Propane Bottles

[mre]

Why do Class A motorhomes have permanently fixed propane bottles instead of removable ones like travel trailers and 5th wheels?

[Skip426]

Not positive , ground clearance from the underside of the floor may be part of it .
There are options for hooking up a bottle if your in one spot for an extended stay.

[Fiesta48]

Motorhomes usually have larger capacity. Ours is 38 gal. Lasting 2+ years? Some even larger.
We don't have a LP frig., use the convention and toaster ovens, water heater almost always on electric. Our better insulated rig uses less LP to heat.
And we drive to LP stations when we are out on the road. Cheaper than delivered. Our reserve is larger, have never run out.
There is a app for LP stations.
Enough said?

[MN_Traveler]

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Motorhomes usually have larger capacity. Ours is 38 gal. Lasting 2+ years? Some even larger.

I once had to do significant driving in very cold temps ... As low as 0 F for much of it. A smaller removable tank would have left me .... Cold. Very much appreciated the larger capacity. My thinking the basic difference is in philosophy between a "camper"versus a "home" (that happens to be on wheels)

[jpspaz]

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Motorhomes usually have larger capacity. Ours is 38 gal. Lasting 2+ years? Some even larger.
We don't have a LP frig., use the convention and toaster ovens, water heater almost always on electric. Our better insulated rig uses less LP to heat.
And we drive to LP stations when we are out on the road. Cheaper than delivered. Our reserve is larger, have never run out.
There is a app for LP stations.
Enough said?

What's the app? Sounds like a great resource.

[Hooligan]

Propane Cylinders for transportation are built to Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications and their capacity is expressed in pounds of water. Typically used for BBQ grill or Travel Trailer.


Propane Tanks for permanent installation are built to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) boiler and pressure vessel standards and their capacity is expressed in US Gallons. An example of a ASME Tank is supply for a backup generator or a chassis mounted RV cylinder.

https://www.eaglepropanesales.com/cylinders-vs-tanks

[Gary RVRoamer]

I think it is mostly convenience for larger capacity, since portable DOT-spec bottles are tough to lug. Even a 40# bottle (about 80 lbw total) can be a struggle to get out from under a compartment and to the to the filling station, and back again. But smaller class C's usually have fixed (ASME-spec) tanks too, and they often aren't real big.

I've seen a very few motorhomes with horizontal-mount, portable bottles. Usually only 20# or 30#

[mre]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Propane Cylinders for transportation are built to Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications and their capacity is expressed in pounds of water. Typically used for BBQ grill or Travel Trailer.


Propane Tanks for permanent installation are built to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) boiler and pressure vessel standards and their capacity is expressed in US Gallons. An example of a ASME Tank is supply for a backup generator or a chassis mounted RV cylinder.

https://www.eaglepropanesales.com/cylinders-vs-tanks

I guess I am missing something from the link, but exactly why can't motorhomes use tanks?

[MikeMerru]

A matter of convenience I would guess. I love not having to trade cylinders all the time and a full up is much less expensive than bottle exchanges. I have run the cabin heat while moving because the cockpit heater would not keep us comfortable, it can't, and is not designed to heat a 30to40 ft. Motorhome. Since a TT or5 th you don't have occupants in full time you don't have same needs. Just my 2cents worth, 😂

[mel s]

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

I guess I am missing something from the link, but exactly why can't motorhomes use tanks?

ed rzepka
They CAN.... (and maybe more would if motor home buyers didn't mind the inconvenience of removable tanks).

[sdennislee]

I would hate dealing with small portable bottles. Nice to have the large tanks capacity. I use propane for heat, refer, hot water and stove. Smaller bottles would need to be swapped out far too often.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

I guess I am missing something from the link, but exactly why can't motorhomes use tanks?

Motorhomes usually use permanently mounted tanks. The larger tanks are often needed for the generator as well as cooking and the fridge.


Cylinders (20# pair) are used with travel trailers since they may not have a generator. and a more portable.

[Pexring]

Built-in tanks also do not have an expiration tank on them. Cylinders do. Since I have a propane generator I go through a lot of propane. Some days I wish I had both options -- built-in tank and cylinders.

[steve11669]

Originally Posted by Pexring

Built-in tanks also do not have an expiration tank on them. Cylinders do. Since I have a propane generator I go through a lot of propane. Some days I wish I had both options -- built-in tank and cylinders.

I installed a T fitting and selector valve set up on my previous MH to allow me to use a gas bottle when desired.