How much does a 30# propan tank weigh when full?

[Retiredcajunlady]

Ok, I am still doing research to make sure I am able (considering health issues) to do full timing on my own. Do propane tanks have to be removed from the carrier in order to fill them? Filled, they are awfully heavy. 20# tank full is over 80#!! And I would want the 30# ones to simply not have to fill them as often. I know I could ask for help to lift them, but I would not like having to rely on the kindness of others. Can anyone give me insight as to how you handle and/or life either 80#+ or 130#+ filled propane tanks? If they can remain in the carrier located on the front, this wouldn't be an issue. As you can tell, I know less than nothing but am trying to learn. Thank you all so much.

[mitch5252]

Hopefully, someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but a 20 lb. tank has 20 lbs. +/- of propane and the empty tank weight should be stamped on the collar of the tank - I believe around 17 lbs. empty. So 20 lbs. of propane + 17 lbs of metal = 37 lbs. full. I believe, though that the tanks are not completely filled for safety reasons, but 37 lbs. should be close enough.

I don't know the weight of an empty 30 lb. tank.
Bet you could find it online somewhere...

[Birdie]

If you are driving a motorhome, the propane tanks are attached to the vehicle and cannot be removed. Travel trailers and fifth wheels would have tanks that are removable. Folks with a 5er normally fill like the Motorhomes do, which is either having the propane brought to you or you go to the propane. Those are the larger tanks. The smaller tanks on the bumper pulls, or travel trailers are easily removed and taken to be filled.many people have a connection to their motorhome that allows them to use an extend-a-stay, which is a small stand alone tank.

Good luck in your research.

[snowball]

I used to have a big one can't remember it's gal size other than my dd called it the hundred pounder...she works for a propane company
so I asked how much the 30 lb. one weighed she didn't know we carried it around in the back of the truck...would pull it out to the edge and guild it down
having parked as close as I could to where I needed it to go then 'walked' it to the space I needed it to be dd just got back to me the one that she called the 100 pounder is a 24 gal...my 5th wheel has 2 7 gal tanks I can get them up and into space do I like to nope but can and do do it...I also have a think 9 gal tank that I use for the fireplace I can handle it better that the 24 gal one..I try to have them empty when moving on...I am one that parks for long term so it I can
get them down I do so if not oh well ...hope this helps
sheila

[chalet05]

Those with MHs, are your tanks at least 30#? That would be the simplest way to go. I always had to remove mine from my 5th wheel. Most places the attendant is willing to load the tank for you before you ask, at least for a woman. Could always ask first if they will and move on if they won't.

Good ole Google - 30# tank full weighs 55 lbs.

[Bethers]

MH installed tanks are rated by gallons, not weight. Using Google, a 20 lb tank holds 4.7 gallons. Therefore my 18 gallon mh tank holds much more. But all mh tanks are not the same size.

I really like the convenience of the installed tanks, but reading your filled weights definitely understand why most tt's, etc use 20 lb tanks.

[chalet05]

MH installed tanks are rated by gallons, not weight. Using Google, a 20 lb tank holds 4.7 gallons. Therefore my 18 gallon mh tank holds much more. But all mh tanks are not the same size.

I really like the convenience of the installed tanks, but reading your filled weights definitely understand why most tt's, etc use 20 lb tanks.

Beth, I thought MH tanks were bigger - thanks. Forgot about the gallons vs. weight on them (we did have a MH in the beginning) Another thought is if portable tanks are 20# on a rig, a 30# tank may not be possible spacewise.

[Bethers]

MH installed tanks are rated by gallons, not weight. Using Google, a 20 lb tank holds 4.7 gallons. Therefore my 18 gallon mh tank holds much more. But all mh tanks are not the same size.

I really like the convenience of the installed tanks, but reading your filled weights definitely understand why most tt's, etc use 20 lb tanks.

Beth, I thought MH tanks were bigger - thanks. Forgot about the gallons vs. weight on them (we did have a MH in the beginning) Another thought is if portable tanks are 20# on a rig, a 30# tank may not be possible spacewise.

They come in various sizes. I'm sure the larger mh's have larger tanks. But realizing that my 18 gallon tank holds more than 60 lbs, well, pretty much explains why frugal me rarely needs to fill it. I do use more when boondocking in cooler weather, though, but it still lasts a long time.

[Cougarfan]

Found this info online:

Propane Cylinders
Propane cylinders, also called bottles, vary in size, shape, and capacity. Most people that grill with propane use the smaller, five gallon propane bottles. Forklift operators use a propane cylinder designed specifically for forklift use. Shown below are the most common and widely used propane cylinders that we keep in stock for residential and commercial applications. We provide cylinder services for propane cylinder users.

20 pound propane cylinder
20# Cylinder - 5 Gallon Bottle
Filled by weight - weighs about 40 pounds when full
Holds 20 pounds of propane (4.7 gallons of propane)
Contains 430,000 BTU when full
Widely used for grilling, camping, and cooking
17.5"H X 12.2"W

30 pound propane cylinder
30# Cylinder - 7 Gallon Bottle
Filled by weight - weighs about 55 pounds when full
Holds 30 pounds of propane (7 gallons of propane)
Contains 640,500 BTU when full
Widely used for grilling, camping, and RV travel
23.5"H X 12.2"W

40 pound propane cylinder
40# Cylinder - 10 Gallon Bottle
Filled by weight - weighs about 70 pounds when full
Holds 40 pounds of propane (9.4 gallons of propane)
Contains 860,100 BTU when full
Widely used for grilling, camping, and RV travel
29.5"H X 12.2"W

100 pound propane cylinder
100# Cylinder - 25 Gallon Bottle
Filled by weight - weighs about 170 pounds when full
Holds 100 pounds of propane (23.6 gallons of propane)
Contains 2,159,400 BTU when full
Widely used for heating, cooking, and roofing applications
46.3"H X 15.1"W

[Retiredcajunlady]

Thank you all so much. Arthritis is the culprit that has me worried about loading full tanks. With two tanks, I would think that when one is empty, I would switch over to the full one and just have one empty at a time to deal with. I am trying to look at every aspect of rving full time before I just in and find out that my health won't really allow me to embark on this lifestyle. Again, thank you all so much for you wonderful info.

[JudyJB]

My tank is built-in because I have a motorhome and I have to pull up to the big tank so they can fill my built-in tank.

I am not experienced with trailers, but a lot of places that refill tanks are sort of pull-throughs. Is there any possibility you could just drive up to one of those with the tanks still attached and have them fill them in place? Or maybe do the lifting for you?

The other issue is whether you plan to camp with electricity most of the time or boondock. Most of us who camp in sites with electric hookups use small electric heaters to save on propane. The electric heater works well enough to take the chill off at night, and I am usually in a warm place during the day, so mostly I use propane to heat water and cook with, plus run my refrigerator as I drive. In fact, I seldom have to fill my 14 gallon propane tank more than once every 6-8 weeks.

You would have to fill them more often if you spend a lot of time in cold places or need propane for heating while boondocking.

[Cougarfan]

I had to have my propane tanks filled on my last camping trip. I just pulled up to the filling station and they filled them while they were on the trailer. If they had to be taken off, the guy that did it was going to do it for me. In all the trailers I've had, I've never had to take them off myself. Most gas stations also have propane filling stations so you can just pull up and get them filled them when you get gas in your tow vehicle. If you are going to be parked for an extend period of time, you might have to take them off yourself but if you're plugged in, you shouldn't need to do it very often.

I can run my water heater on electric as well as gas, so I usually use electric. Except when I switch it on without my glasses and choose the wrong switch. Which is why I had to go get propane on my last trip. Stupid on my part but a lesson learned. I wasn't able to cook but was parked next to Karen, so was able to use her stove. I could've used my bbq if I had to but it was just too windy.

I use my propane just like Judy. Only to run the fridge while I'm on the road and for cooking. I also use an electric heater if I need it.

One other thing. I thought I had 10# tanks but they were only 5# each. Those two tanks lasted me all last camping season and probably would've lasted through this season if I hadn't made the switch error. I did buy a magnetic propane tank level monitor but haven't installed it yet since I know both tanks are full.

Laura

[Acadianmom]

Laura, gas stations in Oregon might have propane filling sites but I have never seen one in Louisiana. Some gas station/convenience stores have the bottle exchange. I think the propane place in Abbeville closed so I don't know of any place I could get propane in our town. I think the last time I got propane was at the KOA in Lafayette. I have a motorhome and in 10 years I have filled the propane tank once. I bought my motorhome used so I am afraid to use the furnace without getting it checked out and that would involve removing an electric sofa. My air conditioner has a heat strip and that and an electric heater is all I have ever used. I have an electric only refrigerator and my water heater is gas/electric which I run on electric. The only gas I use is for the stove top and I don't cook much on the road.

Martha

[MelissaD]

I have 2 30# tanks on my 5er and they are heavy. I believe the 55# to be accurate. They always put my bottles on a scale when they fill them, so a little hard to do while still mounted on the camper.

One 30# bottle will last me all summer for cooking. My fridge and hot water heater normally run on electric. When I run the furnace and temperatures are near or below freezing at night I can use a 30# bottle in 3 days. Normally use a electric heater with the furnace as a backup in colder weather.

[JudyJB]

Try the big interstate truck stops like Loves or Flying J for drive-in propane fill stations. Most are located away from the pumps, along the outside perimeters, so are easy to get into and out of.