Size of Propane Tanks

[John Geisen]

Ok, so someone asked that I let you know what I did regarding our 2 30# tanks. I took my tanks to the local Propane supplier to have mine recertified. I needed two new valves so with the recertification the price was $45 each plus propane. This would give them 5 more years before needing to be recerified again. A new tank was $39.95 plus propane. So, in our case the decision was simple. We purchased new steel tanks with a 12 year certification.

I always liked the looks of new aluminum tanks but ours are covered anyway so I really have a difficult time justifying the additional cost.

Thanks everyone. -John

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by BIGED52

You CAN have the old none functional valve(s) replaced and then have the tanks re-certified at a propane dealer. They will then comply with the requirements at the Canadian and Mexican borders. The cost to re-certify and replace valves is minimal and the dealer will also refill the tanks at the same time. I have had this done several times with old 20# tanks for my gas grills as well as my 40# tanks on my trailer. Hope this helps, Ed

Not sure about US tanks in Canada.

I don't believe you will have any problem at all at the border, however i did some research a while back about the US built aluminum 30# tanks - I live in Canada.

What I learned from Canadian authorities, is that to qualify to be filled in Canada they need to be stamped both DOT and CSA. Ours are only stamped DOT not CSA, and so technically are not to be filled at a Canadian refilling station - don't ask me why!!

I suspect a lot of Canadian propane filling people won't know or won't care and will only look to see if the bottles are "in date." That has been my experience anyway, although I have encountered some places that won't fill them. Not really a problem for us as we camp more in the US than in Canada anyway!


Incidentally I just had my two tanks re-certified last month when at Land Yacht Harbor Airstream Park in Melbourne Fla. They have a person on site who fills bottles and is qualified to certify. The bottles were 12 years old - cost me $10 each for that, and they are now ok for five more years when they must be certified again.

[Streamracer]

I just had my 2 aluminum 30# bottles recertified and while there noticed they had new aluminum tanks cheaper than what I'd seen online. Something like $170. The aluminum bottles will ruin you in comparison to the steel ones. I think recertification was 25 each.

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Not sure about US tanks in Canada.

I don't believe you will have any problem at all at the border, however i did some research a while back about the US built aluminum 30# tanks - I live in Canada.

What I learned from Canadian authorities, is that to qualify to be filled in Canada they need to be stamped both DOT and CSA. Ours are only stamped DOT not CSA, and so technically are not to be filled at a Canadian refilling station - don't ask me why!!

I suspect a lot of Canadian propane filling people won't know or won't care and will only look to see if the bottles are "in date." That has been my experience anyway, although I have encountered some places that won't fill them. Not really a problem for us as we camp more in the US than in Canada anyway!


Incidentally I just had my two tanks re-certified last month when at Land Yacht Harbor Airstream Park in Melbourne Fla. They have a person on site who fills bottles and is qualified to certify. The bottles were 12 years old - cost me $10 each for that, and they are now ok for five more years when they must be certified again.

Brian, I was lead to believe that if U.S. DOT bottles were taken in to be Certified at a Canadian Propane Dealer (not a fill station operator) that they were able to add the Canada Stamp to the bottles at the time of inspection/re-certification. Is this not true? I lived in Michigan and traveled in Canada many times when I was younger but always tent camped at the time. I think someone on the Forums may have an answer to this issue so hopefully they will chime in. Ed

[BIGED52]

Originally Posted by Streamracer

I just had my 2 aluminum 30# bottles recertified and while there noticed they had new aluminum tanks cheaper than what I'd seen online. Something like $170. The aluminum bottles will ruin you in comparison to the steel ones. I think recertification was 25 each.

I bought my aluminum 40# tanks from the local Amerigas Dealer in Davenport, Iowa and paid them $135.00 each. I thought it was a very good price. I had seen them for $185.00 and up as they are Worthington tanks.Ed