Community Forums

Homeles · 01-22-2021, 07:02 AM

Wondering if and where to carry an extra 20 lb propane tank. The original owner in my opinion should have ordered the RV with a diesel generator but instead got the propane gen set. I'd like to carry extra propane but with a Jeep in tow and not really wanting to drill holes in the fiberglass and paint scheme for a rack and the bumper will not take the weight, where is it ok to carry one no more than 2 tanks. I would think stowed under the RV would be a very big NO NO. Can they ride in the back of Jeep!
Thanks

thunderjet · 01-22-2021, 07:45 AM

My unit has a built in ASME 100 lb tank with a low pressure quick connect tee. I carry a empty 20 lb tank, if I get down to a half tank I will fill the 20 dot tank and and hook up to the low pressure quick line tee with a reg on the 20 lb tank.

I then shut off the 100 tank and run on the 20. repeat as needed using the 100 if the 20 runs out till refill. With a little planning you can travel with the 20 empty.

Stay Safe
TJ

twinboat · 01-22-2021, 09:10 AM

I carry a 20lb bbq tank in the back of my pickup, but only when towing it. That's because I don't have room in the compartments. Once at a site, it stays with the grill.

A tank in a bottom vented compartment will be almost as safe as the tank on the frame. Don't store it next to the generator, muffler, or engine and it should be fine.

HopsBrewster · 01-22-2021, 10:24 AM

I carry my extra 20lb tank in a milk crate in the pickup bed, securely strapped to a tiedown. Would your jeep allow for such a setup?

Gammel · 01-22-2021, 06:53 PM

So why is it a no-no to carry a propane tank on its side if it's securely fastened? I would like to carry an extra 30lb in the pickup but it would have to be horizontal.

Old-Biscuit · 01-22-2021, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gammel

So why is it a no-no to carry a propane tank on its side if it's securely fastened? I would like to carry an extra 30lb in the pickup but it would have to be horizontal.

Relief Valve Tube is positioned in the VAPOR zone (top of cylinder)
Laying it on it's side will allow LIQUID Propane to be expelled should Relief Valve Open
Liquid propane is under high pressure and extremely COLD (100#-250# at -45*F/lower)

Should Liquid propane SPEW it will quickly turn into a Vapor
One gallon in Liquid form=====0.13 cubic feet of space
One gallon liquid to vapor form====36.39 cubic feet of space (73 standard size party balloons---LOL)

TB673 · 01-22-2021, 07:38 PM

I have a friend with an older truck camper.
He has a Horizontal DOT Propane tank.
But you have to remember, it has to be used Horizontally.
Here is a link :

https://www.propanetankstore.com/30-...nk-with-gauge/

Gammel · 01-22-2021, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Laying it on it's side will allow LIQUID Propane to be expelled should Relief Valve Open

Yeah, I get that but I don't have gremlins in my truck and the back is locked up. Seems like much ado about nothing. Ever stand inside the magazine of an aircraft carrier? Now that's much ado about sumpin'!

If it makes you sleep better I'll duct tape it.

RoadEyePie · 01-23-2021, 01:02 AM

I built a wood crate to hold a spare 30lb and 20lb bottle which rides in my under storage compartment (5th wheel). The 30lb is a spare for the two RV bottles. The 20lb is for the grill. I travel with full bottles. This doesn't seem that dangerous to me. I would never lay a propane bottle down.

Homeles · 01-23-2021, 04:32 AM

I guess since the Jeep is in tow and has a soft top on it it is a vented area, sort of. I think I'll secure it back there in a milk crate. A 20 lb tank fits nice and tight in one of those.
After reading all you replies I asked Google. Here's what came up

AmeriGas Propane Propane Tank Transportation-Safety Tips
1. NEVER keep a filled propane cylinder inside a hot vehicle.
2. ALWAYS transport a cylinder in a secure, upright position so it will not fall, shift, or roll when you’re driving. It is dangerous to travel with a tank on its side, so it's extremely important to keep the propane tank in a vertical position during transport.
3 .ALWAYS place the cylinder in a well-ventilated area of the vehicle.
4. ALWAYS close the cylinder valve. Seal it with a plug if required—even if the cylinder is empty. If you’re not sure if your tank requires a plug, you can always ask at your AmeriGas refill or exchange location.
5. ALWAYS proceed right to your destination and once you arrive, remove the cylinder from your vehicle right away.

Persistent · 01-23-2021, 07:50 AM

Old Biscuit is the resident expert and Homeles has cited an excellent source.

There are gremlins and then there are gremlins. Don't believe at your own peril. They may not look like Hollywood gremlins, but they are there.

Businesses across the country store propane tanks large and small outdoors. They would not be able to get insurance if they did not. Insurance companies are singularly focused on risk management. The OSHA fines are also extreme. Many tunnels prohibit portable propane tanks altogether.

On the other hand, nothing like what has already happened to other people can possibly happen to you. After all, you have never been blown to bits or burned to death.

Consequences must be factored in whenever frequency of failure is considered.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

Old-Biscuit · 01-23-2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gammel

Yeah, I get that but I don't have gremlins in my truck and the back is locked up. Seems like much ado about nothing. Ever stand inside the magazine of an aircraft carrier? Now that's much ado about sumpin'!

If it makes you sleep better I'll duct tape it.

You asked WHY
I gave you the reason based on Facts

Whatever you do is your decision and has NO affect on my sleep

Ignorance i simply a lack of knowledge......what one does with that knowledge

Gammel · 01-23-2021, 11:00 PM

No need to take this personally but I've not heard one good reason why horizontal is more dangerous than vertical. If an LP bottle is securely fastened horizontally in the bed of a pickup let's say a gremlin takes a sledge hammer to the valve. What's gonna happen? The puny 200 psi isn't gonna turn it into a JATO canister and send the truck and trailer to FL180. The liquid propane will gush out and freeze anything it contacts but I'm pretty sure my shovels and things won't care. It will evaporate within a few seconds and I'm quite sure that my tonneau cover will not prevent it from escaping. If the gremlin lights a match it might blow the tonneau cover off but I'll bet you anything that will be the worst it will do. I will make a cradle that will fully enclose the valve end so that the gremlin will have to exert at least 10 G's just to get to the valve. If the truck is subjected to 10 G's then I won't have to worry about no damn propane bottle blowing up cause I'll already be a goner and the truck's fuel tank will have already gone up.

Homeles · 01-24-2021, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gammel

No need to take this personally but I've not heard one good reason why horizontal is more dangerous than vertical. If an LP bottle is securely fastened horizontally in the bed of a pickup let's say a gremlin takes a sledge hammer to the valve. What's gonna happen? The puny 200 psi isn't gonna turn it into a JATO canister and send the truck and trailer to FL180. The liquid propane will gush out and freeze anything it contacts but I'm pretty sure my shovels and things won't care. It will evaporate within a few seconds and I'm quite sure that my tonneau cover will not prevent it from escaping. If the gremlin lights a match it might blow the tonneau cover off but I'll bet you anything that will be the worst it will do. I will make a cradle that will fully enclose the valve end so that the gremlin will have to exert at least 10 G's just to get to the valve. If the truck is subjected to 10 G's then I won't have to worry about no damn propane bottle blowing up cause I'll already be a goner and the truck's fuel tank will have already gone up.

I tend to error on the safety. As a kid, my neighbor would fill his mower gas cans through the back window of his station wagon. He did this without a thought every time he filled them. One day for no reason, it was thought static electricity sparked the vapors and set the car on fire. The worst part of the accident was that his twins were in the back seat! They survived but were badly burned. I was 10 years old and am about to turn 69. I have never forgotten that day. Expect the unexpected!!!
You sound like a man set in his ways and safety is not much of a concern for you or others. Nor will anyone convince you that you might be wrong. Safety is CARING! It's to take care of something that may never happen like the guy walking behind your truck with a lit cigarette at the moment the valve decides to leak. At that moment as you put it " I won't have to worry about no damn propane bottle blowing up cause I'll already be a goner and the truck's fuel tank will have already gone up." At that moment how many do think you just injured or took out? Oh! your a goner! you don't care.