How to fill 30lb propane tanks

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Pipeman

I don't believe 30 lb tanks can be filled in the compartment and as a matter of fact I would bet on it. They have to be weighed. I'm pushing 70 years old, have 2 herniated discs in my lower back and I can still get them out after undoing the wing nut, etc. As my physio says to me, "get some young person to help you". I am stubborn that way and the take medication to alleviate the pain...a few dark, 150 proof, rums. Also good for scurvy, beaver fever and an assortment of other things. Good luck with whatever you do.

Had one 30@ tank filled in Prospect, OR. a few days ago, just sat it on the ground the camp person filled it right there not a scale in sight did the same thing in Cascade, ID last year again no scale.

The dealer we got the lite from fills tanks with no scale all day long.

[mud yapster]

You have to remove them to have them filled in Texas. Mobile service doesn't fill them in our area they say they don't have the right fittings on their truck to do it. They won't even fill my 120# tank mobily only the big permanent tanks. He it $12 bucks for 5 gallons for the 20# tanks. I'm glad our 5er can with 3/20# tanks.

[JoeNanMinn]

I think Radio has the right idea for you. If they are too heavy for you after filing then about the only option you have is to have some one help you lift them back into place.
The boy next door, family members, etc. I am lucky in that when I fill mine I pull in with the camper. Take out the tanks and then get em filled. I ask the guys filling them to put them back in place for me. I try to "tip" them for doing it. Some take the tip, some don't.

[Oaklevel]

Pulled both my 30# out this morning from the fiver took them to the local Exxon they also sell LP. They filled them no weighing they have a pump with a volume gauge. Put them back in the fiver good to go for most of the rest of the year.....

The campground we go to has a number available of a company that will come in & fill what ever size bottle you have but with a campground with nearly 900 sites it is worth it to them.

[B and B]

Costco is cheapest around, $18 CDN for 30 lbs. Most campgrounds are $35 around here. Some 5er have 3 20 lb instead of 2 30 lbs.

[trbomax]

I cant deal with 30's. we have 2 20's in the fiver and two more in a rack in the truck bed.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by B and B

Costco is cheapest around, $18 CDN for 30 lbs. Most campgrounds are $35 around here. Some 5er have 3 20 lb instead of 2 30 lbs.

I paid $22 each for two 30 lb bottle fills at our local Exxon gas station today........

Is a Costco like Sams Club? Never seen a Costco before.

[Stormrider151]

Originally Posted by Maris

We recently purchased a new Rockwood that came with 30# tanks. My DH decided to have the dealer swap them out for 20#ers & he's glad he did. We don't often dry camp, so they should last us the season of probably 6 weeks of camping.

I did the same thing. We don't use that much gas and if we ever need any we just swap the tank at a convenience store.

[elind]

This winter in our resort in Arizona we had a propane delivery truck come thru and filled tanks. I had a 30# and he was going to fill it in my RV. By the time I unhooked it to spin it around it was just a easy to pull out the tank. He would of filled it in place just the same. It took 7 gallons or 30# of propane and it's the same in the end either way.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I paid $22 each for two 30 lb bottle fills at our local Exxon gas station today........

Is a Costco like Sams Club? Never seen a Costco before.

Similar to SC. There are 15 of them in VA.

Costco in Chantilly, VA 20151 - Hours, Locations & Phone Numbers - Hours Guide

[B47]

Sorry - didn't paste.

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by mike.t

If it is cost wise ok i would go back to the 20's

If you do this I would carry a spare 20. I carry one for my grill / Colman stove but could swap it with a 30 if needed.


To get my 30's filled I take them out and get them filled at a supplier in town. Do you have a small step stool? You could lift it one step at a time, easier than lifting it up all at once.

Jim

[iceblaze580]

I have three of the 20# tanks on my Columbus the one on the drivers side is easy to get out the two on the slide rack are a pain to get out and put in so I mainly use the driver side tank

[Radio]

Originally Posted by JoeNanMinn

I think Radio has the right idea for you. If they are too heavy for you after filing then about the only option you have is to have some one help you lift them back into place.
The boy next door, family members, etc.

If he's any kind of gear head at all then he can check tire pressure, sweep the roof, do a light check, clean the A/C filter... Meanwhile, his sister can start with the Windex...

[Steelframer]

Just as an FYI. Places like Costco, Home Depot,Ect that switch out tanks instead of filling them only give you 17lb of LPG. Not the full 20lb LPG. That's why they sell it for "less".


TT-2015 Cherokee 274dbh TV-2010 Jeep Commander Limited

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by Steelframer

Just as an FYI. Places like Costco, Home Depot,Ect that switch out tanks instead of filling them only give you 17lb of LPG. Not the full 20lb LPG. That's why they sell it for "less".


TT-2015 Cherokee 274dbh TV-2010 Jeep Commander Limited

By law they can only fill the tanks 80% full, so .8 X 20 = 16 pounds of gas. On a 30 pounder you get 24 pounds of gas.

The reason they can sell it cheaper is because of the volume they sell. Same amount of gas no matter where the tank comes from.

Jim

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by oldtool2

By law they can only fill the tanks 80% full, so .8 X 20 = 16 pounds of gas. On a 30 pounder you get 24 pounds of gas.

The reason they can sell it cheaper is because of the volume they sell. Same amount of gas no matter where the tank comes from.

Jim

No, a 20 pounder holds 20 pounds of liquid propane when filled to 80%. The prefilled places jip you.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by oldtool2

By law they can only fill the tanks 80% full, so .8 X 20 = 16 pounds of gas. On a 30 pounder you get 24 pounds of gas.

The reason they can sell it cheaper is because of the volume they sell. Same amount of gas no matter where the tank comes from.

Jim

Sorry Jim, but this an incorrect statement that usually gets told by the untrained people who work at the places exchanging them.

As stated, a 20 lb, or 30 lb, or whatever pound cylinder it is rated for ...is just that many pounds. The 20% expansion space has already been calculated into it.

The exchange places actually got sued and lost over this same thing. And most of them now state the the 20 lb cylinders that you are exchanging for have 15 pounds. Glance at the signs the next time you walk by an exchange cage.

I think I read where Ace hardware actually do have 20 pounds in their exchange tanks but have not verified this personally. Maybe somebody reading this thread can vouch for it.

We had a good conversation on this awhile back in the forum, Let me find that as it had many links in it.

[wmtire]

I found the older discussion I was referring to above. This thread (link below) has many good links, and propane calculators, as well what weights you will get with a properly "filled" cylinder. It may possibly help for those who don't fully understand their cylinders and the refilling process.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ane-33342.html

EDIT: I see a couple of my class action lawsuit links are dead in the older thread above:

Here is the jist. They were already not filling the cylinders to capacity, and then even started putting less. So if you use Blue Rhino or Amerigas exchanges on a 20 lb cylinder, you are only getting a 75% filled cylinder:

http://antitrust.weil.com/federal-tr...-price-fixing/

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by wmtire

I found the older discussion I was referring to above. This thread (link below) has many good links, and propane calculators, as well what weights you will get with a properly "filled" cylinder. It may possibly help for those who don't fully understand their cylinders and the refilling process.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ane-33342.html

EDIT: I see a couple of my class action lawsuit links are dead in the older thread above:

Here is the jist. They were already not filling the cylinders to capacity, and then even started putting less. So if you use Blue Rhino or Amerigas exchanges on a 20 lb cylinder, you are only getting a 75% filled cylinder:

Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Agree to Settle FTC Claims of Propane Tank Price-Fixing - Weil - Antitrust / Competition Perspectives - Weil – Antitrust / Competition Perspectives

Thank you for correcting me on this. I can remember 30+ years ago being told by a bulk filling station that they were only allowed to fill to 80%. He was coming to our hunting camp qnd filling 2 100 pounders. He only charged for what the tanks actually took so it really didn't matter to me. Maybe it was the old style tanks?

II always try to use the bulk station in town so rarely do an exchange. I filled a 30 a month or so ago and it cost me a little over 21 bucks.

Jim