Community Forums

Starchief13 · 04-10-2017, 11:20 AM

We are brand new to RV community, full-time and stationary in a 5th wheel. Is there any reason I can not remove a tank and take it to be refilled? They appear to be large grill type tanks with normal screw on attachment leading to regulator. Thank you.

Dutch Star Don · 04-10-2017, 11:46 AM

First off, welcome to the forum.

There's no problem filling the tank as you stated, other than the weight of dragging it around. It's the same as taking a BBQ tank for filling. There is one caveat. You don't say what year coach you have and how old the tanks are. Permanently installed tanks on RV's, like motor homes, are refillable forever. The portable ones like yours are not refillable after a certain amount of years. I think it's 10, but may be longer. No matter what, once they expire, they're not allowed to be refilled, either when carried in or while attached to your trailer.

birddog2you · 04-10-2017, 12:02 PM

I think the timeout on tanks is 12 years now but not really a problem since you can get the recertification on them indefinitely as long as they pass. Most propane companies can do them.

Starchief13 · 04-10-2017, 01:36 PM

Thank you....... Didn't make sense to me that they couldn't removed. RV is 2004 so I'll have bottles checked as I refill.

Nwcid · 04-10-2017, 01:50 PM

I cant tell if they are the standard 30lb/5gal bottles or the bigger ones.

If they are the 30lb bottles what I do is get them filled locally until they need re-hydro. At that point I take them to the "swap out cage" at the local store. Cost is about the same as having yours serviced and you don't have to wait. Plus you get tanks that are typically in very good shape.

If they are the bigger bottles, I have not seen a spot to swap those.

EDIT to clarify. If they are not the standard 30lb bottles, yes you can have them re-certified. With the larger tanks it is absolutely worth taking them in. I was just offering an alternative for the smaller tanks.

birddog2you · 04-10-2017, 01:51 PM

Call around to find a recertification shop. It took about a week for mine. I did one at a time.

winniman · 04-10-2017, 04:14 PM

In Ontario the bottles expire in 10 years. I had two 30 lbs on the front of a tt I had. They aged out so I decided to buy two new ones. We can buy 20 lb tanks brand new and full for less than 50 dollars. Every place I went they wanted 150 dollars each for the 30 lb tanks. I bought two 20 lb tanks instead as we didnt use much propane in the trailer. Couldnt believe the price difference between the two. I never thought about getting them re-certified.

birddog2you · 04-10-2017, 05:29 PM

I thought about using the smaller tanks myself but the mounts would not secure them, too short. It cost me 20 each to recertify.

Todd727 · 04-15-2017, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starchief13

We are brand new to RV community, full-time and stationary in a 5th wheel. Is there any reason I can not remove a tank and take it to be refilled? They appear to be large grill type tanks with normal screw on attachment leading to regulator. Thank you.

You have to remove them to refill, even if you took the camper to the store. I've found no place in my travels that would refill a portable tank while it was in the camper.

nuget102 · 04-15-2017, 04:52 PM

If anyone finds themselves with a bigger than standard tank (like a 100 gal tank) then you could look up places that do propane deliveries. AmeriGas is an example. They should have propane tanks in all sizes.

Propane from them can be cheaper thank say, pilot, as well. Seeing as they're the ones that usually deliver to the gas stations and what not. Be sure to call and ask though, Many are open just a few days a week and some won't refill vehicles at all and some even do delivery only.