Fill Microlite propane tanks?

[wphelander]

We are relatively new to trailering and are about to embark on our first multiweek trip. To this point our propane usage has been trivial, but I'm anticipating needing to fill our dual 20# tanks at some point during our trip. It appears that in order to fill them we'll need to tow the trailer to the filling point as there is no apparent way to manually lift them from their mounting locations at the front of the trailer - have I missed something? If this is the case then we need to be sure to fill them while we are moving and be sure not to run out while set up in a camp ground - something to add to our daily checklist.

Thanks

[Semperfi24]

There should be a bracket that holds them on. Its been a few years since we had a trailer with the tanks mounted like yours (we had a mini lite, essentially the same as the microlite). You should be able to unscrew it, remove the bracket that goes over the top of both tanks (which secures them in place). Then just remove the tanks and bring them to a place that can refill them. Other than some motorhomes, I dont know of any trailers that they cant be removed. There is probably a youtube video out there to show this removal process.

[Semperfi24]

Give this a look

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmU4CzzfquI

[jbflag21ds]

See the above video first. Second, consider a set of Mopeka propane level sensors and tank spacer rings to add to the tanks while you have them out to get filled. Then you can be sure of the tank levels easily.

[Larry-NC]

If you like to precautionarily re-fill your tanks before they are flat-out empty, fill them at Costco, who charges by the pound to top them off, similar to refilling your car/truck. If you go to the local DIY store, grocery store, or bait shop, they will trade you for full cylinders and you lose the remaining gas.

In fact, you could go to Costco before you start the trip and not have to worry about finding a spot midway through.

There are others that fill cylinders on a metered basis, too. Maybe U-Haul. Others will chime in with other names. Most of the big propane outfits have switched to the swapping scheme, at least around here.

[Giboneys]

We have found that most places will not fill port tanks while on the trailer, as others have stated you should be able to remove them and take them to any place to have them filled, we use Tractor Supply when available. Also don't do a tank swap they are no full for example a 20lb tank will only have 15lb and cost twice as much.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

If you like to precautionarily re-fill your tanks before they are flat-out empty, fill them at Costco, who charges by the pound to top them off, similar to refilling your car/truck. If you go to the local DIY store, grocery store, or bait shop, they will trade you for full cylinders and you lose the remaining gas.

In fact, you could go to Costco before you start the trip and not have to worry about finding a spot midway through.

There are others that fill cylinders on a metered basis, too. Maybe U-Haul. Others will chime in with other names. Most of the big propane outfits have switched to the swapping scheme, at least around here.

Seems to me almost every camp ground I have ever been to has a propane filling station. How else would they fill class A and C rigs? Maybe the really small Mom and Pops places don’t but I have never experienced a problem getting my tanks filled and I refuse to do the exchange thing because half the time the tanks you get will be in poor condition and many times expired.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

If you like to precautionarily re-fill your tanks before they are flat-out empty, fill them at Costco, who charges by the pound to top them off, similar to refilling your car/truck. If you go to the local DIY store, grocery store, or bait shop, they will trade you for full cylinders and you lose the remaining gas.

In fact, you could go to Costco before you start the trip and not have to worry about finding a spot midway through.

There are others that fill cylinders on a metered basis, too. Maybe U-Haul. Others will chime in with other names. Most of the big propane outfits have switched to the swapping scheme, at least around here.

Tractor Supply here on the East Coast fills by metered gallons.
Many (but not all) ACE Hardware stores do too.

Stay away from the exchange places unless it is your last resort.
They all fill to 3/4 fill (says so right on the cage) and are more expensive.
I've never seen any outdated tanks for exchange (sale) but it sure is convenient to exchange (return) an outdated one there instead of buying a new tank!

[jbflag21ds]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I've never seen any outdated tanks for exchange (sale) but it sure is convenient to exchange (return) an outdated one there instead of buying a new tank!

The only reason to exchange a 20# tank is an expired tank. The overall cost is lower, even with the reduced fill. Buying a new tank and paying to fill it and then trying to dispose of the old tank is more than a simple exchange around here.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Tractor Supply here on the East Coast fills by metered gallons.
Many (but not all) ACE Hardware stores do too.

Stay away from the exchange places unless it is your last resort.
They all fill to 3/4 fill (says so right on the cage) and are more expensive.
I've never seen any outdated tanks for exchange (sale) but it sure is convenient to exchange (return) an outdated one there instead of buying a new tank!

The 3/4 full thing is an industry safety standard that is accomplished with a Type 1 ACME valve on top of the tank that will not let it be filled above 80% capacity. Filling stations that have a clue will not fill a tank without this type valve installed.

There is almost no such thing as a tank without it because they have aged out “expired “ and have been disposed of. Weather you own the tank or it’s an exchange your tank can not be filled above 80 %. Even if you wanted to.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

The 3/4 full thing is an industry safety standard that is accomplished with a Type 1 ACME valve on top of the tank that will not let it be filled above 80% capacity. Filling stations that have a clue will not fill a tank without this type valve installed.

There is almost no such thing as a tank without it because they have aged out “expired “ and have been disposed of. Weather you own the tank or it’s an exchange your tank can not be filled above 80 %. Even if you wanted to.

You need to read the wording on the exchange cages.

An empty 20# tank with the overfill protection valve, when full at 80%, holds about 4.5 gallons (or about 20# of liquid)

The exchange tanks in the cages are filled to 15# which is about 3.6 gallons.
The way the exchange tanks are filled has nothing to do with the overfill protection device.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

Seems to me almost every camp ground I have ever been to has a propane filling station. How else would they fill class A and C rigs? Maybe the really small Mom and Pops places don’t but I have never experienced a problem getting my tanks filled and I refuse to do the exchange thing because half the time the tanks you get will be in poor condition and many times expired.

No campground I frequent has a propane filling station but the Tractor Supply Company store near me fills/charges by the gallon.

[Oaklevel]

Someday I will be able to visit a COSTCOs what ever they are. We don't have one within 100 miles plus.

A propane company visits the campground that we go to almost daily (with a truck) but it is cheaper to haul the bottles to Camping World or Ace Hardware.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

No campground I frequent has a propane filling station but the Tractor Supply Company store near me fills/charges by the gallon.

Must be a regional thing. I’ve been trying to think of a campground. Like full hookup. Bathrooms. Store. Pool kind of place that doesn’t have propane. But ok. Obviously we travel in different circles.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by 5picker

You need to read the wording on the exchange cages.

An empty 20# tank with the overfill protection valve, when full at 80%, holds about 4.5 gallons (or about 20# of liquid)

The exchange tanks in the cages are filled to 15# which is about 3.6 gallons.
The way the exchange tanks are filled has nothing to do with the overfill protection device.

So it says all that on the cage? I guess I’ll have to read all the signs next time I need propane. Lol

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by wphelander

We are relatively new to trailering and are about to embark on our first multiweek trip. To this point our propane usage has been trivial, but I'm anticipating needing to fill our dual 20# tanks at some point during our trip. It appears that in order to fill them we'll need to tow the trailer to the filling point as there is no apparent way to manually lift them from their mounting locations at the front of the trailer - have I missed something? If this is the case then we need to be sure to fill them while we are moving and be sure not to run out while set up in a camp ground - something to add to our daily checklist.

Thanks

It's quite easy to remove the tanks:

Take the cover off
Remove the wing nut from the shaft
Remove the horizontal bar
Lift each tank off the tray

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

Must be a regional thing. I’ve been trying to think of a campground. Like full hookup. Bathrooms. Store. Pool kind of place that doesn’t have propane. But ok. Obviously we travel in different circles.

Right. If it has a store and a pool, we probably wouldn’t call that a campground — we might have seen those called resorts and we don’t travel in those circles. We do use full hookup campgrounds with bathrooms but no stores, pools, propane fill stations.

[GolfingDave]

I pretty much just use my google maps app and google Propane.
Almost always find a local propane supplier, tractor supply, etc to fill them. Or they are on the way to my next stop, "Find Along The Route" option.
Agree, refill and not exchange.

Originally Posted by jbflag21ds

consider a set of Mopeka propane level sensors and tank spacer rings to add to the tanks while you have them out to get filled. Then you can be sure of the tank levels easily.

X2

When one tank empties(or gets close) you can take it to the supplier at your leisure when you are going to be in the area of the supplier and not have to make a special trip just for propane. Two thirty pound tanks myself and have never had to make a special trip. If it is not empty but close it still cost the same if buying by the pound instead of exchanging.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

So it says all that on the cage? I guess I’ll have to read all the signs next time I need propane. Lol

The pertinent information is in small print! See the graphic in post #2 in our FAQ section.

[TitanMike]

Locally we have a few RV dealers that advertise that they fill propane tanks and post a price that's about a buck a gallon less than what the other "fill stations" charge.

I can see their motivation, to draw in traffic. I just load my tanks into my pickup and go for a fill only. If approached by a sales person I just say I need to get back to the house and don't have time.