Homebuild under van propane tank? - Page 3

larrie · 07-24-2012, 10:09 PM

GreyDog

That is what I did prior to my SMB. The tank was stored I a custom made plywood box the keep it from rolling around. Set it next to the table when needed for cooling.

Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse

carringb · 07-25-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyDawg

So would it be safe and feasible to carry a small propane tank -- not the BBQ size-- and use it variously for a Mr.Buddy or catalytic heater, for a propane camp stove (for use inside the van or preferably outside) and a propane Coleman lantern for outside use? Would it be safe to carry a propane tank inside the van?

Cheers,
GreyDawg

I would not recommend it. I have seen one vent after it warmed up one day. Luckily the doors on both ends of the shop were open. It vented a good 6' cloud for about 20 seconds before the safety valve shut again. If a tank vented inside a van, it would certainly create a very explosive atmosphere.

GreyDawg · 07-25-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carringb

I would not recommend it. I have seen one vent after it warmed up one day. Luckily the doors on both ends of the shop were open. It vented a good 6' cloud for about 20 seconds before the safety valve shut again. If a tank vented inside a van, it would certainly create a very explosive atmosphere.

So would you recommend:

transport the propane tank outside the van[/*:m:35815f2j]
bring inside the van to run a furnace (so by definition it's cold-ish)[/*:m:35815f2j]
bring inside, when desired, to run stove (not likely -- better to have another stove system for that contintency, like the butane burner)[/*:m:35815f2j]
enjoy the propane tank when cooking and/or using the lantern outside?[/*:m:35815f2j]

or would you take it one step further, and have some sort of propane fitting so that the tank never needed to be inside the van?

carringb · 07-26-2012, 12:29 AM

I would not recommend brining it inside and running the furnace. If it was over-filled, once the van warmed up, that's when it would vent. I could see cooking being ok however.

What about a carrier for the back door? You could still run a hose inside to run the appliances.

86Scotty · 07-26-2012, 04:23 PM

Thanks to all of you for the ideas. I'm much clearer now on what will and won't work. Here are my needs and perameters: We don't have really bad winters here in Tn but I do think it's worth it to spend a few hundred on a decent furnace, most likely a Suburban NT20. I'm about to rebuild my interior and am trying to maximize interior space by building in what I need and moving anything I can under the floor. I'm hoping to get my propane tank under the van somewhere, as well as 2 batteries on Ford's frame mounted boxes. I have a large rack on the back already which holds Rubbermaid bins and bikes, and I'm out of space there. Also, I don't want to kick around a portable heater anymore, and I don't really want to spend as much as a true SMB setup (frame mounted tank with hole in van, etc.) I can weld up a frame to hold the tank in the space I mentioned under the rear of the van, and I know I will still have to crawl under there to turn the valve on or off, but it won't get used very often, and I doubt I'll have to remove it more than once a year to refill.
I have a great local propane guy who sells all kinds of parts, tanks, etc. who I have not yet been to see, so I think I can plumb this all in and build it rather inexpensively, except for the tank itself and the furnace. Oh, BTW, I might do a single/double burner stove or stove/sink combo, if I can make it fit.
These translucent new fangled tanks are really cool, but I don't want to pay $200 for one. I found these at Camping World, pretty great prices.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...ylinders/10526

I'm wondering if a 10 lb. would be big enough because I could probably mount it standing or slanted and not have an issue, also they are DOT approved, etc.

What do you guys think? How many pounds are the typical small RV/SMB frame mounted tanks?

Thanks

carringb · 07-26-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

I know I will still have to crawl under there to turn the valve on or off

How about a small hatch in the floor?

86Scotty · 07-26-2012, 05:11 PM

Hmmm. Something to think about, thanks!

rnj · 07-27-2012, 10:50 PM

I believe you may be looking for me. Haven't been on for a little while and just saw your post. I mounted a 30# horizontal across the back. My spare tire mount was removed to mount generator & gray water tank so I bolted it to remaining pieces of the cut off brackets making 3 ~ 12" brackets (don't remember exact length) out of 1" metal stock. I had just enough room to mount 12" dia. tank between generator & hitch but had plenty of room side to side. I think you may be able to mount one along the side but it may be tight, my running boards are less than 12" from the ground and would have to jack up van to install/remove. I bought horizontal tank from PPL motorhomes I think it was $180, was same prices as 20# tank at the time - horizontal tanks are for cab over campers.

I mentioned it on coguzzi's post (I think it was in home builds), pictures in my gallery.

Randy

86Scotty · 07-28-2012, 07:56 AM

Randy, Thanks! Yep, it was you. I'll check out your pics. Thanks for speaking up!

**daveb** · 08-05-2012, 04:57 PM

I carry my tank(s) in my rear cargo box along with the BBQ and other fllammable stuff. I do carry small butane cansters inside though. I'd like to not have to carry those but it is the only way to cook inside in my case (such as when needed during bad weather). If I had an indoor stove installed with lines that run to the outside, I could just hook a 1-5 gallon tank up outside if I did find the need to use a stove inside. Because of the cost and the fact cooking inside is something I avoid, the project is on hold for now.