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04-15-2006, 09:54 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Trailer: 84 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 725
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New tanks also seem to be limited to these colors, presumably due to their reflective properties. There would be less heat build-up under direct sunlight and less pressure build-up accordingly.
This opinion could extend to the re-fillers as well as to the re-certifiers, and a person with a hot pink tank could find it difficult to get it filled.
Oh well, a person who feels it necessary to indulge in having a hot pink propane tank could make a covering for it of hot pink vinyl. That way it would match in a complementary way the pink plastic flamingos that have been so popular.
There seems to be a way around just about any stupid requirement.
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04-16-2006, 10:16 AM
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#22
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Member
Trailer: 1994 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel / 2001 4wd 6cyl Silverado
Posts: 34
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Hi. These composite type cylinders are very interesting, and I would buy one to alleviate my already overburdened 6 cylinder silverado towing a scamp 5th wheel. Iam just wondering how well they would fare in a rear end collision, especially in a fifth wheel, as the tanks are facing the rear bumper, with no protection at all... Just a thought..............Paul Smith Orlando fl.
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04-16-2006, 12:59 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
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Quote:
Yes but Chris, As Donna (I think it was her that bought one) for a propane tank guage that tells you how much you have left in your tank...
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A pressure gauge can indicate that a tank which is in use is about to run out, various termperature measurement tricks can give an approximate level, and a tank can always be weighed, but I have yet to see anyone produce an actual level gauge which is combined with an OPD. Seeing the liquid level in a tank would seem to be a real advantage to me.
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
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04-16-2006, 09:38 PM
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#24
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Member
Trailer: Eggcamper 2007
Posts: 42
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Quote:
A pressure gauge can indicate that a tank which is in use is about to run out, various termperature measurement tricks can give an approximate level, and a tank can always be weighed, but I have yet to see anyone produce an actual level gauge which is combined with an OPD. Seeing the liquid level in a tank would seem to be a real advantage to me.
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This weekend I bought a guage to go on my Burro's tank, that tells me the amount in my tank. I paid about 14.00 bucks for it in the out-door grilling section at Wal-mart.
It works fine. Gives a large green area for full, then an area for low, and small area "red" telling you , you are out pretty soon. Pretty usefull. I used it a lot Saturday and it worked fine.
weldon
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04-17-2006, 12:32 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler (B1700RGH) 1979
Posts: 5,002
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Quote:
This weekend I bought a guage to go on my Burro's tank, that tells me the amount in my tank...Pretty usefull. I used it a lot Saturday and it worked fine.
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I'm not sure how it is possible to know if this really works unless you see what it shows under various conditions and compare the readings to weights.
My guess is that the gauge said full at the beginning, said something lower later in the day, and after a few days sitting around it will say full again - because it is almost certainly a pressure gauge. As the tank is used, the propane cools down and the pressure drops. A really severe drop is the liquid finally running out. While this seems to be a useful scheme, it doesn't let me go the parked trailer, look at the gauge, and see if there is enough in the tank for a trip.
If the gauge is just installed on the outlet from the tank, there's no way for it to "see" anything other than pressure.
-------------------------------
By the way, I finally got around to searching for our last discussion of both the composite tanks and level indications: [b]Propane tank Level?, How do you tell how much propane is left? The same Lite Cylinder was the subject.
__________________
1979 Boler B1700RGH, pulled by 2004 Toyota Sienna LE 2WD
Information is good. Lack of information is not so good, but misinformation is much worse. Check facts, and apply common sense liberally.
STATUS: No longer active in forum.
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04-17-2006, 01:08 PM
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#26
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Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 16 ft
Posts: 72
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Donna good find!
Price for 20lb composite tank is $121 at eweedcontrol.com. Weight empty is 12.5lbs.
I have a 20lb Worthington aluminum tank (these are beautiful polished-up). $130 at vintagetrailersupply.com, 14lbs.
Steel 20lb are $45-55 bucks anywhere and weigh between 17-18lbs.
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04-26-2006, 06:01 AM
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#27
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Senior Member
Trailer: Y2K6 Bigfoot 25 ft (25B25RQ) & Y2K3 Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
Posts: 5,040
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I will undoubtedly buy a couple of the domestic production tanks once they're available on the market for a while, even if they're $75 each just for the 'gee whiz' factor. The see-through is nice if you only have one tank, but if you have two, and an auto-switch regulator, it really doesn't make any difference when you run out; you always have another 20lbs in reserve. The eight or ten pound weight reduction for the pair of composit tanks over steel really isn't significant enough to make much difference on your tongue weight though. And even at $75 each, that's still nearly $50 each more per tank than you can buy steel 20lb Manchester tanks at Sam's for. I think I paid $26 each for two tanks last year at Sam's.
Roger
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04-26-2006, 06:50 AM
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#28
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler 1984
Posts: 2,938
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The difference in weight does not justify the price for my 13 ft'er. It might make a difference on the larger models, but my water tank with over 100 lbs more than counterbalances a propane tank and a battery. Now double tank or extra large ones could be altogether different.
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04-26-2006, 08:28 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Trailer: 84 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 725
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I was at the local CENEX store (farm supply) yesterday to get some items non-related to FGRVs and saw one of the new fiberglass tanks.
It was a 20 pounder and had a price of around $75. It also came with sort of a holder, a heavy red plastic mesh stuff. Perhaps it was a backpack accessory for use with a weed burner.
I wasn't interested enough at the time to get all the details. But if they are available at CENEX, it won't be long before they will show up everywhere.
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05-02-2006, 07:36 AM
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#30
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft 1980 Burro
Posts: 41
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The composite cylinder sounded so good that I just ordered one. I could not locate them locally, so I called the company (The Lite Cylinder Co., 1-866-412-5483). (I was told that they are not available yet in Knoxville, TN...don't know about other places.) They are only available in Beachnut (light tan), red, yellow, and blue. No white, which is the color I wanted. Also, they said that the outside casing cannot be painted, as paint would not adhere to it. I ordered the Beachnut, as it kind of goes with the Burro decals on the side of the trailer. The lady at the company said that this is the color most people order. The cost was $77 (or was it $75??) with $8 shipping from Franklin, TN to Knoxville, TN.
I asked about using it on a travel trailer and was told that it is DOT approved for that. He said that steel containers have a base ring about one inch high and that this one has a ring about 3/4 inch high. He said that if the mounting ring on the trailer is one inch high, then it would rest on the cylinder case, which would be no problem. On my Burro, it will sit directly on the front A-Frame with three raised metal pieces that keep it from sliding. It is held down with top brackets in the same manner as the steel tank.
Why did I order one of these when I had a new steel tank? Two reasons. I have only one tank on the Burro and I KNOW that it would run out of propane one snowy winter night when I'm camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (no hookups there). And I'm never sure that any of my means of checking the level of propane is working (tapping on the cylinder, pouring hot water, stud finder, etc. They all seem to give different readings for me. With this tank I can see exactly how much propane I have before leaving home. The second reason is that I am an incurable gadget guy and this is just too neat a gadget to pass up.
When it arrives and gets mounted on the trailer, I'll let you know how it fits, etc.
Bob
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05-02-2006, 09:06 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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Bob, I'm a gadget guy too and it will not only save weight, let you know exactly how much fluid is left and it will look really cool also. I Gotta have one too.
Suggestion:
I made a lockdown cable for my steel tanks using plastic coated steel cable and looped ends that go through the handles and are padlocked to the egg. Home Depot and Lowel's both sell the cable and crimp stuff to make these. I suggest that you lock the cool tank to the egg.
DR
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05-02-2006, 09:42 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1985 17 ft Burro
Posts: 135
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I'm a gadget gal...can't wait to see pics of your new tank and tongue, Bob! Just might have to convince my non-gadget husband that this is something we must have.
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05-02-2006, 05:08 PM
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#33
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft 1980 Burro
Posts: 41
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Darwin, Good idea on the lock. I had wondered how secure it would be if left in a remote campground while I was away from the camper for the day. The cylinder is supposed to arrive on Monday (4-8-06). If the weather works with me, I should have it on that afternoon and the pics on the site shortly thereafter.
Bob
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05-05-2006, 04:10 PM
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#34
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Member
Trailer: 2004 17 ft Bigfoot
Posts: 53
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Now, those are totally cool!
Francine
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05-06-2006, 07:13 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Darwin, Good idea on the lock. I had wondered how secure it would be if left in a remote campground while I was away from the camper for the day. The cylinder is supposed to arrive on Monday (4-8-06). If the weather works with me, I should have it on that afternoon and the pics on the site shortly thereafter.
Bob
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Bob, I'm thinking...outa sight, outa mind. How about covering it with a 'el cheapo vinyl tank cover? Wouldn't have to be on all the time....
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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05-06-2006, 09:59 PM
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#36
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft 1980 Burro
Posts: 41
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Donna, good idea. It would still be easy to peek under it to see the level of propane. I have seen some that are ready-made for single tanks, but I believe I'll have to make one myself. I have double propane lines coming off of the regulator, one to the left (facing the trailer from the front) that goes to my catalitic heater (mounted on the side of the closet, just inside the entry door) and the other going to the right for the stove. Or, I may look into getting one of those aluminum boxes that sit on the front A-frame with room for your propane tank and a few other supplies???? Anyway, outta sight, outta mind is a good idea!
Bob
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05-10-2006, 08:11 PM
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#37
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft 1980 Burro
Posts: 41
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Slight delay in posting the results on the tank. It was supposed to be delivered this past Monday, but was still not here today (Wednesday). I called and they said that it will be shipped out next Wednesday (5-17-06). She said that demand had been so great that they are working overtime to meet the orders. So, there must be some pretty good interest in them.
Bob
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05-20-2006, 09:49 PM
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#38
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft 1980 Burro
Posts: 41
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The tank arrived and I have it installed. Since ordering it I decided to add a storage box to the front tongue of my trailer. The tank is on one end of the box. There is a wood divider and the other end carries my tool box, chocks, electric power cord, leveling blocks, etc. If you plan on installing one of these tanks, please note that they are a little larger than the standard metal tanks. This one is 18 inches high (about 1/2 inche higher than the metal ones) and 13 inches diameter. The fiberglas composite material of the tank itself is, I believe, the same size as the metal tanks, but it has a plastic case which encloses it which gives it a little extra width. The tank is great for seeing exactly how much propane you have, and even (although it's not necessary) has calibrations showing 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 levels. I should also mention that the tank does not have the approximately 1 inch ring around the bottom as does the metal tank. It has a slightly raised ring (maybe 1/4 inch). This could affect the way the tank mounts on your trailer tongue.
Bob
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05-21-2006, 06:31 AM
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#39
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 614
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Looks good Bob and thanks for the tip about the bottom ring. I'll have to come up with a different mouting system for my tanks if I go this route.
Al
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05-21-2006, 10:02 AM
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#40
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1977 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 190
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Bob - please tell us about the box you installed on the tongue..where you got it, dimensions, how it is attached.
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