TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Owners Community > General TrailManor Topics
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-12-2018, 05:14 PM   #11
ShrimpBurrito
Site Sponsor
 
ShrimpBurrito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,233
Default

For me, one of the core problems with refilling disposable 1-lb propane tanks is that they are built to be disposable. Especially the fill and air valves. One time I was using such a tank (never refilled), and when I removed the appliance, the fill valve did not close and so propane leaked out. I could not get it to stop, so I just put it in an open area and let all of the gas leak out. Lovely.

Fortunately, though, I was outside, and I noticed it. Imagine if it were in your car, and you didn't notice it. Unpleasant, indeed. I just think that the more one uses those valves, whether it be to continually connect/disconnect the bottles or to refill them, the components of the valve will weaken and eventually fail. I know there will be countless numbers of people that can say they've been refilling the tanks like this for years and have never had a problem. I believe them. But the risk of failure, in my mind, is just not worth the risk.

I don't use 1-lb disposable containers anymore, except for the occasion I use a torch. For camping, I use a 5-lb refillable cylinder for my portable grill and stove. It holds about a gallon, and so it costs me about $3 to fill it, and that's probably the price (at least) of one 1-lb disposable.

No more landfill waste, no dangerous refilling, no disposable valves, and I'm saving money to boot!

Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
ShrimpBurrito is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2018, 05:47 PM   #12
Shane826
TrailManor Master
 
Shane826's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,817
Default

Pics of the 5lb bottle? Does it hook right to the grill or do you need a hose? Where did you get it?

Edit: Nevermind. Just looked on Amazon. They ain’t cheap, nor do they look all too convenient. I still want to figure out a way to plumb a quick disconnect into my TM’s propane system.
__________________
2007/21 TM 3326 (Pride of the Fleet)
2000 2720SL (Rebuild Project)
2002 2619 (Parts TM)
SMARTER THAN GOOGLE!
Shane826 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2018, 10:10 PM   #13
ShrimpBurrito
Site Sponsor
 
ShrimpBurrito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,233
Default

I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Worthington-2.../dp/B000SKX63U

I mounted it on the tongue of the TM. See:
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...5&postcount=21

It goes wherever the TM goes. I never think about it. Yes, it's $50, but you'll make that up quickly by not buying disposables. I had thought about teeing into the TM's propane system, but:

a) the low pressure of the TM system and the high pressure requirement of most grills/stoves needs to be addressed. Doable, but requires some effort.

b) most importantly, I didn't want to cook within a few feet of the TM. I wanted to be over by the picnic table and/or firepit, where everyone else is also hanging out. Since we camp in primitive areas, that might be 30-50 feet from the TM.

Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
ShrimpBurrito is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 06:35 AM   #14
HoMiPa
TrailManor Master
 
HoMiPa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: White Mountains of New Hampshire
Posts: 431
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito View Post
I have this one:


I mounted it on the tongue of the TM. See:
http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...5&postcount=21
Well that's just adorable! LOL


Quote:
Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito View Post

a) the low pressure of the TM system and the high pressure requirement of most grills/stoves needs to be addressed. Doable, but requires some effort.
So is it the tank fittings that determine the pressure of the propane dispersal? I didn't realize there was a difference in what systems require, although I suppose if I had any reason to ever ponder it, I would have eventually come to the conclusion that there would be differences.

I believe that might be a solution for me, actually. It certainly seems much easier than refilling the #1 bottles. However, unlike the #20 bottles, which I can just turn in at a station and swap out with a new bottle, purchasing the #5 bottle means eventually it will have to be re-certified. How much does that usually cost?
__________________
Holly
2005 Trailmanor 3023 - 2016 Ford Expedition Limited w/ Eaz-Lift WDH
HoMiPa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 10:15 AM   #15
commodor47
Site Sponsor
 
commodor47's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Blandford, MA
Posts: 1,045
Default

Holly,

The propane tanks on our unit (SL) are horizontal and cannot be conveniently swapped out.

I've had both my OEM propane tanks re-certified within the past two years at our local propane company store (in my case AmeriGas). You don't need to be a customer to have your tank certified. Each time it cost $25 including filling the tank. The certification is good for 5 years. They basically do a visual check for rusted fixture connections with the tank body and the base support ring. The test also includes a pressure test, looking for a defective valve assembly. I periodically remove any rust, prime and paint the tanks before bringing them in for certification or as needed. I am not sure how much they would charge to re-certify a 5 pound tank.

Dick
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3943 (Large).JPG
Views:	102
Size:	188.3 KB
ID:	16805   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3944 (Large).JPG
Views:	97
Size:	158.0 KB
ID:	16806   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_3979 (Large).JPG
Views:	95
Size:	124.5 KB
ID:	16807  
__________________
Dick & Jeri in Western MA
2003 2720 SL
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4x4 - V8
Albums
commodor47 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 10:37 AM   #16
ShrimpBurrito
Site Sponsor
 
ShrimpBurrito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,233
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HoMiPa View Post
How much does that usually cost?
Good question. I've had for 9 years, and I either don't remember ever having to do the recert yet, or it was so cheap (or free) that I found it unremarkable.

For the larger tanks, my experience with recerts has been similar to Dick's. Either included in the price of a refill (usually the case), or maybe a $10 charge.

According to this Amerigas website:
https://www.amerigas.com/amerigas-bl...r-propane-tank

...initial certifications are good for 12 years from the date of manufacture, and then must be renewed every 5 years thereafter.

It would be the slightest thing from my mind if I were considering doing this. Worst case scenario is you discard and replace the tank for $50.....so, a recert should be significantly cheaper than that, whenever it is required.

Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
ShrimpBurrito is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 10:38 AM   #17
HoMiPa
TrailManor Master
 
HoMiPa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: White Mountains of New Hampshire
Posts: 431
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by commodor47 View Post
You don't need to be a customer to have your tank certified. Each time it cost $25 including filling the tank.
Thanks for that info. I may be incorrect, but I'm guessing at least half of that $25 is for the propane refill. Perhaps $15 would be a reasonable cost for a #5 tank, and if only required every 5 years, would be worth it instead of using all those 'disposable' #1 bottles.
__________________
Holly
2005 Trailmanor 3023 - 2016 Ford Expedition Limited w/ Eaz-Lift WDH
HoMiPa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 09:21 PM   #18
tentcamper
TrailManor Master
 
tentcamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Somerset, OH
Posts: 1,868
Default

I think it is every 10 years you need to do a re-cert. My 20 lb tanks I exchanged when it was time to re-cert. Got some 2017 tanks in exchange and then went back to refilling the tanks at $12 per 4.5 gl/ 20 lbs after the 15 lb ran out.

I thought about the 1.2 gl/5 lb tank, but the re-cert has been my concern. I got a y connector for my 20 lb tank on the TM and a 20 ft hose with a 1 lb adaptor. But a few years back. I realized I only use about 4 - 1 lb tanks a year. I get them 2 for $6, so I stopped using the y connector and hose.
__________________
Art & Joyce
Current camper: Motor Home
Previous: 2009, 3023-QB and 2003 2720
tentcamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 10:14 PM   #19
HoMiPa
TrailManor Master
 
HoMiPa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: White Mountains of New Hampshire
Posts: 431
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tentcamper View Post
But a few years back I realized I only use about 4 - 1 lb tanks a year. I get them 2 for $6, so I stopped using the y connector and hose.
The cost of the #1 isn't the problem - it's the $10 charge to dispose of them. I think the #5 tank is the perfect answer - and probably way easier to cart around, even full, than the #20 tanks. They are awkward as all get out to carry, and seem way heavier than #20. I'd rather carry the #50 of dog food up to the house from the garage 10 times a day, than carry the darn #20 propane tank once in a season. LOL
__________________
Holly
2005 Trailmanor 3023 - 2016 Ford Expedition Limited w/ Eaz-Lift WDH
HoMiPa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2018, 07:50 AM   #20
tentcamper
TrailManor Master
 
tentcamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Somerset, OH
Posts: 1,868
Default

Had never hear of the disposal fee for the 1 lb bottles. Maybe we are getting rid of them the wrong way??? If I need to pay a disposal fee,I will go back to the 20 lb tank on the tongue of the camper with a y connector and 20 foot hose.
__________________
Art & Joyce
Current camper: Motor Home
Previous: 2009, 3023-QB and 2003 2720
tentcamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.