Composite Propane tanks?

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by dylanear

I do find it can be challenging keeping a thread on topic around here.

I am curious about the composite tanks. I'm mostly concerned about tongue weight.

Is theft a worry with a fancy, expensive tank?

Part of the that depends on where you live, most thefts occur while trailers are in storage, home or otherwise. Little happens in campgrounds. When in storage one could remove the tank.
Second, a cover will hide the fact that it's composite.
A method of mounting that takes wrenches to remove.

There's a risk to everything. The above should reduce the risk of theft.

[john warren]

put you tank in the garage or shed when you don't want to carry it.
but don;t you find it a hassle taking it off and putting it on?

[David Tilston]

I use an aluminum 33.4 lb forklift tank. It takes up less space because it lays down. I changed the valves. The tank came with a valve on the liquid draw and a quick fill port on the vapour draw. It now has a valve on the vapour draw and a quick fill port on the liquid draw. I just found a fiberglass version of a forklift tank.

Lite Cylinder 33# Horizontal Fork Lift Cylinder

Looks like changing the valves would be kinda difficult. Also they say that it is 20% lighter then a steel tank, but the aluminum tank is also lighter then the steel tank. If my calculations are correct, the aluminum tank is 33.3% lighter then the steel tank. I am getting my numbers from:
Manchester Tank: Forklift & Buffer Cylinders

The 33.5 lb aluminum tank, with a float level gauge, is 24 lb, where the steel tank is 36 lb. The steel tank is 150% the weight of the aluminum tank.

[Bob Miller]

I don't think that basic question about "Holding" a tank was addressed. But the bottom line is NO, the system isn't geared to do that. All of the ones I have used simply exchange your empty(?) tank for a full one. If you don't have an empty, you have to buy one. I haven't seen any system that just charge a deposit for the tank.

[dylanear]

Originally Posted by john warren

put you tank in the garage or shed when you don't want to carry it.
but don;t you find it a hassle taking it off and putting it on?

I have storage in California I see a few times a year. But other than the Scamp I'm homeless. There's no garage or shed for me to store things in that I see regularly. We'll see, good chance I'll have a real apartment with a parking space in Vancouver.

But I'm pretty happy being homeless besides the Scamp. It's a great home.

I have not found it all that hard to take on/off.

[BCDave]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

I don't think that basic question about "Holding" a tank was addressed. But the bottom line is NO, the system isn't geared to do that. All of the ones I have used simply exchange your empty(?) tank for a full one. If you don't have an empty, you have to buy one. I haven't seen any system that just charge a deposit for the tank.

I sorta suspect that each outlet is a business, that pays a set fee to the holder of the franchise name. As such, you cannot expect a Wal-Mart in California to give you a tank after you left yours off at the Lowes in Kansas. Not the same company!

[mcbrew]

I bought a fiberglass tank to replace the steel one on my Scamp. I did this for a variety of reasons, most of which have been mentioned, but I'll do it again:

1. Weight. I'll do just about anything to get the tongue weight down to a reasonable number. I believe it is about 10 pounds lighter than steel.
2. The ability to see the propane level. As others have mentioned, this can alleviate some of the stress of finding a place to fill the tank, because you get plenty of warning.
3. No rust. The tank stays nice and clean looking for its whole life. Also, the tank is translucent and white... So it matches the Scamp!

[BCDave]

I don't worry so much about the weight - but that's a self defense issue - if I mention "weight", my otherwise patient and understanding bride pokes me in the tummy and starts talking about diets.

However the ability to see the level in the tank is nice. I should look into how big a tank I can get. I run other stuff off the trailer tanks so for me a pair of 30 pounders is minimum

[dylanear]

Originally Posted by BCDave

I sorta suspect that each outlet is a business, that pays a set fee to the holder of the franchise name. As such, you cannot expect a Wal-Mart in California to give you a tank after you left yours off at the Lowes in Kansas. Not the same company!

I figured it was a long shot, but man that would be useful. They get to keep my money and can let someone else use my tank, I don't have to mess with it until I need it. Win, win, WIN! All they have to do is set up a database to keep track of the accounts. They may be separate resellers, but I'd guess the overall company does keep track of the tank testing, refurbishing and such. I'd guess there is a decent amount of centralized infrastructure with each of the major brands.

I bet it could be done, it's just that only 0.1% of the customers have ever wanted it. Now that said, I'd bet at least 0.3% would use that service at some point if offered it!!

[dylanear]

Originally Posted by mcbrew

I bought a fiberglass tank to replace the steel one on my Scamp.
3. No rust. The tank stays nice and clean looking for its whole life. Also, the tank is translucent and white... So it matches the Scamp!

I hear ya on the tongue weight thing. I bent my first receiver! (it just wasn't made to tow a serious load, the Curt is much stronger)

Which tank exactly did you get? That matches the Scamp so well?

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by dylanear

I hear ya on the tongue weight thing. I bent my first receiver! (it just wasn't made to tow a serious load, the Curt is much stronger)

Which tank exactly did you get? That matches the Scamp so well?

I've got a 20 pounder from Lite Cylinder Company in white.