Remove 30lb propane for 20lb? Crazy?

[jk70]

I am buying a rockwood 2306 and it comes with two 30 lb tanks. Last travel trailer we had had one 20lb tank and it took us all year before we ran out.

To relieve some tongue weight plus the convenience of just exchanging 20lb tanks at Walmart, etc. I am considering doing this. Anyone else go this route?

Is it easy to sell 30lb propane tanks?

[67L48]

You'll save about 53 lbs by dropping a tank and going single. You'll save about 13 lbs by going from a 30 lb tank to 20 lb.

I'd probably just go from 2x30 to 1x30, rather than 1x20.

You're taking it in the shorts if you exchange tanks. You get a 20 lb tank filled to 70% capacity for quite a bit more money than getting them refilled.

[russhd1997]

If you don't use much propane it makes sense to replace the 30 lb tanks with 20's. Up here in the sometimes cold northeast I sometimes have to use my furnace and that uses a lot of propane. I went the opposite way with my old TT and replaced the 20's with 30's. My new TT came with 30's. I have no problem getting them refilled at the local hardware store.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by russhd1997

If you don't use much propane it makes sense to replace the 30 lb tanks with 20's. [...]

Just curious ... why?

[jk70]

Originally Posted by 67L48

You'll save about 53 lbs by dropping a tank and going single. You'll save about 13 lbs by going from a 30 lb tank to 20 lb.

I'd probably just go from 2x30 to 1x30, rather than 1x20.

You're taking it in the shorts if you exchange tanks. You get a 20 lb tank filled to 70% capacity for quite a bit more money than getting them refilled.

Thanks but I didn't mean I would go to one 20. I would go from two 30's to two 20's.

I get taking the hit on possible 70% fill but it is for weight and the luxury of just swapping one out if needed vs. finding a place to refill the 30..plus, if my grill at home "suddenly" runs out of I can use it for that, too

[DreiHunde]

For the reasons you stated it only makes sense to swap them out! Unfortunately I don't have a clue what to do with the 30's....maybe list them craigslist, FB etc?

Smart mod!

[Brother Les]

Use your 30lb on your home grill too.

When the SHTF happens, you will be glad you have a looooot of propane.

[Kimber45]

exchanging is a rip off. Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print. I have tried to sell used tanks in the past and they don't have much resale value. If you are that close on tounge weight you probably have bigger problems.

First cold trip you take you will be wishing you had more propane when the furnace is running.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

For the reasons you stated it only makes sense to swap them out! Unfortunately I don't have a clue what to do with the 30's....maybe list them craigslist, FB etc?

Smart mod!

See if you can find a beer home-brewer. Boiling wort eats a lot of propane fast! Especially if you are doing 12 gallon or larger batches.

[Tigger1]

Originally Posted by jk70

I am buying a rockwood 2306 and it comes with two 30 lb tanks. Last travel trailer we had had one 20lb tank and it took us all year before we ran out.

To relieve some tongue weight plus the convenience of just exchanging 20lb tanks at Walmart, etc. I am considering doing this. Anyone else go this route?

Is it easy to sell 30lb propane tanks?

I just did this over the weekend. Swapped both of our 30lb tanks for 20lb tanks with another member of our camping group. Just needed to change the center rod and tank cover. Took 15 minutes. I did it primarily because the 20lb tanks are easier for me to lift (back surgery). I saved some weight on the tongue too, no big deal there.

[marinerjoe]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

exchanging is a rip off. Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print. I have tried to sell used tanks in the past and they don't have much resale value. If you are that close on tounge weight you probably have bigger problems.

First cold trip you take you will be wishing you had more propane when the furnace is running.

An advantage to exchanging is if you have tanks that are “expired” or beyond the 12 year service life. Then just refill the exchanged tank as usual.

[russhd1997]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Just curious ... why?

The OP is trying to cut down his tongue weight and states that he doesn't use much propane. He also states that he wants the convenience of doing a tank exchange at Walmart etc.

[jk70]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

exchanging is a rip off. Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print. I have tried to sell used tanks in the past and they don't have much resale value. If you are that close on tounge weight you probably have bigger problems.

First cold trip you take you will be wishing you had more propane when the furnace is running.

To be honest, the lightening of the tongue weight is just a fringe benefit; not the real reason I am considering it. We just don't use a lot of propane and it is easier to swap out the 20's

[FFred]

"Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print"

Most of the problem of short weight is caused by the gov requirement for overfill protection.

In past days tanks were read , then filled with a scale to assure it was full.

This required training and intelligence , in short supply these days.

The newer tanks are simply filled till they shut off themselves internally , so untrained ,unskilled labor can fill them.

(2) 20s would be my choice , protection when a tank runs dry and enough for heat in a cold snap.

[Kaadk]

You said you’re still in the buying phase, so you haven’t run the new trailer yet to see what it’s propane usage really is. I’d suggest waiting on this mod until you’ve at least run down your two new 30’s. If you still only go through one 20lb a year, they should last you three years.

I went the opposite way with mine. The TT came with twin 20lbs and I was filling 3 times a year. Swapped over to twin 30’s and now I can usually only fill once a year.

[jk70]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

You said you’re still in the buying phase, so you haven’t run the new trailer yet to see what it’s propane usage really is. I’d suggest waiting on this mod until you’ve at least run down your two new 30’s. If you still only go through one 20lb a year, they should last you three years.

I went the opposite way with mine. The TT came with twin 20lbs and I was filling 3 times a year. Swapped over to twin 30’s and now I can usually only fill once a year.

Good point and probably the route I will go

[wmtire]

Now that the OP has stated the route he is taking, I would like to clarify the following post a little if I may and not hijack the thread. See answers in red

Originally Posted by FFred

"Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print"

The two biggest exchange companies usually put 15 pounds of propane in a 20 lb cylinder, which equates to 3/4ths properly filled

Most of the problem of short weight is caused by the gov requirement for overfill protection.

The 15 pound short weight has absolutely nothing to do with overfill protection, or government rules on the OPD. It has everything to do with money, price fixing, & collusion by the same two biggest exchange companies. The got sued AND fined for this. It's explained in this link as well as many others all over the internet:

https://www.lexology.com/library/det...d-ac7baeb6ab12

In past days tanks were read , then filled with a scale to assure it was full.

They still are, if done properly. See this link:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...do=file&id=214

This required training and intelligence , in short supply these days.

Which makes the OPD a safety feature "in case" the refiller isn't paying attention. The OPD if operating as designed, also guarantees the refiller cannot overfill the cylinder past the 20 pound mark on a 20 pound cylinder.

The newer tanks are simply filled till they shut off themselves internally , so untrained ,unskilled labor can fill them.

The OPD, as stated is a backup safety device, to keep the cylinder from being overfilled. The cylinders are still supposed to be weighed or the bleed valve opened during the refill process. Operators are still supposed to be trained in the process. It's the exchanges that make it so that untrained labor can do such.

(2) 20s would be my choice , protection when a tank runs dry and enough for heat in a cold snap.

All of the above information as well as much more is included in the link below that we keep in the FAQ section. Hope it helps

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1503308

[5picker]

Originally Posted by FFred

"Seams like a good price but you are only getting a tank that is 2/3 full. Read the fine print"

Most of the problem of short weight is caused by the gov requirement for overfill protection.

In past days tanks were read , then filled with a scale to assure it was full.

This required training and intelligence , in short supply these days.

The newer tanks are simply filled till they shut off themselves internally , so untrained ,unskilled labor can fill them.

(2) 20s would be my choice , protection when a tank runs dry and enough for heat in a cold snap.

That is true if filled at a filling station by an untrained employee.
It is NOT true for the tanks which are in an exchange cage.

They are short filled (2/3-3/4) on purpose to make money.

As mentioned... "read the fine print."

[mikeysotp]

To further derail this, I get mine filled at Tractor Supply because it's cheap and I don't have to wait for them to be empty because they only charge for what they put in. However, they don't fill them all the way either. They have dummies running the equipment so they just hook it up and the thing shuts off at 80% by itself from what I've been told.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by mikeysotp

To further derail this, I get mine filled at Tractor Supply because it's cheap and I don't have to wait for them to be empty because they only charge for what they put in. However, they don't fill them all the way either. They have dummies running the equipment so they just hook it up and the thing shuts off at 80% by itself from what I've been told.

Must be that store....I fill mine at the Tractor Supply in Jville, NC and they fill them completely! This is one of the very few places locally that charge by the gal. Most charge a flat rate for refilling 20lb bottles.

Edit....Oops....sorry for continuing the hijack.