| Author | Message | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
I was wondering what strategies people used to keep heavy gear (batteries, tanks, genset, etc..) from moving around or tipping over in the cargo bays. Is it best to tie it to the floor? Walls? Floor to ceiling? I've seen stuff tied to the walls and stuff that was strapped to the floor, and I'm just wondering what was the most structurally sound. I also saw the discussion on max weight for the cargo bays, someone said they were going to contact MCI tech support, was there ever an answer to this? | ||
| sylverstone (Sylverstone_pd4501864)
Rating: N/A |
if it's not bolted down, eztrack is very very nice... http://www.fecoi.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FEC&Category_Code=CARG -dd | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
I presume you mean E Track? Do you recommend using this on the floors, or on the walls? And what's the approximate height of these - they look pretty slim, are we talking 1/4" or so? | ||
| sylverstone (Sylverstone_pd4501864)
Rating: N/A |
you see them on the walls on big rigs a lot. they're about 5" x 1/2" X however long you cut them. the straps have spring loaded fittings that snap into them, and you can also just do rings and tie offs and so on like here: http://www.fecoi.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FEC&Category_Code=RTEF i use one of the 12 ft straps, and 2 of the tie offs that i thread the straps through, to hold 2 propane tanks and a generator against the rear bulkhead in my mine. basically strap from wall, around first tank, through tie off to wall, around gen, through tie off to wall, around tank, connect to wall. that way i can loosen the rachet, unclip the ends and pull the tanks easily, and the tie offs pull the strap back t'ward the wall to keep things snug. you can also buy rubber blocks that hold a propane tank to put between tanks and bulkheads to cushion them (i use 4) -dd | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
Excellent - I'll have to pick some up. Do you just bolt it to the wall every foot or so? Speaking of propane, I want to carry a *LOT* of propane. Some thoughts: 1) Is there a point where propane tanks become too dangerous? I think that 5 gal tanks are safe, what about 50 or 100 gal? 2) Where's a good place to find 100 gal tanks in various sizes without having to pay for fully custom? 3) I know many places where I can do the 5 gal tank exchange, but not many propane refill stations. Is it generally easy to find propane refill outside of campgrounds? And finally, any thoughts on propane consumption if I'm using it for: 1) Water heat 2) Food heat (cooking) 3) Bus heat (presume that I've sprayfoamed  | ||
| motorcoach1 Rating: N/A |
there a nice tank in the flea market ...some states have regulations on where you can put them ...refills are handy...the restraints are mostly regulated about 250 Lb's of hold down for the 5 gal size , i can't remember where i saw it that about seams close. heat with spray foam and good seals figure 34 th BTU to 25 degrees and thats still chilly to some folks. | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A |
Most states won't allow multiple small tanks over 80 gallons capacity to be carried in an enclosed space. You would for safety and liability reasons need a D.O.T. certified tank and installation such as used on LP Gas delivery trucks for the engine. It's getting harder to get large tanks filled due to regulations restricting the guys that fill tanks. It probably won't get better either. As for usage. Most RV systems are fairly efficient a couple of 40 lb tanks generally would keep you going reasonably for a month or more unless the heat was running a lot. | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
What do the state regulations usually say? Do they want the propane tanks more towards the back? | ||
| motorcoach1 Rating: N/A |
NFPA 1192 2005 Edition Chapter5 5.2.3 Mounted on the chassis or to the floor of a motor home, provided neither the tank nor its suport is located in frount of the frount axle as follows; 5.2.3.3 (3)(a) Tanks mounted between the frount and rear axles shal be installed not lower than the frount axle height 5.2.3.3 (3)(b) Tanks mounted behind the rear axle be installed in such a manner that the bottom of the tank and anyconnection thereto shal not be lower than either the rear axle height(excluding the differental) or any section of the frame immediately to the rear of the tank, whichever is higher. | ||
| Bryce Gaston (Busted_knuckle)
Rating: N/A |
David I know nothing about the regs. but when you see these manufactured RVs fillng they are generally front to middle for the most part if that's any help! And I know you won't be going to them but just about ALL FLYING J's have filling stations, most U-Haul Stores(not the little hole in the wall gas staion that has 2 30 yr old trailers) and a lot of hardware stores have filling stations. Also the companys that deliver the refills and house hold deliverys have filling stations at their offices. Knuckle | ||
| Rob King
Rating: N/A |
Hi David The apparatus that could hold the tanks for you is located on just about any bumper towed rv trailer. Suggest you think about dropping by an RV store and looking at that apparatus. It will work equally well in a coach but you will need to make an opening in the floor that is then filled in with wire grate to allow the propane to escape should the tank discharge. This however, isn't a fixed tank but could accomodate either two 20# or 30# tanks depending on the apparatus puechased. This is becoming more commonplace because the refill rules for fixed tanks are becoming more burdensome for dealers and frankly sometimes it is difficult to get the coach close enough to fill the fixed tank. Many RV parks have easy access, but I think I remember you saying you wouldn't be staying in RV parks/campgrouds and they are most of the times higher. Another advantage is if you have a propane BBQ grill, you can pop the spare tank out of the coach, attach and are ready to grill. Now to the issue of longevity. I will have to use personal experience to hopefully help here. We had a 1989 well insulated 40' Newell bus with propane stove, refer and central furnace. We would use a 40 gallon fixed tank in 2 weeks for 2 people keeping the interior temp at 72 degrees when camping at 10,000' in the Colorado Rockies with am temps of 30-35 and pm temps of 65-75 degrees. Hot water temp was maxed at 125 degrees and tried to keep refer at 40 degrees. Beyond this it is pretty much guess work because I don't know what your "prefered temperature" is, length of coach, # of windows left open, insulation, etc. As to sources, the big box home centers, RV stores and another source often overlooked is RV salvage stores. If I remember correctly, you are in California. I googled RV salvage and got listing in CA & NV. Hope this helps Rob 91 LeMirage XL Missouri | ||
| sylverstone (Sylverstone_pd4501864)
Rating: N/A |
yea, you can bolt it to the floor and celing as well ... although we use the package racks for hammocks on long trips) propane: here you can't carry more than (4) 25 lb bottles without being placarded. be advised. i can get 4 of them in my bays, but barely, and they'll be too tall for yours. you could go with 7.5 gallon tanks or a couple big permanent ones... 1) Water heat 2) Food heat (cooking) 3) Bus heat (presume that I've sprayfoamed a webasto will do hot water, radiant heating via hot water run through the floor or radiators or whatever, block heating for easier starting of the main engine (and generator) and so on.. it runs on diesel, and is what i would do. for cooking i would use a standard rv trailer stovetop / oven combo that runs propane, and a microwave. propane is nice. multiple fuels are a hassle. -dd | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
The simplest wat to have LARGE tanks in a bay is to remote the fills to the side of the coach. If the usual marginally trained filler has to crawl into a bay to fill , most will not. With side fills its safer and you can observe the fill. These remote fills are common & cheap at a propane place. FAST FRED | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Galey's Bible relates that Propane tank mounting must secure the tanks sufficient to withstand a 7G loading. FF, in your version does the apparatus penetrate the side skins or simply carry the fill ports to the edge of the bay, accessible after opening the bay doors? | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
Rating: N/A |
"I also saw the discussion on max weight for the cargo bays, someone said they were going to contact MCI tech support, was there ever an answer to this?" It's good to see that you're perusing the archives. I did indeed speak to MCI and believe it or not, they didn't have a definitive answer for me. Your research in the archives no doubt found several references to engines and transmissions being hauled down there and an engine weighs +- 2,500 lbs. BTW, you may not have been on this board a year ago, but I'd seen your site before and it undoubtedly had something to do with busses, so it may have been another board. I did not mean that negatively. I remember thinking at the time, 'what a wild and crazy guy.' In a good way. | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
It was probably on the RV newsgroup, and not a year ago.. And yes, I peruse the archives before every post. And yes, I am a bit crazy. One of my favorite quotes is from this board: http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/5156.html?1072379658 Eric Lake: > p.s. Has anybody ever thought, "What the he-- have I done after purchasing their first coach?" Gary McFarland: > those of us who haven't are not only busnuts, but completely crazy as well. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
"simply carry the fill ports to the edge of the bay, accessible after opening the bay doors?" For security purposes having the fills behind the bay door is recomended. Remember the overflow valve ,that lets he vapor vent untill liquid propane is visable is part of the fill plate. Not somthing you would want the public tampering with. FAST FRED | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
sylverstone: Where can I find more info on the legislation regarding (4) 25 lb bottles? I haven't done enough research on webastos - they don't have tankless webasto water heaters, do they? My stovetop is going to be a bit more than an RV setup - I love to cook. I need to figure out where I can get a propane flat griddle... Rob King: Thanks on the RV salvage tip, I hadn't thought of that. I'll check into it. Now to go work on my WVO setup! | ||
| sylverstone (Sylverstone_pd4501864)
Rating: N/A |
>sylverstone: Where can I find more info on the legislation regarding (4) 25 lb bottles? ask your local big propane distributor, since they'll be the ones filling it. (4) 25 gallon bottles is a heck of a lot of propane though. >I haven't done enough research on webastos - they don't have tankless webasto water heaters, do they? google for "aqua hot" >My stovetop is going to be a bit more than an RV setup - I love to cook. I need to figure out where I can get a propane flat griddle... i have one big enough to do 12 burgers at a time on, 200 bucks at gi joes with the stove to put it on. you can also weld one up out of stainless if you wanna do it yourself. http://www.gijoes.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=712669&cp=713364.1341392 -dd | ||
| motorcoach1 Rating: N/A |
I'm building a concession trailer and the char broiler and the flat top i got from restaurant equippers in Ohio , i found them to have the best deal on commercial equipment.I do competition BBQ it's great fun. Jen air has a good top to with slide in assories | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
Rating: N/A |
They are 20 lb bottles. ( they say 4.5 gallons ) A 33 lb bottle is what is used on forklifts. A 40 lb bottle is the big version of the 20 lb. Had a propane guy refuse to fill more than 4 bottles ie; 80 lbs. said the rules limit him to 4 if carried in a personal vehicle. Also said 2 was the limit for Car Trunk or Van. 4 was for open pickups. That was here in Florida. Other places may be different but Fed rules apply. | ||
| Norm Edlebeck (Bandleader)
Rating: N/A |
FYI - Here's some info on LP tanks. Years ago I was a propane dealer and sold only 100 lb. (upright) cylinders. 100 lb tanks hold 24 gallons liquid propane. All cylinders and tanks can only be filled to 80%. When you have a bulk tank, of say 100, 500 or 1000 gallons, that means it will hold that much water, full. So, a 100 gal.(water capacity) tank can only be filled with 80 gal. of Liquid Propane (LP). I run 2 gen sets, 2 Suburban furnaces and a 4 burner stovetop with LP, and have an 85 gal. bulk tank in my front bay (which has an automatric shutoff when it reaches 80% or 68 gal. of LP). FWIW Norm Edlebeck | ||
| David Ljung Madison (Daveola)
Rating: N/A |
Norm - where do you get it filled? Do you have problems with propane refillers refusing to fill up a tank of that size? | ||
| Norm Edlebeck (Bandleader)
Rating: N/A |
I forgot to answer a couple questions of Daveola's (above). The best place to find good used LP tanks is at a Farmers Co-op or LP gas distributors. I bought mine for peanuts compared to new retail prices. They even put in the new auto-shutoff valve & all new valve float and fill gauge on the outside of the tank, plus a new regulator. It was kind of rusty sitting in the gas Co. yard, so my wife & I sanded it down, got a couple cans of spray paint at NAPA and painted it in about an hour. Looks just like new. As far as places to fill up, not a problem - find a Farm Co-Op, or LP gas distributor anywhere & they'll fill you up. Make sure that you ask the price first, as some small places will charge you an arm and leg, which they do for 20, 30, & 40 lb cylinders. Also, there IS NO ROAD tax on your LP. ie; - I filled up Friday - took 60 gal and I paid less than $90.00 total. I THINK for bulk tanks, new laws require you have an auto shutoff or the Gas Co. WON'T fill the older ones anymore. That's what they told me when I bought the tank & why the new auto shutoff was installed when I bought it. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
I was told that the auto shutoff was only required on portable tanks, not on fixed tanks. BTW, Flying J truck stops all have propane I believe, as well as dump stations and potable water. Richard |