Composite Propane Tanks

[charlesk]

We have a 2024 Airstream Trade Wind. I’ve been considering new lighter weight composite Propane Tanks. https://www.vikingcylinders.com/product/22-pound-vapor/

While researching, I read on the online forum that U Haul would not fill composite tanks. That would cause a problem during our travels.

A couple of days ago, I noticed that U Haul is now selling the Viking Composite Propane tanks. Hmmmmm

I contacted U Haul corporate and received the following response.

**********
U-Haul does fill the Viking Composite tank that you see online at the U-Haul store. We do not fill any other brand of composite tank.

Respectfully,

Scott Johnson
Propane Program Manager
************

Hope this helps anyone considering.

Chuck

[Wayne&Sam]

Do compost tank save enough weight to make them worth it???

[charlesk]

While there is no 30lb composite tank, there is a 22lb tank that weighs half of a 30lb steel tank. 12 lbs.

Technical Specifications
Specification 22 LB
Propane capacity 22 lbs
Propane volume at 60° F 5.24 gallons
Butane capacity 26 lbs
Water capacity 53 lbs
Weight 12 lbs
Height 22.5 inches (Perfect for replacing 30lb RV tanks)
Diameter 12 inches

[nelsonh]

Coincidental timing on this topic....


FWIW I've been pondering the switch to the Viking tanks in the interest of tongue weight reduction, and in so doing ended up making a spreadsheet of the comparative specs and data between the 3 sized of Viking tanks vs the 2 common sizes of steel tanks, in order to help determine if the reduction in LP that would come with the reduction in weight would be a workable tradeoff.

I've done my best to make sure my numbers here are accurate (based on the Viking website and some careful Google fact checking), but I certainly don't guarantee there are no oversights within. Screenshot of my spreadsheet attached below, hopefully it will be legible and perhaps even useful to someone here.... (PS this was made merely for my personal reference and was never intended for public consumption...tank photos not quite to scale)

[DKB_SATX]

Aluminum cylinders are close to the same weight as the composite ones without the problems with picky refillers and shorter lifecycle.

[blacklab]

nelsonh,

Thanks for that info.

You may want to include the all aluminum Worthington tanks to your comparison. Really nice tanks.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Aluminum cylinders are close to the same weight as the composite ones without the problems with picky refillers and shorter lifecycle.

I looked hard at the composite tanks.

They are expensive

Recertification is problematic and in some areas it is impossible

I felt a decent percentage of weight reduction came via capacity reduction (less material needed for the smaller tank and less propane in the tank)

In the end, 30lb aluminum tanks were the right choice for me for tongue weight reduction. I chose Worthington tanks with the built-in tank level sensor. These sensors can be directly plugged into the analog sensor port on the victron cerbo GX, so you can track your propane tank level on the victron system.

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by blacklab

nelsonh,

Thanks for that info.

You may want to include the all aluminum Worthington tanks to your comparison. Really nice tanks.

I think you might be right... the aluminum tanks didn't even cross my mind, mainly on account of me being new to this whole AS life. I'll for sure compare the Worthington tanks to the others, and I definitely like the idea of the built in gas level sensors mentioned by foobar above, that's pretty appealing .

[blacklab]

I hope I'm wrong, because I will soon be in the market for a couple of Worthington aluminum tanks, but I'm not sure Worthington makes their vertical aluminum propane tanks with those built-in sensors anymore.

Cheers,

Bryan

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by blacklab

I hope I'm wrong, because I will soon be in the market for a couple of Worthington aluminum tanks, but I'm not sure Worthington makes their vertical aluminum propane tanks with those built-in sensors anymore.

Cheers,

Bryan

Appears you may be correct. Worthington's website isn't super detailed, but I don't see any reference to tanks with level sensors anywhere. I did find the 30# vertical tanks with sensors on Vintage Trailer Supply (link below)... but the version with sensor shows as "backordered". Oh, and they're $450 each.


https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...-tank-vts-169/

[blacklab]

Unfortunately, the Worthington aluminum tanks (including the ones without the sensors), have had big price increases in the past several years.

Cheers,

[shannon]

I am not sure how long you go until "recertification?" But I do have two brand new Vikings on my 70 Safari 23 - and they came with tons of certification paperwork (in case you get jammed up somewhere). Feather lightweight ... now to get them filled and all my propane run throughout!! This road goes on forever.

[nelsonh]

Originally Posted by shannon

I am not sure how long you go until "recertification?" But I do have two brand new Vikings on my 70 Safari 23 - and they came with tons of certification paperwork (in case you get jammed up somewhere). Feather lightweight ... now to get them filled and all my propane run throughout!! This road goes on forever.

Which size of the Viking tanks did you go with? I'd be interested to hear your opinions and experience with them, including any issues getting them filled.

[eubank]

The US is a bit of a mess when it comes to propane regulations because it is state based. And not even all states have a state bureau that regulates what is permitted and what is not when it comes to filling, qualification, and so forth. It's not totally the "wild west" out there; states often base whatever they do regulate on NFPA 58 (the most recent code book for LP produced by the non-governmental National Fire Protection Assn). However, when it comes to new innovations like the composite cylinders, matters can get kind of sticky and tangled across jurisdictions.


Lynn

Originally Posted by shannon

I am not sure how long you go until "recertification?" But I do have two brand new Vikings on my 70 Safari 23 - and they came with tons of certification paperwork (in case you get jammed up somewhere). Feather lightweight ... now to get them filled and all my propane run throughout!! This road goes on forever.