[dustboy]

I just got this 10 gallon tank delivered from Amazon.

I'd like to mount it on the curb side under the slider step for stealth and weight distribution, but it's only 3-4 inches from the muffler. Seems like it should be enough space to protect it from heat but then again, kablooie. Think it's a bad idea?

 

[Michael Ophus]

one of our forum members mounted one on the drivers side http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/170338-post42.html

 

[dustboy]

Ok so the other problem is that the filler is too close to the rocker panel, there is maybe 4" and not much room for the filler connection. This is on the street (driver) side, on the curb side there is even less due to the step.

 

[Deadwood]

I copied Stan's install of the Manchester tank on the driver side. He has a good write up about it on his build thread. I used the same tank and the same install method and the tank fits great. I did put my gray water tank under the slider. I didn't really want a propane tank so close to the muffler. But with that being said I think it could be done. My gray water tank ends up about an inch from the muffler. To protect it I did wrap my muffler and exhaust with header tape which pretty much keeps any heat from coming off the muffler. As an added measurement I put a piece of heat shield material on the tank to absorb any heat. Mostly there in case something were to happen to the header tape.

 

[Michael Ophus]

yep you bought the wrong tank, you need a lower quadrant tank! no way to make that tank work unless you can put an elbow on the fill pipe to angle it down, and even then the gas guy will bitch because it will be hard for him to get the hose on there - this is someone elses link i saved because i am thinking about a tank too. http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/rv-propane-horizontal.htm

 

[skagitstan]

I suppose you could use a remote fill port.
Maybe something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Nashfuel-Propane-Remote-Mounting-Bracket/dp/B00EP1T4J8

 

[dustboy]

Sheesh, I guess ya get what you pay for. I bought this tank because it was $232 delivered, half the price of any of the name brand tanks. If I have to shell out another $200 for a remote fill kit I might as well return it and get the Manchester.

The good news is that I would probably have to fill this 10 gal tank once every two years given the amount of propane we actually use. If I have to slip the propane tech $20 to crawl underneath it wouldn't break the bank!


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[dustboy]

Well, I fabbed some brackets and hung the tank up on the driver side. I had it filled before I installed it, so that should buy me at least a year to figure out how to fill it again. I think I may be able to just replumb the inlet port with a downward street elbow.

Very stealthy...tank is only visible if you get down on your hands and knees.

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[Deadwood]

It looks good but I would worry about it hanging from the cross braces. I don't think they are very strong. I think they are more for adding stability to the main frame rails to give it rigidity. I followed Stan's lead and basically hung the tank from the vans floor. The bolts go down through the support rails but the weight is all carried from the floor of the van. That's in addition to the metal brackets I put on the floor to distribute the load even better across the vans floor.

 

[Michael Ophus]

from years of repairing semi truck/trailer air tanks, and those are lighter tanks, your bolts are too close together and should be spread out more because vibration and potholes will produce a strong pendulum effect that will cause the tank to want swing back and forth if any of the bolts loosen up, eventually destroying the cross brace and maybe causing the tank to drop.

 

[sschefer]

Before you go running gas lines I'd take it to your propane dealer and see if they can fill it. I'm going the easy route and using 20lb bottles that I can easily get. My enclosure is being built to NFPA code which, when done correctly, makes the enclosure part of the exterior, (vapor tight to the interior and vented to the exterior). I'm actually planning to have two enclosures, one for my live tank and one for a second tank that will spend it's non travel time outside hooked up to the BBQ, Camp Chef and Lantern.

 

[CynN]

Before you go running gas lines I'd take it to your propane dealer and see if they can fill it. I'm going the easy route and using 20lb bottles that I can easily get. My enclosure is being built to NFPA code which, when done correctly, makes the enclosure part of the exterior, (vapor tight to the interior and vented to the exterior). I'm actually planning to have two enclosures, one for my live tank and one for a second tank that will spend it's non travel time outside hooked up to the BBQ, Camp Chef and Lantern.

Did you build your tank compartment? Do you have photos?

 

[OldMadBrit]

FWIW, we use propane for cooking and hot water. Refillable 1lb bottles last us for a 5-9 day trip each. We carry 4, they weigh nothing, store inside and don't scare me to death like a 20lb tank hanging from the frame rails would.

 

[CynN]

FWIW, we use propane for cooking and hot water. Refillable 1lb bottles last us for a 5-9 day trip each. We carry 4, they weigh nothing, store inside and don't scare me to death like a 20lb tank hanging from the frame rails would.

Excellent to know as this is what I am considering except I'll have induction cooking so I'll only need it for hot water for washing dishes and personal hygiene - perhaps an occasional shower - otherwise washcloth and hair washing under the sink faucet. I dont like the waste generated by the 1 lb cylinders though. Do you know of any recycling program?

 

[sportcoupe]

Installed my ASME propane tank where spare tire was.

 

[CynN]

Installed my DOT propane tank where spare tire was.

View attachment 142613

do you now carry the spare on a rack on the rear hitch? Which tank is this? Size etc. Thanks

 

[OldMadBrit]

Excellent to know as this is what I am considering except I'll have induction cooking so I'll only need it for hot water for washing dishes and personal hygiene - perhaps an occasional shower - otherwise washcloth and hair washing under the sink faucet. I dont like the waste generated by the 1 lb cylinders though. Do you know of any recycling program?

Hence the "refillable" part of my post. Been using these for the last 12 months. 6-Pack 1lb Refillable Camping Propane Tank Cylinder 16.4 oz Bottle Ships Empty | eBay

 

[CynN]

Hence the "refillable" part of my post. Been using these for the last 12 months. 6-Pack 1lb Refillable Camping Propane Tank Cylinder 16.4 oz Bottle Ships Empty | eBay

I as hoping not to have to get involved in the refilling - is this something you can have someone else do?

 

[sportcoupe]

do you now carry the spare on a rack on the rear hitch? Which tank is this? Size etc. Thanks

My 245/75r16 KO2 spare doesn't fit in the spare area under the van so I installed onboard air and the propane in that area. It's very safe there as I don't rock crawl. With my 2" lift, or more with the rear air springs, it is easy to refill the propane.

Tank is a Manchester 6813, it is 6.9 gallon per spec but is only fillable to 5 gallons as all propane tanks cannot be filled 100%. Tank is 10" diameter x 23" length. Prices are all over the place for DOT tanks, absolute cheapest I found a new 6813 tank is from autoplicity. I have used them many times for all sorts of things. Their pictures are always just stock photos and don't represente the item. Order the model you want and it is what you get.

ASME tanks do not expire like grill tanks do.

Manchester Tank Co 6813 10x23 Sf Vpr App & Brkts

Manchester Tank Co 6813 10x23 Sf Vpr App & Brkts

autoplicity.com

 

[OldMadBrit]

I as hoping not to have to get involved in the refilling - is this something you can have someone else do?

I don't think so.