Mounting a Propane tank on rear ext. wall ?

[goinoregon]

Does anyone have a recommendation on a brkt/box to mount a propane tank to the rear exterior wall of camper ?
I was planning on mounting inside, but the more i think about it, the amount of space it requires might not be worth it, for my type of camping. in the summer, i dont use much propane for cooking, and none for heating.
i am thinking some type of box might be the best choice, as i could use it for carry things in the summer when i dont need a large propane tank, or even remove it.
thx in advance.

 

[Jon R]

Since you don’t use much, have you thought about just carrying one or two of those 1 lb green bottles? They could be stored behind a turnbuckle door with some padding so they don’t move around.

 

[Jkron]

AT Overland makes a bracket for either 5lb or 10lb propane tanks. I have used them in the past mounted to the jack brackets of a FWC.

Fuel, Propane and Water – AT Overland Equipment

 

[Hoopy]

There is a setup that you can refill the one pound cans. A friend of ours uses them for their camp kitchen. You would get your compactness and recycle. I have seen the exterior brackets as well

 

[Vic Harder]

+1 on the refillable bottles. If not, a milk crate is the right size.

 

[goinoregon]

Thx guys. i do have a propex propane, that i need to install, and i figure it would be better with a 5 lb propane tank.
i still have not dressed up the inside of my atc shell, and the more i look at the std propane door, and the space it will take up inside, i am trending away from it.
i will look into the 1 lb refillables.
thx

 

[goinoregon]

AT Overland makes a bracket for either 5lb or 10lb propane tanks. I have used them in the past mounted to the jack brackets of a FWC.

Fuel, Propane and Water – AT Overland Equipment

does the hole pattern on the brkt match up to camper jack brkt holes ??

 

[michelle_east_county]

My thought on rear exterior mount would-be to mount one high enough to avoid direct impact by a truck or SUV if rear-ended, but not so high it would require a stool every time you retrieved it.

 

[goinoregon]

My thought on rear exterior mount would-be to mount one high enough to avoid direct impact by a truck or SUV if rear-ended, but not so high it would require a stool every time you retrieved it.

good idea

 

[2Z Bundok]

Good Topic! I have been looking all over for:
1. reliable gauge for the onboard tank - use and AM frost is best on trail. Scale (weight) is the only other reliable way that I have found.
2. Place to "scuttle" another common 20# tank.
We have run out several times in the cold of the night with thermostat set at 63 deg (pop up TC) and installed 1# back up. 1st the adapter then 1# will last a few hours until the MT is total frost!
For economy and ease I too want to add a 2nd 20# on the back. Up high is great suggestion.

 

[ntsqd]

Something to consider: Prior to the Alvord trip I was trying to figure out how to mount a std bbq propane tank on the Blanc-Oh's swing-away without much success. I realized that the diameter was the fitment problem. Looking around I found 2.5 gallon tanks that were either the same height and roughly half the diameter of the bbq tank; or there was one of the same diameter that was half as tall as the std bbq tank. For me the tall, skinny tank worked best.

I was a little concerned about capacity because we were going to be cooking two meals a day for 6 guys for the week that we were on the run. Typically we used less than 1/2 of the previous bbq tank, but I didn't have either of those vehicles that I transported it with available for this trip. Half of a bbq tank was going to put us right on the edge.

I forgot to factor in that we no longer use propane lanterns. I came home with the little tank still about 1/2 full. If the OP's use isn't huge then these smaller tanks might be an option. They use the same valve connection that the bbq tanks use, so they're fully interchangeable that way.

 

[corybrown50]

Not to spoil the fun....but....I was going to mount mine on the exterior when I did my rebuild and found out, at least here in the States, it is illegal. Must be mounted interior or to the frame.

 

[Atlin]

Pretty simple to build a bracket like the Overland one. I have a buddy who has two on his camper (one each side of the door) and it is easy to switch between tanks with a valve in the center.

 

[ntsqd]

Not to spoil the fun....but....I was going to mount mine on the exterior when I did my rebuild and found out, at least here in the States, it is illegal. Must be mounted interior or to the frame.

Did you find this in the FMVSS somewhere? There must be some variations allowed since even new production tag travel trailers commonly have it/them mounted on the tongue.

 

[corybrown50]

The tongue is considered the frame. Also, mounted on the tongue they have to have cover from the elements officially, but we've all seen pop ups running around without that. I was looking last night to find it to quote specifically. I got it from my buddy who was a dealer tech and had the book. Must be mounted to the frame or in a sealed compartment is the basic verbiage it had. I wanted to mount mine external to add storage space inside. No go unfortunately. I didn't do it for liability reasons, not that I think law enforcement would pay much attention. If I got in an accident and something bad happened, well, all the insurance in the world goes out the window.

 

[goinoregon]

The tongue is considered the frame. Also, mounted on the tongue they have to have cover from the elements officially, but we've all seen pop ups running around without that. I was looking last night to find it to quote specifically. I got it from my buddy who was a dealer tech and had the book. Must be mounted to the frame or in a sealed compartment is the basic verbiage it had. I wanted to mount mine external to add storage space inside. No go unfortunately. I didn't do it for liability reasons, not that I think law enforcement would pay much attention. If I got in an accident and something bad happened, well, all the insurance in the world goes out the window.

maybe i will look into a custom box that i can hang off the jack brkts

 

[ntsqd]

The right sized under-bed or flat bed tool box might be just the ticket. Along the lines of one of these:

https://www.buyersproducts.com/catalog/truck-boxes-11

 

[2Z Bundok]

Not to spoil the fun....but....I was going to mount mine on the exterior when I did my rebuild and found out, at least here in the States, it is illegal. Must be mounted interior or to the frame.

I just spoke to my Propane supplier who said for a non-connected tank, the only regulation they have for transport is that it be secured and vertical (valve not flooded with liquid). Being connected (valve open) may be the difference with location of tank.

 

[goinoregon]

I just spoke to my Propane supplier who said for a non-connected tank, the only regulation they have for transport is that it be secured and vertical (valve not flooded with liquid). Being connected (valve open) may be the difference with location of tank.

thx ! if/when i put one back there it would be not connected. connect at camp.

 

[jimjxsn]