5 lb propane tank

[duckwonder]

Ok, I apologize to the OP.  I feel I've seriously hijacked the thread.  Still all good info when considering a 5# tank.  Thanks for the topic, it's right on time for me too.

 

[akrvbob]

My experience has been very different than many of yours. In the last 10 years I've not had a 20 pound tank, instead, I've always used either a 1 gallon or 2 1/2 gallon bottle. NEVER had the slightest problem with them in any way. I've had lots of friends fall in love with them and get rid of their 20 pounder and replace it with the small ones and I'm not aware of any of them having any problems either.

To my mind, they have every advantage and no disadvantages.

 

[Black Vulture]

Ok, I apologize to the OP.  I feel I've seriously hijacked the thread.  Still all good info when considering a 5# tank.  Thanks for the topic, it's right on time for me too.

No worries, I learned a lot!

 

[tx2sturgis]

To my mind, they have every advantage and no disadvantages.

Other than purchase price!



Yeah the 10 pounder, 2.2 gallon or so, is a great intermediate size...very convenient. I use one in my van.

But once you buy 2 of those to hold your total of 20 pounds of propane, the cost for the tanks is 4 times the cost of ONE 20 pounder that can hold the same amount.

Some folks will not like that idea...others will have no problem with it.

If a person has physical limitations, then I say, its WORTH it. Save money elsewhere, since hurting your back is not gonna be cheap...

 

[John61CT]

Yes the huge sales volume of standard BBQ bottles makes them cheaper than smaller sizes.

Plus being able to swap them out when the inspection date comes round.

The one pound refillables are pretty handy, especially if you are set up to refill them yourself from a bigger one.

Don't refill those disposable 1# ones for van use though.

 

[Gideon33w]

I ultimately switched away from propane but before I did I ended up running a 20 lb tank in a container on a hitch mounted tray and piped the gas along the hitch, under the vehicle and up through the floor into a T that fed both my stove and heater. Yes, you have to shut off the tank at the box when not in use but this freed up a ton of space, made getting it filled a breeze since it was already external to the cabin, and a little intelligence when installing negated any concerns of leaks. Anyone else run their tank from a hitch tray? It seems that remarkably few actually have hitch trays but they are darn handy.

 

[tx2sturgis]

The way people tailgate these days, and texting while driving, I'd be scared to carry a propane tank on the rear, at 'bumper level'...

OTOH, a large red FLAMMABLE placard back there might cause the idjits to back off a bit?

 

[Gideon33w]

The way people tailgate these days, and texting while driving, I'd be scared to carry a propane tank on the rear, at 'bumper level'...

OTOH, a large red FLAMMABLE placard back there might cause the idjits to back off a bit?

When I first put the hitch tray on I ran a 1" thick sticker of reflective material all the way around the lip.
Another on the box once that was added. I'd rather have exterior propane tank in the event of an accident though.

 

[blmkid]

 Problem with a bad back is I cannot lift a 20lb tank when it is full (which I believe weighs nearly 40 lbs).

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.

From watching video's Bob does, I know jimindenver has a travel trailer. I don't know about duckwonder. Maybe the info below will help you not change your tanks as often. But yeah, ask them ("young buck's") for a little help. It is the "tribe" ya know.
I was wondering about the heat source used. Then I remembered the interview Bob did with Randy Vining, "the granddaddy of nomad's" about his travel trailer. Now Randy is a very frugal guy. I thought that might help some folks on this thread, what he use's for his heat source. Here's the video link: 
[size=medium]Starting at timeline, 14:48, he talk's about his Olympian Wave 3. Here's a pic of it: 
Use Bob's Amazon search bar, Bob makes a little bit, but it's no extra charge to you. It's on the home page, right column.
It's $212.99. Camping world is showing a sale, Reg. $289.00 and the sale is $212.99. It can be mounted onto the wall, or legs(optional cost). You see Randy has his placed at the entrance of his TT.
Now they do have it in 6,000 and 8,000 also. But suck's up the LP quicker. 
So, maybe this was helpful to someone else, if not jinindenver  and duckwonder.

 

[Duke]

My experience has been very different than many of yours. In the last 10 years I've not had a 20 pound tank, instead, I've always used either a 1 gallon or 2 1/2 gallon bottle. NEVER had the slightest problem with them in any way. I've had lots of friends fall in love with them and get rid of their 20 pounder and replace it with the small ones and I'm not aware of any of them having any problems either.

To my mind, they have every advantage and no disadvantages.

Ding~ding~ding...side with "Alaska RV Bob"  as this one favors the "2 1/2" !

..........................................................................

It is so light that my overall experience is much enhanced!

Mounted to my extender tree, it is stable despite hoses to top mast lantern and stove plus +1 !!!

..................

I simply clean fish upwind and need light; and cook upwind as well (in Bear Country), the light "2 1/2" is readily portable and- tucks more easily.

Though not a "big propane dependant " type, it serves great for special/aux heating as well...shedding superfluous notions, definitely a"keep" in my "roadie kit"!

Duke~ out...

 

[John61CT]

Just snagged a bunch of these at $65 each

Worthington 6 pound, only 6" diameter, TARE weight 8 lbs.

 

[duckwonder]

Yeah I'm going to put a 11.5# tank making sure the valve is closed tight in a milk crate in the passenger footwell (once I get the leaky seals fixed on the engine cover). When I'm ready to use the buddy heater, I will need to put the hose on the tank each time, and that's fine. Will always turn it off a few minutes after turning it on. During transport, I drive with a window cracked unless it's raining hard. I also smoke. If this scenario is so unsafe that anyone feels I'm at Serious risk for fire or explosion, please let me know. I'm in a class B van. When I'm parked and want to cook outside, will hook it up to the camper stove, outside. I'm not worried about the higher initial cost of a smaller tank. I'm more worried about transporting it, using it, and re-filling it 98 percent safely.

 

[Almost There]

Duckwonder, IMO you're good to go with that protocol!

The only exemption from that would be the smoking....   not because of the danger with the propane, just the danger from the smoking!

Says she tongue in cheek as a confirmed reformed smoker!  :angel:

 

[ColdBrook]

Ding~ding~ding...side with "Alaska RV Bob"  as this one favors the "2 1/2" !

..........................................................................

That is the same size little tank I just bought last month for my propane needs.  I can't lift the bigger one but I can lift this size one even when full if need be.  People told me oh no too expensive, not big enough.  Heck lifting it isn't going to get any easier as I get older.  Very pleased I finally found it and got a long hose and good adapters and a filter for my buddy heater.  And it gets immediately turned of on that tank everytime I used it.  And I don't leave the buddy heater on when I sleep either.  And I have a CO detector also.

ColdBrook

 

[PattySprinter]

My experience has been very different than many of yours. In the last 10 years I've not had a 20 pound tank, instead, I've always used either a 1 gallon or 2 1/2 gallon bottle. NEVER had the slightest problem with them in any way. I've had lots of friends fall in love with them and get rid of their 20 pounder and replace it with the small ones and I'm not aware of any of them having any problems either.

To my mind, they have every advantage and no disadvantages.

I bought one on Bob's recommendation (video) - it was $46.89 on Amazon.

 

[tx2sturgis]

... it was $46.89 on Amazon.

That's a pretty good price...

 

[jimindenver]

Wow and my 30 pound tanks are $ 48 each on Amazon

 

[John61CT]

20 and 30# are mass market, high volume, therefore cheap.

More specialized the size the more expensive.

I've seen the thin and light 6# aluminum ones I like go for $250+ new, so $60-80 secondhand is a great deal.

 

[Gary68]

if you check craigslist there will be some,just make sure they are up to date

 

[John61CT]

Actually showing you know it's expired can really drop the price, can usually get it recertified for $15-25