| Author | Message | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 297 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
I've really run into a road block. On my water/waste tanks, I was able to get 1/2 price by ordering direct from Ronco Plastics. But with the chassis mounted propane tank I want to use from Manchester Tank, I can't buy direct. So I had Camping World price it out. 27.9gal (112lb) remote gauge, 12vdc shut off valve, shipping and sales tax-$1,334.89!! Or I can buy 2-30lb tanks for about $75.00 apiece. I would still like to stay with chassis mount-any suggestions? Good Luck, TomC | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1542 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.195.74.146  Rating: N/A |
The difference (besides CW insane pricing) is the tanks that get mounted are heavier and DOT approved . These do not require inspections every so often so are heavier to construct. I would call the local breakers yards , and simply purchase a tank from a RV. OR go to the local propane store and ask them to purchase the tank for you. Either way should the tank work better with a remote or different fill , the propane folks can install what you require CW can not. FF | ||
| Jim Sanders (Sandy)
Registered Member Username: Sandy Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2011 Posted From: 69.199.96.250  Rating: N/A |
Fred can you use a remote fill on a propane tank??? | ||
| Dan Clishe (Cody)
Registered Member Username: Cody Post Number: 98 Registered: 1-2008 Posted From: 206.51.120.170 Rating: N/A |
Nice thing about the 30 LB bottles is that you can grab one and run it into town to fill, otherwise the whole bus has to go, another idea fgor finding frame mount tanks would be Bontragers or RV Surplus, they had some not to long ago. Course on the west coast a salvage yard might be the best bet. | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 758 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15  Rating: N/A |
I opted for 6-30# tanks as opposed to a single horizontal one for the very reason Cody cites. That and the fact that Propane dealers seem to think the public is as stupid as they want them to be.... $15 each for .50 cent orifice's & over a grand for the 7-ft Horiz. Tank that I thought I wanted.... Mine were swap-out's from the stick & staple RV Dealer, brand new they hauled them to the bone yard where I snagged them for a single $50 bill.... resource, patience & observation always return results..! | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 336 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 75.208.49.12  Rating: N/A |
I 3rd that Tom. We have what you want to put in. About the same. 23.5 gallon LPG fixed in the coach with outside fill and vent. It is in a 3/4 ply box with a remote shutoff and electronic open valve when LPG is called for. Real nice set up. The box take up way to much room and sometimes can't find a place I can pull up to to fill on the right side. The guys that have to fill always look at it like why did you pull in here etc. But all in all it isn't that bad. Someday I will pull it out and put in 3 or 4 regular 30lb'ers. Just not ready yet. Dave | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 514 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Tom I would try a wrecking yard,I am sure you will find one that will work. | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 762 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15 Rating: N/A |
Just make SURE the tank has a TRI-ANGLE shaped valve handle, they won't fill them w/o it. (new regulation) | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 578 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 98.20.60.203  Rating: N/A |
Jack, Only the 40 lb and under DOT tanks are required to have an OPD valve, (triangle shape). By he way, the OPD valve is a lot more complicated than just a different valve. If the vendor can get one to take a fill, it's common operating procedure to turn the tank upside down and bang it on the ground. This dislodges the check valve that keeps it from leaking when you unhook it with the valve in the on position. Stationary tanks like the vehicle mounted tank Tom was asking about are not DOT certified portable tanks. They are regulated by ASME and as such can use remote fill, plus have a different fill valve than the portables. I have a 73 pound horizontal mounted tank anyone can have if they want to either pay shipping, (which would be a killer, it's got propane in it and would fall under hazmat rules for shipping), or they can come get it. Good Luck Tom, I would check your local propane and LPG engine conversion dealers for a new or used unit. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1330 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.3.196  Rating: N/A |
Tom, You can't go wrong with portable tanks, the installed ones are nothing but a pain in the rear. It gets old really fast trying to find a fill station I can get into with the bus. I removed the permanent one from my 4104 and will do the same in my 4107 in the near future. I used 20 lb tanks in the 4104 which were more than enough but I plan to use 30 lb ones in my 4107 because it has gas furnaces. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1543 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.195.74.146 Rating: N/A |
The big question on portable vs fixed tanks is how long the tank will last. For just cooking , broiling and baking , a 20lb tank will usually go months. For a fridge 20 lbs is easily 20 days , although some better (or smaller) units can better that. So the question comes mostly down to heating. IF your a snow bird and seldom need the furnace , a gallon or two a day for heat is not a big deal. The real cold weather camping or full time folks should consider a red diesel tank and diesel furnace. An RV tank bolted in might be far safer than 1/2 dozen bottles in a bay. Your way should match your lifestyle. Our "solution" is a smaller RV tank and a single 20# to use as a spare or for the BBQ . FF | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1139 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.60.241 Rating: N/A |
I never had a problem finding a place to fill my mounted tank on the bus Gus and still don't in the new RV and it has a propane generator. Plenty of room at F/J stops me I am not going to carry bottles and worry about the dates on the things | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1331 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.26.184 Rating: N/A |
I lost track of the towns I drove around in trying to find an accessible LP station, especially out west. Even RV parks were often difficult even for my little 4104. I don't even have to look for bottle filling places, they seem to be everywhere. I installed in my 4104 two of the two bottle mounting brackets which are designed for travel trailer tongues, it isn't like I have LP bottles rattling around in baggage compartments! One is in front for everything but heat and one in the rear for my portable heaters. These bottles last me so long I usually have no idea how much LP is in them until one runs dry. I plan to install 30 lb bottles in my 4107 but may stick with 20 lb ones because of weight and my being an old wimp. The low cost and improvement in filling capability are immeasurable. When bottles become outdated it does not cost an arm and a leg for replacements. Many parts of the country have no FJs so I sure can't count on them. I travel from AR to all three coasts. Even better are the exchange bottles but I bought my 20 lb ones before I discovered that the exchange bottles are smaller by a few pounds! Most home BBQ users probably didn't even know they were reduced because they look the same! With exchange bottles you have no date problems. I have one appx 10 gal permanent tank free for anyone who wants to pick it up and will soon have another larger one from my 4104. You pays your money and makes your choice, I learned in the school of hard knocks. I will never go back. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1140 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.60.241 Rating: N/A |
Gus,I live in the west propane is easy to find here even in Ca. All the exchange places you see are owned by someone it that area where do think it comes from New York lol I paid 1.95 a gal to fill my RV today you pay 4 bucks or more a gal for the stuff in the racks but what ever works is ok by me | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 298 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: |
I found a unused Manchester 24.5gal horizontal tank on line at Ebay with gauge with remote sender for $370.00 delivered to me-a bit better then over $1300.00 from CW! It should be here next week. Thanks to all. Good Luck, TomC |
