Why are horizontal LP tanks so expensive?

[Treeview]

I know that there's the economy of scale. More produced=cheaper per unit costs because of production costs.

That said, how different are the two? Are the gauges or guts 'that' expensive?

Same questions for smaller LP tanks? In my camper I have height limitations that I'd designing around so I want a cylinder that's shorter than the typical exchange-type cylinder. Whew...they're spendy too, for less iron???

All of that said...what vendor is a good source for cylinders, either new or used.

Thanks for any insights,

Tom

[Dale M.]

Because tanks smaller that #20 or tank that are not "vertical" are non standard and require special tooling to make then as they are low demand and require special run of production to create them...

Not sure you can even get a "new"" horizontal tank.... At least I have not seen any on the market lately...

As for pricing, try Google or Bing "shopping" search.... Cabellas has 5 and 11 pound tanks in $60-70 range...

Dale

[S. Heisley]

Yes, they are expensive:

http://www.protanksupply.com/portable-propane-tanks.asp

http://www.propaneproducts.com/lite-cylinder.html

[Treeview]

Thanks...its what I thought.

Tom

[bobhenry]

Depends on the size the standard 33's are a dime a dozen if you look in the right places!

Every LP powered forklift in the States has 3 or 4 of them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/33-5-lb-Standard-Forklift-Propane-Tank-/261194425523?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd066a4b3

[Dale M.]

Yes but forklift tanks are usually liquid draw.... Not what one wants for a travel trailer/camping application....

Dale

[bobhenry]

OOPS guess I learned something new !

[jb]

I have an lpg tank with evaporator just like forklifts wich i use for Cooking (that's the best use for LPG )

because of teh evaporator there won't come any liquid out of the tank.

and yes it was an expensive tank but it was also a aluminium tank with evaporator.

the smel of the lpg aint a problem because i cook outside. but there is a special filter availible for it

greets