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05-15-2019, 11:24 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Most fivers have a tank on each side at the front of the unit. My old ‘97 Jayco 323RKS had both on the curb side at the front and 2 batteries on the curb side just behind the axles.
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Yeah thought it was odd my 5th has both tanks on drivers side.
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05-15-2019, 04:04 PM
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#22
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Most fivers have a tank on each side at the front of the unit. My old ‘97 Jayco 323RKS had both on the curb side at the front and 2 batteries on the curb side just behind the axles.
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My Cougar XLite is configured the same way. Both propane tanks are on the driver's side and the battery compartment is on the curb side. Both are at the very front corners of the trailer.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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05-15-2019, 04:23 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 709
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My Laredo has both 30 lb bottles on the drivers side front corner and the 1 original battery box right next to it inboard. I added 2 more batteries from there to about amidship.
__________________
2010 Laredo 245RL
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4
Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck mount
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05-15-2019, 05:52 PM
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#24
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,674
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fast_frank_d
My OP referencing "long trips" is a bit vague, I admit, but it's clearly not about the money. More explicitly stated, when camping at 9000 feet and 50 miles from the nearest propane, I want to have the most capacity possible without dragging the extra weight/inconvenience of more tanks through the mountains. Money isn't the primary motive for the thread, but just to maintain factual accuracy for the discussion, the per-unit price of propane for exchange is almost double that of a refill (~$21 per 20lb exchange vs. $12 refill, not just $1-$2 difference)
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I get it. I used to do the same thing and needed the max on everything I took to last as long as it could before I made that 70 mile drive to get gas, groceries, ice, LP etc.
I'm thinking though that I would try to go with the larger tanks. They are heavier, but not that much unless you are just loaded to the max.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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05-23-2019, 07:54 AM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lehigh Acres
Posts: 176
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Propane tanks are federally and state regulated. They are filled by weight with a 10% expansion regulation. Therefore a 20 lb tank weight is actually 18lbs. All new tanks must comply with federal regulations.
__________________
Rick and Sandy
2017 Toyota Platinum Tundra 4X4
2011 Bullet Premier 19FBPR
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05-23-2019, 08:06 AM
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#26
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Victorville
Posts: 52
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FWIW new unused tanks contain air sometimes under pressure (depending on atmospheric pressure) which must be purged prior to filling, failure to purge will result in reduced propane fill volume. jM2CW from 1st hand experience.
__________________
Bill & Pat Dennis semi retired part timers
'15 GMC Sierra SLT 3500 DCDA DRW.
2014 Fuzion 375 Reese Goose box, Morryde SR4k
400W Solar, 5.5k CO.
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05-23-2019, 08:40 AM
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#27
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area,California
Posts: 10
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Tanks, a lot
The 20 lb propane tanks are designed to accomdate 20% expansion when filled with 20 lbs, so there is no reason to underfill your 20 lb tank. In other words, 20 lbs of propane fills the tank to 80% of it's volume, allowing 20% for expansion.
Blue Rhino uses their own proprietary valves, so that you cannot have the tanks filled elsewhere. Then they only fill 15 lbs and charge you a flat rate based on a full tank. If you are willing to trade convenience for a higher cost and a partially empty tank, then I guess it's not a scam (?).
Here's a great write up addressing both issues, and a bunch of other good info about propane.
http://www.elivermore.com/propane.htm
Cheers!
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05-23-2019, 11:52 AM
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#28
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Posts: 40
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I had the same problem once. The tank had not only propane but air in it as well. When the tank was near empty the attendant bled the air out using the vent valve.
The empty weight of the tank should be imprinted on the handle surrounding the valve. You can weigh the bottle with propane in it and subtract the bottle weight to determine the quantity of propane it is holding. See https://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps...ank-really-is/
Last year I purchased a 20lb bottle with gauge for my bbq at Costco for $25. Since it was a brand new tank, I know exactly how much use/abuse it has seen. It won't have to be replaced for 12 years.
__________________
2009 Silverado LT 1500 4X4 Crew Cab, 9500 lb towing capacity with Putnam XDR and Equalizer 10K, + 2013 Outback 250RS, Truffle
Me ('65), DW ('68), DS1 ('99), DS2 ('03), Dwoof ('12)
We all bleed Orange and Black, GO BEAVS
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05-23-2019, 12:17 PM
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#29
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bushnell
Posts: 7
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Product liability
The biggest concern most propane fillers face is overflowing of the cylinder. It appears Blue Rhino has made sure this does not happen by installing an OPD valve that is set for 75% vs 80%.
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05-23-2019, 12:42 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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When dry camping I take a extra tank and it is a 20 lber. 2 reasons, when 1 goes empty on the trailer I have a replacement and I can pick it up easier than the 30s. I also leave the tank cover at home so I can see the gauge. I don't know or care if they hold or take XX. I just fill and pay. At the time of the OPD tanks, I paid for 2 20 lbes to be upgraded and recertified and filled. It costs to damn much. Just buy a new tank on sale cheaper. I see the Blue Rhino displays around here, but I just buy and keep my own tanks. About every gas station has propane for sale.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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05-23-2019, 12:48 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murfscot
The 20 lb propane tanks are designed to accomdate 20% expansion when filled with 20 lbs, so there is no reason to underfill your 20 lb tank. In other words, 20 lbs of propane fills the tank to 80% of it's volume, allowing 20% for expansion.
Blue Rhino uses their own proprietary valves, so that you cannot have the tanks filled elsewhere
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First, a 20 lb tank cannot hold 20 lbs of propane, simple basic math with a little physics thrown in. Second, I have not bought a new propane tank for my grill or smoker at home for 20 years. When my tank ages out, I pick up a Blue Rhino, rip the plastic wrap off and use it, fill it, use it, fill it over and over until it needs recertification and then turn it in at Blue Rhino and do it all over again.
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05-23-2019, 02:13 PM
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#32
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area,California
Posts: 10
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Basic math with a little physics thrown in
Quote:
Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog
First, a 20 lb tank cannot hold 20 lbs of propane, simple basic math with a little physics thrown in. Second, I have not bought a new propane tank for my grill or smoker at home for 20 years. When my tank ages out, I pick up a Blue Rhino, rip the plastic wrap off and use it, fill it, use it, fill it over and over until it needs recertification and then turn it in at Blue Rhino and do it all over again.
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A gallon of propane weighs ~ 4.25 pounds. The 20 lb tank is full at ~4.7 gallons; 4.7 x 4.24 = 20 pounds of propane. When your tank is full, the total weight should be 20 lbs of propane + the tare weight of the tank (stamped on the side and typically ~17 lbs). So, if your tank is truly full, the total weight should be around 37 pounds.
The reason Blue Rhino and others under fill is purely economic. When propane prices skyrocketed, they started putting 15 pounds in the tanks and charging the same price, claiming that they weren't increasing the price like everyone else. They got in trouble for not disclosing this and are now required to note that it's under filled relative to the capacity of the tank.
Cheers!
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05-23-2019, 03:30 PM
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#33
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ontario
Posts: 21
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Original post had OPD (I suspect Over Pressure Device), at 15 Pounds. Lol .
Has anyone checked, lately, the pressure temperature chart for propane?
https://images.app.goo.gl/D1J867nPefZQPXZ88
Being a licensed gas technician in natural gas and propane fuels..... there should be a little screw on the side of tank valves, this port is connected to a dip tube that is at 80% full. (Been a while... but there used to be)
Tanks can be filled until liquid comes out that loosened screw.
If anyone questions you, ask to see their qualifications that allow them to fill your tanks.
Just my opinion and qualified to handle propane in my area.
Qualifications vary greatly.
These days I'd have to go to trailer to verify. Lol
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05-23-2019, 06:09 PM
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#34
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,326
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OPD-
Overfill
Prevention
Device
?? That’s what I’ve always heard it stood for.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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05-24-2019, 01:15 AM
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#35
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Willis
Posts: 42
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I have a 20 lb tank that is about half empty. I planned on going to a local LP place and have it topped off before my trip. (In the past I always just waited until they were empty, but since I am planning on an extended camping trip, I wanted to start with the max LP I could get in one tank).
Are you all saying that I can't top off a half empty tank? Or are you saying that they would need to purge it first and I pay for the full tank after that?
__________________
2018 Keystone Hideout 177lhs (Ethel)
2015 F-150 V-8 (Fred)
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05-24-2019, 02:12 AM
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#36
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Ontario
Posts: 21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
OPD-
Overfill
Prevention
Device
?? That’s what I’ve always heard it stood for.
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Omg.... thanks. That never occurred to me.
Makes sense.
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05-24-2019, 02:22 AM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 279
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Take it to a refilling station and they will fill it and you should pay for what gas they put in .yesterday I filled at tractor supply and they put in 4.6 gallons @$2.79 bill was $12.83.for 19.5 lbs .I checked on Cape cod and to get a 15lb Rhino exchange it was $21.99.thats a big difference in price to also get 1/4 of a tank less propane at Rhino.15 lbs compared to 19.5 lbs.Both using 20 lb tanks.
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05-24-2019, 04:32 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 709
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dblhack
I have a 20 lb tank that is about half empty. I planned on going to a local LP place and have it topped off before my trip. (In the past I always just waited until they were empty, but since I am planning on an extended camping trip, I wanted to start with the max LP I could get in one tank).
Are you all saying that I can't top off a half empty tank? Or are you saying that they would need to purge it first and I pay for the full tank after that?
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No - most places will fill it/top it off. Some places may have a minimum charge. The purge is only needed on new tanks that need the air purged out ... once.
__________________
2010 Laredo 245RL
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4
Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck mount
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06-09-2019, 07:10 PM
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#39
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Oak Grove
Posts: 56
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My local gas station is my propane supplier. I asked them once, and I also watched as he told me.. they put the tank on a scale, zero it out, and fill it til it's 20 lbs (or 30 lbs in my case) on the scale.
They also sell exchange tanks, filled by a supplier, and he told me that the supplier only fills those to 15 lbs because by federal law, they cannot bulk transport them full. The price is much higher for an exchange tank for convenience, and there is a statement on the cage that the tanks are 15 lbs.
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2015 Crossroads Sunset Trail Reserve ST26RB
2005 Ford F-150
Doug, my S/O Patience, and Shelby the mutt
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06-09-2019, 07:49 PM
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#40
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,326
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Out here it’s sold by the gallon.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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