Propane Tank Replacement

[Beach Boy]

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]

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]

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-TMO]

'11 2720SL & propane tanks

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.

 

[B&T2]

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]

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]

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]

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-TMO]

propane tanks

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.

 

[Beach Boy]

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.

 

[countrygirl32082]

I have seen pics of the fiberglass tanks posted on here before. If I find then I will post a link.

 

[Shrimpburrito]

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.

See this thread: http://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10930

Dave

 

[B&T2]

Searching the web, I found one place that had Horizontal aluminum tanks but there was only about a 3Lb savings on weight over a steel tank -- hardly worth the effort or expense.

Fiberglass tanks that will work horizontal seem to be nowhere that i can find so far.

Tim

 

[rumbleweed]

. For some reason( a check valve maybe) it takes an open, no regulator or other fittings, pol connector to vent.

There is a safety valve that prevents gas from escaping if the valve sees a high sudden flow such as that of a damaged or opened valve with nothing attached. This is important to remember because if your gas lines are empty ( as could happen if tank was run dry) the sudden rush of gas when the valve is opened with no initial resistance(pressure) can fool the safety valve into closing. This happens a lot on portable setups when several appliances ( stove, lantern, grill) are connected to a tank with several feet of hose each.

 

[moaboy]

On the issue of re-certification you can take your tank(s) to a retailer that does exchanges. I did this once at Sears when my tank needed re-certification. I told them about this issue and they said they did not care. They said they charged more for the propane and this is an issue they factor in their costs.
So that may be one option and one way to address the -recert. issue.
If you have ever exchanged tanks and looked at the dates on the newly exchanged tanks their dates vary greatly. If it takes you sometime to use the propane, a tank you got from them may also expire.
Good luck.

 

[Beach Boy]

On the issue of re-certification you can take your tank(s) to a retailer that does exchanges. I did this once at Sears when my tank needed re-certification. I told them about this issue and they said they did not care. They said they charged more for the propane and this is an issue they factor in their costs.
So that may be one option and one way to address the -recert. issue.
If you have ever exchanged tanks and looked at the dates on the newly exchanged tanks their dates vary greatly. If it takes you sometime to use the propane, a tank you got from them may also expire.
Good luck.

I have seen several places that exchange vertical tanks but not horizontal tanks. The TM models that I am most interested in have horizontal tanks. Has anyone been to a dealer where they exchanged horizontal tanks?

 

[scrubjaysnest-TMO]

This was a minor concern for us as we didn't see anywhere you could exchange the horiz tank on our 20k mile trip last year. But our TM is so new that is a far away issue for us. We also noticed many places didn't even check dates when they refilled our tanks on the pup.

 

[brulaz]

I have seen several places that exchange vertical tanks but not horizontal tanks. The TM models that I am most interested in have horizontal tanks. Has anyone been to a dealer where they exchanged horizontal tanks?

Although we have vertical tanks, we never exchange them, as ours are in much better condition than most of the available exchange tanks.

It's been our experience that once one of our tanks empties, there is lots and lots of time to find a fill station. (And the Elkmont uses propane refrigeration while traveling).

 

[rumbleweed]

I would just call your local Propane supplier from the yellow pages. Any major supplier can easily recert the tank for a small fee. Also as long as you have the tanks off, clean them with a good detergent then sand and prime any rust spots and finish with a coat or two of Rustoleum or similar paint. Rubber band a plastic bag over the valve assy and paint away. Also remember in a pinch you can always steal one from your gas grill ( assuming you have one) and sit it on the ground and connect it.