Travelling with extra propane tanks

[brundom]

We are planning our first long trip to Yellowstone and want to bring extra 20lb propane tanks in the back of the SUV for use with generator, coleman stove, etc. Is there any restrictions or safety issues with carrying 2 - 3 tanks in the back of an SUV? Thanks.

[bweybright]

It is not safe to carry propane tanks in an enclosed and sealed location...such as a vehicle. The gas is heavier than air and should a leak develop with the tank you and the occupants are at serious risk of breathing issues and/or fire.
There are plenty of places to get refills on propane at the campgrounds in Yellowstone. My suggestion is to use those. When we were there we would run one empty, then fill it while using the second.

[n2916s]

No need. Propane is readily available both inside the park and in the gateway communities.

[Bill M.]

Propane is not to be kept in an enclosed area. So no, I would not do it. I think it would be a huge safety no-no. I think the tank will vent if it gets hot. They often seem to leak a little. You might look at putting a bigger or an additional tank on the trailer if you really think you will need more propane.

[ROBERT CROSS]

FWIW....

"When transporting gas cylinders:
Do not carry a cylinder greater than 9kg in an enclosed vehicle.
You can transport up to 2 cylinders (of 9kg,(18.8lb) or less) at a time in an enclosed vehicle.
Secure each cylinder upright in the vehicle, preferably in the boot, with a plug firmly fitted in the POL valve.
Aug 2, 2017"

On the road, I've kept our generator's Type1 11lb pancake cylinder in the Classic's boot since '07, NP, boomless.🤯 No smells.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Bill M.]

Thanks Bob.

My mistake then. I actually did not know that.

So if you have the plug in it is okay? I apologize for jumping in. I certainly have carried the little torch cylinders and keep them in the garage.

[SeaLevel]

We don't have a SUV, but we have carried an extra 20LB propane tank in the back of our truck, and they fit perfectly inside a milk crate. Transporting them that way keeps them both upright and in place, without using too much extra space.

[rmkrum]

The 20 pound tanks need to be in a ventilated area. The plug does not do anything other than keep dirt out of the valve threads. The problem is the relief valve and the fill valve screw can leak no matter what.

Carry in the back of a pickup truck, or in the Airstream tank rack. Note that any trailer tank rack is open at the bottom for a darn good reason.

Propane in a confined space, mixed with the right amount of air is also known as a “fuel/air explosive” as well as a breathing hazard. Don’t carry in the passenger compartment of any vehicle.

US rules are like I stated-no enclosed spaces. Dunno about Canada. Here the plugs are soft, cheap plastic covers for dust or the screw in ones are also cheap plastic that will not hold pressure at all. We had a valve fail and vent much of the tank. A plastic screw-in plug just blew right out when the tank warmed a bit. We carried it far away from the area downwind and let it vent until empty. Problem is super cold propane from a rapid venting situation turns to slush in the tank, and then takes a long time to boil off in that state. No fun with 3,000 Boy Scouts in the area.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by brundom

We are planning our first long trip to Yellowstone and want to bring extra 20lb propane tanks in the back of the SUV for use with generator, coleman stove, etc. Is there any restrictions or safety issues with carrying 2 - 3 tanks in the back of an SUV? Thanks.

Don't you already have a quick-connect low-pressure propane port on your FC19? Plenty of folks run gens, BBQ's and portable fire pits off these ports. Do you have 1 or 2 propane tanks onboard?

Never carry propane tanks inside a vehicle, for the reasons already proffered. Upgrade the Airstream's propane system if needed, for a much better long-term solution IMO.

Peter

[ROBERT CROSS]

Oh cr@p...I also remove the tags from my pillows.😂
I'm certainly glad we all have our own 'rules' here in the G O USA. 👍
I found mine on the interweb, they must be rite.🤔

Bob
🇺🇸

[majorairhead]

What about a 20 lb. tank in a pickup bed that has a cap on it?

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Never carry propane tanks inside a vehicle, for the reasons already proffered.

??

I always carry my propane tanks in my vehicle to be refilled and follow the recommendations of Superior Propane. They are kept upright and lashed in place, with the windows open. It would be very impractical to tow the Airstream to the refill station every time I needed more propane. However, I wouldn't carry them in my vehicle for an extended trip.

[Wayne&Sam]

I don't see the need for extra tanks. Ours last for weeks and we never had a problem finding a place to refill them.

YMMV.

[Silvr_Bullet]

forewarned is forearmed, you probably know the right answer about the enclosed area.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

forewarned is forearmed, you probably know the right answer about the enclosed area.

So you are saying no way you'd haul a 20lb tank in a pickup truck with a cap on it?

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

So you are saying no way you'd haul a 20lb tank in a pickup truck with a cap on it?

In my opinion your suggestion is a good option, practically we need to transport them to refill etc. I personally would not for long periods carry in my vehicle other than stated, that’s me.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

forewarned is forearmed, you probably know the right answer about the enclosed area.

And you keep all the windows open at home with NG.

Your home is considerably more likely to blow than a properly secured LP tank. AMHIK

Bob
🇺🇸

[Silvr_Bullet]

Your probably right, on the other hand I’am not a moving target. I really don’t want to argue everyone’s entitled to an opinion, I thought that’s what we’re doing here.

[Wayne&Sam]

And what are the millions of gas BBQ owners doing when they need a refill?

[eubank]

Back when we owned the RV park and I filled cylinders, people would come by to fill BBQ bottles all the time. If they were transporting in an enclosed area (inside a car, in a truck, in an enclosed cap, etc.), I asked them to make sure it was upright, to open a window or two, and to transport immediately home. On those occasions when people were planning longer trips immediately after filling (like going shopping or what have you), I simply kept the filled cylinder and had them pick it up on the way back home.

No sense dying a very painful death when you don't have to.

Lynn