How much Propane do you use a season?

LynnAllen02 · 09-07-2016, 04:54 PM

We absolutely ran out of propane in the middle of a camping trip! We had to buy two bottles at once!

Now DH has a propane tracker and it said we used half a 20 pound tank over Labor Day Weekend - a four day trip!

But we now have the second bottle turned off so that we won't run out completely like that again!

I am wondering if there is a common amount for the water heater and stove? We may have used a lot with our gas only hot water heater problems. It will only heat one tank at a time, then it has to cool down, then we can heat another 6 gallons up....may be sucking the gas up to heat whole tanks of water? or maybe not such a big difference!

Lynn

**norty1** · 09-07-2016, 06:13 PM

I avg. 2- 20 lb bottles and we hardly go thru 2 a year and we camp over 100 days on average Year round.

My rig came with 2-30lb bottles and I removed them for the 20's. Never ran out yet but I check mine often to see if it has switched and I refill the empty at the earliest chance I get. With the 20's, I have several at home so they are easy to rotate.

Rustysocket · 09-07-2016, 06:23 PM

I use a lot of propane, but my wife like the heat on and the hot water on. I don't really worry that much about it. Propane is cheap.

Jagiven · 09-07-2016, 06:28 PM

We probably do 50 nights a year, and consume a little less than 20 pounds. I only turn on one tank at a time.

I also never use tank exchanges, as they do not fill the tank as full, and they cost more than a place that fills you tank.

LynnAllen02 · 09-07-2016, 06:36 PM

Yup, its cheap, but 'tis no fun running out before that morning cup of java! Having to find a propane dealer also not fun! This is NOT happening again when I only go out 4-6 times a year (20 to 24 days) and all on holiday weekends! Priceless was that I did not run out on the Holiday and was able to refill them!

We had a popup, only used propane for heat and stove, rarely heat as it sucked the battery dry in no time! Used one bottle of gas per season, less than that actually, we would refill the next opening season.

So, new to us, is the hot water heater, and we are each showering quickly, and I am doing my dishes two to three times a day, and using the stove for breakfast and dinner (cooking the sides; DH barbecues the meat).

Am trying to figure out if I need to get back up bottle so that I don't run out again!

I don't think I need to take it on the trip, but would like to start with two full ones maybe?

Kim Gass · 09-07-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

I avg. 2- 20 lb bottles and we hardly go thru 2 a year and we camp over 100 days on average Year round.

It might depend on what is running but we boondock about 50 percent of the time so the fridge is running on propane then. We use the furnace quite a bit too. We have not camped when it is above 60 at night. Our furnace is only propane.
So far 70 nights and we used 1.5 20 lb tanks.
We take two tanks with us but frankly we don't minge on hot water. We like coffee too. If I were you I would check for a leak somewhere in the line.

Not sure where you are but hardware stores in our area do direct fill ups ( not a tank exchange)

We don't mind having two bottles as we know we always have one to cook lobsters over the propane burner.

Paintinfool3 · 09-07-2016, 06:46 PM

We only ran out of our 1st 30 lb propane tank after almost 2 full seasons. We have only used furnace one weekend for a bit But we use the stove , I use propane for initial cooling of fridge when we set up , we use it for water heater, and we use the oven and our grille so to me it sounds like going through 2 20 lb bottles that quick seems weird

aroundeverycorner · 09-07-2016, 06:50 PM

With the fridge, hot water and stove we use about 40 pounds for our camping season. DW likes to bake muffins in the oven, however most of our cooking is done on the charcoal bbq. When it starts getting cold the furnace is the thing that will drain your tanks. Pile on the blankets and snuggle up. Have to agree with Jagiven. Try to avoid tank exchanges as they are so much overpriced.

ecksdude · 09-07-2016, 06:53 PM

I have no idea, I usually get it topped off before a big trip. I've only had the trailer 9 months but I've gone through more than a full tank. That said, I spent a week in Wyoming in the middle of winter using the furnace and gas water heater...

Rustysocket · 09-07-2016, 06:57 PM

I didn't realize your were talking about propane exchanges. That's not real common around here as propane is used in many residential settings here as well. But certainly buy your bottles and don't do the exchange thing unless you have to. I use an auto switchover regulator on out system such that when one bottle runs out it switches to the next bottle. Most of our trips are weekends so 2-3 day trips tops. If I look inside on the regulator and it has turned red that means bottle 1 is empty and it is feeding off bottle two. At that point I'll either take the bottle out and get it filled next trip to town, or I'll hit the propane dealer on the way out of town and top both bottles off. I don't really keep track of my useage but I'd say I fill every 3 or 4 trips. That will become more often as we roll into winter. I also have a box in the bed of my truck that I keep a 7 gallon bottle in along with some two burner infrared heaters. That is just something I keep with me all the time should we ever become stranded on the passes in the winter at night at least we can keep warm. That bottle is for emergencies and is always kept full. I have only had to pull it out of the truck once to get heat going in the RV. But certainly if you have the room it never hurts to have spare propane.

Fire_Instructor · 09-07-2016, 07:01 PM

I only open one bottle at a time. If I run out, it's a minor inconvenience, but I can switch-over, and go get the empty bottle filled.... Folks that open both (as my dealer advised me to do), run the risk of running out. I'd HATE to get up in the morning, not be able to shower or cook breakfast, and have to make a propane run.....

Marcm157 · 09-07-2016, 07:20 PM

I have 2 30's and run my water heater, fridge, grill and stove and haven't even really put a dent in the first bottle. I will be running the furnace for the first time this Fall so I assume that will gobble up some gas. I have been keeping both tanks open but after reading this and several other threads I believe I will go to the one open one closed method.

North of 49° · 09-07-2016, 07:30 PM

We go through one 30 pounder a year. Since we always have serviced sites, the water heater is on electric. But we do use the furnace a bit early and late in the season -- it puts out better heat than the electric heaters, and the usual use of the stove and Weber grill. The fridge is on auto all the time and switches over to gas while traveling. I've also modified a propane fire pit to run off the trailer supply, since DW has an allergy to smoke, and that uses some propane, too. The place I go to fill up propane charges a dollar a pound, and they weigh the cylinder before filling, so you only pay for what you get.

RedHorse1 · 09-07-2016, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynnAllen02

We absolutely ran out of propane in the middle of a camping trip! We had to buy two bottles at once!

Now DH has a propane tracker and it said we used half a 20 pound tank over Labor Day Weekend - a four day trip!

But we now have the second bottle turned off so that we won't run out completely like that again!

I am wondering if there is a common amount for the water heater and stove? We may have used a lot with our gas only hot water heater problems. It will only heat one tank at a time, then it has to cool down, then we can heat another 6 gallons up....may be sucking the gas up to heat whole tanks of water? or maybe not such a big difference!

Lynn

Lynn, can you elaborate about the water heater? Our first TT (a hybrid) had a gas only WH and we could run 2-3 folks thru with no problems. Upgraded the shower spray to an Oxygenics which improved the experience and I think reduced the water usage. We also had a single 30# tank and I filled it maybe once a season. For us the big consumer was the furnace, an elec space heater reduced that usage to a tiny bit, mostly in the mornings. We camped a few times in the high 20's, never brutal cold.

Jon 2011 · 09-07-2016, 07:57 PM

Camping in northern alberta with no services for about 50 nights a year I used at four maybe 5 30 lb bottles. That's running my fridge, hot water, furnace almost every night, and the stove

Sent from my SM-G925W8 using Tapatalk

rkresge · 09-07-2016, 09:38 PM

30-45 nights of camping this year. After 30 nights we've used up about 2 and a half 20 lb bottles, probably will reach 3 and a fraction before we're done. Next two outings we will likely use the furnace for the first time since early May, and that'll increase LP gas usage.

But as someone else mentioned, propane is cheap.

Roger

**norty1** · 09-08-2016, 04:53 AM

I also carry a smaller 10 lb tank that I use for my Weber grill. It works on lp from the rig or thru a regulator the old fashioned way. If for some reason my 2 tanks ran low, I could press it into service short term.

We do all our refilling at propane suppliers or refill stations. I agree with comments posted, those tank swap stations are the most expensive way to go with propane.

TWP723 · 09-08-2016, 05:51 AM

I've been using the same 2 30lb. tanks for a season and a half now. Don't really use it that much.

mike837go · 09-08-2016, 07:00 AM

We're in the don't know-don't care camp.

With two 30# tanks and an auto-changeover valve, I keep watching for red in the window and flip over at that time. As soon as convenient, I refill the empty.

2 or 3 refills a year? Not sure because I refill my 20# tanks (home grill, wash station, SWMBO's home oven, weed burner....) at the same place.

Get out in the wilderness with enough fuel, water food, waste tank capacity to last the entire trip. It's all in the preparation and then cleanup afterwards.

ShawnR · 09-08-2016, 07:01 AM

I swapped my 30's out for 20's as well. Both are open whenever the fridge is on so our food won't spoil if we lose power. It happened once in my driveway. Family member unplugged the RV to use some power tools.

Running one tank off means the furnace quits in the middle of the coldest night. LOL. There's an indicator so you know when the first tanks is empty.

Propane exchange is a convenient way to get a new(er) bottle if your 20 lb'er needs re-certified or is rusty. Some propane suppliers can re-certify tanks.

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