Propane: Transporting your propane cylinders legally

Propane: Transporting your propane cylinders legally. Join Todd as he discusses the regulations and best practices for transporting propane cylinders safely and legally. Propane is a commonly used fuel source for RVs, but it's important to understand the rules and guidelines for transporting propane cylinders to ensure compliance with federal regulations and reduce the risk of accidents.
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#PropaneSafety #RVPropane #DOTRegulations #RVUnplugged #NationalRVTrainingAcademy.

[@OldManandtheSuperC]

I’ve refilled one pound cylinders around the house to use on a grill and weed torch. Never carried them in the RV. But noticed that several of the cylinders were bulging around the sides! Yup, not good! Replaced all of the disposables with Flame King 1lb cylinders certified for refilling . No longer have to buy new disposables for camping and no longer keeping potential disaster around the yard.

[@leeglidewell1473]

Todd, I thoroughly enjoy y'all's channel and knowledge. Having been a fuel delivery driver with a CDL hazmat license, most of y'all's videos are spot on. However, in Washington State, regulations say a 'cylinder' may be 'recertified' by a propane supply company. If the cylinder is not completely rusted out, bent or otherwise damaged, the distributor may re-stamp the cylinder as long as it has the three-cornered service valve. Yes, there is a fee for this service, especially if the valve isn't correct. Typically, an out of date cylinder can be 'burnt-off', the valve replaced, the cylinder refilled and is good for another ten years. Having said all that, y'all's video is still spot-on... it's probably going to be easier/cheaper in the long term to exchange the cylinder. Probably might want to research y'all's propane provider, the price per gallon and the cost of a new cylinder (which will need to be purged prior to filling) and...yeah, y'all get it. Giddy up.

[@dougc78]

What about transporting on a trailer with the tanks open/on to run a fridge while in transit? Legal, good/bad idea, etc? Thanks

[@davidbuchanan327]

I heard you say forklift tanks can lay flat, but your overall message to me was all rv tanks must stand up. My 2003 lance truck camper came with 2 tanks that lay flat.

[@GraySpoonJeeper]

Those are ASME cylinders.

[@rupe53]

He's talking about transport. Fork lift tanks are "liquid draw" so must be on their side while in use but are transported upright. If you will notice, the lay-down tanks in an RV have the fill and relief valves above the liquid area while in use. There are separate rules for lay-down tanks, which will be similar to the larger home tanks of the same style. The main difference is you don't usually remove them for a refill, so the typical owner doesn't get involved in transport rules.

[@davidbuchanan327]

@@rupe53 I remove my two 30lb tanks for refill like any other tank. My point was Todd should have discussed tanks like mine also because some tanks DO lay horizontal in an RV.

[@MrBassman313]

Just took my Hazmat Flammable Liquids Specialist course....you hit the nail on the head!

[@jackierandall2230]

My tanks are horizontal 20 lbs on my truck camper..they have the brackets welded on them to mount them that way .

[@stinkysrvadventures8620]

Would love to hear you sing.

[@MsSunstoned]

Thanks for educating the newbies. 🙏🙏🙏

[@GiantsNinerFan56]

Great video Todd. I’m in Ca and some of the 20 lb tanks say 12 years

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Yes. The tanks were stamped before 2017 when the previous law was 12 years.

[@k-mparker]

We have 2 40lb tanks, so when I fill them (usually 1 at a time), I put it in the milk crate in the back seat of my truck (your favorite truck - Dodge Ram 3500 dooly) and utilize the seat belt to strap it in. Actually being in the crate in the seat, it replicates a person back there and it is tighter than a hat in a tick. 👍😃🍻

[@mikelayow815]

You should always put the cylinder in the bed of your truck and strap it in. The chances of a leak and you not smelling it. Never carry a cylinder in a space where people occupy the inside of a vehicle. I was in the propane business for a lot of years. I've seen bad things happen.

[@jackdougherty139]

What I'm reading is the 90 lb is for an enclosed

[@KevinCoop1]

You didn’t discuss the 1 pound cylinders. Most people do not know that it is illegal to transport them if they refill the non refill ones. Up to $500,000 fine and 5 years jail mandatory if someone gets hurt. 10 years jail mandatory if someone dies. Pretty hefty punishment for those wanting to save a few dollars. No laws on refilling, transporting them is regulated.

[@jackdougherty139]

1000 lb for open trailer or pickup truck.

[@MikeJones-wt8mv]

So, for cylinders there is no ventilation needed when store in the basement of a class A motorhome. I am asking because there is no propane on board as it’s an all electric coach.

[@GatorsRock0219]

Good advise on protecting the bottom of the ASME tank, hadn't thought about that. I'm more concerned about the 20lb cylinder for my home BBQ. I, just like millions of other BBQ-eating Americans, do not adhere to the safety guidelines in transporting my cylinder for my home grill to fill it up or exchange it at the local gas station, Costco, etc!

[@vannshuttleworth4738]

First time viewer. Good job. EPIC beard! And I can see you with an acoustic guitar, singing, "On The Road Again ".

[@georgiahoneybees]

I have a 2017 Jayco Jay Feather 23rd. Camping World keeps telling me that I can't put two propane tanks on the tongue instead of one. Is that true? I see KZbin videos where people put the double propane tank mounting rack and the double regulator on the tongue of their travel trailer and then put two tanks. Why can't I do that?

[@nylonnalini]

Most people carry their 10lb propane tank inside their car. Is that safe?

[@ag-om6nr]

Yes the proper term is cylinder !

[@user-pn2ye6mv3w]

Is it safe to transport empty 100 lb tanks horizontally?

[@staceymiller4765]

Thanks for your help and knowledge in this field. I sure don’t want to go poof! Lol

[@jackdougherty139]

It blows my mind but apparently the hazmat says you can haul them in an enclosed vehicle including cars!

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

Great video and information.

[@justincase5272]

I secure them with used aircraft carrier arresting cable.

[@billchesney8949]

So a Jayco with the generator option or prep package isn’t legal to transport 120# of propane

[@glassmakerx]

What's up with all the weird hand gestures?

[@keithpeverley3869]

I thought you were going to talk about important stuff. Like bridges and tunnels.

[@deltabravo1257]

I’m not a big fan of the exchange services/vendors. While my tank may need recertified, I don’t want to give up my pristine, nearly new looking tank for a janky, old and haggard looking tank that has been recertified and repainted multiple times to cover up rust. The first time I swapped a tank, that’s exactly what I got… a 30 year old tank with multiple repaints covering up old rust.

[@genethomsen9459]

& a lot of those exchange tanks have been shown & proven to not always be completely filled. Unless you bring a scale with you, you won't know, & you will have to know the tare wt. & full wt. (Should be listed on the tank neck)

[@rupe53]

@@genethomsen9459 .... at my local hardware store their outside display says "filled to 15 pounds" which is probably a CYA thing, so none blow off on a hot day. We know them as 20 pound tanks, so not really full.

[@josephbaylis6673]

Do you have a link for the strap shown in the video? Thanks

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

www.tankties.com

[@JandAReview1]

Your Awesome Todd!

[@mattc.310]

I saw an entertainment company transporting DOT cylinders on their side in a pyramid. Party time. Our Trailmanor has DOT cylinders that are designed to lay flat during use, but are refilled standing up. All TMs with a front slide are built that way. Odd perhaps and somewhat hard to find, but they are out there. Our usual propane refill station can re-cert cylinders.

[@rupe53]

Yes, we see those party / tent companies transporting propane in a box truck all the time... but that doesn't mean it's legal or even safe. (Ct state here)

[@mikemadden865]

So I have a 2200 Honda generator. I installed a propane kit think propane would be safer than gasoline. What fuel are others using and transporting for portable generators?

[@WestsontheMove]

Thanks, Todd! As new RV full-timers, this was extremely helpful. What are your thoughts on storing a spare (30 gal.) "cylinder" in the garage of a 5th-wheel toy hauler? I want to make sure this is not a danger during transport. We do turn all cylinders off. Look forward to meeting you at RV Unplugged.

[@randymack2222]

LP cylinder storage and transport has to be out doors! The pressure relief valve he was talking about if that were to open inside of a enclosed trailer/vehicle/building resulting in a deadly concentration of highly flammable/ explosive gas! All lo cylinder storage must not be inside any building¡!!

[@johnnylightning1491]

How do you feel about putting undercoating on the bottom of an ASME tank. I'm thinking it would eliminate a lot of road rash.

[@legionofanon]

Something like rhino lining? Don't. Anything other than paint will hide rust, and rust is bad. If you want extra protection to an underside tank add a skid plate, it will take the road damage and you can remove it to inspect the tank

[@BeamerTime354]

Just toss em in the back and let em bang around 🤣 all good 👍

[@ThanksForTheLaugh]

I love the sound of clanging propane tanks in the morning...🙂

[@carolinaghost5451]

I TRANPORT 3 -100 lbs tank STANDING UP AND STRAPPED DOWN in THE BAD OF MY tk, that I use for heating in winter time. I DONT KNOW THE LAW ON TRANSPORTING THEM. I LIVE IN NC.

[@stephenpennell9214]

I had my first camping trip of the season last week with my brand new 5th wheel. As with most I have 2 30 pound propane cylinders. After set-up I went to turn on my propane and was unable. Luckily enough the campground owner was a registered plumber (his other job). He came over and discovered that both propane cylinders were locked in the open position. I had driven 4 hours with the cylinders wide open. Luckily he was able to gently work them free. I had no appliances / furnace / BBQ grill / etc. open / on. It was pretty cold and we used our furnace and cooked on the grill. What were the potential ramifications of that scenario? I am trying to figure if the cylinders came that way from the factory / manufacturer, or was it the RV dealer that sold me the trailer? Ideas?

[@stevenscott4096]

Cylinders generally come empty from the factor to the dealer and the dealer fills them. They do have to shut the tank valve off to disconnect it from the fill station, but whoever did the PDI likely left the tank valve open after their inspection. FWIW I open the tanks all the way and then back it off 1/4 to 1/2 turn. That was everyone knows whether the valve is open or not.

[@rupe53]

the problem with leaving the valve open for transport is in an accident situation where the hoses may be damaged and leak, especially if tanks are mounted on the tongue on the trailer.

[@bf109z]

Is there any laws about transporting empty cylinders. I’d like to have two extra 30lb tanks that I fill when I’m going to boondocking or cold weather camping.

[@richmanwisco]

Same rules regardless of actual fuel quantity. There's always vapor in a cylinder, and they are never truly empty.

[@bf109z]

@@richmanwisco so after some reading if I put it in the back of my pickup I can exceed the 90 lb if I read it correctly I just can’t exceed 1000 lb lol. Not that I would ever transport that much. My plan was to put two mounts in the truck bed to hold the two “empty” cylinders during moves.

[@electrake2063]

You didn’t mention the 20lb cylinders that I have that are designed to be used horizontally. My truck camper has two removable cylinders, and they are designed to be used in this manner. If you are an expert, why did you say the ALL must be transported vertically?

[@SuperSushidog]

Actually, he did. It's at timestamp 1:05. He even showed a picture of one mounted on a forklift.

[@legionofanon]

I think the difference is, is it a DOT cylinder, or an ASME tank?

[@rupe53]

@@SuperSushidog... forklift tanks ARE transported up-right. They are only laid down for use because they run on liquid draw, not vapor like everything else.

[@sifilmaker]

You mean you cant use other tanks to hold each tank in..? lol

[@rf5390]

Wow, Ryan Fitzpatrick put on a couple of pounds.

[@TheFiremanJoe]

When exchanging your expired DOT cylinders, make sure to check the date. I’ve gotten expired or close to expiration cylinders in the past.

[@_DB.COOPER]

I don’t worry about expirations, I’ve used cylinders decades old.

[@TheFiremanJoe]

@@_DB.COOPER than the stations filling your cylinders aren’t checking dates, and breaking the law!

[@_DB.COOPER]

@@TheFiremanJoe yeah, it kind of works that way around here. Follow the money…