5 lb propane tank

[Black Vulture]

OK, quick question. Where is the best place to find a 5 lb propane tank?
I just ran to Wall Mart and Home Depot and they only had 20 lbs and above.

Also does anyone know where I can find the hose where you can go from the stove to the little buddy heater without taking the hose off?

Thanks!

 

[Almost There]

I've seen the smaller tanks in places like Ace Hardware but most often only in areas that have a larger camping population.

If you're talking a hose for a portable stove, you probably want a T fitting so that you can connect 2 hoses at the same time.

Make sure that the hose you're using for the Mr. Buddy is one of their brand or else put a Mr Buddy filter on the heater then connect to the hose.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I have one each of the smaller tanks...you can order them online or get one at Camping World or Cabellas if you have one nearby or will be passing thru an area with one.

These are Manchester 10# and Worthington 5# tanks.

At this size, they are roughly twice the price of the standard 20# size...but are very convenient. I personally would not recommend using the smaller size for heating (except as a backup supply) but for cooking it is fine, and will last a long time. The 10# tank in the picture is just 'ok' for occasional heating.

 

[DangerBird]

Got my 10lb tank on ebay. There was a large selection of 5 and 10lb sizes there for a decent price. Previously mentioned, they are more expensive, about $50 shipped. The 10lb was a perfect size for where I wanted to stow it and will last twice as long as a 5lb tank but still easy to handle. My RV has a 40lb main tank and I carry the 10lb size as a backup so I am never out of propane.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Check craigslist

 

[duckwonder]

Got an 11.5# tank at a local hardware store, same price range as others. Plan to use it with the heater in short spurts.

 

[Gideon33w]

Sutherlands carries the most sizes/shapes of any place I've ever seen if you happen to have them near you.
I'm just not a fan of the small tanks. Give me an easily fillable, swappable, findable, and gauge included 20 lb any day.
Also nice for extended stays in the winter where heating plus cooking can eat through propane quickly.

 

[duckwonder]

I'm just not a fan of the small tanks. Give me an easily fillable, swappable, findable, and gauge included 20 lb any day.

Ok, I returned the 11.5 tank for this very reason.  Problem with a bad back is I cannot lift a 20lb tank when it is full (which I believe weighs nearly 40 lbs).

 

[jimindenver]

I have problems with a full 20 pound tank too and I just bought two 30 pounders. As much as I hate asking for assistance, I have never had a issue getting help with the tanks from those filling them to friends in camp threatening to smack me if they see me trying to carry them again.

 

[duckwonder]

I have problems with a full 20 pound tank too and I just bought two 30 pounders. As much as I hate asking for assistance, I have never had a issue getting help with the tanks from those filling them to friends in camp threatening to smack me if they see me trying to carry them again.

I hate asking too, and at camp, that is maybe possible, but if I'm off venturing on my own, solo, which I plan to do when I have a touch more experience, I'm afraid there won't be any help.  Walmart?  Would be really hard.  I have the hauling system I created for the water, maybe I could use it for the propane if I could just get help getting a full tank to the laundry basket and then from the laundry basket to the van.  That last one is really hard, most total strangers are nice people, but there are those few that I would not be comfortable allowing them in my van, and the nice ones generally look the same as the ones that are not so nice, it's a safety issue.  Any ideas?

 

[jimindenver]

At the store you get the propane at? Ask and they will help. On the days I need my cane I do not have to ask, they offer. Get caught stumbling or falling down in Walmart and I have had them shadow me offering to lift stuff right to the point of loading it in the truck.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Can you lift one of the 20 pound tanks when it is full?

If you can LIFT one, then you can put it in a standard plastic milk crate and use a small lightweight folding hand truck and roll it just about anywhere you need to. If you ziptie or bungee the crate to the hand truck it will be very stable when on rough ground or pavement.

Or, just buy 2 of the 10# sizes and swap them as needed.

 

[John61CT]

If you use a lot, ideal is a built-in tank if you can afford, it, pay a bit extra from AutoGas places for the convenience.

If heating is your primary use consider Espar or Webasto, use your vehicle fuel and very safe, really cut down on propane usage.

Neither option is cheap though.

 

[tx2sturgis]

John, those Class B's dont have a lot of available room underneath...and she probably has a frame tank already under there.

I agree the forced air high-effciency heaters are the best answer, but it takes money and vehicular 'real estate' to install one, and I know that Miss Duckwonder has limited time...not sure about the money tho.

And getting it installed could prove to be a logistics issue.

 

[MrNoodly]

The irony is that smaller tanks cost more because there's less demand. Manufacturers don't crank them out in the quantities they do 20lb tanks, so they can't amortize the cost of tooling and line setups like they can with 20s and 30s.

 

[duckwonder]

At the store you get the propane at? Ask and they will help. On the days I need my cane I do not have to ask, they offer. Get caught stumbling or falling down in Walmart and I have had them shadow me offering to lift stuff right to the point of loading it in the truck.

 

[duckwonder]

Can you lift one of the 20 pound tanks when it is full?

If you can LIFT one, then you can put it in a standard plastic milk crate and use a small lightweight folding hand truck and roll it just about anywhere you need to. If you ziptie or bungee the crate to the hand truck it will be very stable when on rough ground or pavement.

Or, just buy 2 of the 10# sizes and swap them as needed.

I cannot Lift it, not safely.  I have a similar hauling method planned with a portable dolly, laundry basket, bungee cord that I will use for water, firewood, and oh yeah, laundry.  Great minds think alike.

 

[duckwonder]

If you use a lot, ideal is a built-in tank if you can afford, it, pay a bit extra from AutoGas places for the convenience.

If heating is your primary use consider Espar or Webasto, use your vehicle fuel and very safe, really cut down on propane usage.

Neither option is cheap though.

I do have a built-in tank but I need that for the fridge.  I use the vehicle fuel for the genny because I have low solar at the moment.  More solar is just going to make my life better one day I can feel it.  Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[duckwonder]

I'm just not a fan of the small tanks. Give me an easily fillable, swappable, findable, and gauge included 20 lb any day.
Also nice for extended stays in the winter where heating plus cooking can eat through propane quickly.

I just wanted to quote this again.  I'm not the only one!

 

[duckwonder]

John, those Class B's dont have a lot of available room underneath...and she probably has a frame tank already under there.

I agree the forced air high-effciency heaters are the best answer, but it takes money and vehicular 'real estate' to install one, and I know that Miss Duckwonder has limited time...not sure about the money tho.

And getting it installed could prove to be a logistics issue.

Correct on all counts