Aluminum propane tanks, yea or nay?

[J. Morgan]

I put new OPD valves in my aluminum cylinders for not much money, painted them up nice and filled them for a couple of years before anyone bothered to look for the certification. When they did look they stamped some numbers in them for me for free and filled em’ up.

[Julie-Bob]

I had my aluminum tanks re certified in Lake City Colorado last September for FREE. Yup installed new sticker good for five more years. FREE. Aluminum is better lighter, will not rust.

[perryg114]

I need to find one of those places that recert for free. There are scammers around that will take you for all they can.



Perry

[Dan and Liz]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I need to find one of those places that recert for free. There are scammers around that will take you for all they can.



Perry

Do you have a co-op in the area?

[Julie-Bob]

I call many different propane service company and found the cost from $50.00 a tank down to free. What a ripoff

[Flathead1984]

Where to purchase new aluminum 30 lb tanks?

[dhroberts]

The two propane canisters are significant contributors to tongue weight give their forward positioning. Aluminum are much lighter than steel. That would drive my thinking.

[Flathead1984]

Separate question. I am new to towing. I would like to keep my towing vehicle but I need to reduce tongue wt. by 150 lbs. I am switching out my 30 lbs for 20 lbs, and relocating my spare. Eventually, I will increase my tongue wt. but not for a year. 2 questions:

Source for aluminum tanks?

How to empty full 30 lbs tanks?

Mine are 2020 versions. Cannot find a way to transfer, nor a valve to allow me to empty in 10 hours. Mine have been emptying for a few hours, and it may take days. I wanted to find a way to fill my 20’s with my full 30’s. Would cost me more in parts than cost of gas. Not wild about dumping into atmosphere.

[Shiny16]

Why do you need to empty the 30s? If your not going to use them just put them up for sale on Craigslist or equivalent and sell them full.

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by dhroberts

The two propane canisters are significant contributors to tongue weight give their forward positioning. Aluminum are much lighter than steel. That would drive my thinking.

But steel is so much stronger the final weights are nearly the same. I note the aluminum tanks are 18 lb and steel is 19.

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by Flathead1984

Separate question. I am new to towing. I would like to keep my towing vehicle but I need to reduce tongue wt. by 150 lbs. I am switching out my 30 lbs for 20 lbs, and relocating my spare. Eventually, I will increase my tongue wt. but not for a year. 2 questions:

Source for aluminum tanks?

How to empty full 30 lbs tanks?

Mine are 2020 versions. Cannot find a way to transfer, nor a valve to allow me to empty in 10 hours. Mine have been emptying for a few hours, and it may take days. I wanted to find a way to fill my 20’s with my full 30’s. Would cost me more in parts than cost of gas. Not wild about dumping into atmosphere.

As mentioned aluminum won't help you much. What's your tow vehicle and why the tongue limit? Maybe we can address that some too. Towing stability is generally highest at 15% tongue weight. you need to make sure you have a way to manage increase in sway tendency if you lower tongue weight.

[HappyHapgood]

My research indicates a 6 pound per tank difference for 30 lb tanks (aluminum vs steel). I’ve also considered switching to 20 lb al tanks to save about 9 lbs per tank + 10 lbs less propane for about 38 lb difference, mostly on the tongue. Instead I ordered 30 lb aluminum’s and will save a bit more than 10 pounds. I’m a pilot and built an airplane... one thing I learned is that weight all adds up.

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

But steel is so much stronger the final weights are nearly the same. I note the aluminum tanks are 18 lb and steel is 19.

[BayouBiker]

Aluminum tanks sure look nice, especially polished. I didn't find any weighing less than 18 lbs but if you found some at 13lbs that meet certification that's great. Taking weight off the trailer is always good and unless you have a compelling reason, targeting 15% tongue weight is most stable.

[HappyHapgood]

Here are the specs I am finding for weights:

Aluminum, 18 lbs: https://vintagetrailersupply.com/30-...-tank-vts-169/

Steel, 23.3 lbs: https://worthingtonindustries.com/ge...s.pdf?ext=.pdf

So both approved and appropriate. 5.3 Lbs shaved per tank, so about 11 lbs total.

Matt

[Krek]

Semi-related question, what’s the advantage of the tank cover? Is it just aesthetic?

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Flathead1984

Where to purchase new aluminum 30 lb tanks?

Vintage Trailer Supply

Shari

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Krek

Semi-related question, what’s the advantage of the tank cover? Is it just aesthetic?

It's aesthetic (mostly on newer models) & keeps the tanks cleaner.

Shari

[jimmini]

Horizontal propane tank