External Full Time Propane tanks

[Beelbill]

I am a new full-timer and am trying to find out how to have an adequate supply of propane to heat the 5th wheel without having to run to have the 30 lb tanks filled every few days. I installed an extend-a-stay valve on our system and thought it would be easy. I called the local propane guy to bring me a 250 gallon tank and he said no. He would not set up or fill a tank that wasn't permanently connected to a structure.

So, I am looking at setting up a couple 100 lb tanks and having to haul them in to the dealer to have them filled. But, I can't find any kind of bracket for safely anchoring them beside the camper or for transporting them in the truck to the dealer.

How do any of you full-timers keep supplied in propane?

[5thwheelgypsy]

First, I'd call someone else. We're in a park and lots of people have auxillary propane tanks. I see Suburban Propane does the service. The Fire dept usually will ask for a strap just so someone can't knock it over. I wish I knew about this service because it's cold here and I went through my 7 gal tank in a week! We're here for two more weeks so next time...

[Seann45]

first.. the guy you talked to is an idiot.. call someone else..
second you don't move the 100 lb bottles .. they come and fill them..

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Seann45

first.. the guy you talked to is an idiot.. call someone else..
second you don't move the 100 lb bottles .. they come and fill them..

Not in the States, 100 lb bottles are swapped out, 100 gal bottles are filled on site.

[Jagiven]

Everyone I know with 100 lbs bottles just lays them down in the back of their truck. Straps them down and off they go.

[edatlanta]

I have an external 150 gallon tank and have it connected direct to the propane line on my Designer after the onboard regulator. I did have the regulator on the external tank calibrated by the propane company when they made their first fill up just to make sure it was in spec. You can see from the attached picture the propane line going from this tank to the trailer. I used copper which you can barely see that goes to a shut off valve right at the edge of the gravel pad and then a flexible line that is yellow in the picture to the trailer hook up. The piece of PVC is just to prevent walking on the line.

I have had this setup since 2010 and it works great. Fortunately for me the tank is owned by a nephew and he wasn't using it. The propane companies in this area do rent them on an annual basis for not much. They want the business.

[gloryb]

I think regulations require the 100# bottles to remain upright when hauled, not lying down.

[edatlanta]

Regulations, according to my local propane dealer, require 20#, 30#, and 40# tanks to remain upright also. They say it is because of the the safety valve in the tank.

But tell that to virtually everyone that brings them in for refill. Another government regulation that is universally ignored. My local dealer said that according to the regulations if he sees a customer lay a tank down to haul it off he is supposed to confiscate it. I can see that happening with some of the "good ole' boys around here".

[Beelbill]

My plan is to work a job for no more than 6 months and then move on the next job. After reading the replies and considering my options, I think rather than getting a large tank and then having them come out to fill it, I will just get two 100 lb tanks and take them in to fill them. Hopefully during the winter, they will last at least a month each. Then when I move, I can just strap them in the back of the truck and take them with me.

[DieselX]

I stayed in North Dakota this winter and I bought a 100lb. tank that lasted 3 months, but I supplemented with electric heat since I didn't have to pay for it.

Skirting your camper in cold weather does wonders in extreme cold. I just laid some 2x4's on the ground and screwed some plywood to that and gorrilla taped the top of it to the camper, then screwed some Styrofoam type insulation to that.

When you're not in the camper turn the heat down to 50ish and at nigh use an electric blanket to save heat too. If you don't pay for power then run 2-3 electric heaters.