New to everything!!!

[k9s2go]

Greetings! We are sooooo new to this whole thing! We're picking up our "new" 85 Soverign 25 footer next weekend in Colorado. We're traveling from Oregon to pick it up then on to Wisconsin to visit family. Should be an adventure! We have a Chevy Duramax so we feel like we'll have plenty of towing "power". We've seen photos of our new trailer and talked to the previous owner - sounds good - guess we'll find out on the road! Owner said he'll check wheel bearings and have them packed if necessary. The tanks still have the old connection - what about that? Can we get them filled?
You all are a wealth of information and we look forward to hearing from you. We're very excited about becoming part of the "family"!

[InsideOut]

Welcome to AirstreamForums.com! Hopefully you will find all the answers you are looking for amongst this knowledgable bunch ~

With regards to your first question, if the tanks do have the old fittings and they still have propane in them, you're okay. You can use them until they are empty.

If they are empty, you will not be able to get them filled anywhere...you will either have to buy new fittings or new tanks. Sorry...

Shari

P.S. Please post pictures of your new baby to share...

[ALANSD]

yes welcome!! A world of fun and adventure is what we all share, as well as the heartache of breakdowns, and the joy of fixing it ourselves. Or at least knowing what to fix!!
Enjoy you first trip, and remember to check your tires.

[niftypkg]

K9s, My suggestion, think about it. I paid $18 to replace a bad valve on my tank,parts and labor. -[I also was refilled with the old valves.] If the tanks are steel you may want to chuck them and put the mony into new Al tanks & the new valves, no rust , no problems. At the same time you may want to replace the lines from the regulator, the supply lines. Much easier to use, no wrench needed. Add it up. Lots of luck, you'll love it, you have just made 650 new friends.
Tom

[k9s2go]

Tom
Thanks for the info on the tanks. They are the large aluminum ones. Did you say they may be able to be filled with the old connectors/valves? Will some gas places do it still? Can they be refitted with the new valves? If so, for about how much $? Boy, I'm sure we'll have tons more questions before our trip is over!!!! We're sure looking forward to it tho!
thanks
K9S2GO

[k9s2go]

Sorry, guess I wasn't reading everything.....you answered my questions already. thanks
K9S2Go

[James Schmidt]

Regarding the OPD valves on your gas tanks: Not every state enforces this law and will refill your bottles until the bottle date expires. New bottles have 12 years and they are stamped with the date on the bottle. There is a web site made by the LPGas association that lists state by state which states enforce the law and which does not. Bottom line is that I bet you can get your old bottles refilled if you are in one of the states that do not enforce this law at least until your bottle date expires. Search for the above web site for details.

[niftypkg]

k92, My tanks were fitted with the new valves when I bought the trailer. One was bad and I had it replaced for $18. Some posted that they paid less. So the answer to your question is yes: your old tanks can be refitted.
Tom

[davidz71]

K9s2go,
Tennesse is one state that has not enforced the OPD laws. You should be able to have your tanks fitted with OPD valves for $12-$22 per valve and maybe $5-10 each tank for recertification if your tanks are out of date.

[j54mark]

I also am a relatively new owner of a 25 foot '85 Sovereign! We undoubtedly form a small, but select company! We absolutely love ours - which perhaps explains why the contents of about half the trailer lie scattered around out house and garage! Major remodeling going on.

Something you will have to deal with before using the trailer is the grey polybutylene plumbing, assuming it has not already been changed. There are some threads on this in the plumbing repair forum, but be advised, it will fail catestrophically!

Mark