Newbie question - 1st of many ;)

[peterbugnet]

Hi all! I am new to RVing and this forum, forgive the naive questions, please. I am trying to find info on best practices for propane tank refilling/replacing. Any advice welcome, TIA!

[bikendan]

It would help if you told what type of RV you have.
Motorhomes have internal tanks.

[rana]

Welcome! Don't hesitate to ask any questions. We've all been there. A few more specifics of what you are intending to do would be helpful to answer your question. Is it correct to assume that you are talking about a standard #20 tank that you are wondering if it is more practical to refill your own tank or to utilize one of the tank exchange stations?

If that is the case, I prefer to refill my own. Exchange tanks typically don't have a complete fill, are proprietary (can't be refilled on the road if no exchange station is available), and you really don't know how those tanks have been treated by others.

If you had something else in mind feel free to provide additional details.

[peterbugnet]

Thanks for responses, and sorry for initial lack of details. I have a Coachmen FE 248rbs TT, and as such, have 2-20# tanks mounted on exterior. I thought refill was the way to go, thanks for confirmation, Yarome. Do many state parks, RV parks, etc have refill stations?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by peterbugnet

Do many state parks, RV parks, etc have refill stations?

We use gas stations usually. We NEVER exchange.
Don't know of any West Coast state parks that refill.
Some RV parks do but we rarely stay at RV parks.

[vstrom]

Find a propane company, I have 3 within 20 miles of my house. I had my 2 20# tanks filled last week for around $25. Also, try hardware stores, large landscape companies, or RV dealers. As long as the tank is less than 10 years old (there is a date stamped on the handle area) and in good shape, it is cheaper to have it re-filled. If it's over 10 years or in sad shape, then exchange it.

[Ashley]

Also, you will want to inquire about how they are going to charge for filling your tanks. Our local hardware store is very good about charging by the gallon if the cost is less than their set price for filling that given size tank. So basically whichever way benefits the customer the most is how they charge, Flat Rate vs. By the Gallon.

[peterbugnet]

Thanks everyone! Found an ACE hardware just down the road from our storage unit that refills tanks.

[Vic and Kristine D]

we use our local tractor supply store . they are the cheapest in our area.