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Old 04-26-2017, 05:06 AM   #1
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Do You Tow with Propane Tanks Full or Empty

Do you tow with propane tanks full or empty? There seems to be varied takes on this. How do you travel? What are the pros and cons?
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:18 AM   #2
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Full. We also run the refrigerator on propane while traveling because most of the places we camp are over 2 hours away.
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:45 AM   #3
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Full. There are Some places that propane tanks are not allowed in New England, mostly the tunnels in and around Boston.
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Old 04-26-2017, 06:04 AM   #4
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Full because we run the fridge on while traveling too. The trailer was delivered with them full and I don't want the hassle of finding a place to fill them when I get to the CG.
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Old 04-26-2017, 06:38 AM   #5
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Full. And on - we're running the refrigerator.

You need to pay attention to places where there are restrictions, like Maryland around Baltimore, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Texas. Restrictions are mostly tunnels, plus a few bridges. Some places propane tanks are not allowed at all, others require that they be turned off. Google will help you track 'em down.

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Old 04-26-2017, 06:38 AM   #6
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Full so the fridge can run while traveling. I also don't want to have to deal with filling them at the destination. I use less than one 30lb tank a year so really there is no way I would ever be empty in between trips.
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Old 04-26-2017, 06:51 AM   #7
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Full so the fridge can run while traveling. I also don't want to have to deal with filling them at the destination. I use less than one 30lb tank a year so really there is no way I would ever be empty in between trips.
Same here.
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Old 04-26-2017, 07:03 AM   #8
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full.. We often boondock. No propane sales or such conveniences at the campground. I cannot envision travelling across country and purging propane every day and buying it back later in the day.

We don't have to run the refrigerator. So a 20 lb tank will last almost a month.
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Old 04-26-2017, 08:13 AM   #9
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I believe the question should be "do you travel with the propane tanks turned on?" This is one of those questions that lead to much discussion. Many people feel the tanks should be turned off for safety reasons. What happens if you are involved in an accident the tank ruptures with the open flame while operating the refrigerator? It becomes a judgment call. As you can seen many people travel with the propane on so they can operate their absorption refrigerator. Weather you decide to drive with your propane on however I would strongly suggest turning off your propane any time you are refueling.
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Old 04-26-2017, 09:05 AM   #10
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Always: One tank full, the other partial.

When the partial runs out, the full one is brought into play (automatic changeover valve )

Move the valve to the new primary. Refill empty tank as soon as practical.

Love, LOVE, love this system!!!!
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Old 04-26-2017, 01:45 PM   #11
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I cannot envision travelling across country and purging propane every day and buying it back later in the day.
Purge??? as in, dump all that propane to atmosphere? not only hard on the pocket book, hard on the earth. Propane has 3.3x the global warming effect of CO2.

We fill propane as few times per year as possible... and try to never be without. We also have been known to travel with it on so the fridge stays cold on long trips.
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Old 04-26-2017, 02:19 PM   #12
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Always full tanks. I never want to be without. I've only had to fill a tank once on a trip, that was in West Yellowstone, MT. I was sure we had 2 full tanks before we left. We completely ran out one cold night. Apparently one was already empty and the other only a partial tank.

Typically we go through about 1 to 1 1/4 tanks a season. Last year only had a few cold nights in Oct so we didn't even use a full tank.

The propane tanks on the trailer also double as backup tanks for the grill at home too.
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Old 04-26-2017, 02:21 PM   #13
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I'm curious: How many people have any choice in whether they travel with tanks full or empty? I'm certainly NOT going to vent propane just to travel with an empty tank, so I'm always traveling with SOME propane at the very least. Just like I'm not going to dump gasoline on the ground so I can store my vehicle with an empty tank (or whatever, with gasoline an empty tank is more dangerous).

More often than not, I have as Mike does; one tank full and one at some level less than full. When the "primary" runs out, I switch to the "secondary" and fill the empty tank at my earliest convenience.

So, again I ask: how could you possibly have a choice whether to travel with or without propane? The ONLY time I could see it as being an option is with a brand spankin' new trailer. You could shuttle it home with new, empty tanks and then fill them later.

It has been discussed quite often whether to travel with the tanks OPEN, but there is still gas in the tanks either way. For the record, I travel with valves open to run the fridge. Texas gets mighty hot, and I don't trust that fridge to be off for 3+ hours at 110* without spoiling food. Of course, I use caution when fueling or when the situation warrants any additional precautions.
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Old 04-26-2017, 02:22 PM   #14
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I believe the question should be "do you travel with the propane tanks turned on?" This is one of those questions that lead to much discussion. Many people feel the tanks should be turned off for safety reasons. What happens if you are involved in an accident the tank ruptures with the open flame while operating the refrigerator? It becomes a judgment call. As you can seen many people travel with the propane on so they can operate their absorption refrigerator. Weather you decide to drive with your propane on however I would strongly suggest turning off your propane any time you are refueling.
Propane burns within a very small window of air and gas.. In the open you can't ignite propane.. Too much over I think 11% it won't burn and under I think 4% it won't burn.. it's very safe.
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Old 04-26-2017, 02:27 PM   #15
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Propane Properties, Characteristics and Propane Gas Combustion Information


actually air/gas mixture has to be between 2.15 and 9.60 air for propane to ignite..higher or lower it will not ignite.
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Old 04-26-2017, 04:39 PM   #16
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I'm not disagreeing at all with the properties of propane. I do believe that if a propane tank ruptures and the propane fills a cavity it will create a dangerous situation. This entire scenario can be avoided if a non absorption refrigerator is used in an RV. 12 volt/120 volt refrigerators have been used in the boating industry for years.
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:08 PM   #17
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Why do some dealers and RVers say to travel with them empty? Is it for the weight advantage?
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:12 PM   #18
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Why do some dealers and RVers say to travel with them empty? Is it for the weight advantage?
Because they don't know what they are talking about. 20lbs of propane is just that...20 lbs. It's basically a rounding error on a 10K pound trailer.

I'll stop driving my camper with full, open propane and a running fridge the day the entire rig blows up on me.
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:15 PM   #19
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Emptying is not an option - fridge on - we have been to 24 states in the West & South and have never turned the propane off except to fuel
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Old 04-26-2017, 05:16 PM   #20
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While I'll admit this is only my fourth season with a camper, I've never heard a fellow RV'er say to travel with empty propane tanks. I've only dealt with two dealers when I bought my campers and both filled my propane tanks as part of the sale. So neither said to travel with empty propane tanks either.
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