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06-11-2018, 01:55 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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2 Propane tank to 1 conversion.
I tried searching but I could not find it, maybe I'm doing it wrong? If there is already a post please steer me to it!
I have 2 propane tanks and I want to convert it to just 1 tank.
Question 1) The 2 tanks are on a white base plate with a rod going up the middle. Do I take this all off and place the tank in the middle directly on the tongue with no base?
Question 2) There are 2 hoses coming out with a valve you turn to make either open and the other close. Can I just take off the hose and keep the valve open on 1 side where it will be open all the time?
Or do I need to purchase everything from scratch to make it into a 1 tank layout?
Thank you in advance!
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06-11-2018, 03:01 PM
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#2
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Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: Escape
British Columbia
Posts: 53
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My question to you is "WHY."
Two tanks are better than one.
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06-11-2018, 03:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunrisetrucker
My question to you is "WHY."
Two tanks are better than one.
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Especially when the tank feeding the furnace runs out in the middle of the cold, windy and wet night, an hour from a filling station.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-11-2018, 03:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
Question 1) The 2 tanks are on a white base plate with a rod going up the middle. Do I take this all off and place the tank in the middle directly on the tongue with no base?
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You should rest the tank on a tray for stability and to prevent frame rust. If the tank rests on enough of the frame to be stable, it might work without a tray. You do need a means however of securing the tank - a tie down belt, strap or bracket. Whatever method you use to secure it, make sure it's strong.
Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
Question 2) There are 2 hoses coming out with a valve you turn to make either open and the other close. Can I just take off the hose and keep the valve open on 1 side where it will be open all the time?
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The "valve you turn to make either open..." is actually an automatic changeover pressure regulator. You need a pressure regulator whether it's a single tank or dual tanks, but you don't need the auto changeover capability with a single tank. The regulator takes high pressure LP coming out of the tank, and reduces it to low pressure (about 11 water column inches of pressure) so it can be used by appliances in the trailer. You can remove the auto changeover regulator and pigtails, and just use a single connection regulator mounted to the hose you connect to the tank. I wouldn't recommend using the dual tank regulator and leaving one side open.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-11-2018, 05:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunrisetrucker
My question to you is "WHY."
Two tanks are better than one.
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I'm actually trying to get rid of propane altogether. I'm not there yet with the solar/battery hookup but once I have it all in place bye bye propane!
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06-11-2018, 06:07 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan
You should rest the tank on a tray for stability and to prevent frame rust. If the tank rests on enough of the frame to be stable, it might work without a tray. You do need a means however of securing the tank - a tie down belt, strap or bracket. Whatever method you use to secure it, make sure it's strong.
The "valve you turn to make either open..." is actually an automatic changeover pressure regulator. You need a pressure regulator whether it's a single tank or dual tanks, but you don't need the auto changeover capability with a single tank. The regulator takes high pressure LP coming out of the tank, and reduces it to low pressure (about 11 water column inches of pressure) so it can be used by appliances in the trailer. You can remove the auto changeover regulator and pigtails, and just use a single connection regulator mounted to the hose you connect to the tank. I wouldn't recommend using the dual tank regulator and leaving one side open.
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Thank you so much! Is there a name for this propane tray thing? I am not finding anything online it all seems for dual tanks and not single ones....
or can I take the rod out and place it in the middle of the 2 tank base? Hmmm...
Though I'm not sure what to do with the strapping, I think I need to go to a local RV shop and just ask and buy everything there.
I wouldn't want to bungee cord it and then have it flying out!
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06-11-2018, 06:24 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Huck
Trailer: ParkLiner
Virginia
Posts: 852
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What's the benefit in removing the tank?
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06-11-2018, 06:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huck
What's the benefit in removing the tank?
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The tongue weigh and I have a 1100w lithium battery generator which pretty much can do everything except fridge and heat (with the inverter from the engine I can still manage) But If I add more batteries with solar I can heat and fridge with no problems what so ever)
Can run the fridge 24/7 WHILE driving THIS is gold IMHO.
Also most important, nobody got time to fill tanks while camping!
I don't have the shower hookup so don't need all the water heating etc.
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06-11-2018, 07:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
Mid Left Coast
Posts: 2,940
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when I had a tent trailer with a single propane bottle, it sat on a base that was square and the size of the ring on the foot of the tank... it had two vertical bolts with wingnuts, and two vertical clamping pieces that had a bottom right angle with a hole for said bolt, and a hook on top that hooked the top handle/ring of the tank. the propane regulator threaded directly into the tank valve, just like on a BBQ.
i'm not finding any clamps like that but there's plenty of these sorts of things,
https://www.amazon.com/Nashfuel-Univ.../dp/B00EP1S6H4
man, tho, I would not want to be camping and have the temperature seriously drop and not have propane heat. electric heat draws a LOT of power, like 1500 watt*hours per hour, thats 120 amp*hours per hour.
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06-11-2018, 08:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
when I had a tent trailer with a single propane bottle, it sat on a base that was square and the size of the ring on the foot of the tank... it had two vertical bolts with wingnuts, and two vertical clamping pieces that had a bottom right angle with a hole for said bolt, and a hook on top that hooked the top handle/ring of the tank. the propane regulator threaded directly into the tank valve, just like on a BBQ.
i'm not finding any clamps like that but there's plenty of these sorts of things,
https://www.amazon.com/Nashfuel-Univ.../dp/B00EP1S6H4
man, tho, I would not want to be camping and have the temperature seriously drop and not have propane heat. electric heat draws a LOT of power, like 1500 watt*hours per hour, thats 120 amp*hours per hour.
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Yeah don't use AC, DC ceramic heater works great You can pair it with electric blankets if while sleeping but even if its 1500w that's on high you don't need that much at all for a little scamp like mine. Even the lowest is too much once running. If it has a thermostat I'm pretty sure it would turn off many times during the night too lowering the consumption. But with a DC heater I can go on all night WITH the fridge with another battery or 2.
It's WAY worth it vs dealing with propane tanks and having to go out and turn it on then turn the fridge on OUTSIDE. Then worrying about leaks, filling the tank, finding the place to fill it with etc. It's prob not for everyone but for me it's WAY WAY worth it
But if you have a shower hookup I don't think you can get away without a tank. That's another thing I didn't want to deal with black/gray water tanks etc. I just want something simple and easy. But that's just me, everybody's needs are different and how much effort and energy one wants to put into it all!
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06-11-2018, 09:13 PM
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#11
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Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: Escape
British Columbia
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
Yeah don't use AC, DC ceramic heater works great You can pair it with electric blankets if while sleeping but even if its 1500w that's on high you don't need that much at all for a little scamp like mine. Even the lowest is too much once running. If it has a thermostat I'm pretty sure it would turn off many times during the night too lowering the consumption. But with a DC heater I can go on all night WITH the fridge with another battery or 2.
It's WAY worth it vs dealing with propane tanks and having to go out and turn it on then turn the fridge on OUTSIDE. Then worrying about leaks, filling the tank, finding the place to fill it with etc. It's prob not for everyone but for me it's WAY WAY worth it
But if you have a shower hookup I don't think you can get away without a tank. That's another thing I didn't want to deal with black/gray water tanks etc. I just want something simple and easy. But that's just me, everybody's needs are different and how much effort and energy one wants to put into it all!
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I must admit I do not understand your desire to get rid of propane. I find it the most versatile , most handy, longest lasting power source and far safer than most people realize. I remember going camping with my dad and only having "white gas" for cooking, heating and light. That was an experience, with a few close calls that could have been potentially dangerous. Propane is a pleasure to use by comparison.
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06-11-2018, 09:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
Mid Left Coast
Posts: 2,940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
Yeah don't use AC, DC ceramic heater works great You can pair it with electric blankets if while sleeping but even if its 1500w that's on high you don't need that much at all for a little scamp like mine. Even the lowest is too much once running. If it has a thermostat I'm pretty sure it would turn off many times during the night too lowering the consumption. But with a DC heater I can go on all night WITH the fridge with another battery or 2.
It's WAY worth it vs dealing with propane tanks and having to go out and turn it on then turn the fridge on OUTSIDE. Then worrying about leaks, filling the tank, finding the place to fill it with etc. It's prob not for everyone but for me it's WAY WAY worth it
But if you have a shower hookup I don't think you can get away without a tank. That's another thing I didn't want to deal with black/gray water tanks etc. I just want something simple and easy. But that's just me, everybody's needs are different and how much effort and energy one wants to put into it all!
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I really appreciate the toilet for those 3 AM bathroom runs that seem more frequent on the north side of 60 yrs...
and, I'd way rather use my own clean shower than some nasty cinderblock bunker campground shower that may or may not have hot water.
turning on the propane? I turn it on as soon as I put the refilled tanks on the trailer. and hardly ever turn it off again, until its time to swap tanks. my escape's fridge turns on propane with a push of a inside button.
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06-11-2018, 09:28 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunrisetrucker
I must admit I do not understand your desire to get rid of propane. I find it the most versatile , most handy, longest lasting power source and far safer than most people realize. I remember going camping with my dad and only having "white gas" for cooking, heating and light. That was an experience, with a few close calls that could have been potentially dangerous. Propane is a pleasure to use by comparison.
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Yes, I'm just TOO lazy. I don't want to go out in the rain or even on sunny days lol to turn anything on and off. I don't want to be on my phone looking for places to fill the tank, I don't want to carry that heavy thing loading and unloading to fill it up. I don't want to do the maintenance to determine if the hose has to be replaced and the periodic little heart attacks thinking "WHAT"S THAT SMELL?! IS IT A LEAK??!!" Which 99% of time is probably the dog or one of my kids just farting. Like I said everybody is different, good for you that you enjoy all these things and doesn't annoy you. But it annoys ME!! Haha!
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06-11-2018, 09:38 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz
I really appreciate the toilet for those 3 AM bathroom runs that seem more frequent on the north side of 60 yrs...
and, I'd way rather use my own clean shower than some nasty cinderblock bunker campground shower that may or may not have hot water.
turning on the propane? I turn it on as soon as I put the refilled tanks on the trailer. and hardly ever turn it off again, until its time to swap tanks. my escape's fridge turns on propane with a push of a inside button.
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Yes, my thinking will probably change as I get older, different priorities, different needs, wants etc. But for now I want to get rid of the propane ASAP.
I'm not going to unhook anything or alter it so if I do want the tank I can always set it up again
We use luggable loo with cat litter with bags and just throw it out best thing ever! You won't ever want to use those square porta potties once you use the luggable loo it's easy, no mess, no fuss just all around the best thing we purchased for the camper
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06-11-2018, 09:45 PM
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#15
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Commercial Member
Name: Charlie Y
Trailer: Escape 21 - Felicity
Oregon
Posts: 1,583
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Ran across someone in a Casita who substituted a bucket for road tools for his 2nd tank; had a PVC pipe that stuck up to engage the hold down clamp for the 2nd tank (now removed) so it kept everything in place. Inventive sort.
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06-11-2018, 09:53 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
We use luggable loo with cat litter with bags and just throw it out best thing ever!
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Guess some people just don't give a sh*t.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-11-2018, 09:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
Ran across someone in a Casita who substituted a bucket for road tools for his 2nd tank; had a PVC pipe that stuck up to engage the hold down clamp for the 2nd tank (now removed) so it kept everything in place. Inventive sort.
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Ahhh if it'll keep the tongue weigh less than 200lbs that might be a solution until I get rid of both tanks...good idea!
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06-11-2018, 10:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: amy
Trailer: scamp 13
ME
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo
Guess some people just don't give a sh*t.
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Is this a pun?
Yeah but you're right I don't give a sh*t messing with black water tanks and washing out porta potties worst thing ever!
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06-12-2018, 02:17 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: Casita SD17 2006 "Missing Link"
California
Posts: 3,738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
The tongue weigh and I have a 1100w lithium battery generator which pretty much can do everything except fridge and heat (with the inverter from the engine I can still manage) But If I add more batteries with solar I can heat and fridge with no problems what so ever)
Can run the fridge 24/7 WHILE driving THIS is gold IMHO.
Also most important, nobody got time to fill tanks while camping!
I don't have the shower hookup so don't need all the water heating etc.
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Couple things Amy. Can't say I ever remember having to fill a tank while camping, that's done before I leave. LP is almost as easy to find as gasoline and the tank can be filled without removing it from the TT just like all motor homes do. You mention your TW, kind of wondering where you plan to mount any extra battery(s) to run the fridge and heater. To make it real easy, if you always camp with hookups, just take the tanks off and plug in to 110v, done. Every one floats their boat different .
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06-12-2018, 06:22 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Huck
Trailer: ParkLiner
Virginia
Posts: 852
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amy in maine
The tongue weigh and I have a 1100w lithium battery generator which pretty much can do everything except fridge and heat (with the inverter from the engine I can still manage) But If I add more batteries with solar I can heat and fridge with no problems what so ever)
Can run the fridge 24/7 WHILE driving THIS is gold IMHO.
Also most important, nobody got time to fill tanks while camping!
I don't have the shower hookup so don't need all the water heating etc.
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How are you going to keep the solar generator charged? If you are just going out for a few days, I can see it working; but how about a 2 week or longer stay?
That's the problem I'm trying to figure out. Not enough roof space for all the needed solar panels and putting out several portable panels is worse than filling a propane tank for me.
You could go with a more efficient refrigerator, but it will be difficult to find one that fits in the same space. I'm thinking about putting one in my van (Tow vehicle).
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