can u store propane tanks on thier side?

[Stymie]

Going to Grand Canyon South rim for winter was contemplating a 100# propane tank.  Would have to transport in back of truck on its side
due to gooseneck.  any thoughts, was told once that tank wpuld leak.

 

[highdesertranger]

no it will not leak. you can transport it that way but you can't use it that way. that's one big heavy tank. secure it well. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Make very sure the business end has no risk of getting knocked around.

 

[Almost There]

IIWM, I'd pick it up from the propane dealer BEFORE you hook up the trailer.

I had to carry a 100 lb propane tank from the dealer to my RV once in KY. I had to put it in my van (upright and secured) and the dealer was 'NOOO, you can't carry it there, it has to be upright and outside'. He made me promise not to tell where I'd gotten the tank filled if I got stopped ( I didn't).

What I'm saying is that the regulations may require it to be carried in an upright position so don't let the dealer see you carrying it laying down.

 

[Weight]

NO!! it is extremely dangerous to have a bottle of propane on it's side.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Two 40 pounders would be a better choice. (in my opinion)

Yes, you can lay them down, with padding, blocks, and of course, secured well.

The concern is the pressure relief valve, if the tank gets really hot in the sun...above 120 degrees or so. This is not likely to happen in winter.

.

 

[LoveCareThinkDo]

You can buy tanks that are specifically designed to lay and work on their side. This is what is under all RVs. Those suckers are not cheap, though. You might be able to find one, or two at an RV salvage yard for not too much. They have mounting brackets, so you could permanently mount them to the bed of your truck and never have to move them.

 

[tx2sturgis]

....you could permanently mount them to the bed of your truck and never have to move them.

That might make it kinda hard to use for heating the trailer. (a gooseneck was mentioned)

I think the idea is that the OP needs a portable tank.

 

[craggers]

That might make it kinda hard to use for heating the trailer. (a gooseneck was mentioned)

I think the idea is that the OP needs a portable tank.

Just buy one of them Horizontal outdoor residential tanks with the dome on top.

 

[John61CT]

NO!! it is extremely dangerous to have a bottle of propane on it's side.

Not at all, done all the time.
Vertical tanks must be oriented that way **while in use** only..

 

[Weight]

Sorry john. that is really very bad advice. I stand by what I have said. No! Don't do it.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

It is not recommended to store a vertically vented propane tanks on its side:
http://www.propane101.com/propanecylinderstorage.htm

 

[highdesertranger]

very good Spiff. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

That is one heavy propane tank when full ~170 Lbs!

 

[tx2sturgis]

We have storage, and we have transport.

I dont 'store' propane tanks sideways, but I have transported, or carried them, (secured and not rolling around) in vehicles and by hand, layed over sideways, many times. They don't leak.

The danger while in storage is that the relief valve needs to vent vapor, not liquid, if temperatures rise to an unsafe level.

 

[Weight]

It is not a question that it will leak. It might leak because of some unforeseen incident. The chance is enough. But I don't care if you become a crispy critter as long it isn't in my territory. So I'm going now.

 

[LivingTheDream]

you can store on the side but before using stand vertical. the temperature and pressure are fixed. P * V = n * R * T

the valves are made for gas not liquid.

 

[tx2sturgis]

It is not a question that it will leak. It might leak because of some unforeseen incident.

I was answering the OP question: will they leak if turned on the side. 

You and I know that wont happen, (unless the temperatures have reached very high levels) but I was answering the OP.

 

[John61CT]

Title said store, but OP topic was transport, and that is the context I meant.

The venting takes place when temps rise. The new 80% max fill rules now enforced by the valves themselves (google OPD) means it would need to be a very big rise.

If inside the vehicle, keep a window open.

Well secured and the valve hardware protected, no problem.

Getting in an accident with it unsecured, just like a 50lb plain piece of metal is very dangerous, but actual fire or explosion? More risk from your car's fuel tank.

Again, just talking about getting the tanks home and then returning to upright.

No problem, really.

 

[MrNoodly]

There are horizontal tanks designed for use on forklifts. There are also heavy steel mounting brackets for them.