Choosing the Right Propane Tank for Your RV or Motorhome

If you've recently purchased an RV or Motorhome, or have just made the switch to propane, choosing a propane tank may become a time consuming task.  

To make things easier for you, we've created an overview of propane tank information for RV's and Motorhomes to help make choosing a tank quick and easy.

What Types of Tanks Are Used in an RV?

There are two types of propane containers commonly used in an RV:  Cylinder or Tank.  Cylinder refers to any portable propane storage container, while a tank commonly refers to a stationary propane container.  

Most propane cylinders are vertical with a vapour withdrawal valve mounted on the top.  Horizontal cylinders and permanently mounted tanks are also available. 

What Size of Tank Should You Use?

The two most commonly used sizes of tanks are 20lb and 30lb.  You may also come across these tank sizes described in gallons (5 gallon and 7 gallon).

11lb Tank – Often used for small grills, portable grills or in marine applications. 

20 lb Tank – Most commonly used for barbecue grills and small space heaters. 

30lb Tank – Widely used in camping applications, including on campers and trailers.  Most commonly, the tanks are mounted to supply gas for the refrigerator, heat and stove top.  

40lb Tank – Commonly used to power RV appliances and grills. 

Horizontal propane tanks are often permanently installed (usually in self-contained RV’s).

Identifying Marks

Propane cylinders must have identifying marks on the cylinder collar. Here is a diagram showing a sample propane cylinder collar and some of the common markings (courtesy of the Canadian Propane Association).

The letter “H” shows the original qualification date. This is an important consideration since tanks must be requalified or replaced every 10 years.

Propane Tank Parts

Propane tanks are filled to 80% capacity to allow expansion room.  They usually include a shut-off valve and pressure propane regulator to control the pressure of propane coming out of the tank. 

There are seven specialized parts on every propane tank to ensure full usability and serviceability. 

• Fill valve - delivery truck attaches hose to this valve to fill the tank
• Relief valve - safety mechanism to vent propane in over-pressure situations
• Service valve - point at which propane is converted from liquid to gas for use with appliances
• Fixed liquid level gage - indicates when propane reaches 80% capacity
• Float gage - visible indication of propane volume in tank
• Vapour return valve - connection used during propane delivery to remove excess tank pressure
• Liquid withdrawal valve - removes liquid propane from tank
  

Interested in learning more about propane? Contact us for more information and a free propane quote:

We Deliver Quality Propane and Provide Friendly Customer Service Throughout Central Ontario!

Budget Propane Ontario supplies bulk propane to residential, commercial, and construction sites in central Ontario. Call us to discuss your needs and to learn about the benefits of using propane. 1 888 405.7777.