Dual propane tanks for uhaul

[Judith Kennedy]

I am a new owner of an 84 uhaul 13. I havn't even picked it up yet but I see from various pictures that the tongue is very narrow and it looks like it may be difficult to mount a second propane tank thereon.

I would like to hear from anyone who has done this who would share particulars. Photo would be a plus!

[Larry&Carrie]

I am a new owner of an 84 uhaul 13. I havn't even picked it up yet but I see from various pictures that the tongue is very narrow and it looks like it may be difficult to mount a second propane tank thereon.

I would like to hear from anyone who has done this who would share particulars. Photo would be a plus!

Aaahhh - that's easy- just go to your friend's sticky, and take their dual propane bracket. Then bolt it on your tongue in the same spot your single is. It then sticks out a little on each side, but viola, two tank capicity. (See photo) I put mine in the area where the battery was since I don't have a battery, but it could be forward- just make sure it won't interfere when backing... I carry one tank in the summer and when hunting season comes along (and the heater is going) I put two on. Larry

[Ami P]

I had a second "ring" welded onto the "tower." Once you get your UHaul, you will see what I mean. The standard 2-tank holders will not work here. I'll post a pic soon. - Ami

[Raya]

The standard 2-tank holders will not work here...

As Ami notes, the tongue of a U-haul is just one single bar that runs back to the rear axle. So there's no "triangle" like on other trailers. There is a pillar onto which a tank with ring and bracket fits - it's kind of like a cartridge. I assume this was so that U-haul could change them quickly; they could have had a number of spare "cartridges" standing by.

Here's a photo of one:

[Donna D.]

Then too, if weight is a concern, you may want to consider how much propane you really need based on the time of year, how long you'll be camping, and what appliance you'll run on propane. One full 20# tank has been said to last a month... not running the furnace full-time however. I like Larry's solution, one tank in the summer, two in the winter... because of the furnace.

[james kent]

Congratulations on the purchase of your Uhaul.
You may want to wait and see just how much you really need a second tank. We do most of our cooking outdoors, and don't have a furnace, and as a result the trailer tank gets little use and can last a long time between fillings, OR ends up getting used as a replacement for the home BBQ. With two tanks and a big battery on the tongue, I think that there would be too much weight to handle. I have thought of switching to two 10 lb tanks though. One for the trailer and one for the portable stove.

[Judith Kennedy]

It seems that the problem arises when a single tank is used and emptied, you then have to get it filled NOW. Even with two smaller tanks you can switch out and have one filled while using the other. The alternative is to keep a spare in my van, but I am kinda askeered to have that bomb inside with me.

I am also considering getting another/bigger battery. The location in a uhaul is under the rear seat. Another tank would help balance the load.

Yes, I know I am getting ahead of myself as I have yet to go get the camper, but my mind wanders over the intangible. Even though I am retired, I can't escape being in Planning mode.

I am also considering replacing the factory solar panel with a newer/larger/moe modern one. The one on it now probably dosn't work after all these years anyhow.

[Yvon Chayer]

On my Scamp 16' i have one propane tank only and for emergecy i have buy a "STEAK SAVER ADAPTOR "
It's a one one pound bottle adaptor to use on standard tank adaptor
Steak saver

Witn this we take a one pound bottle or more for spare and you have the time to refil your 20 pounds bottle and you don't put extra weight on your trailer

Yvon Chayer

[Raya]

Is there anything to stop one from filling a single tank before it gets empty? Does one have to wait for it to run out before topping it off or filling it again?

(I've only used a system with two 10# tanks, so then did wait until one ran out to fill it; so I don't know. But that wasn't RV-ing, where it seems like there is often access to fill places.)

[Tom U]

No problem filling a partially empty/full tank. Here in CA if one goes to a station and has a tank topped off the only charge is for the gas dispensed. I have heard that some stations charge a flat fee for a refill - something to be aware of. So far we have only been charged for the gas we get...

If you exchange tanks you loose the propane you had left.

[Pat C]

All propane filling facilities in our area charge full price wether the tank is empty or 3/4 full.Also the price to fill a five,ten,or twenty tank in the same rate.We have a gage on our tank that drops from green display to yellow,(think about getting a fill soon) to light red almost empty,to dark red about five minutes of fuel left.Haven't run out yet although had a couple of close calls when hubby forgot to check the gage .

[Frederick L. Simson]

Is there anything to stop one from filling a single tank before it gets empty?

Depending on the filling station you go to, there is either a flat fee for filling a tank (approximately the price of filling a completely empty one) or at the KOA I frequent, the price per gallon decreases in steps the more you by at a time (volume discount). They do have a 3 gallon minimum sale requirement, so if the tank gets filled with only 1 or 2 gallons, you pay for 3.

A "20 pound" tank holds about 4.5 gallons of propane when filled to the 80% legal limit. I get a much better price if I wait until I have 3 empty tanks before I go buy propane.

[Dana T]

Frederick, how do you carry the three tanks to the station and back?

I generally don't like them inside the car with me, and also need to keep them upright and secured so they don't topple when starting, stopping, or turning.

I would like to know how to better handle the tank refilling chore.

Thanks!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Frederick, how do you carry the three tanks to the station and back?

Most of the time, I hitch up the trailer and haul it to the KOA, leaving 2 tanks riding in their usual place on the tongue. I use a Tank Foot to keep the 3^RD tank upright on the floor in the (2^ND row) back seat area of my Minivan.

When I Google'd "Tank Foot" to find the above link, I also found "Tank Nanny" and I think I'm going to get one of those!

[Kevin A]

You may be surprised about the solar panel. They seem to last forever on the UHauls! However, you may want a more powerful one. We don't currently use ours, so I don't know about its output.

I am also considering replacing the factory solar panel with a newer/larger/moe modern one. The one on it now probably dosn't work after all these years anyhow.

[Bill K]

I put my 20lb.tank in a square milk crate and then put a seat belt around it.

I also ran into the RV place charging full fill price no matter how much is in it.

I checked at a propane Co. and they do partial's at 84 cents a gallon.

Bill K