My Propane will last how long?

[prof_fate]

I've used the little propane coleman stoves but never used the bigger tanks like are on my TT.
Any idea how long they'll last, on average?

I know that varies based on usage - we'll usually be on city water and electric but our water heater is propane only and we'll cook dinner most nights on the stove. The fridge should off the AC.

I just need an idea so I"m a bit prepared.

[VTX Al]

Check your water heater. Open the outside hatch and look for a small, black switch in the lower left corner. It will likely have a small cotter pin through the switch and be hidden behind some plumbing. If you have that switch then your water heater will operate on shore power electricity as well as propane. Never use it unless you are sure that there is water in the heater. As your trailer is a 2011 model, I would be quite surprised if it has a "propane only" water heater.

...VTX-AL

[Glenn5995]

Our fifth wheel has 2 30lb tanks. The fastest I have ever depleted one tank was 5 days. That was boondocking in cool weather, running heat at night, water heater on gas, refrigerator on gas and cooking. I usually can go over one week before I empty one tank.

[JohnandPandra]

We have (2) 30lb. tanks and camp basically every other weekend from April to October camping at water/electric sites & barely use a 1 tank if that all season. I also have a small propane grill from Walmart so as to not only keep the heat out of the trailer, but I like to barbeque too!. We only use the stove for basically breakfast, or if its raining during meal cook time. I use the portable electric space heater to knock the spring/fall chill off & save on gas & really only use the propane for the water heater, or furnace if the temps get too low for the space heater to keep things comfy.

[Glenn5995]

According to the website, the Grey Wolfs have a propane only water heater as standard. A Gas/Electric DSI is an option, so the OP may have a propane only water heater, but take a look to find out. No use burning your propane if you can run it on the campsite electric

[prof_fate]

I'll go have a look and see what I see- I had a good look when I was putting the anode it and didn't see any wires that would feed a heating element, but I'm not sure what I"m looking for.

At the walkthru I asked and he said our heater was propane only. I thought that kind of odd so I spoke up and he said it again - manual start, propane only.

So I guess my next question would be out to upgrade it, assuming I don't see any elec element.

Originally Posted by VTX Al

Check your water heater. Open the outside hatch and look for a small, black switch in the lower left corner. It will likely have a small cotter pin through the switch and be hidden behind some plumbing.

...VTX-AL

[BOBFIDY]

We went out on our 2011 shakedown trip last week and among the things we had to remember fron our first trip last fall was the how to start the water heater.
As it turned out we had no furnace, no hot water, and finally thought about the gas bottles might be empty.
Went out...turned the valve to the second tank...and WOW...everything worked.
Our trip last fall was a 3+week trip...so if that gives you any idea about length of time per 30# bottle.

[MtnGuy]

We have had 5 propane fills in the last 2 1/2 years. Most of our trips are with the fridge on propane, using the oven and stove, and a little furnace use in spring and fall while campng. The propane usage does sometimes include running the furnace on extremely cold nites here to keep the vinyl flooring from cracking.

[Brent T.]

Is it me or am I the only one that runs out of propane at 2:00am when it is cold out side.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by BOBFIDY

We went out on our 2011 shakedown trip last week and among the things we had to remember fron our first trip last fall was the how to start the water heater.
As it turned out we had no furnace, no hot water, and finally thought about the gas bottles might be empty.
Went out...turned the valve to the second tank...and WOW...everything worked.
Our trip last fall was a 3+week trip...so if that gives you any idea about length of time per 30# bottle.

The same thing happened to me but with a longer time period. I checked the stove and it worked so I waited to see if there were fuel in the lines or something. I finally switched over and eveything worked. With hookups I like to use a small electric heater instead of the furnace which helps save propang.

However, when I went to get the empty tank refilled - there were still about 2.5 gallons in it (with 9-11 nights of camping). Next time I will heat water on the stove to make sure there's isn't any air in the lines or something.

Another lesson learned from this experience - don't pre-pay ahead of time. Wait and see how much the tank actually takes.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by Brent T.

Is it me or am I the only one that runs out of propane at 2:00am when it is cold out side.

You don't have an automatic switch-over regulator ??

[Terier]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

You don't have an automatic switch-over regulator ??

On my TT there is an option to leave it in the middle which will use both tanks. The downside to that is when you find out the propang is empty both tanks will be empty.

[prof_fate]

so 1.5 to 2 lbs a day seems to be the average if I"m figuring that right.

thanks

[Wildwood1]

every time we head out camping i always wonder if we have enough propane. there is a small gauge where the hoses from the two 30 pound tanks meet the regulator between the tanks, but it doesn't show the amount accurately.
So the other day my wife and i were shopping at Costco and saw propane tank fuel level gauges. I purchased two ($12 each) and came home and installed them on the tanks.(the hoses were a little tight but i managed to make it work) The needle on the gauge's showed one tank empty and the other one at 2/3 full.
it'll be nice this season not having to remember when we topped up last and no keeping track how much we use!!
the gauges have night glow so you can see the amount at night.(or maybe at 2am when the furnace isnt working and you realize you forgot to check your checks)

[bikendan]

we can go more than 21 days of camping before we exhaust our two 20gall. tanks.
unless we use the furnace a lot.

[MtnGuy]

If I am unsure before an extended trip, I will weigh my tanks. 54 lbs. full, 24 lb. empty.

[ken0042]

What do you use to weigh them? A special scale, or is there something a little more simple? (Or just a regular bathroom scale?)

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by ken0042

What do you use to weigh them? A special scale, or is there something a little more simple? (Or just a regular bathroom scale?)

Bathroom scales. I weighed one when empty, and then after the fill to get a baseline.

Some people say that I am anal.

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by ken0042

...is there something a little more simple?

If propane is in use (such as the furnace or turn on a stove burner), slowly pour a warm cup of water down the side of the tank in use and frost/condensation will form at the liquid level.