RV Horizontal Propane Tanks

[rthomas]

I'm refurbishing my very old Lance camper which has dual horizontal 20 lb propane tanks. They have the old POL valves and are way out of certification date and cannot be legally refilled. It seems that horizontal tanks are no longer used by camper manufacturers so are very expensive to purchase new, typicall $170 - $200.

In the early 2000's the NFPA Code exempted horizontal tanks from the new OPD (Overfilling Prevention Device) valve.

Has anyone had experience with applying this exemption to get their horizontal tank refilled. Of course, the tank would have to have been recertified first

 

[PBliss]

I also had a Lance camper with horizontal propane tanks. When I went to get them refilled the kid filling tanks had to call his manager. The manager knew about the exemption told the kid to refilled them, and never was a problem after that.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm refurbishing my very old Lance camper which has dual horizontal 20 lb propane tanks. They have the old POL valves and are way out of certification date and cannot be legally refilled. It seems that horizontal tanks are no longer used by camper manufacturers so are very expensive to purchase new, typicall $170 - $200.

In the early 2000's the NFPA Code exempted horizontal tanks from the new OPD (Overfilling Prevention Device) valve.

Has anyone had experience with applying this exemption to get their horizontal tank refilled. Of course, the tank would have to have been recertified first

As far as I know, horizontal tanks are still exempt from the OPD regulations. If you take you tanks to a real LP gas dealer who has trucks that go out and fill customers storage tanks, they may re-certify your tanks if they aren't rusted or dented. The POL fittings may cause a problem, however.



This subject came up recently on the Lance Owner's America discussion forum. If you go to their website and click on "Truck Camper Chatter" and scroll down the page you will come across the discussion for more information.



Bill

 

[jelag]

Any propane tank can be hydro tested. The tank is filled with a liquid, usually water and is pumped up to a pressure to re-certify the tank, it's then re-stamped. Any of propane bulk plants can do this for you. In addition any of the welding shops who do code work will have the ability to hydro test your tank and re-cert the vessel.

I'm sure the same bulk plant can advise you about the valve.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I used to have a Propane bottle that was just used for tent camping. We take our bottle to get filled at a place that is PROPANE. Not your gas station kind of place. The attendants said he couldn't fill it because it was out of date. The tank was ok but the valve was out. I said to just screw on another valve and we'll call it good? The valve was more than going and buying a new tank valve and all. As for the horizontal tanks FIL has a Prevost bus type motor home I was over the other day and looked around his a mounted permanently in the horizontal position but has a fill location that can be switched to fill either one. Hope that helps.



BIG

 

[Bill Stockard]

As for the horizontal tanks FIL has a Prevost bus type motor home I was over the other day and looked around his a mounted permanently in the horizontal position but has a fill location that can be switched to fill either one.



BIG

The motorhome has a DOT regulated tank. It is filled on the vehicle since it is permanently mounted and is under a different set of regulations than removable horizontal RV tanks.



I also have horizontal tanks on my Lance camper; however, they have the updated Acme threads on the outside of the valve instead of the older POL threads on the inside. The new valves in addition to the Acme threads on the outside still have the POL threads on the inside and a POL fitting and hose can be used with them. Since removable RV horizontal tanks are so much more expensive than removable vertical tanks, it might be beneficial for the OP to have the valves replaced by a propane dealer in order to re-certify them.



Bill

 

[BIGNASTY]

BILL



You would know more than I. I cant afford that bus but it is fun to drive over 600 HP step on the go pedal and off you go. I did see the post about the tanks and was changing oil for him to go on a trip and noticed that they are horizontal.



BIG

 

[LandShark]

I have 2 horizontal tanks that are used for my 1993 camper. One is the original tank, that is not OPD equipped and the other is a newer OPD equipped tank that I bought about 10 years ago for about $120. The older tank was inspected a year ago in AZ with no problem. I had tried to have it recertified in Austin, TX, but the propane dealer said the tank would need to be shipped to Houston and would cost over $100, so I passed. Something about the Texas Railroad Commission that controls propane in the state.
Each state has there own rules, so if you have a problem in one state, try another.
A few years back a propane dealer that was filling the old tank put a sticker on the tank: CAUTION This container is not equipped with OPD. I've never had a problem getting the old tank filled.
Here in WA, the inspection is just a visual and a sticker is put on the tank.