Propane tanks are expiring on 2015 Flying Cloud

[Jayjay89]

I have searched the forums but have not been able to find advice on this topic. Our propane tanks cannot be refilled without recertification or replacement. They are the originals, and we have had no issues with them or the regulators, which are also original. In the interest of safety, it seems replacement of both might be a good idea. What brands would you recommend? And where do I get them? My husband is pretty handy and with the Air Forums help has been able to replace the noisy fridge fans, install a new water pump and replace the expired propane detector. We are hoping this will be a project we can DIY. Thanks for your help!

[10Smiles]

I would get your tanks recertified. We are using the original, aluminum, 40 pound tanks on our '05 trailer. Had them recertified for the first time in '24. Keep in mind that, in order to perform the recertification, the tanks need to be completely empty.

[Bill M.]

Find a local gas supply company that certifies tanks. Lots of them do. Take the tanks to them and do what they say. Not really a DIY project in my mind and the certification company might just decide to do it over even if you do something ahead of time. Certifying tanks is not a big deal and is often just a visual inspection and a paper sticker. Best if the tank is empty because you will loose whatever gas is in the tank during the inspection. In our area in Florida I go to Behr Gas for certification. Still using the original Al tanks from 1987 so we have done it a few times.

[jeffmc306]

Jayjay89, you can use the DOT site to locate a recertification location.. There’s an app for your phone available as well called RIN.

I replaced the original rubber hoses from the regulator to the tanks after they became brittle. I opted for 18” stainless braided hoses with the 90 degree end and Gas Stop safety valves for protection.

I also needed two 1/4" Female Inverted Flare to 1/4" Male NPT brass adapters to connect the new hoses to the regulator. To make it easier I installed 1/4” by 1/4” street elbow (male to female) to make the 90 degree bend from the regulator. I got mine from Ace Hardware but they’re a common item.

You’d be fine with just replacing the hoses; the regulator won’t need to be replaced.


Hope that helps!

[Jayjay89]

Thanks so much for your prompt replies. With jeffmc306's link I was able to find a recertification location within ten miles of home. We will also replace hoses but keep the original regulators. Glad to hear our airstream equipment is built to last.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Jayjay89

Thanks so much for your prompt replies. With jeffmc306's link I was able to find a recertification location within ten miles of home. We will also replace hoses but keep the original regulators. Glad to hear our airstream equipment is built to last.

Regulators are not a forever item. If you're replacing the hoses go ahead and get a two-stage regulator as well. No sense in doing half the job.

Tanks don't need replacing - just a certification. If there is something amiss the tech will repair during the recert process.

In the past I've had them replace valves - much cheaper than new tanks and much less wasteful.

[urnmor]

I thought tanks had to be recertification within a certain period of time after the ten years please let me know as i have an old tank I would recertification if i could

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you head off on a trip to Canada, I believe there can be issues with a US recertification sticker. Rules like that change from time to time so you never can quite be sure.

The only issue I know of would be refilling tanks up there. If it's a short trip, just make sure they are full before you cross the boarder.

There is some variability over folks checking the dates on the tanks. You just may find this or that place that (for whatever reason) doesn't seem to bother checking them .... I don't think that's wise behavior on their part, still it does happen.

Bob

[JCWDCW]

I've always found it cheaper here in Ontario Can to replace the tanks. That way you get 10 years instead of 6 for re-certifcation
Costco sells tanks for about $89 whereas re-certification cost about $60 or 70.

[bweybright]

If you are getting new tanks and in the US thinking you might go into Canada and need propane there be sure the tanks you buy have the Canadian DOT certification. I can buy tanks pretty cheap at the local BiMart here but they are not Canadian certified. At Home Depot here I can buy tanks that are cheaper and not Canadian certified or for a bit more money get tanks that have both certifications. Be careful to be sure to get what suits your needs.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by urnmor

I thought tanks had to be recertification within a certain period of time after the ten years please let me know as i have an old tank I would recertification if i could

On a recert is shouldn't matter. I took the tanks on my previous rig for recert - they were the original tanks from 1974 which had never been touched, and after the guy replaced the valves they were good to go and he stamped them with the recert.

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

I've always found it cheaper here in Ontario Can to replace the tanks. That way you get 10 years instead of 6 for re-certifcation
Costco sells tanks for about $89 whereas re-certification cost about $60 or 70.

Depends where you go. Last time I had it done it was about half the cost of new tanks, plus I got a discount on the gas to have them refilled.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

If you head off on a trip to Canada, I believe there can be issues with a US recertification sticker. Rules like that change from time to time so you never can quite be sure.

The only issue I know of would be refilling tanks up there. If it's a short trip, just make sure they are full before you cross the boarder.

There is some variability over folks checking the dates on the tanks. You just may find this or that place that (for whatever reason) doesn't seem to bother checking them .... I don't think that's wise behavior on their part, still it does happen.

Bob

And then you get the idiot that looks at the cylinder and says it's 14 years old I can't refill it, even after you point out the recertification that is only 1 year old.

[eubank]

Stupidity happens. Can't do much about it.

That said, there can be other reasons to refuse to fill a given cylinder besides its certification. For instance, I refused one (the town pastor, no less) whose cylinder was so nasty with grease drippings that I couldn't read any of the markings on it. No. Take that filthy thing to Walmart and trade it in on a clean cylinder. Yuk! But much the same obtains to damaged cylinders, ones that have cracks in the metal, etc.


Lynn

Originally Posted by Wazbro

And then you get the idiot that looks at the cylinder and says it's 14 years old I can't refill it, even after you point out the recertification that is only 1 year old.

[tominphx]

US DOT requires 5 year recert. for visual inspection and 12 year recert. for visual and pressure tests combined. I've never had a 5 year inspection done, 12year gets re-date stamped. I have read somewhere that the newer tanks cary the 12 year recert. I know that I've had tanks refilled approaching the 12 year mark because the guy filling, reminded me that I'd need to recert. or buy new.

Cheers, Tom

[kb0zke]

Regulators can and do fail. I had a bad one on the Reflection and didn't know there was anything wrong until I ran completely out of propane. I checked each day and it always showed green. When it finally got around to showing red I had disconnected one tank and was doing the other one.


A couple of months ago a visitor at The Ranch had his regulator fail spectacularly. It vented a tank! New regulators aren't all that expensive. I paid $35 for mine a couple of years ago. Don't know what he paid for his, but it came with two new pigtails attached.

[tominphx]

Yes I agree, had a regulator fail two years from new in a SOB trailer!

Cheers, Tom

[rodsterinfl]

When I bought my used stream I spent two years replacing. During that process I replaced the hoses and the main hose from the regulator to the trailer gas line. I did not know it at the time but the new tank hoses were defective. When I went camping there was a full tank but no gas! When I went through the process of elimination I found the defective hoses at the tanks were the culprits. Then CampingWorld confirmed it when I went to get new ones. Just an FYI.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There are a *lot* of cylinders out there. Some folks have 20 others 30 some have 40 pound cylinders. If you get the aluminum ones they cost more than steel. If you have the aluminum ones with built in sensors that interface with the readout in the trailer .... they get really expensive (and a bit hard to find).

The further up that "cost ladder" you climb the more attractive recertification looks.

Bob

[sfranklin]

I realized this may run contrary to common belief here, but I take great care of my stuff. The tanks are in an enclosed factory cover, I clean and throw a coat of wax on them, they have zero rust and the hoses are treated so they won't dry out, but if they did, replacements would be purchased, but never needed to in 20 or so years.

Many places do a quick visual, charge you $20 or more for the service and simply throw an extension sticker on. I cut out the middle man, bought the stickers online, applied a generic number to it, and only one place gave me trouble refilling and I pointed to the recert sticker and they then filled it. Am I playing with fire? Perhaps and I get that even though I've been doing this for over 20 years without a problem does not necessarily mean I won't come across one at some point, but I feel the recert for the most part is just another way to get more money out of you. Sure it does catch the habitual abusers and folks that neglect their gear, but it's what I've done and will prob continue to do.

Now if you still have non OPD tanks, yes, by all means get them updated and certified.

[eubank]

Originally Posted by sfranklin

...Now if you still have non OPD tanks, yes, by all means get them updated and certified.

Cylinders that don't have OPD valves cannot be certified in the US.
Lynn