Propane tank question

[Turbofans]

Me and an friend of mine were discussing propane tanks the other day. He has a trailer with external tanks. I have a class A with a mounted tank located just behind the drivers seat inside the fwd hatch.
From previous history with propane tanks, they have a life span (5-10 years depending) until they have to be inspected. I believe the same goes for a trailers external tank(s).
What about an internal tank on a Class A? Don't they have to be inspected as well?
We both are fairly new owners and I have an near vintage coach but no one ever advised me to have the propane tank tested. Possibly the dealer did that when I purchased it.

Any replies appreciated....thx

[luvlabs]

Your motorhome tank is not certified by the same agency that does portable tanks. It does not require periodic re-certification as portable tanks are required to have. It should be inspected, however, just to be safe.

[Cobra1]

All portable tanks do need to be re-certified but mounted tanks like those in a class a motorhome do not, at least here in the USA.
Why the different rules? I do not know but rules are rules.

[nothermark]

You aroused my curiosity. The condensed answer is that folks with a removeable BBQ style 20 lb tank have inspection requirements. They also have to have the triangle knob OPD valve in the tank. Folks with a chassis mounted fill in place tank do not have either requirement. Those tanks are also heavier as well as bigger.

The exception seems to be Ontario Canada where they have put in place a 5 yr inspection. All I see there for most of us is to gas up before hitting there. ;-)

[bdickson]

Portable cylinders come under the rules of US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and require recertification (hydrostatic testing) at intervals which can be found stamped in the neck of the cylinder. Permanently installed tanks are governed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and do not normally require periodic recertification. I was a Cylinder Inspection Instructor in the Scuba industry for many years. High pressure gas is high pressure gas, doesn't matter if you breathe it or cook with it.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Turbofans

From previous history with propane tanks, they have a life span (5-10 years depending) until they have to be inspected. I believe the same goes for a trailers external tank(s).
What about an internal tank on a Class A? Don't they have to be inspected as well?
Any replies appreciated....thx

Turbofans
In the good old USA, permanently mounted RV propane tanks (aka: ASME tanks), require no periodic testing or inspection.
The removable LP bottles/tanks, (aka D.O.T. tanks), are subject to re-certification every 12 years.
see: Propane Inspection

I believe our neighbors to the north have different rules.

Mel
'96 Safari

[homeless]

Save money and time with inspections and just buy new tank!

[Turbofans]

Homeless: probably worth comparing costs for replacement vs inspection, especially for long term use..thx for advise.

One of our other questions/concerns was water building inside the tank since propane contains a significant amt of moisture and I have an older coach.