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04-16-2011, 10:25 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
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My Propane will last how long?
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.
__________________
Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam
Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
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04-16-2011, 10:40 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
Posts: 640
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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
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04-16-2011, 10:45 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 926
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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.
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Glenn & Beth (Dad & Mom)
David & Audra (16 year old twins)
2006 Dodge Power Wagon (Adventure & Tow Vehicle)
2006 Rockwood 8281SS (Home away from Home)
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04-16-2011, 10:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Missouri
Posts: 285
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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.
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2006 Rockwood 8272S
2005 Chevrolet Silverado
John & Pandra
Battlefield, Missouri
F.R.O.G. Member
1st International F.R.O.G. Rally Branson Missouri
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04-16-2011, 10:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 926
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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
__________________
Glenn & Beth (Dad & Mom)
David & Audra (16 year old twins)
2006 Dodge Power Wagon (Adventure & Tow Vehicle)
2006 Rockwood 8281SS (Home away from Home)
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04-16-2011, 10:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
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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.
Quote:
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
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__________________
Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam
Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
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04-16-2011, 11:11 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Broken Arrow, OK
Posts: 1,112
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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.
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2011 FORD F350 CREW CAB DUALLY DIESEL 4x2
2010 Salem LA 292FKDS
One of the Original 14 F.R.O.G.s
1st, 2nd, and 3rd INTERNATIONAL F.R.O.G. RALLY Branson. MO.
1st, 2nd, and 4th INTERNATIONAL RALLY Goshen, IN.
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04-16-2011, 11:25 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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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.
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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04-16-2011, 11:33 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lexington, MN
Posts: 13
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Is it me or am I the only one that runs out of propane at 2:00am when it is cold out side.
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2009 SALEM PT
392FKRB
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04-16-2011, 12:08 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,447
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Quote:
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.
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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.
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Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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04-16-2011, 12:55 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
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.
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You don't have an automatic switch-over regulator ??
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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04-16-2011, 01:09 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,447
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
You don't have an automatic switch-over regulator ??
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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.
__________________
Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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04-16-2011, 01:32 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaver, PA
Posts: 911
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so 1.5 to 2 lbs a day seems to be the average if I"m figuring that right.
thanks
__________________
Chris, Wills (16) Evie (13) & Toby our collie (6)
2011 Grey Wolf 28BH
2013 Chevy K1500 Crew w/ Reese StraitLine Dual Cam
Nights camped 2011: 11 2012: 18 2013: 12 2014: 12 2015: 13 2016: 56 2017: 8+
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04-16-2011, 03:57 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 54
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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 )
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Kevin and Joanne
06 wildwood 27le fbss
08 dodge ram 4x4 5.7 quad cab
07 kawasaki brute force 650i
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04-16-2011, 04:56 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,845
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we can go more than 21 days of camping before we exhaust our two 20gall. tanks.
unless we use the furnace a lot.
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04-16-2011, 05:06 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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If I am unsure before an extended trip, I will weigh my tanks. 54 lbs. full, 24 lb. empty.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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04-16-2011, 05:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 375
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What do you use to weigh them? A special scale, or is there something a little more simple? (Or just a regular bathroom scale?)
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Wolf Pup T16P owner
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that it is nearly impossible to discern if they are genuine." - Abraham Lincoln
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04-16-2011, 05:43 PM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
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?)
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Bathroom scales. I weighed one when empty, and then after the fill to get a baseline.
Some people say that I am anal.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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04-16-2011, 10:23 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 926
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
...is there something a little more simple?
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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.
__________________
Glenn & Beth (Dad & Mom)
David & Audra (16 year old twins)
2006 Dodge Power Wagon (Adventure & Tow Vehicle)
2006 Rockwood 8281SS (Home away from Home)
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