Propane - one tank or two?

[Carol H]

(Moderator's note: This thread created from posts split out of ParkLiner Tire Rub Issues thread.)

Originally Posted by jayteehike

I did order 2 propane tanks and the battery is on the tongue. I'll ask Cameron what the new weight will be.

Jane

Jane is there a reason you are needing 2 propane tanks? A full 20lb tank will add another 38lbs of weight to your tongue weight. If they have moved the battery out of the trailer (which it sounds like they really should do to solve their venting issues) then thats another 50 + pounds on the tongue if its a group 27. I have done a number of trips of a month or more while camping 50% on and off the grid. Use the stove in the trailer daily and when off the grid run the fridge only on propane, also use the water heater and furnace on propane and have not had to refill the 1 tank I have. Always wonder when I see 2 tanks on a small trailer where all the propane is going

[Ice-breaker]

Originally Posted by Carol H

J... Always wonder when I see 2 tanks on a small trailer where all the propane is going

Propane devices we use:
- stove / oven
- hot water heater
- furnace
- refrigerator
- gas BBQ
- fire bowl

On a recent three week trip we used three 20 lb tanks of propane. Two tanks are essential for us.

[honda03842]

We average a tank of propane every two months and have only one propane tank. We do not have a fire pit and the hot water heater, the heating system and the fridge run on either propane or electric. We carry a 1 lb bottle and an adapter as a back up and have never used it. Admittedly we look for a light tongue.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Jane is there a reason you are needing 2 propane tanks?
...
Always wonder when I see 2 tanks on a small trailer where all the propane is going

Around here, a 20-pound tank fill costs the same whether the tank is empty or still half full. When I see one tank, I wonder what the owners do when it's time to leave on a trip and there's not much left in the tank: pay for a whole fill? wait until it runs out then rush to a propane station?...

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Ice-breaker

Propane devices we use:
- stove / oven
- hot water heater
- furnace
- refrigerator
- gas BBQ
- fire bowl

On a recent three week trip we used three 20 lb tanks of propane. Two tanks are essential for us.

I also use all of the above and as mention can go a number of weeks with only one tank if I am only using the trailers built in appliances and I dont bring along the fire bowl.

Fire Bowls are BIG propane hogs.... have one myself so I am aware that it can go through 5lbs of propane in one evening pretty easily, on a good night a lot more . I actually carry an extra 10lb portable tank for those times I bring along the fire pit and it has been known to go for a refill daily!

I guess essential is different for everyone.... if someone is worried about to much tongue weight than it doesnt seem to me that it would be to great a hardship to get a tank filled every week or every few weeks if only running the trailers built in appliances.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Carol H

.... if someone is worried about to much tongue weight than it doesnt seem to me that it would be to great a hardship to get a tank filled every week or every few weeks if only running the trailers built in appliances.

I don't mind the idea of getting the tank filled every week; it's the running out in the middle of a cold night or with a half-cooked meal... and then having to find a filling station.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I don't mind the idea of getting the tank filled every week; it's the running out in the middle of a cold night or with a half-cooked meal... and then having to find a filling station.

Costco sells a propane gauge that is very arguably not all that accurate but close enough that its keeps me out of trouble. In six years and several hundred days of camping with only one 20lb tank attached to the trailer and using all the built in appliances on the trailer on propane many many times I have some how managed to avoid running out of propane at a bad time. Surprises me actually as to how efficient the fridge, hot water tank & stove are on propane.

I guess essential means different things to different people.

[Glenn Baglo]

My buddy, Keath, picked up a couple of those gauges and gave one to me. After using the gauge for a couple months, we have come to believe that it reduces the gas pressure to our BBQs. We are no longer using them for our BBQ tanks.
I suppose one could hook it up to get a reading and then take it off.
Now, I just use a luggage scale.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Costco sells a propane gauge that is very arguably not all that accurate but close enough that its keeps me out of trouble...

Carol, you're probably more diligent in watching the gauge than I am.

It doesn't matter where you get it, those pressure gauges are work the same.

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I suppose one could hook it up to get a reading and then take it off.
Now, I just use a luggage scale.

The pressure gauge only indicates anything when the tank is in use (or has just been in use) causing chilling of the contents.
The scale is fundamentally more effective.

[Seamstress]

Couple of ideas for determining propane tank levels:

Grill gauge - no hookup required

Hot water trick

Rosemary

[cpaharley2008]

It is ironic, I have never run out nor have had to refill any of my propane tanks over the past 5 years!!
.....HHmm, come to think of it, no tires, bearings nor brakes either, on my trailers or tow vehicles, am I doing something wrong??

Oh, wait, now I know why, I sell the darn thing before it ever needs anything !!

[deryk]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

It is ironic, I have never run out nor have had to refill any of my propane tanks over the past 5 years!!
.....HHmm, come to think of it, no tires, bearings nor brakes either, on my trailers or tow vehicles, am I doing something wrong??

Oh, wait, now I know why, I sell the darn thing before it ever needs anything !!

Lol!

[Mike Magee]

Not that LP has much to do with PL (oh wait, maybe..... ), but Sam's Club offers an LP tank with built in float gauge (the more accurate kind of gauge) for $36. I'm leaning toward getting one. On my last trip of 3 weeks to Yosemite, my 20 lb tank (filled before departure) ran dry on the way home. Cool mornings at high elevation had me running the furnace for a bit each morning, and the water heater was on also. That's the most propane I've ever used in such a short time, and it surprised me.

[jayteehike]

Hi Carol, I do think 2 tanks would be nice to have. They wouldn't be needed on all trips. In our popup we carried a spare under one of the seats, that might work here.