Date: Wed, 03 Jan 96 09:23:27 mdt
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: jonesl@tcplink.nrel.gov
Subject: propane tankage
Understand your frustration with the small VW camper tank. I have had
the same problem with other RV trailers and vehicles when camping in
"rustic" camping areas in Wyoming and western Colorado.
Here's the thought process I went thru and what I came up with -
Thought about adding additional propane tank to other side of vehicle
- decided not to. Only needed the extra capacity when camping for
extended periods - more than a weekend. Besides - there wasn't enough
room to install more than about the same size 3 gallon tank - so it
wouldn't really solve the problem of camping for a couple of weeks.
On top of that, carrying the extra weight of the tank and the propane
around wouldn't do mileage, etc. any good. Also would have had to
cut some holes thru the frame to run copper tubing from the new tank
to the distibution system, etc.
What I finally did was to get some extra propane bottles. I already
had a bottle that came with my propane grill (a standard size 20 #
bottle). I bought another one (you can get 'em for around $25 most
discount places - sometimes less than $20 on sale), and then I got
lucky and found a 40# bottle in the ditch alongside a road between
Green River and Farson, Wyoming - (somebody probably hit a pothole
with the bottle in the back of their pickup and it went flying!).
What I did next was get some flared brass fittings, copper tubing, a
valve, a regulator, and a flexible hose from the FLRVD (friendly
local RV dealer). I plumbed a tee into the existing propane
distribution system; and, using the copper tubing and the valve - set
up a propane service connection at the side of the camper (can't
remember exactly where).
Whenever we went camping for more than a couple of days, I'd take
along as many bottles as I thought it would take plus one. I'd get
the camper into place and levelled up - then connect the flexible hose
to the service connection valve at the side of the camper. (The
regulator would be attached to the other end of the flex hose) I'd
set the first bottle up next to the camper, hook up the regulator,
open the tank valve and the service connection valve, bleed the
system, check for leaks with soapy water, light the furnace pilot,
etc.
Worked like a charm. Checked the bottle before going to bed each
night to make sure there was enough propane left to make it thru the
night - changed bottles as necessary. I found that the 20# bottles
were more handy than the 40# bottle in most situations - easier to
handle. Also - most RV stores and other bulk propane dealers are only
open during normal business hours for filling the large bottle. But -
at least in this part of the country - a lot of service stations,
convenience stores, super markets, etc. have started providing a
service called "Propane Exchange" - where you bring in your empty 20#
bottle and your $$$ and trade for a full bottle. It's darn near twice
the price of buying from a propane bulk dealer, but at least they're
open when you need 'em.
Another handy feature - If you're going to camp somewhere in the
unimproved national forest, BLM land, etc. for a lengthy period of
time - for hunting, wood cutting, stargazing, other politically
incorrect activities, etc. - you can often arrange to rent and have
delivered to your location, larger horizontal propane tanks (several
hundred gals) from a bulk dealer. A lot of my friends in Wyoming do
this when they go out in the woods for extended periods. Usually have
to put down a significant deposit, though.
Hope this helps you some
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