Horizontal Propane Tanks

[LandShark]

Anyone know where I can get a deal on a 20 or 30# horizontal propane tank with the new type valve? The tank for my slide in camper is 10 years old and I want to replace it. I've read that these horizontal tanks are exempt from having the new valves but I don't want to have to deal with some bozo out in the sticks telling me he won't fill the tank. As it is, about 1/2 the people that fill the tank insist on filling it in the vertical position even after I point out the label that states that the tank is to be filled, transported and used in the horizontal position!



Also, I need a OPD valve for a 20# vertical aluminum tank I have. The propane dealers around here just want to sell new tanks, but I like my light weight aluminum tank and would like to get a few more years out of it.

 

[LarryB]

I'm also looking for a horizontal tank. Probably around 10 gal. I presently have a 8gal removable bottle in an external cabinet. I want to mount the bottle under the motorhome and use the cabinet for my tool cabinet. Seems I have seen an assortment of mountable tanks somewhere, I just can't remember where.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I have horizontal tanks with OPD valves in our '01 Lance camper. The warning decal says, "Fill in the Vertical Position Only". " Use in the Horizontal Position Only".



At one re-fill location, the attendent tried to fill the tank in the horizontal position until I pointed out the decal. I shouold have let him try it to see if the tank would fill. I bleed the tanks before installing back in the camper to make sure they are not overfilled. Overfilled horizontal tanks will let liquid go into the regulator which creates dangerous condtion and fills the lines and regulator with oil.



Bill

 

[BatMan01]

New Valve, Hor. Mount Tank

I have talked to serveral manufactures about this and currently there is no valve available. This is why the horizontal mount bottles are not effected by the new law.

 

[LandShark]

BatMan01: Someone is making a OPD valve for horizontal tanks, because Manchester Tanks sells them (not retail however) on their 20 and 30# tanks.



See Manchester Tank

 

[GMIKEP]

Horz. RV Propane Tanks

Just a note. DOT does not require OPD valve on horizontal RV tanks. Vert. only. New tanks may have the valve installed as part of the manufacturing process. Just had my 30# non OPD valved tank (man. date 6/87) recertified here in Calif.

 

[JMichelson]

The DOT may not require the new valves in horizontal tanks but according to Highways Magazine, RVers are running into places that won’t fill horizontal tanks without the new valves. I know the rule says that horizontal tanks are exempt. If you have horizontal tanks you need to put a sticker by the tank that says fill in the horizontal position only. You can get them at some propane filling places. I understand that this makes some of the filling places happy and they will fill the tanks. Hopefully you won’t be caught out of fuel and somewhere that won’t fill your tanks. Plan ahead. Jeff

 

[LandShark]

JeffMic: That's exactly why I want to replace my horizontal tank. Just because it's legal to fill an old horizontal tank doesn't mean everyone knows about the exemption and I don't want to be stuck on a trip without my fridge or furnace!

 

[Dbonzi]

tanks

Just curious,

I can fill my own old tanks (vertical), but is it illegal to use them?

Or is it illegal just to fill them?

Dennis

 

[Bill Stockard]

Dennis,



Just illegal to fill 'em after April 1, 2002. Use them until they are empty.



I had both my tanks filled that I use on the BBQ grill just before April 1. No more than the grill uses, the fuel will last a couple of years. I'll decide what to do with the obsolete tanks then. Who knows, they might change the rules again.



Bill