Upgrade to the Impact 361 Toy Hauler

[Theoldroaddog]

One issue with a toy hauler is the amount of propane that can be in the storage compartment. The 361 came with 2 30 pound tanks. These tanks are steel and hold 7 gallons of propane each.

I decided to upgrade to composite tanks from Viking cylinders. They are lighter, you can see the amount of fuel in the tanks and they hold 22 gallons of propane per cylinder for a total of 44 gallons. These new cylinders do not have the smaller ring on the bottom so the base needed to be changed. The change out went really well. These cylinders are not cheap however.248102480924808

[JRTJH]

A point of clarification please:

You state that each tank can hold 22 GALLONS of propane for a total of 44 GALLONS

A 22 gallon propane tank is roughly the size of a 100 POUND propane tank. That's about 11" in diameter and 60" tall.

Did you intend to type "pounds" where you typed "gallons" ???

[Theoldroaddog]

Each tanks can hold up to 10.0kg of propane. Do the conversion, it equates to 22.046 pounds. The difference is the weight of the container. 30 pound propane tanks are made of steel. These composite cylinders are made of fiberglass etc. two composite cylinders filled with propane up to 22 pounds will weigh less than two steel 30 pound tanks full of propane. It is all about saving weight.

[Customer1]

So you spent a boatload of money to have 16 pounds less LPG on board? What is so beneficial about this minimal weight savings?

I can see the advantage on a 1,000# popup but not on your trailer. Are you overloading your tow vehicle?

[JRTJH]

The clarification I was seeking is POUNDS vs GALLONS...

In your first post, you said the tanks held 22 GALLONS of propane (that's roughly 94 pounds of propane)….

In reality, it appears that you exchanged your 7.5 gallon steel tanks (30 pounds) for 5 gallon composite tanks (22 pounds) and in the process, your total propane storage capacity went from 60 pounds to 44 pounds, a net loss of capacity of about 18 pounds.

Am I missing something about the gallons/pounds and capacity???

Granted, you can see your propane level and the tanks are lighter than steel tanks, but what is the benefit of this mod when you lose roughly 30% of your storage capacity ???

[Theoldroaddog]

The 30 pound steel propane tanks only hold 7 gallons of propane. A 20 pound propane steel tank holds 5 gallons of propane. So for my situation, I increased the amount of propane carried on the trailer without increasing the total weight like I would if I went to 40 pound steel tanks.

[JRTJH]

Larry,

You need to step back and redo the math !!!! You're going backwards (from 14 gallons of propane to 10.4 gallons)….

You lost 30% of your capacity and gained very little convenience in the process....

[Theoldroaddog]

We shall see. I will be filling them tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted. Stay tuned.

[JRTJH]

If you fill them, you can't return them.... Do the math first. You're going from two 7 gallon tanks (14 gallons/60 pounds total) to two 5.2 gallon tanks (10.4 gallons/44 pounds total) that's a loss of 18 pounds of propane capacity...

If you don't fill them, you may be able to get your money back if this loss wasn't what you were trying to do. Once they've had propane in them, you can't return them.

[roadglide]

The clarification I was seeking is POUNDS vs GALLONS...

In your first post, you said the tanks held 22 GALLONS of propane (that's roughly 94 pounds of propane)….

In reality, it appears that you exchanged your 7.5 gallon steel tanks (30 pounds) for 5 gallon composite tanks (22 pounds) and in the process, your total propane storage capacity went from 60 pounds to 44 pounds, a net loss of capacity of about 18 pounds.

Am I missing something about the gallons/pounds and capacity???

Granted, you can see your propane level and the tanks are lighter than steel tanks, but what is the benefit of this mod when you lose roughly 30% of your storage capacity ??? John I found the topic especially interesting and educational. I had my lady read the topic and I got a 5 minute lecture on looseing 2 gallons of propain and carrying another full ready to fill tank to get the same energy as two 7 gal that weight 30 lbs .

[flybouy]

Uh, the Viking tank with the black top is 22 pounds. https://vikingcylinders.com/shop/

[Theoldroaddog]

Yep and the 31 is similar to the 30 pound steel tanks but are taller, question was would they fit. Also their cost. Since I have a propane fired fire pit these will work for that if these 22 pounders are actually the equivalent of the 20 pound steel tanks.

[chuckster57]

Then at least all is not lost.

[JRTJH]

Completely off topic, but I just looked outside... It's a full moon :hide:

[flybouy]

Completely off topic, but I just looked outside... It's a full moon :hide:

It's cloudy here, snow and rain coming in, but I still knew it was a full moon.:whistling:

[chunker]

Completely off topic, but I just looked outside... It's a full moon :hide:

I vote for the full moon theory plus finishing off the batch of NYE grog.

[flybouy]

Yep and the 31 is similar to the 30 pound steel tanks but are taller, question was would they fit. Also their cost. Since I have a propane fired fire pit these will work for that if these 22 pounders are actually the equivalent of the 20 pound steel tanks.

From your original post you've already answered you're first two questions. Sounds like you do have a good use for them so it won't be a total loss. Depending on your usage the smaller tanks could work. There have been seasons where we wouldn't use the two 30 lb. tanks in a single season.

We have all made poor decisions that hopefully we learn from. Some admit it and some lie or blame others. Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy your memory making with your camper.

[tech740]

Any chance it is couple typos and you started with two 20lb tanks? That would give you a gain in capacity.

[fordmd]

I see where you got the math, but I like asking questions better. These 22 pound Viking tanks, however, hold 5.24 gallons of propane. That information was a question asked and answered by the seller on amazon. Removing a steel 30 pound cylinder that held 7 gallons, x2, removed about 3.5 gallons, or 25% of your capacity. That said, I’ve run the heater, oven stove and water heater for a three day weekend and not drained one of my two 30 pound cylinders.

One issue with a toy hauler is the amount of propane that can be in the storage compartment. The 361 came with 2 30 pound tanks. These tanks are steel and hold 7 gallons of propane each.

I decided to upgrade to composite tanks from Viking cylinders. They are lighter, you can see the amount of fuel in the tanks and they hold 22 gallons of propane per cylinder for a total of 44 gallons. These new cylinders do not have the smaller ring on the bottom so the base needed to be changed. The change out went really well. These cylinders are not cheap however.248102480924808

[Theoldroaddog]

You are right! I also finally figured it out
And still have the 30 pound tanks on the trailer. The Viking cylinders will be great for the BBQ and the fire pit.