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crabbey1 · 10-25-2013, 12:50 PM

So About 2 months ago I filled our 2 - 7 gallon tanks and installed them giving us 15 gallons on LP gas to use. Since then we have been on 2 camping trips, both of which were 2 nights each. On both trips we used the furnace set to about 70-75 at night and did not need it on during the day. Let's say for about 10 hours per day or so. The temp ay night was mid 40's - low 50's. We also had the Water Heater on 24/7 for both trips but did not use much hot water. We also cooked a bit with the stove top and oven.

Aside from that, I have been using the furnace these past 5 days because I have been working on the trailer at night and the temp is in the low 50's...

Anyway, I am now out of LP gas. Does this seem like a normal scenario to you guys who have used LP gas a lot? Am I expecting too much from the tanks? Do I just need to be more conservative with my usage? Or is there a leak somewhere in my system that I am unaware of? (Believe me, I have been checking)

ROBERT CROSS · 10-25-2013, 01:01 PM

70-75 degrees for 20 hrs + cooking + 5 daze + water heater = pretty darn good.

Bob

crabbey1 · 10-25-2013, 01:10 PM

OK. Cool. And good to know. I am trying to get a feeling for this because I am taking a winter trip to Ohio and I want to be prepared mentally for how much propane I will be using... Thanks!

mandolindave · 10-25-2013, 01:13 PM

I have two thirty (pound?) tanks. Maybe someone can do the math as far as the difference between gallons and pounds. I confused myself. Water weighs about 8 pounds a gallon. How much does gas weigh?

ROBERT CROSS · 10-25-2013, 01:22 PM

#30 tank=6.65 gal @ 4.2 lb/gal. 27.93lb with wiggle room for expansion....I tink.

Bob

Protagonist · 10-25-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandolindave

I have two thirty (pound?) tanks. Maybe someone can do the math as far as the difference between gallons and pounds. I confused myself. Water weighs about 8 pounds a gallon. How much does gas weigh?

Propane weight 4.28 pounds per gallon at 70°F, if memory serves.

Note that a 30# tank means 30 pounds of propane when filled to the 80% maximum allowed by the OPD valve. You don't have to factor in an 80% conversion because it's already accounted for.

timmaah · 10-25-2013, 01:24 PM

70-75? Grab an extra blanket or if your at a park with hookups, use a plug in electric heater. Their expense not yours.

mandolindave.. a 40 pound tank is 7 gallons.

TG Twinkie · 10-25-2013, 01:26 PM

A full 30# propane tank holds 30# of propane. That is about 7 gallons.
A 30# steel tank weighs about 55#'s when full. So the empty steel tank weighs about 25#.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-25-2013, 01:49 PM

Hi, I just re-filled both of my propane tanks; My 30lb tanks hold 7 gallons each. My two tanks lasted a week in South Dakota [a few years ago] in October with a high of 27 degrees and a low of zero degrees. This ran our stove top, and we left the water heater and furnace on 24/7. I usually set my furnace to 66 or 68 degrees. I will bump it up to 70 or 72 degrees in the morning for only one cycle and then turn it back down or off. We also use an oil filled heater at times. Leaving the furnace on all night at 75 degrees would be like using your trailer as a paint curing booth or something. Way too hot for us.

crabbey1 · 10-25-2013, 01:52 PM

timmaah - Clearly you don't live with my girlfriend. She would have that at 85 if I would allow that. But to your note, we did just order two small space heaters... There was a deal on Groupon. They are small and look like they fit our particular aesthetic.

Patton Utility Heater (PUH682N/B) Deal of the Day | Groupon

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-25-2013, 01:56 PM

Hi, you might also check for air leaks. I installed a second weather strip on my entrance door and a double weather seal on my storage compartment door. [much better now] Both were letting cold air in.

ROBERT CROSS · 10-25-2013, 02:21 PM

Been using the Pelonis Disc for quite awhile now....bullet proof and still working great.

Bob

crabbey1 · 10-25-2013, 03:44 PM

Man that heater has a great look to it. It would look great in the 76 Argosy...

Sburg58 · 10-25-2013, 04:10 PM

The previous owner of my Safari removed the baffle from the exhaust fan duct above the stove. We found out during a very cold and windy stay in Montana. We were wondering why there was such a cold draft. I have since installed one. Staying much warmer now!

ROBERT CROSS · 10-25-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

Man that heater has a great look to it. It would look great in the 76 Argosy...

They have been around since the mid '80's. Still available, still work great!!

Bob

TG Twinkie · 10-25-2013, 08:07 PM

You might consider an electric blanket for your girl friend.
We keep our house at 64. 74 would be uncomfortable for us.

rodsterinfl · 10-25-2013, 08:17 PM

There are also heaters that double as fans on warmer days that are portable.

Del Gurney · 10-25-2013, 08:21 PM

I have 2ea 30# tanks and have considered my propane usage in detail.
I use one every 3 months.
Findings:
I soap test my fittings regularly like every 6 months (mine is a stationary situation so no vibration). I have found that if I leave the trailer for 2 to 3 days and try to light the water heater, furnace or cook top that the gas lines are empty so it takes some "purging" of the lines. This means that even though my tank valves are off (I never leave the valves open if I'm away) that there is leakage, it is so slow that the soap test can't see it. That is one way of saving gas.
Next. I never run the furnace over night. When I go to sleep after I heat the trailer up I turn off the tank valves. I use a ceramic heater (if it's really cold) or I bundle up in a good duvet or sleeping bag. I always leave the ceiling vent cracked to allow vaporization of my humid breath to escape the trailer.
I only heat water if I need it. Typically I fire it up at about 1800 until it turns off, Take a shower and there is plenty of hot water for dishes for dinner and "warm water" in the morning for what ever.
A trailer is not, nor should it be, considered a house...though I some times use it as one.
Just keep the tank valves closed, use the gas care fully and you can save a lot of money.
PS Robert Cross's ceramic heater ROCKS!! I got one and it "runs on air"....I also keep a close eye on my electric consumption.

nvestysly · 10-25-2013, 08:36 PM

If we left our water heater on constantly and used the furnace that much we'd be out of propane in a few days.

We turn the water heater on for an hour or so in the morning and a similar amount in the evening. That doesn't use much propane and we can go for several weeks ( maybe longer) in this mode during the summer. If we use the furnace propane use goes up dramatically.

Lucius

graysailor · 10-25-2013, 10:25 PM

Prior to going to bed I kind of warm up the trailer then turn in way down. Once comfortable in bed not that much heat is needed. If plugged in at a camp ground then I use a small electric heater I bought at WallyMart.