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12-01-2022, 09:30 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Reno NV
Posts: 82
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External propane tank???? Bounder 35K
Well....here comes winter. Our daughter and newest grandson is going to be staying in our coach for a few months. The overnight temps are pushing single digits and the propane heater works great for keeping the coach warm and keeping the water system from freezing. However, we have to pull it up every week and drive to the gas station to refill the propane. I'm wanting to get an external tank that is easily refilled by a supplier or even one that I can unhook and take down to fill up, rather than having to move the coach. In looking at the system and what I've found online, I can't find a set-up to tie into the system to be able to use an external tank. The coach is a 2012 Bounder 35K. The onboard tank is a 25 gallon and there isn't much room at all between the tank outlet and the regulator to intall a fitting. Just wanting to check in and see if anyone has been able to install an external tank and maintain the proper amount of flow (water column from what I understand). I can put space heaters in the septic and water pump compartments, but my concern is the vacuflush system freezing when hitting single digits. Any info or set-ups found that work is greatly appreciated!
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2012 Fleetwood Bounder 35K
2011 Toyota Rav 4 V6
1994 Ford F350 Crew Cab Diesel 4x4
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12-01-2022, 09:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
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Look for "Extend-A-Stay"
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Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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12-01-2022, 09:58 AM
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#3
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Community Administrator
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 21,256
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You would have to move your regulator and replumb some of the connections, but it can be done. What you want is called an Extend-A-Stay kit similar to this one from Tractor Supply. It has to be hooked into the high pressure side of the regulator at the connection marked "Vapor" on your tank. It lets you hook an external tank and/or a regulated appliance like a grill or fire pit. Below is how mine is plumbed with an added shutoff valve for the external appliances.
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2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
Previous '15 Tiffin Allegro RED 38QRA and '06 Itasca Sunrise 35A
'16 Jeep JKU Wrangler Sahara or '08 Honda Goldwing
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12-01-2022, 10:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,353
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See if you can get about 4in slack in black rubber supply line on you regular.. if so.. remove regulator plastic cover.. add ext stay.. and drill holes for regulator cover.. I got lucky.. have 10in slack.. only really need one hole to line up for cover.. it did.. no drilling.. took about 15mins.. now then.. you got to think about how long of hose you need.. and how big of external tank you want.. use all safety precautions.. check for leaks.. I got all parts and hose at favorite online store.. less tank..
Good luck and keep us posted
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2000 southwind storm, workhorse custom chassis with 7.4l vortec
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12-01-2022, 11:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,349
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Remove the POL from the RV tank and connect it to your new bulk tank that a gas supplier will supply and refill. Extension hoses are available.
Call one and tell him what you want to do.
Using an extend a stay tee and a small portable tank will become a chore, getting it refilled 5 times sooner then your moving the RV now.
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12-01-2022, 12:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 460
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donr103
See if you can get about 4in slack in black rubber supply line on you regular.. if so.. remove regulator plastic cover.. add ext stay.. and drill holes for regulator cover.. I got lucky.. have 10in slack.. only really need one hole to line up for cover.. it did.. no drilling.. took about 15mins.. now then.. you got to think about how long of hose you need.. and how big of external tank you want.. use all safety precautions.. check for leaks.. I got all parts and hose at favorite online store.. less tank..
Good luck and keep us posted
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Never drill on any part of a propane tank, especially a motor vehicle tank, you could void the certification of the tank.
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Dave & Kandi & Indica the Chorkie pup "Big Blue"
2001 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30D w/ 2nd slide
2000 P32 7.4 4L80E wide track J71 18/21K
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12-01-2022, 12:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,946
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i put in a TEE in my propane line near the water heater, because the black iron pipe was very easy access. then at the tee i had the propane people , extend the iron pipe down to just short of bottom of bus and put in a valve
from the valve we have 30 foot rubber line that leads to a 100 gallon tank .
easy to do and everything is easy to shut off and disconnect . i have backup safety caps for when we are on the road
there really is no reason to tap in at the rv tank. anywhere along the iron pipe can be tapped with a tee and valve.
took my propane guy less than 2 hrs to do an check for leaks
plus he added a rv BBQ hook up while he was in there
i turn off the coach tank when are hooked up to the big tank
best part, i bought the tank for 300 a few years ago, plus the valves and iron pipe. they did the install for free as part of new customer package.
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USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch or 2012 Edge toads
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12-01-2022, 02:44 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,911
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1ramblingman-
Here's a link to a Web site video that shows everything you need to do:
Installing a Camco 59123 4 port brass tee (Extend-A-Stay)
You simply move the regulator to the right. If the hose is not long enough, install a longer hose.
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Mark
2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral 30PDD (Ford F-53 chassis)
2009 Honda Fit Sport
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12-01-2022, 02:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,353
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I better clarify.. never.. never drill into or on l.p. tank.. ever.. I thought that was implied.. when I said use all safety precautions.. but to remount safety cover back over regulator.. you may want add a sheet metal screw to back plate the cover is now mounted to.. the manufacturers have drill screws there already.. as I said above.. you might get lucky and find one hole lines back up.. one could add screws.. I choose not to.. no drilling the sheet metal.. under regulator plastic cover mounting plate.. thank you.. please .. I have done enough stupid stuff.. for everyone.. and still do.. please.. never do anything stupid with rv.. so.. to be clear.. for anyone working around propane.. don't drill into tank.. you could very well get injured.. same with the propane pipes.. follow the codes.. test for leaks.. before and after.. use all safety precautions..
Good luck and keep us posted
__________________
2000 southwind storm, workhorse custom chassis with 7.4l vortec
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12-06-2022, 02:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Indiana
Posts: 146
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Hi Folks,
I installed the Camco adapter on my 2000 Bounder in July. The task was technically simple and a bit time-consuming, but the job was finished in less than two hours, which included designing (well, sketching on the back of the Camco package) and fabricating a bracket to provide additional support for the regulator that had to be moved forward to allow installation of the Camco doohickey. I apologize for not having any pictures of the task, but others have already posted theirs and mine would have looked very similar.
With the Camco adapter plumbed in, it is a simple task to connect a 20-lb LP tank. I already had 5 such tanks, each with questionable amounts of LP in each, so I just ran the water heater on a tank chosen at random until it ran out, then swapped in another to run it out. I still have 3 tanks containing some amount of LP in each, which I'll swap into the system as needed. In practice, I will use the main tank in the coach and keep a 20-lb tank as a backup "just in case."
HINT: When you refill your 20 lb tanks, attach a simple tag with the fill date so you have a chance to be smarter next time around.
Best Regards,
Frank
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12-06-2022, 03:11 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 12
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Can't say it enough, don't drill into your tank. It may ruin your day.
Hate having to break down every couple of weeks to fill the tank during the winter so I bought a splitter from E-trailer on line for the on board tank on our 2014 Fleetwood Excursion. It fit perfectly, only took about 20 minutes or so to install, did have to move the regulator a little, then ran the hose that came with it to the adjacent bay and hooked up the 30lb tanks that we bought that fit standing up in that bay. I would much rather throw a smaller tank in the truck and have it filled than move the rig.
Best of luck, I think that you will be happy if you can do something similar.
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12-06-2022, 03:37 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 305
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I had a hose made up that adapts to a 40 lp tank to my fill port. Turn it on before you run out or the OPD will shut off the portable tank. If you run out you have just open the valve just a small amount. It's not the best setup, but it will work if you can master it
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12-08-2022, 09:25 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Reno NV
Posts: 82
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Thanks for all the input!! I ordered the Camco 59123 kit on Amazon ($93.20) and is arriving today. I'll do my best to document and share what I run into to help others out. The installation video that was shared was a blessing. Also going to buy at least a 40lb tank from Home Depot and not mess with the smaller 20lb tanks. Will update things as quickly as possible! Again, thanks to everyone!!!
__________________
2012 Fleetwood Bounder 35K
2011 Toyota Rav 4 V6
1994 Ford F350 Crew Cab Diesel 4x4
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12-12-2022, 10:56 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Reno NV
Posts: 82
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Extend-A- Stay installed
Finished the install of the Extend-A-Stay and purchased a 40lb tank. The install was much easier than I expected. In reading through the replies, ANY drilling was greatly discouraged but admittedly, there was a discrepancy between drilling anything on/into the tank which I get. NEVER mess with a sealed unit!!!! (never EVER drill into the tank for ANY reason) However, drilling or modifying a mounting plate that has nothing to do with the tank itself, personally, I did not find issue with that. I needed to move the pressure valve mounting bracket and the cover to complete the install. The install required two (self tapping screws) to be driven through the plate that is welded onto the side of the tank. Again, NEVER drill into the tank itself!!! I can easlily see where a "modified plate" is used to mount the regulator and cover to the system. This is where my 30 plus years of a machinist says "wait a minute, this doesn't make sense"... I know it was said in this post about drilling into anything on the tank could void the warranty or violate local laws but to me, that seems exesive when it comes to having to drill into a plate, 1/8 inch thick, welded onto the side of the tank that has nothing to do with the structural integrity of the tank itself. They're mounting holes that have nothing to do with the integrity of the tank itself. In any event, I did what I did and it's working perfectly. We're hitting single digits at night now. I put a ceramic space heater in the dump bay, plugged into the outside power source and another in the pump and filter bay. They're only at 750 watts each and I also installed a remote temperature sensor so I can monitor what's going on under the coach, from inside the house. The heaters kick on at 45 degrees, run until the temp hits 58 degrees. They cycle about twice an hour. 10 minutes of run time on the heaters, then about 20 minutes of cool down until the heaters kick back on. I don't even want to think of what would happen if the "vacuflush" system froze! I love the coach but am NOT a fan of the vacuflush system. We bought a 40lb tank which should last 4 days and am considering buying another to avoid trips to the local supplier but grateful to only have to take a tank down to fill rather than uprooting the coach! All that said, thanks so much for the input and getting me going in the right direction! Much appreciated!! Any questions, comments or concerns, please chime in! [ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH] [/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]
BTW, there was a hose retainer that I had to remove to get the needed clearance to intall the Extend-a-Stay. No issues whatsoever. I see nothing in this setup that would be an issue while on the road.
__________________
2012 Fleetwood Bounder 35K
2011 Toyota Rav 4 V6
1994 Ford F350 Crew Cab Diesel 4x4
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