5lb or 1lb propane?

nichutchy4

Has anyone switched to a 5lb propane tank or modified for the 1lb canisters? Would love to reclaim some storage space in the tongue box and am debating both propane options. Pros? Cons? Tips?

thanks in advance!

JamesDow

Thought about the switch from 20 to 5. What has compounded the change is price and brackets. Next would be how to mount inside the box. If on the bottom, then space savings is on the top. Access would be hindered. I will see this summer during a cross country if I use my 20 to run my propane generator to run the AC (For the wife).

ras

We replaced the T@G battery and propane holder with a 48" 40 lb aluminum tool box. To compensate for the additional tongue weight, we first tried a one pound converter but couldn't get the stove to light. Ordered a 5 lb. cylinder from Amazon, had it filled at a local dealer and installed it. Created some brackets from aluminum stock and pop riveted into place. Very happy with it. Have been on two 1500 mile trips (8 nights total) and there's still propane in the tank

Fourman110

I flipped to 1lbs when I went to two 6v golf cart batteries and for me I’m not going back to a refillable tank. I typically cook two meals a day and a couple of teapot fills for coffee in a day and one 1lb tank typically lasts the week.

Down sides are:
-Don’t have a tank valve to slowly turn gas on (I had to disconnect and reconnect once due to pressure problem).
-some high altitudes may have issues with gas pressure (I haven’t seen it yet)
-seal came out of my adapter once and I put it in the wrong spot. Works perfectly when put back in correct spot.

Pluses:
-not carrying a lot of excess gas
-easy to find refills
-don’t need to refill (I’ve got one place way on the other side of town that closes at 5:30)

nichutchy4

https://teardrop-trailers.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/10430#Comment_10430

I’m curious- do you hook up the 1lb canisters up in the tongue storage box, or did you add a connection back in the galley?

ras

I tried 1 lb. from the tongue box and it didn't work. I also know from winter camping that you're better off with a butane propane mix in very cold weather. Pressure drops in a propane tank as the temperature drops. More noticeable in small tanks than large.

Fourman110

@nichutchy4 said:
I’m curious- do you hook up the 1lb canisters up in the tongue storage box, or did you add a connection back in the galley?

I hooked it up in the tongue box using an adapter like this. 30 second mod.

https://smile.amazon.com/GasOne-Adapter-Converter-Universal-Disposable/dp/B074CMTHSZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1PG9QGC2SK71G&dchild=1&keywords=1lb+propane+adapter&qid=1616625469&sprefix=1lb+propane+adaptor,aps,167&sr=8-3

LuckyJ

@ras said:
I also know from winter camping that you're better off with a butane propane mix in very cold weather. Pressure drops in a propane tank as the temperature drops. More noticeable in small tanks than large.

Hum, first I ever here of this. Weird, cause butane as always been tricky in winter camping. And my barbecue is open for buisness all year on my cabin porch, even use it in -15 F, 20 lbs tank that is outside all year round as well.

And I now run a 5 pounder tank and did not ran out in a 3 weeks trip.

ras

That's why I said more noticeable in small tanks. I'm talking about 1 lb cylinders. The butane/propane cylinders are actually less than 1/2 lb. Can't use them at high altitudes though.