will get a "FILLED" propane tank, 20 lbs, and I payed $ 13.99 for it which figures to a cost of just under $ 0.70/lb or about 60% cheaper. What you pay may vary by location but I guarantee that you will definitely get a better deal at your local hardware store, plus you get to keep your tank, not get someone else's that may have issues with it.
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Hmmm... The disconnect on our tank is a right-hand thread. This the the big knurled knob that screws onto the outside threads on the tank. If you attach via the internal threads, I believe you're right that it is left-hand threads.
Also, I only go to Blue Rhino or Amerigas when the tank is due for re-certification. Otherwise I fill it at any of the local places that fill with propane by the gallon.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:28pm
Undo whatever you have to to remove the tank from the pod after you turn off the valve on top of the tank and unscrew the hose from the tank.
As for the tank swap places, I agree with Jato and GlueGuy to a point. The people selling those things don't give a hoot which tank they give you, so I always pick the best looking one I can see, so I usually get an upgrade. And Jato is right, it does cost more for less. Around here prices are considerably lower than in Michigan. Where I diagree a bit is that especially while travelling, I won't hesitate much to pay a little more for a tank swap. Even if it costs $10 more, my time on vacation is worth more than driving around very much for a refill place.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 8:51pm
If you are a Costco member, a number of Costco locations have propane at a very good price. Likewise, if you are a Good Sam member, Camping World locations also have propane at a good price. I have not had problems finding propane. Since I carry a spare tank, I can swap and then fill the empty one. Exchanging is okay, but those tanks don't have the gauge like my own tanks have. While the gauges only give a relative fill level, I did buy them and would not want to exchange them.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2018 at 10:59pm
Stephen, what brand tank do you have? Been looking at the tanks from Camping World with the gauge built right into the value. I wouldn't bet my life on its accuracy, but it gets you in the ballpark.
Thanks
Jeff
http://www.campingworld.com/refillable-steel-propane-cylinder-20-lb-47-gal-with-gas-gauge - https://www.campingworld.com/refillable-steel-propane-cylinder-20-lb-47-gal-with-gas-gauge
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Smith's in Hailey
Early 2017 179 HRE
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 7:40am
That is the brand I have. I bought them at Bass Pro Shops when I caught them on sale. As I said, the gauge is only a relative measure. When it hits the red, that does not mean it is anywhere near empty but just that it is low. I called to ask about it when I first got them and was trying to figure out why there was so much gas left when it got to the red. It hits the red when the liquid level is about near the top of the curved section at the bottom. In all but really cold weather, that is enough to last for a couple days. In warm weather, it would be enough to last for several depending on how much the water heater is run.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: grizwalsh
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 11:34am
Got it---you gave me incentive to look again--thanks mjlrpod and thebum---
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grizwalsh
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 11:39am
Originally posted by StephenH
If you are a Costco member, a number of Costco locations have propane at a very good price. Likewise, if you are a Good Sam member, Camping World locations also have propane at a good price. I have not had problems finding propane. Since I carry a spare tank, I can swap and then fill the empty one. Exchanging is okay, but those tanks don't have the gauge like my own tanks have. While the gauges only give a relative fill level, I did buy them and would not want to exchange them. |
Many U-Haul locations also fill propane tanks.
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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
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Posted By: twodues
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 1:35pm
Check out these products: www.mopeka.com/products
Mine works extremely well and can be moved from one tank to another (magnetic attachment to bottom of cylinder).
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 1:45pm
Originally posted by twodues
Check out these products: www.mopeka.com/products
Mine works extremely well and can be moved from one tank to another (magnetic attachment to bottom of cylinder). |
We have one and it works well. The battery has to be changed about once a year.
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Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 May 2018 at 3:25pm
You are correct glueguy, I do attach, detach using the internal threads and they are indeed left handed. Maybe because our pod is from 2011 the end of the line is maybe different from the newer models.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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