Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Propane tank life (Read 577 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane tank life

Sorry if this has been covered. I did a search and didn't see what I needed.  With gas grill propane tanks you cannot get them refilled  once they have expired.

I have a 2003 U320 with an on board 17 gallon (I believe) tank.  Does that tank have an expiration date where it cannot be legally refilled ?

2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #1 –
No.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #2 –
Should not be a problem getting it refilled. We fill ours at Costco if we can.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #3 –
Here's a cheat for expired inspection on a gas grill tank.  Just exchange it for a refilled one at Home Depot or gas station that does exchanges.  Done it several times, even with one that was a rusty mess, and the clerks never check for dates.  Worth a try.  W. 
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #4 –
I just do a tank exchange on my expired ones.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #5 –
As Rich said Earlier: NO!
Portable tanks are governed by DOT and require recertification every 12 years
Built in tanks are a different standard not requiring recertification.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #6 –
Thanks for all the replies.  Great forum with great folks. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Charlieboise –
I have a 2003 U320 with an on board 17 gallon (I believe) tank.  Does that tank have an expiration date where it cannot be legally refilled ?

The key word here is tank.  Your inboard tank is American Society of Mechanical Engineers certified and the only state the requires recertification as far as I know is Texas.  Your gas grill bottle is a Department of Transportation upright propane cylinder, a completely different authority.

FWIW 17 gallon sounds like an 85# tank.  The one that is in our U225 is 174# and was re-certified in Texas when we purchased our new home.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #8 –
Propane distributors will re certify your 20 gallon cylinders for about $10. I just had them do a 10 gallon. The tanks have a bursting pressure of over 900 psi. Relief valve goes off at 375 psi, tanks tested at factory at 600 psi.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #10 –
I've also been told that an onboard propane tank doesn't need to be re certified.....
 
  That's until I ran into a rouge employee/ supervisor at a U-Haul that would not fill our big on board tank.  She said no date .. no fill.    So don't assume that everyone knows the rules. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #11 –
If its bolted down it does not require reinspection. However it wouldnt hurt either. Its not a hydrostatic check. They open the end and do a visual inspection for internal corrosion.

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #12 –
We'll ok then. I would be onboard with an inspection. Not a bad idea, and I do need the liquid valve replaced. I rarely ( never ) use the liquid valve but I once thought I'd use that valve to refill one pounders. 

  Opened the valve to check  and had a very hard time getting it closed. Scared the heck out of me. But.  The local propane dealer doesn't evacuate them any more so I'd have to use it dry to get that done.

 Ps. I realize not everyone has a liquid valve but ours does. Possibly for the Optional propane geny?
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #13 –
Many of the valves can be rebuild if your shop is willing to source parts. Absolutely do any maintenance that is needed while the tank is empty/system is open. Also. Best to be near empty prior to any service.
 

Re: Propane tank life

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
We'll ok then. I would be onboard with an inspection. Not a bad idea, and I do need the liquid valve replaced. I rarely ( never ) use the liquid valve but I once thought I'd use that valve to refill one pounders. 

  Opened the valve to check  and had a very hard time getting it closed. Scared the heck out of me. But.  The local propane dealer doesn't evacuate them any more so I'd have to use it dry to get that done.

 Ps. I realize not everyone has a liquid valve but ours does. Possibly for the Optional propane geny?

My tank came with all original valves, then one day the tank wouldn't accept propane.  The vapor valve "felt" like the shaft was bent and would leak propane when between open and closed.  So, since we live full time in our home, I created a port for a 40# DOT cylinder, and waited for the big tank to give its last gasp.  While waiting I ordered a new POV valve and the vapor valve.  In my case I also needed a pair of Crow's Foot wrenches to turn the valves.  And of course the yellow pipe dope.  I worked quickly to remove and replace each valve because I didn't want air to enter the tank.  In other words the POV was doped up and ready to screw in as soon as I removed the original valve.  Then hand tight plus 1-1/2 turns and for the vapor valve "to position."  Tapered pipe threads can't be tightened until they don't leak.  Only until they'll hold position under normal use.  It's the pipe thread compound that seals the gap between the root and the crest of the threads.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.