Heater/Stove Fuel Tank Location Options?

[Otter]

Hi all. I’m moving forward with my interior build and would like help on deciding about where to locate a tank for heating/cooking fuel. I’ve read all the great threads on here about propane vs diesel, indoor vs outdoor cooking, etc. I want to have a propane or diesel heater and probably an indoor *something* for cooking, heating water, etc. I understand I can have an exterior propane tank or an interior diesel container in my gas E350.

My immediate decision is whether to go ahead and install the understorage vault I planned (where the spare used to be), but I want to make sure I’m not eliminating that space as a contender for where to install a propane or diesel tank.

What do you think? I had been considering some kind of door-mounted propane tank on the passenger-side rear door, as opposed to somewhere less accessible underneath.

Opinions and experiences most welcome.

[larrie]

I put my propane tank on the drivers side in the space between the frame rail and body. You can see the install in post 84, http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...dis-17684.html.

Since we both live in Oregon, let me know if you want to see the install in person.

[Otter]

Thanks, Larrie. Read through your posts there. Maybe that’s a good place for mine. Would like to come down and see your rig. Maybe we can get together sometime soon.

[86Scotty]

In an underfloor storage box would be a great place for a small diesel tank, that is if you can get to it easily for filling at a station. Outside the frame rail on the left side is a good idea too except for one problem, these small tanks don't have a gauge and one is not easy to make so if it's behind bodywork or that low you'll always have a problem knowing what's in it. The translucent tanks that come with the small diesel furnaces solve this problem if mounted somewhere where you can see them.

[Marcel Huijser]

Here is how we installed the propane tank:
https://www.marcelhuijserphotography.com/vanpropanetank


Note: be careful with installing propane tank on outside rear door.
It is a severe safety hazard in case of a rear-end collision.

[Otter]

Thanks to you both!

[1der]

For Propane there are remote fill kits which allow mounting of the tank in less accessible areas but makes filling easier :

https://www.amazon.com/Nashfuel-Prop.../dp/B00O95C0V4

For your Heater - You could go with a gasoline fired Espar and use the fuel in your gas tank. Skips the diesel tank.