Thoughts on a undercarriage propane tank ///

[MANUCHAO]

I posted this on Expo and putting it here for more input.

Thanks,

Im planning on putting a 25 horizontal propane tank

I currently carry 2 10lbs tanks on the rear swing out from the bumper...but im getting lazy and having to unmount the tanks in order to be used its getting old...
I also want to shift some of the weight from the rear to the middle/front of the rig...

Im planning on putting the horizontal tank in front of the rear axle on the right side.. The tank itself is made out of fiberglass so Im thinking of building a steel/alum sleeve to hold and protect the tank.... The tank would need to be pulled out for refills but not for day to day usage.... Im also planning on running a hose to the rear of the bumper with a quick disconnect like this one

Any input recommendation would be great.. !!

Frank

 

[SNLC]

Personally I wouldn't do it. I do not like the idea of a bomb under my truck. Sure many people do it and have for long periods of time with no problems but I simply do not like the idea. I have been hit in my truck by other drivers so perhaps that has something to do with why I don't like the idea.

You must go through a lot of propane/butane? Myself I can cook 2x a day for two people no problems on a 5lbs tank for a week easy. My 15lbs tank really is overkill and to much so now days I leave it at home. I use a Cook Partner stove and it is very efficient. It boils water in well under 5 minutes.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Hey Ian thanks for the input.

Yes, I go through a lot of propane specially on the 3 weeks plus trips..
These trips come once a year or twice in a good year....
Im using the propane for cooking /grilling on my camp chef 20k BTU's and my Zodi Extreme shower...

I understand the concerns of having a propane tank under the rig but as i is right now I got them on the rear of the truck on one of the swing outs, where I think they are less protected.

I also would use the fiberglass tanks which would not explode as regular tank do (I think).
I wouldn't have the tank under the truck all the time but only for the extended trips..

Frank.

 

[Dynosoar]

I say go for it! It shouldn't pose any problem.

Dyno

 

[cruiserpilot]

That is a really expensive bottle, I had no idea! I too am thinking of putting a horizontal bottle under my 60. Is that quick release a common item to buy? If you have multiple items, stove, shower, lights - are you using each item one at a time, or will you pipe it to a manifold and have all things being used at the same time?

 

[MANUCHAO]

Good question.. I don't know yet... I might just do one to keep it simple... I could always add a second feed on the hose past the QR...

manifold sounds complicated....

the tank IS expensive but cheaper n safer than steel or aluminum..it also would hold the most propane than any other tank out there... including the westfalia replacement tank from manchester tanks... which go for around $350+..........

 

[cruiserpilot]

I was thinking of a tee fitting, except for more than two lines. I found this tee fitting, so one tank can supply two lines.
http://www.propaneproducts.com/cata...mr.-heater-propane-y-adapter-splitter-83.html
It says $40 on sale, would be handy I think. Don't know if this helps you plan or not.

 

[SNLC]

Hey Ian thanks for the input.

Yes, I go through a lot of propane specially on the 3 weeks plus trips..
These trips come once a year or twice in a good year....
Im using the propane for cooking /grilling on my camp chef 20k BTU's and my Zodi Extreme shower...

I understand the concerns of having a propane tank under the rig but as i is right now I got them on the rear of the truck on one of the swing outs, where I think they are less protected.

I also would use the fiberglass tanks which would not explode as regular tank do (I think).
I wouldn't have the tank under the truck all the time but only for the extended trips..

Frank.

Perhaps Frank it is safer under the truck. It really is about how you use the truck, where you take it and all that jazz. But a bomb at the back is likely going to blow away from you rather then up to you! Like I say lot's of people do it for long periods of time with no problems. I also am having a hard time imagining where you might go that doesn't have propane/butane refills for three weeks at a time! Alaska comes to mind or the parts of Canada. Down south it is very readily available because everybody cooks with it.

Never had a hot shower for my truck other than a solar one. Does it consume a lot of fuel? I thought a lot of them were heated from the engine but I admit I don't know jack about them.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Ian, I know of the helton system for hot showers through the rig's cooling system..but I have never had a chance to explore it.... the Zodi extreme does not consume a lot of fuel but it does if you have a big group of people... (3, 4+)...

I like the fact you can set up away from the rig...
Not finding a place to fuel up is not the issue for me.. I got bikes on the same swing out where the propane tanks are and having to take the bikes off to get to the propane is what I want to avoid.....

This is my set up right now...

Check out this video.. of a fiberglass propane tank on fire.. sure they will burn and if I already have an open flame going under my rig...Im already screwed...the propane tank would only be the cherry on top , on a really bad situation........!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IemK3TJtamI

As it is, Im actually more concerned with the 45gal fuel tank I got on the rear of my rig.... and disctracted drivers.... having that 4+ bumper does give me a sense of safety (may be a false sense of safety, but a sense none the less)...

I try to not carry any type of fuel (gas/liquid) inside my rig. Including those 1 pound propane bottles....

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

Great video on the tank I was impressed with the leakage in pressure vs the exploding capability the steel tanks carry. Thanks for sharing. Post this with sticky as a safety type forum

 

[SWCruiser]

horizontal tank

I think you should be fine and can't see how it poses any greater risk than a gas tank in terms of a collision. They have been mounting these for years in RVs, VW vans etc. and I dont recall there being a lot of reports of explosions. I would be sure that the manufacturer recommends it for that purpose though. I have an ASME tank from Manchester to mount on my chinook. I hate lifting and positioning my propane tank and always feel like its in the wrong place. I personally feel its safer to permanently mount one. The one i have also has a digital meter so i can read it while inside the chinook.

For those that don't know. Horizontal and vertical tanks are extremely different so don't mount a vertical tank horizontally and there is a difference between vapor and liquid propane tanks. Make sure you are using the appropriate tank.

 

[SNLC]

I hear ya about a big fuel tank in the back and getting rear ended. I had an aux tank under my Taco, where the spare tire mounts. I got rear ended hard in El Salvador by a small car. Luckily for me between the small cars height and my tow hitch plus a burley rear bumper the Taco took almost zero damage, the small car was trashed though. The fuel tank was also fine since it was up high enough and protected by the bumper and hitch. But I was very worried before I got out and saw no damage to my truck.

Setting up a truck for overland travel takes a lot of thought. IMHO it also takes trail and error. There is only so much space in, on or under the truck. We all want to take different stuff with us when we go. No truck will really be the same when set up by the owners.

Cheers

 

[MANUCHAO]

Alright, I pulled the trigger and ordered the tank....
should be here next week..... I'll post as I move along with this project....

 

[greentruck]

MaNu,
Yep, these tanks are the schiznitz, way safer than steel.

On the other hand, I'm one of those who'd worry about this being under the truck -- if it was my truck. Mainly because fire burns up really easy, while sideways at least gives you a chance to run...

It is true that the older steel tanks are in wide use, exposed as mounted at various places on RVs. But with trailers, it's not actually in with passengers. Motor homes are a bit different. I'm not really sure about all the regs, but they're meant to reduce risk, not eliminate it. Everyone has their own comfort level, too.

One last thing to note when used on vehicles with humans aboard, i.e. most commonly forklifts, but other equipment, too, LPG tanks generally have a hefty steel cover to prevent penetration if the vehicle was to push up against an object. That would be my greatest concern, not a collision. It may be that you want something heavier than a stone shield, depending on the exact mounting location, to prevent anything trail-related that could stick up and puncture it.

 

[MANUCHAO]

Mike, thanks for all the info....
I dont wheel my rig but with the expo mentality of driving on different types of enviroment and ground clearances.... I am taking into account the protection of the tank....
It will go under the passenger rear seat and I will probably over build it to give me some sense of added safety... not only will the tank slide on its own steel sleeve but it will also have a 3/16" skid plate...
If my measurements are correct it will sit higher if not even at the frame rails under the rig.....

Anything (most likely rocks,boulders) that wants to make contact with the skid place will first make contact with the lower control arms and / or drive shaft....

Frank

 

[SHREDwagon]

Are you using this in cold weather?

 

[MANUCHAO]

yeah I am...
I have used my 10lbs bottles on 10F or -12C.
With no issues... but if you have any more on this, do tell !!!

I also have read using fermwrap to insulate the bottle....

 

[greentruck]

MaNu,
Sounds like a plan to me. Well-protected and armored against most plausible risks.

 

[SHREDwagon]

I think it's a great idea for 99% of the time. I've never had any luck with propane around -20. I believe it has to do with a pressure drop in the tank. But lot's of RV's in the hill parking lot seem to be ok - so maybe it's just me?

I bought a 6lb tank mainly to be able to keep it warm inside in cold weather. You could always pack a 1 lb bottle to keep heated in the cab for back-up. Worst case is you wouldn't be able to cook breakfast.

Who goes camping in -20 anyways? Haha...

 

[MANUCHAO]

Update: I order the tank directly from litecylinder forward 3 weeks and they said it will be another 4 weeks before they start production on these.. apparently something to do with equipment issues...
I got refunded and will contact them once they have these puppies back in stock...

SHREDwagon.... We camp all the time on cold weather... at Zion (canyoneering in semi frozen water) and the sierras (climbing or hot springs), but many times just wanting to get away from the city, so Im with yah on winter camping.. its AWESOME !!!!

I'll update this thread once I get the tank delivered...