Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The recent treads about disposible propane bottles has me courious to what everyone else is using. Liking the small size, I build our cooktop to run off the 1 pounders. Now I'm having second thoughts.

Michael W wrote:The recent treads about disposible propane bottles has me courious to what everyone else is using. Liking the small size, I build our cooktop to run off the 1 pounders. Now I'm having second thoughts.

Second thoughts here as well Mike. 1 pounders was my original plan for our teardrop as well, that's what we have always used when camping. I would like to use 2 - 5# bottles they would fit my tongue box well but the cost seems really high for what I've seen. So, who has the best deals on propane bottles smaller than 20#'s ?

Steve

White gas and charcoal is what I use. I voted for white gas.

Mike, I presently have a WC15...............which, I think, equates to about 5 pounds. I've used it for my extended camping trips on my two-burner Coleman. Never had a problem with running low on a trip. I plan to use it for my teardrop needs................but am allowing for the possibility of needing to bump up to an 11 pounder.

Still using the stock 1 lb bottle set up on the stove.
I will probably convert to a 5 pounder when I remodel the galley.
(Charcoal for the dutch ovens)

I'm planning to use a 20# tank mounted in the rear. I don't want to have to worry about running out and some of my roadtrips last 2 or 3 weeks....like a run to Pamplin Grove next year.


My trailer will have a galley inside in front so the extra weight behind the axle will help my tongue weight. I've been thinking about using one of the light weight composite tanks tho just to help keep the overall weight down. If you've never heard of them, here's a link http://www.litecylinder.com/interior_20_cylinder.html

Since I only travel for no more then 2-3 days, I carry 4- 1 pounders.
I purchased the re-fill valve from Harbor freight, and it works very well. I keep my 20lb tank at home, and re-fill the small tanks. At first I was doubtful about the process, it turned out to be very quick and simple. No more disposable bottles.
Tom

I use a 20lb bottle for the Martin 2 burner stove & portable 11,000btu bbq grill. I also take along 200g butane bottles for my new one burner stove.
Works for me.

Norm

I prefer 1 lb bottles for portability and used them for 20+ years. I have propane lanterns and for two Coleman stoves I use camping. Since I have outrigger tables on the sides of both teardrops, I can move the stoves easily to either teardrop. And sometimes cooking on picnic tables, other campsites at gatherings for potluck dinners and other areas dependant on wind and the size of the campsite. I do not cook under the galley hatch, way too hot and smoky sometimes. I like the portability and the avaibility of them even at campground stores. I may covert to bulk tanks someday, but for now I'll stick to those pesky, readily obtainable, disposible, portable, and somewhat controversial little 1lb bottles of questionable disposal discussion containers of propane gas

I use a 20 pounder which sits on my tongue when camping... I currently haul it is the back of my truck until we arrive at the site... BUT since I am planning an A/C install on the tongue that will be changing soon. Using a 3 burner stovetop I kinda need the larger bottle.

I read somewhere that here in California if the trailer has cooking equipment like a mounted propane tank et cetera it has to be registered as a camping trailer. Otherwise it can be registered as a utility with a permanent plate for $30. I don't know what the difference is in fees but when getting mine inspected I removed the Coleman stove just to be sure in case I got a hard-nose inspector.

Denny

The 1#'ers are sure convienent, but I just can't bring myself to keep throwing these bottles in a land fill after merely one use.

I use the following stove (I actually have 2) , a Sievert 925.
It is refillable and holds a gallon of LP.

Open/ready for use http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=2552

Closed for transporthttp://www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?image_id=2553

If a 20#'er seems too large for you, there are 4.25# (10.9 x 9.13 inches) or 5# bottles, as well as 11#'ers (16.6 x 9.13 inches).
They're all more expensive than a 20#, but if you're saving space these are the ticket.
If I use my Coleman grille/stove I use a 5# bottle. I get my 5lb bottle filled for $3.00..... seems I would go through 8 or 9 throwaways for the same cooking duration before having to refill the 5 lb'er. (I realize that the math doesn't work, so there must be another factor working here)
Even if it was a "break-even" vs. the 1# bottles I'd do it merely to have less trash.
5# bottle $3.00 refill vs. 5- 1#'ers @ +/- $2.25 or $11.00 - you can pay for a $40.00 bottle pretty quickly, not to mention you're creating less trash.

REI has the smaller bottles as does Camping World, etc, but Bass Pro Shop seemed to have the best prices when I looked (4.25# @ $40. & 11# @ $45).
If not in your local store, they will special order at n/c.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=18054&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Most of the times in the past I used propane but hauling around the big bottle got old so I switched to the coleman alternative pump 30 times and adjust stove, now I have figured out that with only one or two excep0tions the campgrounds I have gone to has electrical hookups,, so I am converting to an all electric fuel source for my power,, elect coffee pot,, elect two burner cook range, and elect a/c and heat,, for the times I really have to go primitive and have no electrical hook ups,,YIKesss,, I can drag out the coleman and dust it off, pump that sucker up 30 times and drag out the old coffee pot,, I wounder if I can get a discount for being all-electric at the campground,,hmmmmmm,,

chipper

Just came across this from the Ontario Provincial park's Canada. For those who might be busy building a tear over the winter month's might want to consider designing or converting their tear to carry re-fillable propane tank's. After reading some post's and finding this on the net, I bought a 5lb re-fillable that I will hide in a slide out cabinet in the galley. Is there any regulations on these disposable tanks in the USA? http://www.parkreports.com/parksblog/?p=11

I didn't answer the Poll because I fall into 2 groups. I originally built to accommodate a 5lb bottle with a 1lb adaptor for a back up. I was keeping the 5 pounder in a cabinet under the stove. When I finally kicked the 5 pounder, and went to the 1 pounder I found it took up a lot less space in the cabinet (duh), I haven't bothered to refill the 5 pounder to date and don't miss it either. Then I started to review my Stove habits, All I really use it for 95% of the time is Coffee. I cook on a gas grill, Dutch Oven or an open fire for the most part. With the added space the 1 pounder gives me I think I'll stick with it.

Happy Trails

Len