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Old 10-16-2020, 08:17 PM   #1
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First time travel trailer owner

Hi, my wife and I are retiring and we decided to get a small camping trailer for our two dogs and us. We purchased a Jay Flight SLX 183RB Baja model. Just picked it up today! Looking forward to interacting with others here and learning a lot.

One thing I found surprising is that the trailer comes with a single 30-lb propane tank, and it's a bear to find a cover for that! Most 30-lb hard covers are dual-tank. And the Montana Gear cover is the only one I've found and I have to pay more in shipping than the cost of the cover!

Wondering if we should see if we can switch to a 20-lb tank, for which there are plenty of covers. I've also heard it's easier to get a 20-lb tank filled (maybe because of the weight?).

Glad to be here!
Bob
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Old 10-16-2020, 08:58 PM   #2
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There is no need to cover a tank other than looks. I would keep the 30 lb. tank for a couple of seasons and see if it held enough to complete all the camping without running out. 30 pounds is literally weeks of camping if you don't use it for heat. The water heater, stove and fridge will run a very long time on 30 pounds.

Refills are based on pounds or gallons of propane purchased. You can trade at Wal Mart etc. but all you get is 15 pounds in a 20 pound tank.
A 30 pound tanks weighs about 5 pounds more empty and 15 full than a 20 pound tank. If that is a killer for you, take it to a LP seller and he will most likely lift it for you.
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Old 10-16-2020, 09:38 PM   #3
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There is no need to cover a tank other than looks. I would keep the 30 lb. tank for a couple of seasons and see if it held enough to complete all the camping without running out. 30 pounds is literally weeks of camping if you don't use it for heat. The water heater, stove and fridge will run a very long time on 30 pounds.

Refills are based on pounds or gallons of propane purchased. You can trade at Wal Mart etc. but all you get is 15 pounds in a 20 pound tank.
A 30 pound tanks weighs about 5 pounds more empty and 15 full than a 20 pound tank. If that is a killer for you, take it to a LP seller and he will most likely lift it for you.
A cover should also keep the tank from getting dinged by road debris. I thought that was the main benefit, not looks. Thanks for the reply. I feel a little better about a 30 lb. tank now.
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Old 10-16-2020, 11:22 PM   #4
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That $25 shipping for the 30lb Montana cover is crazy. I had that same cover on our 195RB but back in 2015 when we got it the shipping was free. I did find another one that is similar to the Montana on e-bay:

31" Propane Cover for 30lb tank

Looks like it might be free international shipping if you are willing to wait a few weeks for delivery.
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Old 10-17-2020, 04:58 AM   #5
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Old 10-17-2020, 06:30 AM   #6
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A cover should also keep the tank from getting dinged by road debris. I thought that was the main benefit, not looks. Thanks for the reply. I feel a little better about a 30 lb. tank now.
I have dual 30s on he front of my 23 RB. I don’t have to worry about propane for a long long time. I wouldn’t switch to a 20 so I had less propane. As a side note a 30lb is just as easy to fill as a 20. Maybe people mean you can’t just swing into a gas station or grocery store and swap out tanks? I’d never do that anyway, I like my new tanks and get mine filled wherever they fill tanks and costs around $12-$14
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Old 10-17-2020, 06:46 AM   #7
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One of the first things we did was to add a second 20lb tank to our TT.
It's a simple enough conversion, especially if you don't mind swapping the hose from one tank to another (I could have added an auto changeover, but that makes it too easy to wind up with two empty tanks)

Don't forget to re-check your tongue weight, and possibly redistribute things inside to compensate.
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Old 10-17-2020, 12:31 PM   #8
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:01 PM   #9
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That $25 shipping for the 30lb Montana cover is crazy. I had that same cover on our 195RB but back in 2015 when we got it the shipping was free. I did find another one that is similar to the Montana on e-bay:

31" Propane Cover for 30lb tank

Looks like it might be free international shipping if you are willing to wait a few weeks for delivery.
This looks great! Thank you.
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:01 PM   #10
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Thanks!
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:02 PM   #11
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Good to hear it is easy to fill them. Thanks!
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Old 10-18-2020, 07:02 AM   #12
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Welcome from northeast Illinois.
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Old 10-19-2020, 11:22 AM   #13
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Welcome from northeast Illinois.
Thanks Scott!
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Old 10-19-2020, 01:41 PM   #14
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Welcome to the Forum from Western New York State! Enjoy the Jay Flight! Feel free to ask any questions you may have. We're all here to help.
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Old 10-19-2020, 03:15 PM   #15
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We also have a 30lb tank on our 145rb baja. I located a soft cover made from the long lasting "Sunbrella" fabric which is the best fabric to resist UV rays. I made my purchase from a "mom n pop" company out of Texas that sold covers on ebay. I've never encountered issues from road debris. I would suggest that you check on what method was used to attach your 30lb tank to the TT frame. In early editions of the "baja" series the only thing holding the tank to the TT was a quarter inch bolt and nut. A secure tank is more important than a tank cover.
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Old 10-19-2020, 03:22 PM   #16
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the only thing holding the tank to the TT was a quarter inch bolt and nut.

Ours too.
Worth noting that the bolt is UNDER the tank, so, to change it, you have to limbo under the tongue with a wrench in your teeth.
Fortunately, most tow-tank conversions come with holding bracket that you can release from the top....
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Old 10-23-2020, 07:36 AM   #17
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Hello Bob. New 183rb owner here as well. Just returned from a week out east. Trailer in shop now, heater did not work so we had a few chilly nights when lows got into 30's. What did you think of bed lifting to access storage? Assuming you have a queen up front and not a murphy bed. WAs looking at hatchlift kits, considering a mod to help with accessing storage. Happy camping!
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Old 10-23-2020, 09:38 AM   #18
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If you research on the gold bar above you will see tons of posts on putting on single, double or powered bed lift systems, reinforcing the bed frame and other bed improvements. I added the bed lifters which came with short screws which promptly started coming out with use. Switched to bolts and reinforced the frame. Some posts have pictures which really help. Love my lifters, especially after I tossed the newspaper stuffed original mattress for a 10 inch Zinus memory foam. (much heavier).
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Old 10-23-2020, 11:37 AM   #19
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Hello Bob. New 183rb owner here as well. Just returned from a week out east. Trailer in shop now, heater did not work so we had a few chilly nights when lows got into 30's. What did you think of bed lifting to access storage? Assuming you have a queen up front and not a murphy bed. WAs looking at hatchlift kits, considering a mod to help with accessing storage. Happy camping!
Sorry to hear the heating didn't work! And this was your first trip with the camper?

We haven't gone out yet with it -- we may do a short trip locally in November though. In the parking lot of the dealership, the heat did work, but I'll definitely be checking it before we leave.

Raising the bed is a bit of a pain. We'll see how it is when we're out at a campsite and we have to lift it a few times.

Take care and thanks for replying!
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Old 10-28-2020, 12:43 PM   #20
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I had the same prob with my 185RB Baha I switched to a 20 and covered with a black cover to match ....... Looks great !!!
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