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Propane and Gas Storage

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=5656
Printed Date: 22 May 2025 at 2:24am
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Topic: Propane and Gas Storage
Posted By: greg.todd
Subject: Propane and Gas Storage
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2014 at 2:39pm
We are newbies and I am looking for a little guidance.

1. What have you found to be the best and safest method to store/transport gasoline for your generator and extra propane tank?

2. What is the typical length of time the refrigerator will run on the factory battery and/or propane tank?

Thanks folks!



Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2014 at 2:57pm
Welcome.  I have a cargo tray which I mount on the front of the truck when I'm taking the generator, and spare gas goes on the tray.  On the rare occasions I've taken a spare propane tank that has gone in the back of the truck or in the camper - when I knew it wouldn't get hot - until we got to camp.  If I had to take a 2nd tank all the time when using the pod I would have converted to a dual propane tray on the tongue.


If it is the only thing running the fridge will last a month on a tank of LPG.  The battery is a different story, since the fridge control board and LPG detector both use a fair amount of power even if you used nothing else.  If you convert the lights to LEDs and stay conservative with the other 12 volt appliances you can expect 2-3 days on a group 29 deep cycle battery (until you get to 50% SOC).  You can get up to a week with normal use with two group 31 batteries in parallel, or two 6 volt golf cart batteries in series (this is preferred over the 2 batts in series).

Make sure you never use the DC mode for the fridge unless you are on the road, or are stopping for no more than 30 minutes.  It will kill the battery within hours.


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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2014 at 5:01pm
Originally posted by greg.todd

1. What have you found to be the best and safest method to store/transport gasoline for your generator and extra propane tank?
The best place to transport?  In the bed of the pickup truck.  Of course, I no longer have a pickup truck, so they go in the back of the SUV as does the generator, which isn't a great place, but its fine and preferable (to me) than in the trailer as I can keep an eye on them.  I usually create negative pressure in the gas tank by pressing in the sides as I tighten the lid; it helps somewhat with smell/fumes.

Once I make camp (even if its only for a night), propane tank, generator and gas tank all go outside and out-of-site behind the trailer, and are padlocked to the trailer frame.


2. What is the typical length of time the refrigerator will run on the factory battery and/or propane tank?
On battery - 6-8 hours; On propane - 30-40 days.

Of course, its very unlikely that anyone would be just running the fridge on propane.  From a practical standpoint, I get about 10 days of propane use in the summer (stove & fridge), and 3-4 days of propane use in the spring/fall (stove & fridge & furnace during the night).


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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150


Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2014 at 12:52pm
My propane tank fits in one of those plastic milk crates that appear from time to time in the garage.  Then bungee the tank to the milk crate, and secure to something solid.


Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2014 at 1:42pm
i have some of those mysterious milk crates as well!!!!  hogone

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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177
2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
2009 HD Lowrider
CHEESEHEAD


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2014 at 7:55pm
Don't let 2 of them be alone or suddenly you'll have more.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2014 at 10:41pm
A few months ago I purchased from CW a light-weight "foot" or "base" designed for safely transporting a propane tank.  A tank is virtually untippable once secured (friction fit) into the base.  The price is around $10.00.


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2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche


Posted By: greg.todd
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2015 at 12:28pm
Thanks everybody!



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