Carrying a propane tank inside the van while traveling.

[Stumpalump]

Spenard, Is that thing made in China?

[ehc0720]

I'm thinking about buying a storage box that uses the trailer hitch, I could use it for the propane and a generator. Also might come in handy for any wet or muddy clothes or whatever I don't want in the van.

[twogone]

This shaping up to be an episode of "MythBusters"

[Spenard]

Nope, the Lite Tank is made in Franklin TN USA according to the label and the Web site that has a manufacturing video.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by ehc0720

I'm thinking about buying a storage box that uses the trailer hitch, I could use it for the propane and a generator. Also might come in handy for any wet or muddy clothes or whatever I don't want in the van.

You can have a box mounted to something like this a member posted about if you don't have an Aluminess bumper.
http://www.tiregate.com/hg_series_0.shtml

[TomH]

I wouldn't do it, but this thread got me to thinking that a bad valve on a built in propane stove top might be equally, or even more, likely to leak. How many of you turn off the master valve when you are not using interior propane?

If I did carry a bottle inside the cab, I'd chain it to an anchor point and put a brass cap with rubber gasket in good condition on the coupling. Also, there's no way I'd ever use one of those see through bottles under any conditions; compared to a steel wall, puncturing that thing would take nothing.

[daveb]

I've always heard that leaving the propane door open reminds you to shut off the main valve before hitting the road.

[Pntyrmvr]

Hi;

I have seen a video, as part of my lifetime ago propane training, that showed a bullet piercing a propane tank. The propane leaked out as a liquid, vapourized, and that was that. No flame, no explosion.

These tanks are built and certified to an engineered standard and tested.

Now let's review the fuel tank hanging off the back end of your van between your rear axle and rear bumper. It is sheet metal or plastic and believe it or not receives no certification or independent testing.

If it contains gasoline or you carry a gasoline jerry can I would be infinitely more worried about the gasoline igniting than I ever would be about the propane doing the same thing.

A diesel tank, as my grandfather attested from his war time experience, is a lot harder to ignite.

My conclusion is to secure the propane tank and worry more about the clown behind you texting and not paying attention as he plows into you, pierces your built-to-no-standard plastic tank and ignites the whole thing.

Maybe the weight of these things is an advantage after all.

Regards,

Gavin

[ehc0720]

How about this hitch box: http://www.discountramps.com/cargo-box.htm or this one: http://www.discountramps.com/hitch-cargo-box.htm the second would allow me to still use my motorcycle trailer.

[daveb]

Any of those need to be able to swing away to access the rear unless you don't care about that. Maybe you can stand on it but I wouldn't try it.
If you have a van that sits low to the ground, what kind of departure angle will you have?