In mocking up my expo trailer kitchen I keep thinking about how simple my plumbing and tank mounts would be if my ( yet to be purchased) LP tanks lived in the main box of my trailer. They would only be sharing space with camping equipment, my water tank/ pump, and an ARB fridge. Are there any safety issues that make it unwise to put them there?
Propane bottles inside expedition trailer
- Thread starter barefoot
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Flammable fuel leak in a confined space = a potential for an explosion. OTOH, plenty of folks carry disposable propane cylinders and camp stove fuel inside their vehicles and assume this risk wittingly or unwittingly on a regular basis. Personally, I'd design it with fuel containers situated outside of any confined space.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
I prefer to carry all fuels for camping in an airtight ammo can mounted to the outside of my trailer. I always remove it and carry away from the trailer before I open it, just in case.
Unexpected explosions can sure ruin a good camping trip.....
Unexpected explosions can sure ruin a good camping trip.....
I've been following along your trailer build, maybe rebuild the front. You could put batteries inside a box inside trailer. Then fuel on the tongue outside? Turn the batteries sideways, propane tank beside?
Yeah, confined spaces and compressed, flammable gases are not a good mix.
However...
If it's a closed but well ventilated space, the equation changes. You gotta have vents in, could be screened, louvered, etc. But you also need to have a floor that is vented, could be screened, holes, etc.
Thing is, those gases are heavier than air and will tend to pool in a closed space. Go to open, spark, BOOM!
But if the gases can't be confined by the space, then it's different. Not sure up to code or whatever, someone else may know more about that, but properly designed -- we're talking very well ventilated, not some puny 2" tube or something -- I'd think that should satisfy the usual concerns about this?
However...
If it's a closed but well ventilated space, the equation changes. You gotta have vents in, could be screened, louvered, etc. But you also need to have a floor that is vented, could be screened, holes, etc.
Thing is, those gases are heavier than air and will tend to pool in a closed space. Go to open, spark, BOOM!
But if the gases can't be confined by the space, then it's different. Not sure up to code or whatever, someone else may know more about that, but properly designed -- we're talking very well ventilated, not some puny 2" tube or something -- I'd think that should satisfy the usual concerns about this?
RV manufacturers are required by law to vent all propane tanks, in an enclosed area , vented DOWN and out of the vehicle. there are no exceptions.
- Thread starter
- #7
I was afraid it would be a no go. Thank you for your responses. I will now revert to the original plan and mount 11lb cylinders to the outside of the tub behind the fenders.
WWRD (what would rezarf do?)
WWRD (what would rezarf do?)
Volcanic Iceberg
Addict
Im going to mount mine inside the tub. I like the cleaner look, ease of plumbing and security benefit. I will be making a small enclosure that will be vented.
Yeah, that is what I would do. Box it off inside the trailer and vent to the ground.
To be extra safe you could buy a Volvo and stop wheeling all together.
Kidding of course.
To be extra safe you could buy a Volvo and stop wheeling all together.
Kidding of course.
rusty_tlc
Dain Bramaged Member
One thing to be aware of, in addition to the already mentioned problems, the odorizer in propane will ruin pretty much anything it comes in long term contact with. I left a 1# cylinder with a slow leak in our picnic bin one time and had to throw everything, including the plastic bin, away because it all stank so bad. It only sat for a couple of weeks between uses.
