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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / December 2007Propane Sources
We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there that are easy to find not too far from the road? >We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our >propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul >and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there >that are easy to find not too far from the road? Depending on what part of the country you're in, there are usually LP gas dealers scattered around. That's where I'd go. I would think that refilling at LP dealers would be cheaper than the ones you've mentioned anyway. GB in NC >>We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our >>propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I would think that refilling at LP dealers would be cheaper than the > ones you've mentioned anyway. You are of course right on both counts, but how accessible are these places? I would hate to blow the better part of a morning going half way across a county to find one. >> Depending on what part of the country you're in, there are usually LP >> gas dealers scattered around. That's where I'd go. >> >> I would think that refilling at LP dealers would be cheaper than the >> ones you've mentioned anyway. >You are of course right on both counts, but how accessible are these places? >I would hate to blow the better part of a morning going half way across a >county to find one. Around here there are probably half a dozen (that's a guess, but probably not far off) within a radius of ten miles of my house. And we're in a *very* rural area with only small towns around. I have no idea where you will be or whether LP gas is a popular fuel there. But a bit of Googling before you leave on a trip might be worthwhile. At least it would give you some idea of availability. Also, most local folks in an area will know where the nearest dealer is. Just ask somebody. And every dealer I've ever seen has ample parking lot and turnaround room for RVs. That's part of their business. GB in NC > You are of course right on both counts, but how accessible are these > places? I would hate to blow the better part of a morning going half way > across a county to find one. Plus a lot of them will not service motorhomes. Don >> You are of course right on both counts, but how accessible are these >> places? I would hate to blow the better part of a morning going half way >> across a county to find one. > Plus a lot of them will not service motorhomes. > > Don Plus a lot of them have a minimum fee for filling a tank plus a per gallon rate for the propane. The per gallon rate is often reasonable, but the minimum will get you. Bottom line is they really don't want to fill 20-30 pound tanks. The most I ever paid to fill a 30 pound tank was at a propane dealers, $19.75 and at the time Flying J and RV parks were charging $9-$13. Sometimes you have to use what is available. Ron > Plus a lot of them have a minimum fee for filling a tank plus a per gallon > rate for the propane. The per gallon rate is often reasonable, but the > minimum will get you. Bottom line is they really don't want to fill 20-30 > pound tanks. The most I ever paid to fill a 30 pound tank was at a propane > dealers, $19.75 and at the time Flying J and RV parks were charging $9-$13. > Sometimes you have to use what is available. Most gas stations that sell propane fill mostly 20-30lb tanks. Rarely see anyone filling anything larger. Is the problem a mid-west or east coast thing? Here out west I've never had a problem getting my tanks filled at gas stations, rv parks or campgrounds. I've even filled a single 5lb tank I use for my BBQ without trouble. >Most gas stations that sell propane fill mostly 20-30lb tanks. Rarely >see anyone filling anything larger. Is the problem a mid-west or east >coast thing? Here out west I've never had a problem getting my tanks >filled at gas stations, rv parks or campgrounds. I've even filled a >single 5lb tank I use for my BBQ without trouble. I was thinking it must be a west coast thing. Certainly not the Southeast or the eastern seaboard, that I know of. GB in NC >> Plus a lot of them have a minimum fee for filling a tank plus a per >> gallon rate for the propane. The per gallon rate is often reasonable, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > gas stations, rv parks or campgrounds. I've even filled a single 5lb tank > I use for my BBQ without trouble. The place where I paid the $19.75 was in rural north central OK. Their business was basically selling several hundred gallons of propane at a time to people living in rural areas. They just didn't want to mess with small sales and had set their prices high. I could have driven another 15 miles or so to a Flying J and saved several bucks, but the additional drive would have eaten up most of the savings. Ron >> Plus a lot of them will not service motorhomes. >> Don A "lot" of them? This is part of their business. >Plus a lot of them have a minimum fee for filling a tank plus a per gallon >rate for the propane. I don't know where you are and certainly can't argue with your experience. But the only places I've ever seen a minimum charge were campgrounds and Flying Js. And I've had the small propane tank on my Class B refilled at roadside LP dealers in any number of states during my travels. (It typically takes 2-3 gallons to refill.) >Bottom line is they really don't want to fill 20-30 pound tanks. Why would they *not* want to fill 20-30 pound tanks? That just doesn't make sense. Obviously, they have trucks that go around and fill bulk tanks at homes and businesses, but a part of their retail business involves refilling grill tanks and whatever else people bring in. That's why they have signs out front to advertise this. At least the ones in my area do. GB in NC Tool rental places can refill. > We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our > propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul > and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there > that are easy to find not too far from the road? Well, you left out some important information for a valid answer. Location? Tent? Travel trailer? Motorhome? Something else?  SignatureSteve http://adirondackoutdoors.forumcircle.com >> We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill >> our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Location? > Tent? Travel trailer? Motorhome? Something else? Motorhome - the tank is built in. >> We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill >> our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Location? > Tent? Travel trailer? Motorhome? Something else? Motorhome - the tank is built in. I have an "Extend-A-Stay" teed into the line so that I can use a 20 pound spare which can be found anywhere but I would rather not have to pack the spare tank if I can. > Motorhome - the tank is built in. > > I have an "Extend-A-Stay" teed into the line so that I can use a 20 pound > spare which can be found anywhere but I would rather not have to pack the > spare tank if I can. Ah, ok. If you had a motorhome, that was going to be my recommendation. It should have about an 80lb tank or so right? That means that in reality, you're going to have about 60lbs when it's full as they only fill the tanks to 85% I think. A friend of mine has a motorhome and when we use it for hunting, we fill the onboard tank prior to leaving and carry a spare 30lb external tank to use with the Extend-a-Stay fitting if we need it. We find it easier to take that with us and set it outside when we get setup as opposed to having to drive the coach somewhere to fill. YMMV, others have given some good input on the "where to get" question. Good luck. SignatureSteve http://adirondackoutdoors.forumcircle.com Most equipment rental places in our area do it. Since they rent heaters, and the like. check for united rental places in your path. s > We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our > propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul > and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there > that are easy to find not too far from the road? > "Dan Listermann" wrote in message I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul and > some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there that > are easy to find not too far from the road?<<<<<<<< Check this map to see if there is a Suburban Propane location in the area where you will be driving/staying. http://www.suburbanpropane.com/findcenter.html SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) > We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to > fill our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying > 'J's, U-Haul and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places > are there out there that are easy to find not too far from the road? Most campgrounds have propane. The phone book will list propane dealers you can call for access information. I've towed a 35 foot trailer all over North America and never had a problem getting propane while hooked up and I'm sure your rig is not as long as my lash up!! Tom J > We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our > propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul > and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there > that are easy to find not too far from the road? Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So do many gas stations, especially along interstates. >> We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill >> our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So do > many gas stations, especially along interstates. I can't recall ever seeing a gas station set up to fill propane. No doubt they exist, but not around here in the Midwest that I know of. The idea that you can get the pimple faced kid at the counter to come out in the cold and pump propane is quite a stretch for me. >> Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So do >> many gas stations, especially along interstates. >I can't recall ever seeing a gas station set up to fill propane. No doubt >they exist, but not around here in the Midwest that I know of. The idea >that you can get the pimple faced kid at the counter to come out in the cold >and pump propane is quite a stretch for me. I'll agree with that. I'd bet that most gas stations that sell propane are probably more likely the old-fashioned kind with couple of service bays and a mechanic or two on duty -- not the "convenience store" type. GB in NC >>> Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So >>> do [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > likely the old-fashioned kind with couple of service bays and a mechanic > or two on duty -- not the "convenience store" type. Nostalgia > I'd bet that most gas stations that sell propane are probably more > likely the old-fashioned kind with couple of service bays and a > mechanic or two on duty -- not the "convenience store" type. When in Canada, we've always filled propane at gas stations and those have been with complete convenience stores. Most have a special person that does it and it's done right. A lot better than some propane distributors in the US. BTW, they don't exactly like our recertified tanks. I had to contend with that a couple of times because the original date on my aluminum tanks is 08-85, recertified after 12 years and again after 5 years 2 times. Due for recertification again now. :-( Tom J >>>Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So do >>>many gas stations, especially along interstates. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > GB in NC We have a feed mill that was turned into a hardware store, gas station, kerosene dispenser, tire and small engine repair, nursery, mulch/stone/block/gravel/etc. They fill propane bottles as well. That's the pleasure of living here in Marcellus. Two hardware stores, small chain grocery store, bank, library, health spa, two restaurant, one gin mill, insurance broker, four churches, nice town park, trout fishing stream, two pizza parlors, sub shop, two nursery schools, kindergarten through 12th grade school, several small shops including a florist shop, all within walking distance of our home. All this plus a bus line to the "big" city. And, this is a small village with small village airs. Kinda like paradise on earth...except of course snow in the winter which is why we flee to Florida each winter <g>. Hugh >>> Never had a problem. Most campgrounds and RV resorts have propane. So >>> do [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > GB in NC You need to travel more! Locally, the two remaining gas stations/garages don't sell propane, while we have three gas station/convenience stores that do - and all three of those also have an rv dump station. Alan >> I'd bet that most gas stations that sell propane are probably more >> likely the old-fashioned kind with couple of service bays and a mechanic >> or two on duty -- not the "convenience store" type. >> >> GB in NC >You need to travel more! You got that part right. This house -- designing and building it, and now getting moved and settling in -- has taken a huge chunk of our time for the past two or three years. And now that we're in it, we really don't want to leave it. So yeah, we haven't been traveling much.... >Locally, the two remaining gas stations/garages >don't sell propane, while we have three gas station/convenience stores that >do - and all three of those also have an rv dump station. Okay. You obviously know your local area better than I do <g>. Besides, now that I fill my van propane from my bulk tank at home, the whole thing of where to get it (in my area, at least) has become a non-issue for me. GB in NC > Besides, now that I fill my van propane from my bulk tank at home, the > whole thing of where to get it (in my area, at least) has become a > non-issue for me. Do you need a pump for that? >> Besides, now that I fill my van propane from my bulk tank at home, the >> whole thing of where to get it (in my area, at least) has become a >> non-issue for me. >Do you need a pump for that? No. It's what they call a "wet leg." A pipe runs from the top of the tank to near the bottom, so it draws off the propane in liquid form. A heavy hose is connected to the valve at the top of the tank. The gas company has to install it (and you have to pay for it). The hard part is getting one to agree to do it. Apparently there are liability issues. When we installed our tank I called four local LP dealers before I found one who would do it. That one, of course, became my supplier. The funny thing is that since then an outside company has come in and bought several of the local dealers, and the dealer who now fills our tank is the one that was the most adamant against my having a wet leg. GB in NC > I'd bet that most gas stations that sell propane are probably more > likely the old-fashioned kind with couple of service bays and a mechanic > or two on duty -- not the "convenience store" type. Not out west. Circle-K's and 7-11's do not fill tanks but they do exhange a full tank for an empty at a steep price. The stations that sell propane are the larger convenience store places. The ones with a dozen or more gas pumps. Not many old fashioned stations with mechanics any more but you are correct in that those do sell propane as well. I'd say about 3/4's of the time I fill mine at a local or on the highway gas station. The other 1/4 I fill mine at the RV resort or campground I'm staying at. >>> We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill >>> our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > that you can get the pimple faced kid at the counter to come out in the > cold and pump propane is quite a stretch for me. Stations in some rural ares of OK sell propane. They are selling it for use in cars, trucks, and farm equipment. Most of the time you will pay road tax on it like you do for gasoline and diesel. Ron > I can't recall ever seeing a gas station set up to fill propane. There are quite a few gas stations around the west, both in major cities as well as on the highways that have propane. Most of the 7-11, Circle-K type stations do not sell propane except as an exchange a tank which is a lousy deal. >>> We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill >>> our propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > that you can get the pimple faced kid at the counter to come out in the cold > and pump propane is quite a stretch for me. I saw one in Canada once. Used it. Now I get propane either from Flying J or from my local Ace Hardware. There is also a propane distributor about 5 miles away. I went in there the other day to see if I could get a new handle for my propane tank valve. The old handle broke around the screw. It has a funny hole with 2 flats and 2 rounded sides. The guy said he probably didn't have one, but scrounged around in the trash barrel and found one. Gave it to me for free. Nice guy. I will probably get gas from him now. John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee (Freezing every other morning) > We do a bit of winter camping and might expect to have to have to fill our > propane tank a time or two on the road. I know that Flying 'J's, U-Haul > and some campgrounds can fill, but what other places are there out there > that are easy to find not too far from the road? The Trailer Life Campground Directory will note if a campground sells propane. You can also ask at the desk of the campground that doesn't sell it for one that will be on your route. Many "snowbird" RV parks have propane dealers who come through with trucks almost every day. SignatureJanet Wilder Bad spelling. Bad punctuation Good Friends. Good Life
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