Safely carry & use propane?

[coloradowoman]

When car camping in the past, i always carried the small 1 lb cylinders for my campstove and lantern&nbsp;in the truck of the car.&nbsp;Can i safely&nbsp;carry two or three of those cylinders (with the plastic caps on)&nbsp;in my minivan--maybe in a small box toward the rear of the van.&nbsp; I don't plan on cooking inside the van and would only use the propane lantern for light before going to bed. <br><br>I'd really like to replace the disposable cylinders&nbsp;with a&nbsp;11 lb. refillable propane cylinder, but I'm not sure it is safe--or even legal-to carry one of those inside the van?&nbsp;&nbsp;I know they&nbsp; need to be carried upright, but concerns about fumes aside, it is an awful lot of liquid fuel to have inside a vehicle in case of an accident.&nbsp; <br><br>Thanks for any suggestions.<br><br>Coloradowoman<br>

 

[VanFan]

I tend to worry more about getting conked in the head with one of those cylinders than with leaking or (gasp) explosions.&nbsp; (There's a pattern here:&nbsp; I don't like to have heavy things untethered in the van.)&nbsp; The older steel cylinders are pretty impervious to damage, except at the connectors.<br><br>An idea I saw on one of the forums was a jumbo sized automobile cup holder that held two 1 lb. propane cylinders nicely.&nbsp; One of those on the floor held against a wall with a strap would make me a lot more comfortable. <br><br>Persopnally, I don't like fooling with propane generally.&nbsp; Most people find it quite practical.<br><br>A challenge I face with the hair-spray-like butane cans I use is heat.&nbsp; I've noted temperatures in the 140 degree range in the van before, which is an issue with this type container.<br><br>Vickie<br><br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

For over 9 years I have carried a refillable, bulk propane bottle inside my van or camper. Like you've said, the most important thing is to place it so that it can't go flying. I've kept mine inside Rubbermaid totes under my bed. The hose just goes over the top and up to the stove or heater. it is well packed with soft stuff around it so that it can't come free and go flying or be damaged.&nbsp; The 11lb bottle is the perfect size. Ace hardware stores either have them in stock, or can order them for you. Bob<br>

 

[coloradowoman]

Thanks to you both!&nbsp; I'm getting some metal loops installed in the interior to tie down loose objects--like stove, lantern and propane.&nbsp; Think i'll go ahead and get the 11 lb tank and find a way make sure it is tied down and standing upright.&nbsp; Thanks again<br>Coloradowoman<br>

 

[VanFan]

Are there some tunnels or other passages where you can not travel with propane on board?&nbsp; Maybe no big deal most of the time, but something to consider in route planning?<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[Guest]

<font face="Tahoma">RE: HAZMAT in tunnels and over bridges.... Plan your route and find out what the codes are in each state. Most info can be found on the web.<br>The east coast is the most restrictive and some states are very, very strict. Maryland and Mass for example :<br>Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) governs the transport of hazardous materials across Maryland toll facilities. Under these regulations, <u> vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container</u> (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials <u>are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895).</u> The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.<br>Massachusetts:<br>The O'Neill Tunnel is under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts<br> Turnpike. The tunnels are signed prohibiting hazardous cargoes from being<br> transported through them.<strong> Propane is classified as a hazardous cargo and<br> is therefore prohibited from the tunnel.</strong> The State<br> Police will confirm that there is <strong>no exemption provided for the size of<br> tank or tanks on an RV unit.</strong> Massachusetts Turnpike Authority<br> www.masspike.com/contactus/index.html or the Massachusetts State police<br> at 978 369-1005.</font><br><br>

 

[coloradowoman]

Hmmm.&nbsp; Must admit i hadn't thought of tunnels and bridges.&nbsp; Guess I'll need to do some research and perhaps plan an alternate route if traveling in areas where this might be a problem.&nbsp; Thanks for the reminder!<br>Coloradowoman<br><br>

 

[Guest]

<font size="3" face="Arial">Just FYI, most RV'ers and four wheelers (non commercial vehicles) consider themselves above all Hazmat laws, no matter how plainly the laws are posted.<br>They aren't automatically exempt simply for being non-commercial, but it's pointless to try to tell them otherwise.<br>So I commend your willingness to actually look into what is SAFE and what isn't.<br><b>Thank you <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></b></font><br><br>

 

[polecat77]

Just a quick note here. I was a OTR semi driver and there are some states if you are driving a U-Hual type truck (can be bought used) you have to stop at weight stations. Even if privately owned.Or a rental.-Polecat

 

[vonu]

I've been using a pair of 20# (5 gallon) propane tanks in the current and last van. &nbsp;I have never had a leak in a tank, only in plumbing. &nbsp;I use the same kind of hose used for fuel injection systems, and shut the propane off at the tank. &nbsp;If I regard it as safe, I don't worry about what some bureaucrat might think.

 

[ccbreder]

There is a lot of experienced information on this forum, (Airstream owners). Better to be informed than fined. Go to this link.... http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/highway-propane-restrictions-113899.html

 

[MrNoodly]

My tank is anchored with a heavy duty steel strap used to hold them on fork lifts. The strap is bolted to a steel cabinet which is bolted to the van. The tank is next to the door frame which is a strong support member and a place on the van less likely to be deformed or penetrated in a side collision.

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[Lifemagician]

Massachusetts:<br>The O'Neill Tunnel is under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts<br> Turnpike. The tunnels are signed prohibiting hazardous cargoes from being<br> transported through them.<strong> Propane is classified as a hazardous cargo and<br> is therefore prohibited from the tunnel.</strong> The State<br> Police will confirm that there is <strong>no exemption provided for the size of<br> tank or tanks on an RV unit.</strong> Massachusetts Turnpike Authority<br> www.masspike.com/contactus/index.html or the Massachusetts State police<br> at 978 369-1005.</font><br><br>

Most enlightening. I drive the full length of the MassPike at least half a dozen times, every time I come over. I also carry a couple of those small green containers of propane. Had no idea I could be breaking the law.

Thanks for posting.

Lifey

 

[nowhhs]

Is gasoline not considered hazardous cargo? How about a propane or CNG powered vehicle? Or propane injection on a diesel? That's the problem with those type of regulations, they tend to be rather arbitrary. I understand the intent, but a 1 lb. container of propane can't be compared to a 50 gallon tank of gasoline in terms of potential hazard. Common sense loses again.

 

[owl]

I have pulled trailers equipped with propane bottles all over the U.S. across bridges and through tunnels with never an issue. The small colemen type bottles are silly expensive. A larger refillable tank makes much more sense.