Carrying a 5-lb propane bottle: mount it to the frame?

You could, perhaps, install a propane detector near the portable cylinder. At least that way you would get a warning that there was a leak.

Hi Dave - I've been thinking about a little storage setup for my trailer and it occurred to me that it might be a helpful solution for you. I'm not sure of the size and weight of the bottle (5 lbs I guess?) but it might work.

Our friends MarkandDianne (on the forum) had a steel mesh grill welded to the underside of the hitch between the propane tanks and the front of the trailer and they use it for storage of leveling blocks and such. I was thinking of the same thing to store my "lego" blocks and spacing blocks for the jacks. But depending on the size of your tank, it might provide a place to carry the 5 pounder. You could secure it with bungee cords or nylon straps.

Just a thought. If Mark and Dianne see this maybe they can post a photo?

Alan

If you scroll down on this thread:

Link

you will see some pictures of the expanded steel tray that I had the Car Show weld in the A-Frame of the trailer behind the 20 lb propane bottles. This was done as part of their welding shop's customization of the hitch (their own "swing hitch" chops another foot off the length of the 3124KB). I regularly carry a gasoline can for the generator in this space, and I think I could easily fit a 5 lb bottle of propane, although without additional hardware I would only be securing it with bungee cords.

I, too, use the 20 lb propane tanks with a hose extension for the portable grill, which is a pain. I think I'm going to get 1 lb disposable tanks and the 20 lb refill gizmo, because the 1 lb tanks are useful for lanterns and I'd like to get one for when our picnic tables are further away from the TM's lights (or even just boondocking). Although I agree that even with the disposable propane refiller the 16 oz tanks are probably still only good for a handful of refills before their valves leak. If I can find a box that fits in the triangular space on the expanded steel tray (maybe a tool box) that fits 16 oz bottles then I could still transport the 16 oz bottles outside of the TM or the tow vehicle; otherwise I’m stuck with the rear exterior storage of the 3124kb with the batteries, generator and portable grill.

Cabelas also has brass caps for the disposable tanks:

Link

which has a few decent reviews and I may give them a try.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Hmmm....I may see if I can fit some steel screen like yours in the tongue. The storage area won't be nearly as large on my 2720SL due to the horizontal tanks, but it will at least be a spot to store wood blocks for chocking and leveling. The back bumper storage area is already maxed out, and it's also a pain to access as the metal plate doesn't come out easily. I could mount the 5-pound tank in the tongue area, but I was trying to find a spot where removing the tank would not be required when opening the trailer. With the horizontal tanks, I don't think that's possible.

Dave

Oh, yes, I should have said that the main thing I always keep on the expanded steel tray is a couple of 2x10's and a 1x10 for throwing under the down-hill tire to begin the leveling process. The Leggo blocks for the jacks I keep in the TV. The 1x is a half a bubble, so I can get within a quarter of a bubble just with the lumber. I put the gas container on top of the lumber when I'm taking the generator. My propane tanks are shoved further forward than the stock configuration anyway, which gives me more room on the tray (even as the shells open and close), so maybe it won't work as easily for you.

[ShrimpBurrito]

I was also thinking about building some sort of storage compartment underneath the TM, perhaps like a drawer or hinged shelf. Kinda like the blue-tote carrier I saw someone here made. One side is hinged, the other side drops to the ground after you pull a pin.

I keep all the wood blocks in the TV now too. But I never fail to pack them on the BOTTOM of everything in the back, so getting to them when we arrive at camp is kinda exciting. Remove grill. Remove water containers. Remove box of firewood.

I thought about mounting this carrier actually, but I took measurements under the TM and it doesn't fit. I can't remember exactly, but I think it is too wide to fit between the cross members, and I needed that because I wanted it to be at least as high off the ground as the axle. It's aluminum too, even.

Dave

[ShrimpBurrito]

I finally decided to mount my 5-lb propane cylinder to the tongue. I had 2 steel bars welded to the tongue going side to side, and a special hard-to-find cylinder holder from South Africa is bolted on those bars. The front TM shell will open with the tank in the holder, but the tank must be pulled out of the holder to pull out the slide (on my 2720SL).

The whole setup was not cheap, but I was committed to finding someplace outside the vehicle to store it because we travel frequently with the TM and for long distances, and perhaps more importantly, we often leave the TV/TM unattended while traveling. On hot days, the relief valve on any tank could open. With the tank mounted on the TM, it's undesirable but not a huge deal. In the TV, it could be disasterous.

If anyone is interested in doing something like this themselves, I can gather up more details and post pics.

Dave

[countrygirl]

Awe gee....no pics.

This may be a dumb question, but I really don't know! Is there an explosion issue storing propane near batteries? The rear battery compartment in the SL is generally dead space for us, and if safe would be a great space to store a small propane cylinder. I really don't want to blow the rear of the TM off!!!

[ShrimpBurrito]

Originally Posted by Scott O

This may be a dumb question, but I really don't know! Is there an explosion issue storing propane near batteries? The rear battery compartment in the SL is generally dead space for us, and if safe would be a great space to store a small propane cylinder. I really don't want to blow the rear of the TM off!!!

I thought about that too. There is a small but certain risk of a spark back there, as well as the potential release of some hydrogen. Additionally, that compartment is not vented. The battery box is kinda vented, but the compartment definitely is not. So we're back to the keeping a tank in a closed vehicle problem, and that compartment is even smaller than a vehicle. So if it gets hot enough in there, the relief valve may open sooner than it would if it were outside for any given ambient temperature, and if it does, the propane won't have anywhere to escape.

For those reasons, I didn't put mine back there. It might be ok if you vented the compartment. Perhaps cut out the foam and metal in the floor and put some expanded metal there so that will be under the tank. Propane is heavier than air, so it will go right out the bottom.

Dave