Help - before I make more mistakes

[Ajc2]

First, I purchased a 1995 Winnebago Minnie.  Currently at an rv park in KY with electric.  I have about sixty hours RV experience .  Currently my car, which was fine, rolled down a hill and needs repair.  The rv has a bad propane tank, I think, I have a moisture problem, and still haven't checked out the generator. On the up side it rained and seems to have no leaks, and all is well with the engine, and the electrical seems to work...so far.  Questions:
1.  Should I try to fill the propane tank or just wait till I can have it checked?
2.  How much does a new propane tank cost, if I need to replace it? 
3.  Any recommendations for rv parks or areas having service available, preferably between Oh and Florida?

 

[wagoneer]

Most propane filling stations will look at the date stamp and apply caution and tell you what they think . Cost is dependent on size horizontal or vertical, steel or aluminum. It's never a bad idea to be sure when dealing with flammables.

 

[rvwandering]

1. Why do you think the propane tank is bad?  If there is a problem do not fill it.
2. Get an estimate from an RV repair center. The size and location will affect the cost.
3. We do not go to RV parks a lot but if we do I use this site to check prices and ammenities - http://www.rvparkreviews.com/
    We prefer state and Corp of Engineer parks over private parks.

  Good luck! Keep us updated!

 

[cyndi]

you Might want to consider plumbing an auxiliary/replacement tank on the outside of the rig. Could end up being cheaper.

Consider it will mean locking the tank to the rig or brining it inside when you leave the rig. I’ve seen cages built on hitch haulers to secure propane tanks and generators.

 

[Ajc2]

That was my thought with both the generator and propane if they were beyond repair.  As an aside, is there a way to reply w/o the quote, besides delete?

 

[highdesertranger]

why do you think the tank is bad? the most common thing to go bad is the rubber hose between the tank and the pipe. easy fix. try starting the generator. highdesertranger

 

[rm.w/aview]

You sound unsure of a propane leak. A spray bottle of leak detector (Home Depot, etc.) or a mixture of water & dish soap will show the leak if there's pressure, spray all fittings & hoses (open tank valve). Another method of leak detection is more involved, so start with the spray bottle. On a side note, you'll need to bleed the air from the lines before operating your refrigerator on gas. Simply try to light your stove top until it lights then turn it off and turn your refrigerator on gas (if your rig came with manuals, read them all!). Of course this all assumes no damage to the tank itself. You say you have a moisture problem. This sounds vague, so I'll skip it. The rest that you've mentioned is encouraging (no leaks, all well with engine & electric), and when you check the generator be sure to check oil level before you run it, then change the oil after you've run it. Most generator issues are fuel related, something to keep in mind. Regarding RV parks & areas with service, along with what tonyandkaren referred I'll add Passport America (www.passportamerica.com) as joining this Club will give you a Directory containing roughly 1900 campgrounds listed by state and including descriptions to answer your questions. The cost of membership pays for itself with 3-4 nights stay with the 50% off park rates that are included with membership. Also consider Allstars Pro (www.allstays.com) as membership in this is incredibly helpful not only relating to parks, but over the road travel as well. The information provided by Allstays Pro is far too much to list here so do a search and be happy. Another referral I'd like to present is www.rvnetwork.com, another forum that is RV based. The forum here is outstanding(!!!) and rvnetwork.com is incredibly helpful as well, so between the two you will have all your RV related concerns & questions answered.
   PS. For a park with service, we will choose a State Park before an RV Park within the region that you've described, unless other factors force our hand, and Corp Of Engineer (COE) parks almost always include lakeside camping for your happiness Happy Trails!

 

[Ms Daisy]

Hey Aj

So you decided on the Winnebago Minnie after all eh?  Nice rig!  I replied to your thread about that as I bought an older Class C, which I've had for 3 yrs now.

Please describe what's going on with the propane tank.  Then ck out this thread re: RV propane tanks.  You might just need parts and not a new tank.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=33035.0

No leaks on a Class C ... awesome!  

I'm on the west coast so can't recommend anything out your way, but go to an area that has a large propane dealer/supply.  If you go to an RV place, they might try to sell you a new tank and you really just need a new valve, etc.

What generator do you have on board?  How many hours on it?

I agree with whomever said "change the oil" ... very easy even for this chica  I would run the generator on and off with a load for several hours over a few weeks then change the oil again...cleans things out...then every 100 or so hours after that.  Cheap insurance policy  I have an Onan 4000 and it uses SAE 30 ... a special oil so make sure you get the right kind for your genie.

 

[tx2sturgis]

If its a frame mount, permanently attached, ASME propane tank, (which it probably is) you don't have to get it recertified. 

But if it's rusted badly or dented anywhere, or the regulator or hoses are worn, damaged, cracked, or in disrepair, all of that should be checked/fixed/replaced.

 

[Ajc2]

Hey Aj

So you decided on the Winnebago Minnie after all eh?  Nice rig!  I replied to your thread about that as I bought an older Class C, which I've had for 3 yrs now.

Please describe what's going on with the propane tank.  Then ck out this thread re: RV propane tanks.  You might just need parts and not a new tank.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=33035.0

No leaks on a Class C ... awesome!  

I'm on the west coast so can't recommend anything out your way, but go to an area that has a large propane dealer/supply.  If you go to an RV place, they might try to sell you a new tank and you really just need a new valve, etc.

What generator do you have on board?  How many hours on it?

I agree with whomever said "change the oil" ... very easy even for this chica  I would run the generator on and off with a load for several hours over a few weeks then change the oil again...cleans things out...then every 100 or so hours after that.  Cheap insurance policy  I have an Onan 4000 and it uses SAE 30 ... a special oil so make sure you get the right kind for your genie.

Thanks.

I haven/t had the tank filled yet.  I based my "assumption" on what I had been told and the probable age f the tanks.  I will get more accurate info soon.
The gen is an onan 4K with 590 hours on it.   I did not want to try starting it till I drained the old oil and replaced with new and had checked and replaced the coach battery.  I will do that this weekend, I hope.

My wife has chronic illness and cold air causes tremendous discomfort so I have been concentrating on making things as comfortable as I can while on shore power.  I tried to anticipate needing a few $$$ to bring things up to standard (like new coach Battery w/ some amp hours) but realized this is all new t me and what I haven;t learned yet is a lot.

Plan is to check the generator before leaving KY and being able to keep my wife warm and comfortable even if something goes out.  Next, travel south leaving in a few days I hope, and using FULL hookups for a couple days to check all water systems, tanks, propane tank, and even "unplug" while there to check that way.  This is a suspenders and belt plan, knowing stuff will happen anyway. (ie blew  circuit using way too much "stuff)