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Old 10-23-2016, 10:49 AM   #1
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Propane Tanks - refill or swap

So I have 2 Propane tanks on the front of my TT.
With years of gas grills, I always swapped the tanks out for full ones at the store.
For the long run, cost wise, which is better? Refill or swap out?

Thanks
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:00 AM   #2
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Most trailers have 30# cylinders which are much harder to find for swap.

That aside, I know my cylinders and how they have been treated. I would not think of swapping.
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:13 AM   #3
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Swapping 20# cylinders gets you 15 pounds of gas, filling gets you 20 pounds.
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:15 AM   #4
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Refill is preferred. Pretty much a must if larger than 20lb bbq sized.
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:38 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyWolf67 View Post
With years of gas grills, I always swapped the tanks out for full ones at the store.
For the long run, cost wise, which is better? Refill or swap out?

Thanks
I have the same size tanks for my outdoor kitchen and to swap out a tank, it costs me about 20 bucks....to refill it, it normally costs me around 11 bucks.

Ron
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:44 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyWolf67 View Post
So I have 2 Propane tanks on the front of my TT.
With years of gas grills, I always swapped the tanks out for full ones at the store.
For the long run, cost wise, which is better? Refill or swap out?
Thanks
GreyWolf67
Twinboat is correct.

When you "exchange" 20# DOT tanks you usual get only 15#, (3.52 gallons), of propane.
However when you have a 20# DOT tank "refilled" you will leave with 20#, (4.7 gallons), of propane.
See: How Much Propane Is Really in Your 20-Pound Grill Tank? – Poynter
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Old 10-23-2016, 11:56 AM   #7
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The choice may also depend on the date code.
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Old 10-23-2016, 12:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreyWolf67 View Post
So I have 2 Propane tanks on the front of my TT.
With years of gas grills, I always swapped the tanks out for full ones at the store.
For the long run, cost wise, which is better? Refill or swap out?

Thanks
Assuming your tanks are able to pass inspection, refill. I just refilled one of my 20# tanks (completely empty) for about $8.50 at my local BJ's outlet store. What's it cost to swap? More than $15, isn't it? Kinda settles the discussion for me.

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Old 10-23-2016, 12:50 PM   #9
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The choice may also depend on the date code.
bruceisla is correct.
The only time exchanging tanks is financially beneficial, (less expensive), than having a tank refilled is after the DOT tank you have is to old to refill.

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Old 10-23-2016, 01:13 PM   #10
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bruceisla is correct.
The only time exchanging tanks is financially beneficial, (less expensive), than having a tank refilled is after the DOT tank you have is to old to refill.

Mel
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Propane tanks only need recertification every twelve years. If on the rare occasion I had one that old, I took it to my local weld shop and they checked it and stamped a new date. I forget what they chrged , but it wasn't much.
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Old 10-23-2016, 01:31 PM   #11
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Propane tanks only need recertification every twelve years. If on the rare occasion I had one that old, I took it to my local weld shop and they checked it and stamped a new date. I forget what they chrged , but it wasn't much.

That's for the FIRST recertification.

"DOT tanks may only be used for 12 years after the manufacturing date. Some states may have adopted rules which specify a different period. After that, tanks must be recertified, giving another five years (and can be recertified repeatedly, every five years)."

So, depending on recertification cost, it can be cheaper to replace the tank and get 12 years ... not to mention you get a new tank with a new valve. Or, you can do a swap and check date and get a nearly new tank.
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Old 10-23-2016, 01:46 PM   #12
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Good point on the date of manufacture, that's why when I got close with mine I swapped for new exchange ones and then continued to refill them. There's always a way to stretch your dollar
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Old 10-23-2016, 04:54 PM   #13
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We refill ours at our TT dealer as he is the cheapest in town.
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:39 PM   #14
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Most of the time I refill, but on occasion I've been low and not near a place that filled.

What sucks is swapping a good tank and getting an old one in return. I had to swap again to get a newer tank.
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