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Old 02-03-2015, 10:51 PM   #1
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Propane in Bumper Box

Hey all...

Just wondering if there are restrictions about having a propane tank (11#) in the rear bumper storage box. Should I get "PROPANE" stickers for the outside of the box? <--- Required?

And on a related note... what's the best way to anchor tiedowns inside the box without punching holes in the sides? I'd like to tie down the tank to keep it from bouncing all over the box, but do not want to put holes in the box.



Thanks!

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Old 02-03-2015, 11:24 PM   #2
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Having a little air flow might be a good thing if you think about it. But I carry tanks in my box W/O strapping them down or a propane placard...might not be legal though. The bad thing about them being loose is they can tear up the box. I was thinking of using some large PVC pipe as a stand to hold the tanks. I have some Lexan that I use as a floor protector sheet. I had planned to bolt a section of the pipe to the Lexan and set the tanks in the pipe as a stand...never have got around to it.
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Old 02-04-2015, 08:55 AM   #3
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

I would NOT put a propane sticker on it, but I generally adhere to the old adage that forgiveness is easier to get than permission. It's probably illegal there and not here (in Tn.) anyway, which is a good reason to move here.

To keep it in place, howbout cutting a piece of plywood the exact shape of the inside of the box with a hole for the top of the propane tank, then just slide it in and down over the top lip of the tank? It shouldn't be able to scoot or bounce at all then.

You may know this already, but don't store it sideways.

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Old 02-04-2015, 01:19 PM   #4
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
To keep it in place, howbout cutting a piece of plywood the exact shape of the inside of the box with a hole for the top of the propane tank, then just slide it in and down over the top lip of the tank? It shouldn't be able to scoot or bounce at all then.

Similar to 86Scotty's idea above, cut a piece of plywood to the exact footprint of the box, put eyelets in the corners, and tie it down to the plywood. Perhaps add a hole in the plywood the fits the bottom round part of the tank as well......

...or 86Scotty's plywood around the top and this plywood around the bottom of the tank.....
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Old 02-04-2015, 03:19 PM   #5
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Quote:
Originally Posted by 86Scotty
I would NOT put a propane sticker on it, but I generally adhere to the old adage that forgiveness is easier to get than permission. It's probably illegal there and not here (in Tn.) anyway, which is a good reason to move here.

One thing to keep in mind is if you are ever going through significant tunnels, often propane will be regulated. Here on the east coast, for example, propane bottles larger than 10# are not allowed in some of the tunnels, like the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). See http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/propane.html. Other tunnels on the east coast often require a propane inspection stop (e.g., tunnels in Hampton Roads near Virginia Beach/Norfolk). I wouldn't count on getting much forgiveness if you don't comply, especially nowadays with all the terrorism concerns.
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Old 02-04-2015, 05:03 PM   #6
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Brian, good points. No tunnels near here or on any of my travels recently so I hadn't thought of that.
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Old 02-04-2015, 07:26 PM   #7
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Might have issues over some bridges here and there. At one time crossing crossing the Hoover dam restricted propane after 911 but things have changed since then.
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Old 02-04-2015, 09:57 PM   #8
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Thanks for the ideas and warnings.

I won't put a propane sticker on the side, I guess (though Sportsmobile already tagged one on the utility door on the driver side with the build). I might try building a plywood support for it... maybe a half-box sort of thing with a strap around the loading front. Or maybe just wrap it in foam as an impact limiter to minimize box damage.

Hmph...

Hopefully I will never be tempted to drive it in any place back east that might be a bother (anything much east of I-25, that is ). If they don't like my little tank, they sure won't like the bigger thing hanging underneath the van. Whatever... good to know to watch for restrictions, though.

I might end up back in TN some day, Scotty... spent a few years in Knoxville / Oak Ridge - one of the reasons I decided to pull the trigger on the Sporty: got sick of drying out tents in my living room from weekends in the Smokies!
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Old 02-05-2015, 06:53 AM   #9
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

Lol. Yeah, plan a camping trip in around here if you need your garden watered, and your gear soaked.

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Old 02-06-2015, 09:38 AM   #10
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Re: Propane in Bumper Box

We use our box for storing our tank. Since it is portable and not permanently mounted I see it as not requiring a sticker. We haven't designed a mount yet but the rest of the crap we have jammed in there right now keeps it all tight. We installed our own shelf in the deluxe box, drilling and sealing the holes properly was a breeze since we have a decent amount of butyl tape left over from redoing or Penthouse hardware. If we decide to secure the tank to the box we won't hesitate to drill through its side.

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