1. Anyone tried this propane level gauge? 2. Total newb to rving

[jeremyd]

1: I was at harbor freight the other day and saw this gauge. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with it/ was it worth buying?
2: We just bought our first TT this year so I’m totally new to this. After researching for nearly 2 years, we decided on the 2109s. After all the negativity online I was scared to death it was gonna be a piece of junk and worst purchase ever. However, I have to say that I thankfully haven’t experienced any of the horror stories I’ve seen online and after a good PDI and a few uses I feel we got a good trailer. It has been a wonderful experience thus far.
3: That being said, I’m sure I will have my share of issues here and there and would just like to say that this forum is awesome. I have learned a lot and I’m sure I can find an answer to any question. Thanks to everyone.

[myredracer]

I installed a couple of similar gauges on our tanks. They will read - full, almost empty and empty. They will not give you a reading between empty and full. Still helps though and I do use them to see if one of the tanks is empty or almost empty and if it's time to go for a refill.

[bikendan]

Gauge is junk.

[Jfkmk]

Welcome!

I've had similar experiences as myredracer with that gauge. Might be better than nothing, but done expect accuracy.

As for the horror stories, yeah, some trailers have some issues, some are significant. Dont let them scare you! I've had a class c and two TTs and have had no issues except very minor ones. Use YouTube and google and this forum to help understand how to fix items and remember, maintenance is key!

Most of all, enjoy your new tt!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by jeremyd

1: I was at harbor freight the other day and saw this gauge. Was wondering if anyone had any experience with it/ was it worth buying?
2: We just bought our first TT this year so I’m totally new to this. After researching for nearly 2 years, we decided on the 2109s. After all the negativity online I was scared to death it was gonna be a piece of junk and worst purchase ever. However, I have to say that I thankfully haven’t experienced any of the horror stories I’ve seen online and after a good PDI and a few uses I feel we got a good trailer. It has been a wonderful experience thus far.
3: That being said, I’m sure I will have my share of issues here and there and would just like to say that this forum is awesome. I have learned a lot and I’m sure I can find an answer to any question. Thanks to everyone. Attachment 206554

What kind of a trailer is a 2109s - as in which division made it? Forest River’s many divisions make so many models, we can’t memorize them all.

[KyDan]

The problem with that type of gauge is because it measures pressure.
LP- liquid propane has the same pressure whether your tank is full or 3/4 empty so the
gauge won't tell the truth. If your tank is empty then the gauge will tell you that much- maybe...

[woo10-210]

The tanks are vertical on the tongue of this tt model. It should be real easy to just pour some hot water down the side of the tank and feel for the cold spot. Far more accurate than any gauge.

[Semperfi24]

No experience with that specific gauge, but in my experience with another gauge I found that when you install the gauge to the tank and then install the hose to the gauge, when you try to put the plastic tank cover over the top you have to bend the hose to make it fit. So I was concerned that the pressure on the hose (right where the rubber hose meets the metal fitting) would eventually cause it to crack/tear/rip and empty my propane tank (which could be quite dangerous). Decided the better route was to get one of those magnets that you put on your tank for the bbq at home, and let that be my guide for how full the tank is.

[AquaMan]

LP is something I never worry about. I'm pretty good at guessing my usage and can go most of the summer on 1 tank. When I had my 5er, I ran one tank until it was empty, switched over, and filled empty. Always had a full tank, and many campgrounds have a filling station so it was/is something I never concern myself with.

[NJKris]

Save your money for something more useful, especially if you have a two tank setup. When the first tank kicks, switch over to 2nd tank and refill the first at your convenience. Like most folks here, RV's don't use a lot of propane (unless you are a heavy furnace user maybe). I don't use the auto changeover, this way I know when the first tank is empty.

[wmtire]

Welcome aboard Jeremy. Since you stated you are new to RV'ing, this thread link below may be of assistance:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-157524.html

The part there in the link about "Refilling vs Exchanging" propane cylinders may also give you some ideas.

Hope it helps.

[colretired]

I use those gauges. They are useful but not entirely accurate. Close enough so you have a good indicator of the tank's status. i also carry one of the things you weigh you luggage with. For a 20 gallon tank I know when it is full it weighs 56 lbs and empty about 24-26. So when the gauge is showing I am getting low I can double check by taking the tank out and simply weighing it. This is the most accurate way to check.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by colretired

I use those gauges. They are useful but not entirely accurate. Close enough so you have a good indicator of the tank's status. i also carry one of the things you weigh you luggage with. For a 20 gallon tank I know when it is full it weighs 56 lbs and empty about 24-26. So when the gauge is showing I am getting low I can double check by taking the tank out and simply weighing it. This is the most accurate way to check.

Are you sure of those numbers? What you are describing in the weight sounds like a 30 lb cylinder...but it sure does not hold 20 gallons (more like 7 gallons).

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1503758

[colretired]

Oops, My mistake. I did mean a 30 lb tank weighs 56 lbs full and 26 lbs empty. My trailer has two of these.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by colretired

Oops, My mistake. I did mean a 30 lb tank weighs 56 lbs full and 26 lbs empty. My trailer has two of these.

[Hoyt]

Originally Posted by wmtire;2112574[URL

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f215/propane-cylinders-refilling-vs-exchanging-133760.html#post1503758[/URL]

Great post on propane tanks and filling!

[ard58]

[DogFather]

I think the least fuss is the 2 tank rotation & fill.

The worst accuracy is the pressure gauge - because it will read the same as long as there's any liquid in the tank.

If you really need to know, use the weigh-the-tank technique after you know the full and empty weights.

[McCormickJim]

x2 on what ColRetired said:

For my TT propane tank, I use a mechanical (no batteries) luggage scale to identify how much propane is available.

Full-weight minus empty-weight = pounds of propane in the tank.


Luggage scales are available on-line and at many retail outlets.

[Walholler]

This works great for me, I have two tanks in my 5th wheel. I began with two full tanks, I run off of one tank at a time. When the first tank is empty, I switch to the second tank and take the empty one and have it refilled. Without gauges of any kind, I have never ran out of propane.