Possible fuel carrying options II
KC, hey, thanks for the hello and generosity in sharing your thoughts on this.
In your position I’d likely have a similar view. Since I’m building from scratch I have more latitude in considering alternatives, especially with the previous owner throwing some of the equipment, like the heater, into the deal when I bought the camper.
Since my previous post, I’ve been mulling this over further and would love some feedback on my current thinking from all of you as y'all have much more experience and vehicle smarts than I do. I’ve decided that I’m not willing to sacrifice interior space for something I’ll need on only a small percentage of my trips. And like you KC, I’m not willing to put gas in my sleeping compartment, though I’m comfortable putting it in a sealed hatch vented to the outside. I don’t have the same qualms with propane, however- just want it safely stowed outside my living space (driving or camped). So… read on!
Instead of building a second compartment I’m now thinking to use the propane box I’m currently building in. One of the goodies I got with the camper was the 20 lb. horizontal tank. I decided to not use it and got an 11 lb. tank, giving me a nominal addition of interior space and more importantly, cutting 15 pounds of weight from above the bed rail.
However, I’m now thinking to keep the full length box for the larger tank and not cut it down as per my original plans. On trips requiring extra fuel it will give me room for an auxiliary gas tank directly above my stock fuel fill. Six gallons would weigh about the same as a full 20 lb propane tank (which weighs 41 lbs.). I can tie down the propane tank in the camper on the floor to the front on the passenger side to help offset it. I’m not too concerned about the propane inside the camper while traveling- when stopped to camp it will come out and put back in its exterior compartment and the reserve fuel stowed on the ground.
The only fuel tank I’ve found that would use the capacity of the full-size propane box to good advantage is pricey, but has the advantage of being flexible and once drained, rolled up and stored easily, which I like. It’s a Nauta flexible tank made for marine use: they are supposed to be quite sturdy, don’t slosh when half full like a rigid one, and both the 6 and 9 gallon size would fit the 14x14x19 inch dimensions of the propane box.
I found the best price and info at
http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/nauta_ob_tank.html
The six gallon size would increase my range by 90 miles or so and for the first day/s of the trip when the tank transfer routine is required would be easiest to handle. Hmm… or perhaps I could plumb an additional propane inlet that would allow me to use the propane tank on the ground beside the camper and just do the switch once...
Any comments on this version of a proposed solution? KC, I think it meets some of your objections. It would entail some bother on longer trips, but not much, keep the weight forward, and in my case, allow me to bring either the small propane tank or large propane tank and additional fuel (or not), depending upon expected weather, time out, and distance between fuel stops.
Looking forward to implementing a plan soon,
Donna
On edit: If anyone knows of another fuel carrier that would stow safely in a space 14x14x19 give a shout!