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09-24-2022, 08:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 572
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Propane Tank Word of Warning
I went to fill my two 20# tanks today and found something very scary. The dual propane tank plate that is bolted to the frame tongue, had both bolt heads sheared off on the left tank side. Thankfully the 2 bolts on the right tank side were Ok. Also the 1/2" center shaft bolt that the regulator and tank clamp down mounts to, had come out of the plate just hanging on the tank clamp.
Very scary as there was nothing at all holding either tank to the tongue. Luckily I found this in the driveway.
I had to drill out the 1/4" x 1/2" long self tapping bolts that held the tank plate to the tongue. I replaced with new 1/4" x 1" long self tapping bolts with a flat washer. I replaced all 4 self tapping bolts on the plate.
I then found a 1/2" split ring lock washer and a 1/2 nut to lock in the shaft bolt to the plate. So now the tanks are clamped securely to the tongue of the camper.
Scary find!
__________________
2024 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude 4WD, 121" WB, 3.6L, 8 speed, Blacked Out Package, 265/50R20 wheels, 6,200# Tow Rating, pulling a 2020 Rockwood Premier 2716G Pop Up, with a 14' box. Go through Indiana Dunes NP 5X/week! Previously had 2012 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH and 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH Travel Trailers. Also previously had 2007 Starcraft 2406 Pop Up with 12' box and bathroom, Previously had 2005 Rockwood 2290 Pop Up with 12' box and porta potty cabinet.
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09-25-2022, 09:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
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It pays to inspect things now and again. JMHO
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Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
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09-25-2022, 10:16 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,564
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaDog
It pays to inspect things now and again. JMHO
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X2. I go completely through my RV at least once a season tightening and testing everything I can think of. But then I'm retired have time to do that!
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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09-25-2022, 11:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaDog
It pays to inspect things now and again. JMHO
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My two tanks get a firm "shake" after hooking up and before I hit the road.
Problems like OP described can occur anytime and I'd rather fix at home than on the road (perhaps literally).
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
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09-25-2022, 12:11 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,427
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TitanMike
My two tanks get a firm "shake" after hooking up and before I hit the road.
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Do you think to yourself as you shake them "that's not going anyplace" 
Safe travels
__________________
 2019 F150 4X4 7050 GVWR 1903 payload
2018 Avenger 21RBS 7700 GVWR
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09-25-2022, 12:14 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,054
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vibration takes its toll on metal brackets . etc. weld it.
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09-25-2022, 12:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike134
Do you think to yourself as you shake them "that's not going anyplace"
Safe travels |
It's worked for me since the early 70's and has uncovered loose tanks twice.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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09-25-2022, 01:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 572
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The problem is that vibration causes some of this. That's why I used a nut and lock washer to hold in the long shaft bolt for the clamp and regulator. This honestly should had been done from the factory as the handle nut that you tighten to hold the clamp on the tanks, can move with the shaft bolt. Vibration can also move it. Locking the shaft bolt to the plate keeps that from happening.
I'm guessing but don't know for sure, since the shaft bolt wasn't locked to the propane plate, was tightening and pushing off of the tongue plate. This was creating a gap between tongue plate and propane tank plate, and stressed the plate bolts and sheared their heads after some vibration.
So locking down the shaft bolt, tree bolt, or what ever you'd like to call it, may be preventing most of this. However I will always double check it. Luckily the right tank side of the tank plate still had it's 2 plate bolts holding the tank plate to the tongue plate. The shaft bolt could had come out of the plate when I was loosening the handle nut but I don't know for sure. None the less, it's something I never had happen, EVER, on the other 4 campers I've had. So it's just something else to do a thorough inspection on frequently.
__________________
2024 Black Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude 4WD, 121" WB, 3.6L, 8 speed, Blacked Out Package, 265/50R20 wheels, 6,200# Tow Rating, pulling a 2020 Rockwood Premier 2716G Pop Up, with a 14' box. Go through Indiana Dunes NP 5X/week! Previously had 2012 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH and 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH Travel Trailers. Also previously had 2007 Starcraft 2406 Pop Up with 12' box and bathroom, Previously had 2005 Rockwood 2290 Pop Up with 12' box and porta potty cabinet.
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09-25-2022, 01:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Mountain Falls, VA
Posts: 222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike134
Do you think to yourself as you shake them "that's not going anyplace"
Safe travels |
I try not to say or think that but can't help it [emoji1745]
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Mark & Heather
Mountain Falls, VA
2019 Salem FSX 179DBK
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09-25-2022, 09:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Berryville, Arkansas
Posts: 1,329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike134
Do you think to yourself as you shake them "that's not going anyplace"
Safe travels |
__________________
2012 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Touring Edition
2015 Ford F-350 CC DRW Lariat
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09-25-2022, 09:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Foothils CA
Posts: 1,426
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Yikes. Glad you caught it at home.
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2021 2205S Rockwood Minilite
2019 F 150 Lariat 3.5 Eco Fx4 Max Tow
Equal-i-zer WDH, 1809 lb payload
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09-26-2022, 09:00 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Navarre, FL
Posts: 69
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Here's a dumb question...how is the propane tank(s) cover removed? It appears to slide up and down with a little effort, but I haven't tried it yet. Don't use the gas much, but it's been eatin' my shorts not knowing exactly how to remove the thing without breakin' it.
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09-26-2022, 09:05 AM
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#13
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Part-Time Campground Host
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 3,187
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Forrest Gump
Here's a dumb question...how is the propane tank(s) cover removed? It appears to slide up and down with a little effort, but I haven't tried it yet. Don't use the gas much, but it's been eatin' my shorts not knowing exactly how to remove the thing without breakin' it.
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It slides up and off like you said. Some have a small bungee cord to hold them down.
__________________
Craig & Cath
2018 2902WS Rockwood Ultra Lite (with tons of Mods)
2022 F250 Lariat Super Cab, 7.3 gas w/10 Spd Xmsn
Equalizer Hitch w/4-Point Sway Control
Days camped since 2015(retirement): 1687
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