LP tanks

Historymaker 60 · 10-06-2022, 01:25 PM

Hi there neighbors and friends. I have a problem. My lady friend bought me 2-40 pound propane tanks and filled them as a gift. There is not enough room under the bus to mount them. What do you all think about mounting them to rear of the bus. I am already going to mount my Generator on back. I will also be towing my truck on a hitch. Let me know what you think please.

BarnYardCamp · 10-06-2022, 04:57 PM

Propane tanks are super strong...the valve however is not (brass) Your insurer may not like them on the back. Could make a minor rear end collision a lot more exciting though.

Rucker · 10-06-2022, 06:34 PM

Use the search function on this forum-lots of good material here with a click.

For instance https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/p...ion-35070.html

musigenesis · 10-06-2022, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Historymaker 60

What do you all think about mounting them to rear of the bus.

RVIA guidelines specify not mounting propane tanks anywhere behind the rear axle.

You could build an internal box sealed off from the inside with an opening through the floor to allow them to be mounted underneath. This is what I'm doing for my propane tanks.

BarnYardCamp · 10-07-2022, 07:35 AM

40# propane tank should last a while..maybe find a place to mount one and keep the other at home as a back up.

Drew Bru · 10-07-2022, 07:46 AM

One thing we learned when building our bus out, is that if it just won't fit then its time to rethink and adjust. We did that with the bathtub among other things. If its not possible to mount them safely, then sell them on marketplace and use tanks that will fit. We use the small gas grill size tanks, 2 of them, and they last a couple/few months. Super easy to throw in the car and take to refill or exchange. Better to err on the side of safety, because I don't think mounting them on the rear of the bus sounds like a good idea.

LargeMargeInBaja · 10-12-2022, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Historymaker 60

... a gift...

.
Any time somebody tries to help me with a gift, I invite the individual to join me in the using of the gift... just to make sure:
* steaks -- let's marinate together, then cook together.
* set of tires -- let's go for a week-long drive to parts unknown.
* a three-hour cruise on the Minnow -- I could be convinced to say a pleasant sincere heart-felt 'no, thanks'...

HamSkoolie · 10-13-2022, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarnYardCamp

40# propane tank should last a while..maybe find a place to mount one and keep the other at home as a back up.

A 40# tank isn't that much capacity actually. At 4.2#/gallon that's just 9.5 gallons and with a max 80% fill it's 7.6 gallons. 15.12 gallons total.
Depending on the mission of the rig casual use for a weekend or a couple weeks in mild weather not a problem. For a full time rig it will work but it's not a lot unless you're not doing much with it.
Our 21.5' fifth wheel has a 40# tank to run the stove/oven, hot water heater, and space heating. It won't last more than a week if we have to use the heater even a small part of the time. If it's just the water heater and occasional stove it will go a couple of weeks.
For our full time rig we chose a 29.3 gallon ASME tank. We could ave chosen a 20 gallon tank but the cost was only $100 less and the dimensions weren't as compatible. Also, ASME tanks do not have to be recertified, it can be mounted under the side or possibly between teh frame rails (with a remote fill kit) depending on the vehicle mission (ground clearance).
29.3 gallons at 80% fill gives us 23.4 gallons of propane. More than three 40# cylinders that have to be removed to fill and require recertifications.
BBQ cylinders work for a lot of folks in skoolies but being in our retirement years the permanently mounted horizontal tank that will last a good long while out in the boonies was THE choice for our build.

BarnYardCamp · 10-13-2022, 07:59 PM

I suppose it all circles back to what the OP's intended use is for his bus.

sportyrick · 10-13-2022, 10:52 PM

You know if you trade them out for what you want the gift is still appreciated and helpful.

Historymaker 60 · 10-14-2022, 10:28 AM

Thank you all. I have modify my plan to mount them under the bus. I will be using them for backup power and small water heater/stove. The gift was from my new gal friend. I will be using then bus for a whole lot of nothing. While I am building it I will be taking short trips with it. Mostly to occupy my time till she wants to come with me. It was suppose to be an evacuation vehicle for my late wife. With her gone I will still have it ready in case me or my son needs it, otherwise just trying to stay above the flowers till it is time to view the flowers from the other side.

HamSkoolie · 10-15-2022, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarnYardCamp

I suppose it all circles back to what the OP's intended use is for his bus.

Which is the first thing, even before purchase, anyone should determine. The mission drives the vast majority of the build including initial acquisition.

Rwnielsen · 10-15-2022, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musigenesis

RVIA guidelines specify not mounting propane tanks anywhere behind the rear axle.

You could build an internal box sealed off from the inside with an opening through the floor to allow them to be mounted underneath. This is what I'm doing for my propane tanks.

That sounds like a really interesting idea

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