Rust under propane tanks

[WhereStream]

Took off one of propane tanks for a refill and found a lot of peeling paint and rust below, on the stand that holds the two tanks.

Other than sanding off and spraying on some Rust-Oleum paint, anything I could do to prevent another rust outbreak?

[eubank]

Metal on metal is pretty hard on paint. Make sure your cylinders are not wiggling around. After repainting, if this continues to be a problem, I guess you could put a layer of rubber between holder and cylinders, but I suspect that's overkill.


Lynn

[RivetED]

There's not much you can do. A thin rubber mat might help.

I made 2 wooden elliptical wedges. By using the tank bottom and tank holder you get the radius of each, offset the center points a little and end up with one end a little (~1/4") wider than the other. They are painted and when the tanks are set you can slide the wedges around until they lock/get tight.

This works fairly well keeping the tanks from moving and also helps with keeping the center weld on the tank from cutting into the aluminum tank cover. That also keeps the tanks from scraping off too much paint/powder coat. Rustoleum every couple of years.

Photo:

[jayseejay]

We use these; works well. They raise the tanks up a bit, but they still lock down with the AS cover.
Joe

https://www.tanktire.com/

[StuartsDad]

I took 1/4" rubber hose, like fuel line. Cut 2" pieces and slice lengthwise. Slip 3 or 4 of these on to the bottom ring of the tank. Simple, cheap, and eliminates the metal to metal contact.

[Ahroc]

Hi.
I'm slowly fixing up my 03 and the rust bothers me also. I haven't done it but I was thinking about spray on truck bed liner. I think it would be a good-durable-solution for the propane tank trays.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

I took 1/4" rubber hose, like fuel line. Cut 2" pieces and slice lengthwise. Slip 3 or 4 of these on to the bottom ring of the tank. Simple, cheap, and eliminates the metal to metal contact.

Interesting. Thanks for the tip.

I just threw away an old garden hose.

Maybe I’ll fish it out of the bin and cut off a section, split it and see if it will do the job.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by jayseejay

We use these; works well. They raise the tanks up a bit, but they still lock down with the AS cover.
Joe

https://www.tanktire.com/

So, this must be a common problem.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by RivetED

There's not much you can do. A thin rubber mat might help.

I made 2 wooden elliptical wedges. By using the tank bottom and tank holder you get the radius of each, offset the center points a little and end up with one end a little (~1/4") wider than the other. They are painted and when the tanks are set you can slide the wedges around until they lock/get tight.

This works fairly well keeping the tanks from moving and also helps with keeping the center weld on the tank from cutting into the aluminum tank cover. That also keeps the tanks from scraping off too much paint/powder coat. Rustoleum every couple of years.

Photo:

Nice work!

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

I took 1/4" rubber hose, like fuel line. Cut 2" pieces and slice lengthwise. Slip 3 or 4 of these on to the bottom ring of the tank. Simple, cheap, and eliminates the metal to metal contact.

This looks like a very good idea. Did you try to just use enough hose to just go around the entire bottom ring as a single piece? I just repainted our LP base and haven't been on the road yet. I'd like to get something in place so it doesn't rust again. Tanks need to be replaced too so it would be great to start off with this solution.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

I took 1/4" rubber hose, like fuel line. Cut 2" pieces and slice lengthwise. Slip 3 or 4 of these on to the bottom ring of the tank. Simple, cheap, and eliminates the metal to metal contact.

X2. 11 years on the AS and 17 years on the old sob. Works well.

[MSL]

I used this after repainting:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-...8C10/205588197

[drbrick]

Yep, scrape and paint ... with metal on metal you get rust. I had an old rubber floor mat from a car cut it into circles for under the tanks - problem solved...after I painted.

[Wheelestate]

The next time I have to repaint tank tray I’m going to try Herculiner. It’s a truck bed liner spray and seems like it would hold up.

[dhaven]

I got the Mopeka tank monitor that comes with a plastic riser. Works perfect to prevent rust and I like the monitor function via an app on my phone

[jamieb1086]

I just got the Mopeka Halo Rubber rings for the bottom of the LP tanks. https://www.amazon.com/Mopeka-Tank-C...7HQZRR9F&psc=1

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by jamieb1086

I just got the Mopeka Halo Rubber rings for the bottom of the LP tanks. https://www.amazon.com/Mopeka-Tank-C...7HQZRR9F&psc=1

I use these as well. Sanded the tray and sprayed with Flexseal, then placed the rubber ring and tank. I think this will do the job.

[StuartsDad]

I just used three short pieces of rubber hose. My concern with running hose all the way around the tank bottom would be it holding water from road spray, etc. causing the tank ring to rust again.

[WhereStream]

Originally Posted by StuartsDad

I just used three short pieces of rubber hose. My concern with running hose all the way around the tank bottom would be it holding water from road spray, etc. causing the tank ring to rust again.

Good point —*that makes a lot of sense.

[Dwen]

Mopeka 024-5002 LP Check Tank Halo

On Amazon. They also have a kit that “sounds” the tank and relays fill% to readout in trailer I really like this setup, including halo. I sanded mine first, primed, then painted, then installed Mopeka system.