How to hold down the propane tank

[lizandjola]

Hi folks. We have removed the scary old bungee cords that held down the battery and propane tank on our Trillium's tongue shelf. The battery is now nicely contained and bolted down in a lovely new weather proof box. Whew. The propane tank is held on with a couple of tie-downs at the moment and this does not make me happy. I have seen metal thingys that tighten and hold the tank in place and a few photos of cages that hold the tank. Where on earth do I find such lovely devices? I don't even know what to call them and the auto parts store fellows want to sell me more bungees. Yikes.
Thanks for your help!

[Glenn Baglo]

Hi folks. We have removed the scary old bungee cords that held down the battery and propane tank on our Trillium's tongue shelf. The battery is now nicely contained and bolted down in a lovely new weather proof box. Whew. The propane tank is held on with a couple of tie-downs at the moment and this does not make me happy. I have seen metal thingys that tighten and hold the tank in place and a few photos of cages that hold the tank. Where on earth do I find such lovely devices? I don't even know what to call them and the auto parts store fellows want to sell me more bungees. Yikes.
Thanks for your help!

You could probably fashion it yourself. The Rona hardware store near me sells threaded rods about 3 feet long. You get one or two of those as required. Bend to hook onto the tank or through the top of the tank. Then you'll need a metal strap. I think you can find that too. A couple washers and bolts, or better yet, wing nuts. You mention a shelf, and I'm not familiar with your set up, but you could probably drill a couple holes in it for the threaded rod instead of investing in a metal strap.

BTW, bungee cords tend to rot and let loose at the worst moment.

baglo

[Roger C H]

Hi folks. We have removed the scary old bungee cords that held down the battery and propane tank on our Trillium's tongue shelf. The battery is now nicely contained and bolted down in a lovely new weather proof box. Whew. The propane tank is held on with a couple of tie-downs at the moment and this does not make me happy. I have seen metal thingys that tighten and hold the tank in place and a few photos of cages that hold the tank. Where on earth do I find such lovely devices? I don't even know what to call them and the auto parts store fellows want to sell me more bungees. Yikes.
Thanks for your help!

Are you talking about turnbuckles?



http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1WBR6

[Orlen Wolf]

Hi folks. We have removed the scary old bungee cords that held down the battery and propane tank on our Trillium's tongue shelf. The battery is now nicely contained and bolted down in a lovely new weather proof box. Whew. The propane tank is held on with a couple of tie-downs at the moment and this does not make me happy. I have seen metal thingys that tighten and hold the tank in place and a few photos of cages that hold the tank. Where on earth do I find such lovely devices? I don't even know what to call them and the auto parts store fellows want to sell me more bungees. Yikes.
Thanks for your help!

I think the item you are looking for is a "single LP gas bottle rack." It consists of a vertical metal strap with a metal band around the tank. There are other mounting methods available such as straps that clip over the tank and several mounts for double tanks. If I remember correctly you have a single tank so the dual tank systems won't work for you.

A neat source for an on-line catalog of RV accessories is the Ketelsen RV web site, www.wegocamping.com. Their illustrated color catalog is great for browsing to see what's available (I think it's about 600 pages). They have just about anything you can imagine for any type of RV. If nothing else it will give you a picture and the "proper name" of what you are looking for so you can search for a similar item in your local area and ask for it by name.

I'm lucky that Ketelsen RV is about 5 miles down the road from where I live (Denver CO area). I can just jump in the car and drive right down there. They also have a place somewhere in Iowa.

[Chester Taje]

On a Compact J which i have since sold i had my tank fitted in my spare tire on the front. I also had the tie downs which have been described. Here is a picture.You can do this with or with out tire. You should see brackets clearly.

[james kent]

Here's a picture of the hold-down for our propane tank that came with the trailer. It consists of an upper strap, on each side, that hooks over the tank and a threaded rod. When tightened down that tank doesn't move or even quiver. The battery box was used as a tool box for pliers, screwdrivers, hammer and wrenches, etc. We have since added a larger box with a class 27 battery and use a ratchet strap to keep it in place.
Wondering now where to mount the old box. Hmmm?

[Glenn Baglo]

Attachment 17034

Here's a picture of the hold-down for our propane tank that came with the trailer. It consists of an upper strap, on each side, that hooks over the tank and a threaded rod. When tightened down that tank doesn't move or even quiver. The battery box was used as a tool box for pliers, screwdrivers, hammer and wrenches, etc. We have since added a larger box with a class 27 battery and use a ratchet strap to keep it in place.
Wondering now where to mount the old box. Hmmm?

James' picture shows what I have in mind. The threaded rods I've seen are 1/4 or 3/8 inch by about three feet. I have no idea what purpose they serve as sold, but bent to the right shape, they would work just as James' straps. Of course, if you can get James' straps, you can save a lot of messing about, and it could even be cheaper.

I had the same set up on my tent trailer. Whatever you do, make sure you replace the stupid little nuts with large wing nuts and liberal doses of WD-40 so you can get the tank off easily for refill.

baglo

[MikeCM]

Hi folks. We have removed the scary old bungee cords that held down the battery and propane tank on our Trillium's tongue shelf. The battery is now nicely contained and bolted down in a lovely new weather proof box. Whew. The propane tank is held on with a couple of tie-downs at the moment and this does not make me happy. I have seen metal thingys that tighten and hold the tank in place and a few photos of cages that hold the tank. Where on earth do I find such lovely devices? I don't even know what to call them and the auto parts store fellows want to sell me more bungees. Yikes.
Thanks for your help!

I would check out one of these racks from rvsurplussalvage.com. Dual lp rack

Mike

[james kent]

Hi Glenn
I have, in the past, purchased the threaded rod and the strapping, for other projects, at Canadian Tire, so I would imagine that it is also available at most hardware stores. Possibly at a Lowes or Home Depot as well. Replacing the nut with a wing nut is sound advice as it's a b^&* to twist that thing down with a wrench.

[April Wilcox]

I have been searching the web for those single tank straps, and this is what I have found so far... not sure if this will work for your needs, but it might be a good solution.

http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/single-lp-...ottle-rack.html

here is another link for the same product, only they use a real picture...scroll down

http://www.rvadenver.com/lp_gas_accessories.htm

I can not seem to find the straps that bolt down anywhere online, they must have a specific name that I haven't been able to figure out yet. They seem to be a fairly common method to secure a tank, so there must be a source out there somewhere.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Call Scamp parts and ask about theirs -- Similar to Boler above except the metal straps go all the way down to the bottom and attach with nut and bolt.

[james kent]

Since the straps seem to be different for different trailers, they were probably manufactured on site. Shouldn't be too difficult to do. About 120 degree bend at the top and a 90 degree bend at the bottom. If you don't have a vice on your workbench then clamp them between two boards and hammer them. Make them slightly shorter than your tank and the bolt will pull them down tight.

[April Wilcox]

Good advice James, but I wonder what metal is the best to use for the strap so it doesn't bend too easily. Our trailer has them already, so it is a non issue for us, but in case other's try to make their own after reading this thread, I feel it's important to be sure the proper materials are being used for safety.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Another way would be to use Bob's turnbuckle above with some chain and S-hooks. Get it as tight as you want! Cost more, however.

[BrianT]

Originally Posted by Pete Dumbleton

Call Scamp parts and ask about theirs -- Similar to Boler above except the metal straps go all the way down to the bottom and attach with nut and bolt.

If your in Canada this is crazy. I was also looking for these hold downs. $5 each, so $10, but $45 shipping! $55 before taxes.