Propane Tank Replacement

01-10-2011, 12:57 PM

Propane tanks have to be recertified after 12 years and every 5 years thereafter.

http://www.propane101.com/propanecylinders.htm

Has anyone ever had a propane tank recertified? Has anyone ever had a propane tank not pass recertification?

If you have a 1999 or earlier TM, this may be a concern especially with the expensive horizontal propane tanks.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 01-10-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Boy

Has anyone ever had a propane tank recertified? Has anyone ever had a propane tank not pass recertification?

Yes, I had them recertified -- I can't remember if they did it for nothing prior to a refill, or if they charged me. If they charged me, it wasn't much....maybe $15? It has to be done at a service place (i.e. a place that also sells by the truckload), not a refill place. I went to Amerigas.

Never had one not pass. The recert wasn't a hydrostatic test, just a visual. Pull off the valve, take a peak inside, and that's it.

Dave

Wavery · 01-10-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Boy

If you have a 1999 or earlier TM, this may be a concern especially with the expensive horizontal propane tanks.

If I ever need to replace the horizontal tanks on my 2004 2720SL, I will replace them with the vertical tanks. I can't understand for the life of me why they put horizontal tanks on this trailer. Vertical tanks would work just fine, they hold more usable propane and they are a lot less hassle.

As you can see from the attached pics, there is clearly no need for horizontal tanks in the open or closed position (or anywhere in between).

scrubjaysnest · 01-10-2011, 04:21 PM

On ours the living room slide just barley clears the tanks, there is no room to set them up vertical. I guess the idea is to fill the tanks without taking in the camper like you would a motorhome frame mounted tank.

Barb&Tim · 01-10-2011, 04:39 PM

Ours also has the slide completely covering the tanks when the TM is open. Absolutely no option for using vertical tanks with it-- as you can see in the picture i took today.

Tim

**ShrimpBurrito** · 01-10-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harveyrv

If I ever need to replace the horizontal tanks on my 2004 2720SL, I will replace them with the vertical tanks. I can't understand for the life of me why they put horizontal tanks on this trailer. Vertical tanks would work just fine, they hold more usable propane and they are a lot less hassle.

As you can see from the attached pics, there is clearly no need for horizontal tanks in the open or closed position (or anywhere in between).

Wayne - It looks like your TM was made in a "transition" year. Older SL-models, like mine, have their tanks sitting on top of the tongue. Thus, my slideout has a cutout for the tanks, just like your slide out does. However, on newer SL-models, the tanks sit below the tongue, like yours do, but the slideout does not have a cutout. This gives more storage area in the slideout, but once again necessitates the need for horizontal tanks.

I'm not sure about your comment of having more usable propane in vertical tanks. The bottom of a vertical tank is not nearly as concave as the bottom (i.e. side) of a horizontal tank, so whatever the difference, my guess is it's negligible. But I'm sure you'll agree this disparity is a minor factor compared to the hassle factor and cost of replacement.

EDIT: Tim responded while I saw typing, and supplied a picture, which, as usual, is worth about 1000 words.

Dave

Wavery · 01-10-2011, 05:22 PM

2004 was sort of a half hearted attempt to do something but it certainly lacked follow through. 2005, they came out with the full slider with extra storage. That leaves no reason for putting horizontal tanks in the 2004......just venting.....

Both of my tanks only took 3G of propane when I had them filled. They were both "Empty" (at least no propane would come out). I always got at least 4G-4.5G on my vertical tanks. I thought it was because of the design of the valves on these tanks.

**ShrimpBurrito** · 01-10-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harveyrv

Both of my tanks only took 3G of propane when I had them filled. They were both "Empty" (at least no propane would come out). I always got at least 4G-4.5G on my vertical tanks. I thought it was because of the design of the valves on these tanks.

I routinely get 4.0-4.5 gallons on my horizontal tanks if I run them dry. If you are relying on the gauge, you will get more gas out after they first hit "E", so they may not have been empty when you filled them. Check the tare weight stamped on the tank, and then weigh the tank -- then you'll know for certain.

As far as I know, the OPD function of the horizontal tanks is the same as the vertical tanks -- that's why they must be filled in the vertical position. Filling them in the horizontal position overrides the OPD valve.

Dave

scrubjaysnest · 01-10-2011, 05:56 PM

When we picked up our TM from the dealer only one tank was full, took the other by a propane place and after they purged the tank it took 4.5 Gal. Something I have noticed on the new tanks is you can no longer open the valve and vent gas. For some reason( a check valve maybe) it takes an open, no regulator or other fittings, pol connector to vent.

01-10-2011, 06:21 PM

In researching propane tanks, I came across fiberglass and aluminum vertical tanks. Has anyone seen fiberglass or aluminum horizontal tanks? They seem to have a weight and cost advantages over steel tanks.