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Old 06-05-2019, 07:12 PM   #1
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Propane tank installation on added rear deck

Hi to everyone out there in this incredible community,

I am another new hopeless romantic and heading into this adventure of converting a 2004 Micro Bluebird bus with a 6.5 chevrolet Diesel engine.
Started to gut the floors ( oh my goodness !!) and getting hopefully started next week on filling holes and rust treatment.

My question is after not finding a clear answer, after reading through endless articles and posts ref. Propane tank installation . Is it legal to install them on an added deck at the rear of the bus ? I would enclose them with proper ventilation in a protected steel box.

Thank you all for your help and advice.

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Old 06-05-2019, 07:19 PM   #2
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Have no idea what the regs are in your state. Go to the UserCP and fill out your profile so we know what bus and where you're from.
According to AmeriGas, fitting them to the front or back of an RV is allowed.


RV Propane Systems
The propane system on an RV provides heat and hot water, power for the stove and refrigerator, and fuel for barbecue grills or other small appliances. There are two basic types of propane containers and systems: Department of Transportation (DOT) cylinders and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) tanks. Travel trailers, folding camping trailers, and fifth-wheel units use two movable DOT cylinders, which are positioned vertically upright and mounted to the outside front or back of the RV. Motor homes use a single, permanently installed ASME tank, positioned horizontally, and located underneath the cabin, near the entryway. Regardless of container type, all refilling, repair, or replacement must be done by certified service technicians.
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Old 06-05-2019, 08:19 PM   #3
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I don't know about the legal side of it.

The first thing I thought of reading your question was the three times that I have been rear ended.

Propane tanks on the back could have been a bad deal.......
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Old 06-05-2019, 08:35 PM   #4
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Done a lot of searching and can find nothing on the legality of carrying propane on an RV. Here is a list by state of State Road Laws for RV's. It's basic, but nowhere is propane mentioned.

https://www.rvtripwizard.com/rv-info...-road-laws.php
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Old 06-05-2019, 09:12 PM   #5
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here’s a link to the NFPA code for RVs that discusses propane and propane accessories.

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stand...tail?code=1192
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Old 06-05-2019, 09:13 PM   #6
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In short it says no to the bumper bomb.
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Old 06-05-2019, 09:23 PM   #7
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:14 PM   #8
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Is it legally enforceable on our privately built rigs?
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:25 PM   #9
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Is it legally enforceable on our privately built rigs?
Don’t know. I saw a video where someone had it bolted to their rear bumper, so it’s been done. People go down the plumbing and electrical isles at the hardware store and go home and do all sorts of bad or dangerous installations because they don’t know. Sometimes because they don’t care. But if someone rear ends your bus and they get roasted by a fireball, what’s the insurance company going to say to that?

Personally I want anyone who ever scrutinizes my work to say that it’s as least as good as what the industry does (and we all know that’s a pretty low bar).
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:30 PM   #10
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Don’t know. I saw a video where someone had it bolted to their rear bumper, so it’s been done. People go down the plumbing and electrical isles at the hardware store and go home and do all sorts of bad or dangerous installations because they don’t know. Sometimes because they don’t care. But if someone rear ends your bus and they get roasted by a fireball, what’s the insurance company going to say to that?

Personally I want anyone who ever scrutinizes my work to say that it’s as least as good as what the industry does (and we all know that’s a pretty low bar).
I believe the OP's question concerned legality, insurance is a different game all together. Mines mounted under a skirt so I don't have an issue.
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danjo View Post
Don’t know. I saw a video where someone had it bolted to their rear bumper, so it’s been done. People go down the plumbing and electrical isles at the hardware store and go home and do all sorts of bad or dangerous installations because they don’t know. Sometimes because they don’t care. But if someone rear ends your bus and they get roasted by a fireball, what’s the insurance company going to say to that?

Personally I want anyone who ever scrutinizes my work to say that it’s as least as good as what the industry does (and we all know that’s a pretty low bar).
there is nothing illegal about carrying propane bottles in the back of a pickup, as long as they are secured - I wonder why a secured propane bottle on the rear deck of a skoolie would be any different?
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:40 PM   #12
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Yep, obscure stuff for sure.
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:41 PM   #13
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there is nothing illegal about carrying propane bottles in the back of a pickup, as long as they are secured - I wonder why a secured propane bottle on the rear deck of a skoolie would be any different?
Good point
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Old 06-05-2019, 10:44 PM   #14
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Oh, I don’t sell propane or propane accessories.

I just became curious about that very subject (and even thought about rear bumper bottles) so I tracked the codes down, so every time someone asks...
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Old 06-07-2019, 08:11 AM   #15
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I researched this a couple months ago and while I can't remember the organization behind the info (National Propane Gas xxxx or DOT Gas Transportation something or other) it was said that you could carry propane on the rear of a vehicle only if you heavily reinforced and lengthened the bumper and had a way of securing the tank. It doesn't specify their definition of heavy duty though. I'll search for it again today. Was only a couple Google searches away.

That said, I see lots of service trucks and vans around that have the oversized tanks (not your 5-gal. bbq setup) strapped to a rear steel bumper that sticks out about 3-4ft.
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Old 06-07-2019, 09:29 AM   #16
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Found it!

Create a profile (free) and you can read through all the codes. Just got to my work but when I get a chance, I'll read through and either screen shot or post exact page numbers for reference.

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stand...detail?code=58 Propane Codes
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Old 06-07-2019, 09:37 AM   #17
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Old 06-07-2019, 12:07 PM   #18
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Who on the road enforces NFDA benchmarks?
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Old 06-07-2019, 12:18 PM   #19
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Who on the road enforces NFDA benchmarks?
we have traffic stop road inspections here in BC - they would pick up on something like improperly stored propane right away - whether they did or not, or even if some jurisdictions don't have road side inspections, have an accident and fire and see how much good your insurance is and how liable you would be, whether you caused the accident or not, if injury, death, or loss, was the result of the fire
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Old 06-07-2019, 01:56 PM   #20
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I'm thinking that inadequately-mounted propane cylinders on the back of a bus would get you stopped if you wanted to go through river tunnels or over the Hoover Dam. Maybe, maybe not, who knows, but why risk it? Just follow NFPA 1192, then you'll be fine.

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