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11-22-2015, 11:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Posts: 12
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Propane Bottle Upgrade
I have a 2014 Montana 3735MK 5th Wheel with two 30lb propane cylinders. I plan to increase my time staying in cold weather, so it would be nice to have additional propane capacity.
Does anyone know if there is a reason I cannot upgrade to a 40lb propane cylinder on the sidewalk side? My current 30lb propane cylinder weighs about 56lbs filled and a full 40lb steel cylinder weighs 73lbs. The reason I am only looking to increase one cylinder is because the larger cylinder will not fit on the street side. Another option is an aluminum 40lb cylinder that weighs about 61lbs full, but costs considerably more. I check my weights often and increasing 17 pounds should not matter, since I am well underweight for both my trailer and truck.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Bill
__________________
William & Mary Van Nuys
2014 Montana 3735MK; BD3 TrailerSaver Hitch
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ; CC/LB/SRW/6.6L Duramax
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11-23-2015, 03:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Full-timers - Home is where we park it.
Posts: 4,722
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As long as you have enough additional height in the compartment, I see no reason you can't use a 40-lb cylinder in place of a 30 - provided you can lift it. When we ordered out 5th wheel, I deliberately avoided 40-lb cylinders because i knew it would be a struggle for me to lift the bigger cylinders high enough to get them into place after refilling.
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11-24-2015, 01:52 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PINEY FLATS TN
Posts: 1,098
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I have one 40 lb cylinder that a guy gave me when we were in Louisiana last year. What a score. It was brand new, anyway it fits and works just fine. Someday I'll buy one for the other side. Now I've got a 40, and two 30's. Plenty of propane. As said before, those 40's are heavy.
__________________
USCG MKC (Ret.)
2022 Winnebago Forza 36H
RVM #104
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11-27-2015, 06:58 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Posts: 12
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Thanks for the responses; I appreciate the input. Weight is not an issue yet, but things do seem to be getting heavier each year; perhaps a limiting factor in a few years. Until then, I'm going to purchase a 40 pound steel bottle tomorrow and install it for a 10 day Christmas trip to Colorado Springs where we visit family and stay at the Air Force Academy FAMCAMP. Nice location with on site propane when needed...and snow! That will increase my propane for heating by a few gallons and give me more time between refills, as it will surely be cold (next 15 days predicting teens and 20s at night). I'll get a better feel for how long the propane lasts in each bottle.
I have been surprised at how warm the 5th wheel stayed in cold temperatures recently (teens at night). While I've only had the unit since July, it has already proven very comfortable in cold weather (according to my wife!). I attribute this to dual pane windows that are immensely warmer with no condensation or frosting, heated underbelly and ample insulation. Guess I was roughing it before with my "Polar Package" that wasn't so Polar.
Thanks again for the comments and I welcome any other thoughts.
Bill
__________________
William & Mary Van Nuys
2014 Montana 3735MK; BD3 TrailerSaver Hitch
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ; CC/LB/SRW/6.6L Duramax
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11-27-2015, 08:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 374
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Have you considered getting composite lpg tanks? They are considerably more lighter, you can visually inspect them, and they don't rust.
There are several companies that sell them, and I have only heard of one company having problems, I think it was called lite cylinder company or something like that.
This company sells them and you can get some of the weight specs and sizes from them.
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11-27-2015, 09:10 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Posts: 12
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Thanks for the recommendation and link.
I had considered composites, but the company I looked at did not offer a cylinder in the 40 pound range. And you are right about only one company having problems(a recall and bankruptcy several years ago). Kind of tarnished opinions I read on all composite tanks.
Thanks for the link; I am going to research this now. Lighter would be better; as I age the tanks do seem to be getting heavier.
__________________
William & Mary Van Nuys
2014 Montana 3735MK; BD3 TrailerSaver Hitch
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ; CC/LB/SRW/6.6L Duramax
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11-30-2015, 11:34 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Leavenworth, KS
Posts: 12
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I decided to go with the 40 pound steel cylinder. Wish I could have gone with the Viking composite, but they did not offer a 40 pound model. If one does become available in the future I will probably invest in one for the weight reduction. I filled and installed the 40 pound steel tonight; it is heavier (73#), but manageable until I get a little weaker. If anyone knows of a composite 40pound bottle by a manufacturer I am missing, please let me know. Thanks all.
__________________
William & Mary Van Nuys
2014 Montana 3735MK; BD3 TrailerSaver Hitch
2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ; CC/LB/SRW/6.6L Duramax
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12-02-2015, 06:11 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 5
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I have a Montana 3605. Get Aluminum 40 pound. It is kinda tough getting it in. steel would be rough.
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12-02-2015, 06:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake County, IL
Posts: 1,584
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The problem with either 30# or 40# tanks is that they need to be filled.
There are entirely too many places where propane refills are very hard to find. On a Sunday, it can be impossible.
I went back to the 20# tanks that I can swap out at most gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. To make up for the lower capacity, I carry to extra 20# tanks in the bed of the truck. They fit perfectly into plastic milk cartons.
Joel
__________________
Retired electronics engineer. Avid paddler & birder.
2011 Silverado 2500HD, diesel, 4x4,crew cab, 8' bed
Palomino Puma 253FBS (27' 5er) & '94 19' Class B
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12-02-2015, 08:44 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Evergreen Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bonaparte, Iowa
Posts: 592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Birder
The problem with either 30# or 40# tanks is that they need to be filled.
There are entirely too many places where propane refills are very hard to find. On a Sunday, it can be impossible.
I went back to the 20# tanks that I can swap out at most gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. To make up for the lower capacity, I carry to extra 20# tanks in the bed of the truck. They fit perfectly into plastic milk cartons.
Joel
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The Bay Hill 5th's come equipped with three 20 lb tanks. I agree I can exchange them almost anywhere. I have two extra 20 lb tanks for the BBQ and therefore have 100 lbs available. Thanks for the idea of the plastic containers to hold them. That is a great idea!
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12-03-2015, 08:25 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Yankton, SD
Posts: 324
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Birder
The problem with either 30# or 40# tanks is that they need to be filled.
There are entirely too many places where propane refills are very hard to find. On a Sunday, it can be impossible.
I went back to the 20# tanks that I can swap out at most gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. To make up for the lower capacity, I carry to extra 20# tanks in the bed of the truck. They fit perfectly into plastic milk cartons.
Joel
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Dont forget that the exchange bottles cost more to use.
__________________
George
2011 Ford F350 DRW
2015 Mobile Suites 41RSSB4
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12-03-2015, 12:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake County, IL
Posts: 1,584
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fulltimer
Dont forget that the exchange bottles cost more to use.
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Pm willing to pay more in exchange for the convenience, and assurance that I won't have trouble finding propane. I can recall being at Midway C.G. in Big Cypress National Preserve, and having to drive about 80 miles round trip to Naples in order to get a tank filled. A swap was right around the corner.
Joel
__________________
Retired electronics engineer. Avid paddler & birder.
2011 Silverado 2500HD, diesel, 4x4,crew cab, 8' bed
Palomino Puma 253FBS (27' 5er) & '94 19' Class B
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12-03-2015, 03:29 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Evergreen Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bonaparte, Iowa
Posts: 592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fulltimer
Dont forget that the exchange bottles cost more to use.
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For the little more they cost to use and not having to find a retailer to refill the 30# or 40# units it is well worth the little extra cost.
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