I'm a newbie and am patiently awaiting my first travel trailer to be built on December 28th. A 13' Scamp Deluxe (Oak Wood), with toilet/shower. This trailer will be fully loaded with practically every option available.
So in another forum at another site, there was a discussion about how to know when your propane tank is full (at 80%). I guess it's recommended that you weight them on a scale to know what's currently in the tank so you know how much it should weigh when it gets to its 80% capacity. There has been discussion that those that have gauges can become inaccurate due to the outside air temperature.
Then I came across a site that discussed a relatively new composite propane tank that is semi-transparent where you can see the level of your propane inside the tank. Thus this would eliminate the guesswork on how much propane you have left. It is also lighter too (which would help reduce the weight on your hitch).
I also understand there was a recall a while back for composite tanks made by "Lite Cylinder Company."
However, I'm looking at the tanks made by "Viking Cylinders" (Hexagon Ragasco), and they claim to be one of the best!
http://www.propaneproducts.com/pdf/ragasco/clear-view-specs.pdf
I'm thinking of getting one of their "Clear View" propane tanks for my new 13' Scamp. But instead of getting two, I was thinking of staying with one but at a larger size (the 22 lbs or 31lbs capacity). Would they fit ok and does anyone anticipate any problems with this? I would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for your input! 
-Tom L.
Tom,
Idea is great, and there have been some folks that have switched to them. I know they've had lots of issues and major recalls, but it is not something I've ever really needed to do on my trailers so haven't really followed it too closely. If you have dual tanks with an auto changeover regulator you really don't need to know what the levels are in the tanks.
Dave with the Lil Snoozy had the composite tanks, but for some reason I'm thinking he went back to the standard tanks. He's in the clubhouse from time to time, so maybe he'll chime in with his feedback.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
We have been using a composite propane tank for 3 years now and love it. I do usually have to shine a bright light behind it to see the level of the propane, so I have been thinking of adding a strip of LED lights to the backside of the tank so I can easily see the level.
Dave & Paula
Hi Dave, was hoping you'd see this and chime in. I must have confused the flexible panel with the composite tank. Do you recall the brand did you put on?
Hope all is going well, best to Paula.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I find that having two Propane tanks is very convenient. Mainly because I can use one till it is empty and then take it off to fill it up while the second tank is running everything Propane.
I also find that there is no URGENCY to go get the tank filled because the second tank will keep us operational till I get around to filling the first one up.
You also want to consider what happens when you run out of Propane in the middle of the night when it is cold outside and the furnace is working hard to keep you warm. It is not easy to find a Propane fill station at 3:00 am !! Additionally, finding a Propane fill station while you are out on the road can be a bit of a challenge simply because there may not be one nearby, also, there are fewer fill stations due to the popularity of Propane Exchange programs.
Also, if you switch from two 20 lb tanks to a single 30 lb tank you are loosing 25% of your onboard Propane capacity.
While I like the idea of being able to see how much propane I have in the tank, I don't have much of a problem with my "blind" two-tank system.
Usually, I only turn on a single tank, knowing that my second tank is full. When I feel the first tank is getting close to empty, I will (maybe) turn on the second tank so the regulator can automatically switchover to the second tank.
If I really need to know how much Propane is left in a tank I usually remove it and shake it to find out how much is left in it.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Dave, I just re-read your post and you asked how do you know if your tank is filled to it's 80% capacity.
You don't need to worry about weighing your tanks when they are being filled. That is the job of the propane fill station. You just need to worry about when they are empty (that is the question I answered above).
Additionally, there may be some confusion regarding the 80% capacity. A 20 lb tank is full when it has 20 lbs of propane in it. The tank does not need to be filled to only 80% capacity to "Safely" allow for expansion. The "safety factor" allowing for expansion is already designed into the 20 lb tank. In other words, 20 lbs of Propane in your tank is less than the tank can physically hold (by volume).
Where the confusion comes into play, is with the Tank Exchange Programs. They have convinced the public that an 80% fill on a 20 lb propane tank is full because you have to allow for expansion for "Safety's sake". Truth is; You are paying for a full 20 lb tank and getting only 80% of what you are supposed to get !!!!!!!
That is the advantage of filling your own tanks versus using the exchange programs.
Using an exchange program is okay, as long as you know you are only getting 80% of what you should be getting.
Also, be aware that the exchange program tanks cannot be refilled, except by the exchange company itself. So, if you are tempted to quickly run out and buy an exchange tank one-time, for convenience, realize that you may be locking yourself into using that exchange program permanently (unless you go out and buy new tanks).
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I want to thank you guys for your input. But now I'm a little confused.
I see a youtube video of where a guy has these "Hazmet" type gloves on and carefully weights the tank to fill it. He explains how you don't want to overfill the tank and risk getting liquid propane up into the lines because that could be a real mess (isn't that what the regulators are for?). So he's really stricked on the 80% fill rule.
Then I see a video of a guy (good 'ol boy type), out in the country who's like, "Shucks! This is safer than fill'n your car with gas!" Goes out back to his 'feeder' tank to fill his 20lbs propane tank. No gloves and he even jokes about if you're not careful, you might get a little propane on your hands but it's no biggie! Fills his tank and adjusts a 'vent screw' until propane comes out of it. That's when you know you're full! And that's that! It's like self-serve propane (by the way, are there places for self-service propane?).
So I'm confused on what the real danger is in overfilling these tanks? Do the vent screw remove pretty much all of the remaining gas so that only liquid is left and is that dangerous to do that?
Inquiring minds want to know.
I wouldn't over think it. The vent screw method is how just about all shops fill tanks, except I understand in Canada a lot of them do it by weight, but still use the vent screw when filling for overage. I've never had too many folks wear gloves at the fill station and really the danger is getting a flash freeze on your hands if not careful. If you watch them fill, sometimes the fill valves will freeze over from the propane and they have to stop and let it melt to clear the valve. There is a gage at the fill station that measures how much was put in the tank and the 20lb tank will take close to 5 gal when empty.
When you need propane, just exchange the tank at a swap or stop at a fill station and they'll take care of it. Most likely with Good ol boy method.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Greg, do you know if some states allow you to fill your own propane tank without an attendant?
-Tom L.
None that I'm aware of Tom. Doesn't mean there aren't some out there, but haven't run across any.
Did you get dual tanks?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I didn't because my tow vehicle has a class 1 trailer hitch with a 200lbs tongue weight limit. I thought about getting two but I didn't want to possibly max out my tongue weight. However, I did order one with a gauge for reference on how much fuel I'll be using. But looking at the lighter composites, I might get two of the 17lbs. I may just wait until I know how much propane I'll be burning.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwiCv-fU8cXUAhXL5iYKHdSCCzEQFggpMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hexagonragasco.com%2Fdownload.aspx%3Fobject_id%3D30A6AC478A644A46B2EC009BA0A9130B.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFPBNXaHvAfBzI3NPGX1Gqsu5OksQ&sig2=h6cLzKd3H2XbISTIN4Yz2A&cad=rja
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