Haul Propane Cylinders in Toy Hauler?

[ddigger62]

Hello,

I'm new to all this and a new member. Question regarding propane tanks. I have a Toy Hauler and need to travel a couple of hours to a boondock. I bought (3) 100 lb propane cylinders and a rack to run my portable generator. I bought the big cylinders so as to avoid having to go into town to refill. If I can haul the tank inside the Toy Hauler, I will unload them to the outside as soon as I reach camp. Is it ok for me to haul these cylinders for a couple of hours inside the Toy Hauler for about 120 miles? I wanted to put them on the tongue up next to the front wall and remove the (2) 30 lb cylinders but my dealer says he advises against that as the net weight added would be about 350 lbs.

I appreciate any advice you folks can give me. Thanks.

[Ford Idaho]

Why not haul them in your truck as close to the front as possible?
As long as they are strapped down I do not see a problem?

[ddigger62]

Thanks for the feedback. The cylinders, when full, weigh about 170 lbs each. I have a dolly, etc., and can pull them up over the tailgate of my truck but its sort of a pain and will get more so as I get older. For the time being, I can also lay them over my shoulder and place them in the pickup bed but that will get old, too. It would be easier to just cart them up the toy hauler's ramp, lash the rack to the inside of the bunks' frame and haul them that way. I also have some ramps I could affix to my tailgate but they're sort of awkward to use with a dolly and I don't want to drop these things. My only other answer would be to go to the 40 lb cylinders; they only weigh 70 lbs when full but it will take more of them and they will take up more room.

[Ford Idaho]

My only concern would be if one of the tanks started to leak inside, which could be a real bang of a deal.

[dennismo]

I put a 30lb tank in a milk crate and put it in the toy hauler all the time. Never had any issues

[dave961]

I also use the milk crate to keep it stable, but won't put propane or gas tanks in the camper when traveling. they go in the truck bed.

[rblack22]

Why so much gas for 1 weekend?

[waiter21]

Go for it, you haul gasoline in the toyhauler, why not propane?

[dcheatwood]

Strap em down tight to the walls, weight evenly distributed, valves tighten down good, why not? Seems OK.

[leland1950]

There is a Brass plug you can screw into the tank to stop any seepage. Should be available where you bought the tanks.

[dgibbs1955]

I have a single 100lbs. tank that I use during the winter months for my furnace, and when I have to move, I just roll it up the ramp and strap it to the frame of the folded couch in the upright position. There is no problem transporting those bottles in the trailer as long as they are upright and secure. Your distance is not a factor at all. It is just the handling and storage of them, while transporting. Look at DOT Hazmat Transportation regulations it will give you guidance. Good luck and travel safe.

[fander]

I used to work for a propane company and I would never put propane tanks inside an enclosed area. Whether it is a 20 pound bottle or a 100 pound bottle they are too prone to leaks even if they are plugged. If they leak it will fill your trailer with gas, add an ignition source, and you will have an explosion. I would have serious concerns that if the trailer blew the occupants of the tow vehicle would not survive.

[Brother Les]

It will be fine to haul these large tanks in your unit. make them none movable (strap to walls?) Open up the air vents flaps to get air movement.

[mud yapster]

Strap them down tight and open all the air vents on the toy hauler. No propane leaks or bang and then no toy hauler and no you anymore. I'd put them in the back of the truck a lot safer.

[Telstar]

It's my understanding, after talking with perfessional propane delivery people. That all propane tanks MUST be in a Ventled storage area and secured during travel. Take a look at your RV tank area for example. They should also be transported with the valve in the up position. The valves will allow bleeding of gas under certain conditions which if it occurs in an enclosed area could be disastrous.

[dgibbs1955]

What Brother Les said x2....
Meanwhile, there is no way to securely fasten a 100 lbs bottle in the back of any pickup truck in an upright position, which is the only way any bottle should be transported.

[mud yapster]

Hmmm

[dvalley]

It really depends where you are located and where you are traveling. In many states its illegal to transport a propane cylinder inside of any vehicle. Check with your state offices.

[Bluepill]

FYI:

DOT requires that propane cylinders be secured on a flat surface or in a rack, tote or mounted so they won’t move around in the vehicle. A propane cylinder not in use or not connected by a hose to an appliance must be plugged or capped. Leaving your forge connected to the propane tank is legal under DOT regulations.

DOT regulations also apply to the transportation of propane cylinders in closed vehicles, such as passenger cars, vans and trailers, when the amount of propane exceeds 90 pounds, or about 21 gallons. Farriers could have to deal with this regulation if they transport more than four 20-pound cylinders or three 30-pound cylinders.

- See more at: Proper Transportation of Fuels | 2012-01-04 | American Farriers Journal

[j free]

The toy haulers have strap downs already mounted in the floor that will do just fine. I replaced my tanks with #40 and installed two extras in my front storage compartment. So I carry 5 #40 tanks for my generator.