SL model propane tanks

Wavery · 11-02-2010, 07:23 PM

I just pulled off the propane tanks from my '04 2720SL for the 1st time....

WHAT A PITA!!!!!!!!
Whoever designed that propane tank mounting on the SL models should be flogged.......

Has anyone come up with a "quick release" mounting for those things? I can't believe that you guys actually put up with going to get a wrench and unbolting 3 bolts on each tank then bolting them back in every time you want to fill those things......

I took the tanks off to give them a little sprucing up. They were getting a little rusty. While I was at it, I sanded, primed and painted the entire trailer frame.

I would sure like to hear what some of you have done to simplify the removal of those tanks. I guaranty you that I will do something.....I'm not going through that every time I want to fill. It's bad enough that you have to lift the forward roof. It must be a real circus doing this at a gas station

.

ThePair · 11-02-2010, 07:39 PM

The '09 tanks release with one wingnut. So apparently TM already thought about this.

As to mods, perhaps there's something on the boards? I recall a recent post about someone welding a ring to the bottom of a new tank...

**ShrimpBurrito** · 11-02-2010, 07:39 PM

Haha....yes, you have experienced the pain. I am right there with ya, although I do not have to raise the front shell. I have plenty of clearance to get the tanks off with the shells fully closed, so "all" I need to do is undo the 6 bolts.

I have not done anything to improve the attachment, but I do know it is much easier to remove the tanks on newer SL models. Perhaps someone here with one can share some pics. I vaguely remember seeing one a few years ago, and immediately thinking it wasn't an easy retrofit.

I'm anxious to hear what you do to make it easier. In the meantime, be sure you replace those lock washers periodically. And be super careful you don't strip, bend, or break the bolts welded to the tongue......

Dave

Wavery · 11-02-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

Haha....yes, you have experienced the pain. I am right there with ya, although I do not have to raise the front shell. I have plenty of clearance to get the tanks off with the shells fully closed, so "all" I need to do is undo the 6 bolts.

I have not done anything to improve the attachment, but I do know it is much easier to remove the tanks on newer SL models. Perhaps someone here with one can share some pics. I vaguely remember seeing one a few years ago, and immediately thinking it wasn't an easy retrofit.

I'm anxious to hear what you do to make it easier. In the meantime, be sure you replace those lock washers periodically. And be super careful you don't strip, bend, or break the bolts welded to the tongue......

Dave

I can't figure out why they didn't weld the bolts to the tanks and drill holes in the angle iron. That way, one could just drop the tanks into the holes and put wing nuts on from below.

I may either do that or just use clevis pins (welded to tanks) with spring clips:

**ShrimpBurrito** · 11-02-2010, 09:17 PM

My guess is they didn't want to mess with a propane tank. Manchester probably wouldn't officially approve for one, and two, the tanks are powder coated. So if you weld to it, the powder coating comes off, and I doubt any paint will provide as good of protection.

But I'm interested in seeing how they do it now.

ThePair -- would you be able to take some pics of how they are now mounted? No sense reinventing the wheel.

Dave

Wavery · 11-02-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePair

The '09 tanks release with one wingnut. So apparently TM already thought about this.

As to mods, perhaps there's something on the boards? I recall a recent post about someone welding a ring to the bottom of a new tank...

This gives me an idea.

I could bolt a long piece of 1/2" Channel iron, about 1 or 2" deep, to the bottom of the angle iron mounting bracket that is there (opening facing forward). The back side of the tanks could just slide into the channel iron and I could use either a wing nut or clevis pin on the front. That way, I wouldn't have to lift the roof either. Just remove the front fastener and pull the tank forward, up and out.

I sure would like to see what they did on the 2009 or 2010.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 11-02-2010, 11:41 PM

Wayne - Why are you having to lift the front shell? There is tons of clearance on mine, as shown in this thread.

Dave

**Bill** · 11-02-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePair

The '09 tanks release with one wingnut. So apparently TM already thought about this.

FWIW, this wingnut hold-down is also on my 2006 TM.

Bill

Wavery · 11-02-2010, 11:53 PM

On mine, the back of the tanks are actually under the bottom of the camper floor.

The 1st pic was taken before I painted the frame. The 2nd pic shows the rear mounting bracket with the bolts sticking up.

Wavery · 11-02-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

FWIW, this wingnut hold-down is also on my 2006 TM.

Bill

Do you have a pic of the rear mounting bracket or maybe you could just describe it?