Propane tanks

[Benrubid]

I recently went on a trip from New Jersey to Viginia. As I was about to go through the Baltimore tunnel I saw the sign for Hazmat restrictions with a picture of what looked like a propane tank. I have seen a few posts about this, but nothing that was clear. having two propane tanks on my Fuzion, do I have to follow these rules and not go through tunnels, etc, or are campers/RVs exempt and this is more for commercial rigs with large quantities.

Thank you

[johnnyrose]

Benrubid,

I would put a call in to the highway patrol and ask. I have had similar questions and just one phone call cleared it up beyond a reasonable doubt. Good luck!

[hankpage]

This is copied directly from the Maryland State web page:

The Transport of Hazardous Materials Across our Toll Facilities

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) govern the transport of hazardous materials across our toll facilities. Under these regulations, vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.

Visit the Division of State Documents' website at www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/ to view the actual COMAR regulations: Title 11, Subtitle 7, Chapter 1 (11.07.01).

As stated above use I-695 as a get around. I prefer the western route (Towards Townsend) sp.??? seems shorter and less hills. This will only add about 12 miles to your trip. Always check with the governing authority for any highway restrictions and don't listen to folks that say "My friend does it all the time" or "I do it." If you have my kind of luck YOU WILL GET "In a heap of trouble for sure boy". JM2¢, Hank

[chris199]

Just went from SE PA to Cherry Hill CG in DC going down 95. Had to run around the tunnel via 695. Agree that the West route via Townsend is a good route. Some traffic and construction (lanes narrow) but overall OK.

[fla-gypsy]

The restriction is 10 lbs per cylinder. Unless you are running both tanks very low then you have to go around per the regulations

[hankpage]

The restriction is 10 lbs per cylinder. Unless you are running both tanks very low then you have to go around per the regulations

You have to go around unless you you want to be stopped, inspected, asked to prove how much propane is in each container, cause a traffic jam as the state police turn you around at the entrance of the tunnel and face a stiff fine. We live in a post 9/11 world folks ..... explosive materials in tunnels and on bridges is regulated for a reason. It's 12 miles around ..... Why risk it??????? :banghead:
Correction: It is about 21 miles around but only 12 miles longer.

[SAABDOCTOR]

YES YOU MUST GO AROUND OR WE WILL SEE YOU WHEN THEY SAY "RV CAUSES MASSIVE TRFFIC JAM.. FILM AT 11" DON'T BE THAT GUY NOTHING WORSE THAN A PIS$# OFF STATE TROOPER!:banghead:

[rjsurfer]

Funny I have used that tunnel 10-15 times over the years and never thought about stopping, I always see others going though as well.:eek:

Ron W.

[msp2jxr]

It really didn't mention if that was gross or net? If it gross then yes you will have to go around the tunnel. If it is net I really doubt there is 10# of liquid propane in the tank. And again it would not be up to you to prove there is not 10 pounds; it would be up to them to prove there is more than ten pounds. They would then need to check the tank at its present weight and then empty the tank and re-weight it. I have never seen a police cruiser with a propane recovery system on board either. I think the chances are in your favor. However it only takes on overzealous patrolman

[SAABDOCTOR]

Have you looked at a propane tank? the tw is the empty weight and a scale will work just fine no need for recovery. and a ticked off trooper is not a good thing. just go around. if your tank is full it has way over 10 pounds in it. so like an over loaded truck yes people do it all the time but when they get caught what i didn't know yatta yatta yatta.:)

[hankpage]

Funny I have used that tunnel 10-15 times over the years and never thought about stopping, I always see others going though as well.:eek:

Ron W.

I exceed the speed limit every day ...... Doesn't make it right.

To the OP ...... If you go through the tunnel and get stopped. Tell the trooper that rjsurfer said it was okay.
The old rules were you could go through if your tanks were turned off and they never checked. The latest rules are stated above. I rest my case.

[chris199]

I wouldn't mess with them. If I'm not mistaken, I remember something about a major fire in that tunnel 2-3 years back. Who wants the hassle for 2 gallons of gas...besides..what's wrong with just "doing what's right"?

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

When I was last employed it was as an Over the Road Truck Driver. The
company that I worked for 'pulled' HazMat as the primary cargo.

The part of the md. Code for Md. that hankpage quoted earlier states;

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) govern the transport of hazardous materials across our toll facilities. Under these regulations, vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.

That's slightly more than 2 gal of liquid propane the rest of the tank is full of the explosive gasious propane (under pressure), ..... think about that for a moment.
More questions? Call the regional or State Office;

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/contact/offices/displayfieldroster.aspx

Now then, when you start to argue with the trooper, he will invoke the Federal Statues..... Then you will be looking at fines that start in the neighborhood of $12,000.00 minimum......
What's the extra 12 miles of fuel/gas going to cost ??? $10.00 ?????

Just a few things to think about...

hankaye

[rjsurfer]

I exceed the speed limit every day ...... Doesn't make it right.

To the OP ...... If you go through the tunnel and get stopped. Tell the trooper that rjsurfer said it was okay.
The old rules were you could go through if your tanks were turned off and they never checked. The latest rules are stated above. I rest my case.

It looks like I should take my large "rjsurfer" graphics off the side of the camper :eek:

Ron

[hankpage]

It looks like I should take my large "rjsurfer" graphics off the side of the camper :eek:

Ron

Ron, Thank you for having a sense of humor. I am now stepping down off my soapbox. Hank :soapbox:

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

I'll climb down off of my :soapbox: , as well...

hankaye

[SAABDOCTOR]

Went out to the garage this morning and looked at my camper, Holy %$&$ someone put RJSURFER Grafics on the side of it ...who coulda done that?:surprise:

[msp2jxr]

Just curious… with more and more vehicles moving to other sources of fuel does this mean a car or truck running on propane would not be able to use the tunnel?

[geo]

Just curious… with more and more vehicles moving to other sources of fuel does this mean a car or truck running on propane would not be able to use the tunnel?

Yup, that's about the size of it. It would be a no-no for vehicles powered by LPG (propane, butane), CNG, LNG, fuel cell, or any thing else of an explosive or extremely inflammable nature. Least that the way the rules sound like.

Ron

[hankaye]

msp2jxr, Howdy;

Until the regulations permit it my best guess
is ... yep.
Would apply to the cng's (Compressed
Natural Gas), as well.

hankaye

[msp2jxr]

When I was a kid my grandfather had 64 Caddy that ran on propane. Lucky for us we didn't have any tunnels to worry about.
I do have one tunnel here in Minnesota to be concerned about. My understanding is the limits here are higher and most RV's meet the requirement and are able to pass through.

[hankpage]

When I was a kid my grandfather had 64 Caddy that ran on propane. Lucky for us we didn't have any tunnels to worry about.
I do have one tunnel here in Minnesota to be concerned about. My understanding is the limits here are higher and most RV's meet the requirement and are able to pass through.

(Under these regulations, vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container.) Most trailers carry two 30lb containers so under these regulations are restricted from these bridges and tunnels.

[tanman32225]

virginia laws are? Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 45 ft.; maximum trailer length 45 ft.; maximum RV height 13.5 ft.; maximum combined length for two-vehicle combination 65 ft. Riding is allowed in truck campers. Overnight parking in rest areas is permitted unless posted otherwise. RVs allowed in the HOV-3 (carpool) lanes if there are three or more occupants. In the Tidewater area, RVs are allowed in the HOV-2 lanes only if there are two or more occupants and the gvw is less than 10,000 lbs. Tunnel Regulations: Maximum height 13 ft 6 in. Maximum of two approved propane gas tanks 20 lbs. each. Tanks must be turned off when going through tunnels.
RV Safety Requirements: All trailers: safety chains. Trailers over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch. State Driving Laws: Right turn on red allowed, unless posted otherwise. Wipers on/lights on. Front-seat passengers are required to wear seat belts; children up to 5 yrs. must be in child-restraint safety seats. Radar detectors not permitted.

Maryland laws are: Maximum RV width 102 in.; maximum motorhome length 40 ft; maximum trailer length 40 ft.; maximum RV height 13.6 ft.; maximum combined length for two vehicles 55 ft.; triple-towing allowed unless overall length exceeds 55 feet. Riding allowed in truck campers. Overnight parking in rest areas allowed unless posted otherwise.
RV Safety Requirements: Over 3,000 lbs.: trailer brakes, breakaway switch and safety chains required. Tunnel Regulations: Trailer hitch must be reinforced or braced to frame of towing vehicle. Safety chains must be attached to frame of towing vehicle and not to pintle hook. No propane tanks in tunnels.
State Driving Laws: Wipers on/headlights on. Right turn on red allowed, unless posted otherwise. At least two riders for carpool lane.


It appears you can take tanks one way but not the other.. hmmmm strange.:eek:

[captbob]

I looked this up when I was going through the area and found the limit was 100lbs, but when I just looked at the regulation I found this statement.

11.07.01.04. 04 Tunnel Restrictions.. A. This regulation does not apply to fuel contained in the fuel system of the transporting vehicle, or in the fuel systems of vehicles and equipment being towed or carried.B. Flames used for heating vehicles or loads shall be extinguished before the vehicle enters any tunnel or its approaches.C. The following classes of hazardous materials are prohibited from being transported through any tunnel or its approaches, as indicated:

[jsmith948]

This is copied directly from the Maryland State web page:

The Transport of Hazardous Materials Across our Toll Facilities

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) govern the transport of hazardous materials across our toll facilities. Under these regulations, vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.

Visit the Division of State Documents' website at www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/ to view the actual COMAR regulations: Title 11, Subtitle 7, Chapter 1 (11.07.01).

As stated above use I-695 as a get around. I prefer the western route (Towards Townsend) sp.??? seems shorter and less hills. This will only add about 12 miles to your trip. Always check with the governing authority for any highway restrictions and don't listen to folks that say "My friend does it all the time" or "I do it." If you have my kind of luck YOU WILL GET "In a heap of trouble for sure boy". JM2¢, Hank

I realize this is an old thread - while researching propane restrictions in preparation for our trip to N.J., read in the 'rules of the road' section in our Woodall's that "open propane cylinders are not allowed while traveling on open highways" in N.J. We always travel with the refer on gas. Can one of our N.J. members confirm this rule?(tx)

[gearhead]

Good grief, do you have to have a law degree and library to drive through New Jersey? If they don't have a sign that an old blind man can read, I'm driving through there with the fridge on.
Or not driving through NJ at all.

[sourdough]

x2 ^^^^ NJ is way too "out there" for me on laws - I'll try to bypass if possible.

[Pull Toy]

(HINT From a former LEO... it's a no brainer.)

They call them 30 pounders for a reason.... If it looks like a duck.... etc.

12 miles + 1 gallon of fuel = 20 minutes Detour and no hassle = GOOD DAY!

1 Inspection + 1 turnaround + One HEFTY fine + Unknown delay = Bad Day

(Also expect a bumper to bumper Safety inspection, jus because)

REALLY?