What to do with these 40 lb LPG Tanks

Davydd · 09-02-2003, 06:52 PM

I have two two 40 lb aluminum Worthington LPG tanks on my vintage '71 Airstream with a 1976 date stamped on them. They most likely need to be updated. I haven't a clue as to where to begin. Most seem to have 30 lb tanks. Is this overkill for a most likely weekend trekker? Any comments and advice?

Fun-Lovin · 09-02-2003, 06:59 PM

Your choice.
Sell on e-bay or keep them.
I have a set of those tanks also and I had the valves changed to the new valves and put them back on my a/s. Those are very expensive. Gas place told me today when I took my second one in they cost about $200 if he can even get them.

Lets see replace the valve $20 each.
Good thing is they won't rust but lock them down they will grow legs.

Ultradog · 09-02-2003, 07:04 PM

Davydd
Someone most have used the trailer at a park where they didn't tow it too often. They are quite large...
I recently updated my 30# aluminum tanks. I went to that propane place that's just north of Dowling on Washington Ave. N
They had the new valves in stock and changed them out while I waited.
Valves, labor and fills were about $85 for the both of them I think.
Keep in mind that yours are aluminum. A 40# aluminum tank wont weigh much more than a 30# steel tank.

Fun-Lovin · 09-02-2003, 07:12 PM

Your not far wrong Ultradog an empty 40# aluminum weighs less than an empty 30# steel sure you will have 10# difference in the weight of gas but its offset by the bottle. When I pick up my 40# and dads 30#'s I will weigh them at the gas place and post the results. Will pick them up friday but it will be next monday before I can post the results.

Davydd · 09-02-2003, 07:45 PM

Ultradog,

I'll have to check out that propane place on Washington Ave. There are a couple of fill places out in our western suburbs I can check out as well. The price to convert to OPD seems reasonable. One of my co-workers insisted my tanks would weigh over 200 lbs. filled. That got me a tad panicky. No way could I lift and transport that kind of weight by myself. I'm guessing 50-60 lbs? That's about the weight of my kayak.

Truthfully my strength is ebbing with age. I used to carry my 70 lb aluminum canoe three blocks to Cedar Lake 30 years ago with little effort. 20 years ago I was routinely lifting 200 lb heavy timbers. Now my kayak is an effort and some boulders I lifted and placed by hand 20 years ago on my property I could not budge today.

garry · 09-02-2003, 08:13 PM

Anyone know for sure if there is a "different" OPD for aluminum tanks vers steel ??

I think to 50 / 60 lbs guess is close my 30 # feels like 30/40 lbs. When last filled the guy said to hang onto the tanks as they are very expensive compared to the steel tanks.

Garry

overlander64 · 09-02-2003, 08:48 PM

Greetings Garry!

Quote:

Anyone know for sure if there is a "different" OPD for aluminum tanks vers steel ??

Yes, the valves are different for aluminum tanks when compared to steel tanks of the same size - - the "dip rod" as it is called is a different length. There was an article on the WBCCI website at one time that outlined the specific valves that were required for the aluminum tanks, but the last time I checked the article seems to have been removed from the site.

My Airstream dealer handled having my tanks refitted and re-certified as part of my Winterization last year so I didn't have to locate an outside source. If I were looking for a vendor to do the work, I would ask to be certain that they were aware of the difference between the aluminum and steel tank "dip rods", and if they weren't I would look elsewhere - - especially if they weren't willing to do the necessary research to obtain the correct part. A friend who recently retired from the LP Gas service business advised me that there is a uniform reference book that LP Gas dealers should have on-site that covers issues of valving for the aluminum and steel tanks typically used on RVs.

Refitting, re-certifying, and refilling the 20 pound tanks on my Argosy Minuet ran just short of $75.00. The 40 pound tanks on my Overlander were purchased new to replace rusty steel tanks that had been with the trailer for more than a decade.

Good luck with your project!

Kevin

markdoane · 09-02-2003, 08:49 PM

There's a place at Hwy 7 and Shady Oak that does a good job on tanks.
-Minnetonka

**CanoeStream** · 09-02-2003, 10:17 PM

Kevin -- I save text files of the WBCCI Tips in case useful info does evaporate over time. A word search on 'OPD' led me to find one reference from last December. Their longer explanation can be found at: http://www.wbcci.org/html/december_2002.html

Tomy Dean Noah · 09-03-2003, 05:59 AM

Hello !

If they were mine I would not discard the tanks. You can take the to a propane dealer ans they will replace the valves to agree with the existing new code . The mew valve handles have cornes on he knob instead of the old round knows. I have had mine done and it cost about $60/ tank plus filling them . You will be glade you kept the tanks , especially with it being airstream. When the tanks are polishied ,you can see your reflection on them.

Blue Moon

Fun-Lovin · 09-07-2003, 04:45 PM

Ok I picked up my 40# aluminum tank and my dad's 30# steel tanks the other day. We weighed them at the Propane fill station and came up with this. The 40# aluminum weighed 59# with gas and the 30# steel weighed in at 53# full. With a 6-8 pound average difference between the two filled I suggest as before getting them updated and keep using them.

Davydd · 09-07-2003, 05:11 PM

OK, thanks for the information. I can handle 59 lbs. I think I will get them converted. Then if all I do is weekend camp they could last several years until retirement unless I use them to also brew beer.

Fun-Lovin · 09-07-2003, 05:25 PM

You can also boil peanuts or hook up your grill, fish frier, ect.
I took a drill and on the bottom ring I drilled a hole, if you decide to do this you may need a dremel with a metal removal bit to get the hole to work correctly at the bottom because of the rounded lower ring. I also drilled through the steel on the trailer where this lower tank ring fits into. They can be locked up this way with a pair of padlocks. Just looking at them you cant tell they are locked up.

dtbw · 09-08-2003, 08:24 AM

You might also look into polishing those diamonds-in-the-rough. Aluminum tanks can be polished to a mirror finish that looks great. Worthington still makes both 30# and 40# aluminum tanks and they run about $200 each (unpolished).