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Transport propane

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:08 pm
by vaddisonme
I am trying to figure out how to transport my two one-gallon refillable propane tanks. I have read that it is not okay to carry them in the tow vehicle. i don't have room weight-wise or room-wise to put them on the tongue of my trailer, unless I find some other place to stash my spare tire...and even if I moved the spare tire, I think they would make the tongue too heavy. Can I strap them to a tray or container on a hitch rack behind my trailer? Could I transport them inside my trailer if I devised some kind of carrier to keep them upright? And what to do to keep the pricey little guys from walking off from the campsite....... ideas for transporting propane tanks or photos of your solutions, if you have time to share them here. Thanks.

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:26 am
by bobhenry
I have the next size up a 7 or 8 pounder and chose to mount it in the tongue box. It is hard plumbed with iron pipe and only a very short connecting hose. There is a vent grate in the floor of the box and a puck that fits the bottom chime so it can not walk when the lid is shut.


Here is the tongue box before it was cleaned and painted

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Here is a pic with the tank just tossed it in to try for size

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Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:53 am
by vaddisonme
And the lid doesn't hit the top part when you close it?

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:26 pm
by bobhenry
I just got dumb lucky they just touch !

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:40 pm
by vaddisonme
So, I found an aluminum tongue box that weighs about 23 lbs and I think will fit on the tongue of my trailer..providing the jack doesn't hit it http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200343627. It will make the tongue weight a little heavier than I'd like, but would hold both of the 4.25 lb tanks (which are about 9" on diameter and 12" high). If I were to install that, would I need to drill a bunch of holes in the bottom to vent the propane tanks? Or would it be a better option to install something like this http://www.americanvan.com/steel-tank-h ... escription? Then I could attach the spare tire to a hitch on the back of the trailer, which would hopefully lighten up the tongue weight some. :roll: Seems like any one thing I do will effect so many other things!

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:49 pm
by vaddisonme
Oh yes....and I'd have to saw off the spare tire attachment currently welded on the tongue of the trailer. It's a big sturdy thing...

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:10 am
by Shadow Catcher
We have a 25# translucent tank (you can see the propane level) but then It feeds the cook top water heater and gas grill. It is in a custom made holder. 100408

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:41 pm
by vaddisonme
Where did you go to get the holder made? (Or did you make it yourself?). I think a custom holder like that would be the lightest way to handle the issue..but where to get one made.... :roll:

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:48 am
by Elizabeth C.
I made propane lockers for both of our 10 lb tanks,they are lockable to keep the tanks from "walking off". There is one on the rear running board for the stove, and the other on the tongue to use with the shower unit.

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Components used to make the lockers.All from local big box store.

These could be scaled down easily and made with less expensive materials if desired.
Anyway, just one of many options,
later,
Dr. C-Dawg

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 2:07 pm
by vaddisonme
Wow! Those are beautiful containers!!!!! :D

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 11:04 am
by Dale M.
What you want to keep in mind is propane tanks when over heated in enclosed space can blow off excessive pressures... Or just plain have a leak at any threaded connections.... One ALWAYS wants to have some vent of some sort at BOTTOM of storage unit/container, and propane is heavier than air (specific gravity) and will always settle downwards, so it will eventually flow out and be diluted in surrounding air if you have vent at bottom of storage container....

Dale

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:27 pm
by vaddisonme
Dale, Do you think that 10 small holes drilled at the bottom of tongue box would do it, or wold t be better to cut out a section and replace with metal mesh? I am still thinking this through. I currently have the spare tire on a mount in the front, which is very convenient, but then I don't end up with a good place for the propane.
there is one other possiblity, but quite frankly, it would really alter the look of the trailer and It would interfere with where we store our outside shoes at night. I could maybe bolt a carrier to the top of the wheel well diamond plate on each side....but it seems a shame to do so. Sigh. I wish there was an easy clearcut best-way solution! I am just thinking out loud here. Option are:

1) Cut off the front tire mount, store tire in TV, attach mounting device to front of tongue, OR
2) cut off tire mount, store tire in TV, mount tongue box with holes or mesh adaptation to allow for venting on front tongue - and risk tongue plus propane being a little too heavy- but could possibly counter this with how we load the back of the sweet potato, OR
3) Be risky, especially in hot weather, and travel with propane strapped into crates in back of trailer, OR
4) Attach tanks to top of wheel well ( thiugh I don't know if that is permitted since they are not being stored "within the frame of the trailer) OR
5) don't take them with us.

Am I missing any oer options here???

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:12 pm
by Bogo
Holes should be fine for venting. Especially if the lid doesn't seal air tight.

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:02 pm
by vaddisonme
But I am in Texas, and if they were in my car on a hot day-when temperatures are n the 100's.. well it wouldn't be good. :frightened: I am leaning towards the tongue box idea.

Re: Transport propane

PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:22 pm
by Dale M.
slowcowboy wrote:I got a 5 pound small pancake bottle and I am fond of jamming it between the front bucket seeat on the passnger side and the middle seat in my suv. sometimes I wrap it in coats I do a 20 lb barbaque the same way.

no frills and no worrys.

been lots of miles transporting them this way.

slow


Just because you have gotten away with it so far does not make it safe.....

Dale