Cost of Servicing Propane

[Griswald One]

Good Day All,

The bride and I are just looking at some of our future costs in regards to Greyhawk. I know at the 10 year mark the propane system has to be inspected.

Can anyone advise what the anticipated costs would be for the inspection and if needed tank replacement?

Canadian pricing would be greatly appreciated but guidance from my Southern friends is welcome as well.

[DonaandDon]

I've never heard of system inspections. Propane tanks yes.

[JohnWedell]

I do not think that applies to frame mounted propane tank systems. I believe it only applies to portable tanks. Although in Canada the rules might be different.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by JohnWedell

I do not think that applies to frame mounted propane tank systems.

Very true, they are just supposed to be free of rust.

In other words, keep them painted regularly.

[Jagiven]

I don't know about an onboarding tank. When I have had portable tanks re-certified, as long as had the tank refilled there was no charge.

My recommendation, word be to call a local propane service company and ask.

[RogerR]

I have propane for a space heater here in Illinois. No one has ever inspected it. I just throw some paint on it every couple of years to keep it rust free.



My 20 pounders have a service lifetime. They will not refill after that date (10 years?).


Commercial truckers hauling LP on the road have to have theirs inspected and pressure tested every few years.

[JFlightRisk]

I pulled this link from the iRV2 forum, it's from a couple years ago.

https://fuelslc.com/2016/02/inspecti...onal-vehicles/

[Griswald One]

Thanks for the link Jflightrisk. Probably good for out of Province visitors to be aware that older tanks may not be able to be refilled in Ontario if that legislation comes into full effect.

Interesting to know as well that the inspection requirement is a local issue. And that I can probably still fill my tank South of the border even after the 10 year mark.

[JFlightRisk]

It's strange it's such a regional thing. There's some propane refill stations here that really pay attention to the tank date, on portable ones. Others don't even look at it. I'm not sure where to even get one tested, and re-dated, or what it costs.

[Superseneca]

Rv permanent mounted tanks are certified for life. No recert or inspections are required. The propane filling attendant should know that.

[Griswald One]

Originally Posted by Superseneca

Rv permanent mounted tanks are certified for life. No recert or inspections are required. The propane filling attendant should know that.

Nope... at least not in our jurisdiction. No different then some jurisdictions require different drivers licences. Totally depends on regional governments

[DonaandDon]

Will this affect US citizens vacationing in Canada, that are in need of propane of course?

[Griswald One]

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

Will this affect US citizens vacationing in Canada, that are in need of propane of course?

I would think it definitely has the potential too, although only here in Ontario it sounds like. You may be able to sweet talk the propane attendant but it would be a gamble. So coming up with sufficient propane would be wise... Of course unless you are running on propane furnace for days at a time a MH tank lasts forever.

Even without our regulations I would give you the same advise though. Propane supply is not as common up here as it is in the States. Off the top of my head I can only think of one Ontario campground I have stayed at that had a MH filling station at it. I purposely plan a trip at the end of every season that passes a Flying J about two hours from my home just so I can easily top up the tank before the winter.

[tec]

That’s just for the tanks not your trailer system

[Picinisco]

Have the tanks checked every ten years. Check the rest of the system yourself for leaks using soapy water at least every season.

[Bopper65]

On my tanks it says " must be certified in 12 years from manufacture date". I had been using the Wal-Mart exchange ( Blue Rhino ) program and was getting some tanks that were past their certification date. I have since learned to look at the manufactured date before I select a tank, and have -2018 tanks , thru exchange, that I now have refilled instead of exchanging. When they need to be recertified Ill take them back to Walmart and exchange them for a current date--they never look at the date.

[grantsoo]

I have probably used the same Flying J for the same reason.

[Holiday Road]

I'm in Canada, Alberta to be exact
There is no recert for frame mounted permanent installs like in a motorhome or as the vehicle fuel system.
The tanks should be kept clean and rust free. Generally they don't like to see repainted tanks (makes them wonder what your hiding)
They are not classified as tanks.

Portable tanks like bbq or most travel trailers have a 10 year recertification date in Canada.

[bankr63]

I am not aware of a recurring recert requirement here in Ontario currently - the article linked by @JFlightRisk is a proposal. The main change in that program is the addition of the tank certification, and the complaint is that there aren't enough locations/technicians with the required TSSA certificate for tanks.

Recertification of the overall RV system is required by dealers if an RV is resold commercially, but all dealers should have technicians that can do so. Certification is required to work on gas appliances here, so dealers will have a tech with skills. Basically the rig must pass a basic leakdown test to be resold.

An ongoing recert program would be difficult to enforce for most RV's as there is no requirement to inspect RV's in Ontario. The proposal is interesting because it puts the onus of enforcement on the filling station, but that only works for vehicles with permanently mounted tanks; all RV's with removable tanks would not be policed.

My TT recertification was provided by the dealer as part of the PDI on my last resale trailer. Cost wise that part should not be very expensive; aside from the "standing time" the test setup and tear down only takes a few minutes. Tank recert, if required, is the big unknown for cost.

ETA: My source for this is just what I was told by my dealer on my last used purchase, but I can think of no reason to fault it since the PDI is free and the test didn't cost me anything. He was just explaining what they did and why.

[geezerbob]

I had to but a new 20 lb tank in Whitehorse in 2016 mine did not pass inspection at the refill center.
Bob