Coleman Distribution Tree to Camp Chef stove?

[Ab Diver]

Ok, maybe this won't work, but...
 
Has anybody figured out a way to hook something like the Coleman "Distribution Tree" to a bulk 20 lbs tank for a lantern (just like it sez you can do), but (and here's the kicker) hook a large propane stove to the distribution tree??
 
The tree is supposed to allow you to hook two different propane devices (i.e.: 2 Coleman camp stoves) and also have a propane lantern on top of the tree. In other words, having 3 propane devices burning off of one 20 lbs. tank at the same time. Problem is, the upper fittings on the tree, and any extension hose that mates to them, will NOT match up with the (now-standard) new-style propane tank valves. Sure, all the larger propane stoves on the market will match the new tank valves, but if you want to run something else off the tank at the same time, there doesn't seem to be an option for an extension hose that will mate to the stove's tank fitting.
 
At least not in my little home town. Sheesh, you'd think we were still stuck in the 20th century or sumptin. :mad:
 
Having a free-standing light running just a few feet away from the stove would be wonderful for cooking in the evening. There isn't always a convenient tree branch in the right place from which to hang a lantern and still shed a good amount of light on the stove. What do those tailgaters I see on TV at big football games do if they want to run those huge "portable" stoves and have a light running off the same tank?
 
I can't be the first guy to think of this, can I?

[Gone-Camping]

Actually, the new style valves on the tanks will indeed take the old style fittings. Look at the new valve carefully, you'll see the large outside thread for the new fitting, and there is also the old style thread on the inside. The tree and hoses will still work on them. I use a tree when dry camping with a spare bottle of propane, placing a lantern on top, and my propane stove on leg of the tree, and my Coleman Grill-n-Griddle on the other (3 items total).... all this on tanks with new style OPD valves!

[topcat7736]

Geez Dave, doesn't anything ever cross the mountains into California? LOL

You can order things directly from Coleman, at reduced prices, when there isn't a dealer nearby. The easiest is a Camp Coleman Outlet store but there isn't any in the far west. (I included the link so you can see that WE can shop in them!)
Camp Coleman Store

First, you need the distribution tee.
30" distribution tee

As Cliff said, the new OPD tanks can accept either OPD or the old style POL fittings. To attach something to the tee, you need to get a hose.
8' extension hose

For the appliance that wants to attach to an OPD fitting, just pickup an adapter and presto, you're an easterner....I mean you're in business.
Bulk propane adapter for appliances

I couldn't find it on the Coleman site, but I believe there's a new tee available which has all OPD fittings on it. Until someone finds it, here's an alternative  group of Century products available from Campmor.
Century LP extenders

Have a happy day!  

[Ab Diver]

Actually, the new style valves on the tanks will indeed take the old style fittings.

Cliff, I think you missed my key point. It's not the new style tank valves that won't match up, it's the matching new-style fitting on the *stove* that won't mate to the distribution tree. Here's the whole problem in a nutshell:
 

Sure, all the larger propane stoves on the market will match the new tank valves, but if you want to run something else off the tank at the same time, there doesn't seem to be an option for an extension hose that will mate to the stove's tank fitting.

Any idea of where to get a fitting for the extension hose that will fit the larger stoves? Anything that will mate to the little 1-pound propane tanks, like the traditional Coleman camping stove, will not mate to the tank-fitting on the typical "large residential style " stove's hose. It's not a male-female connection problem-- the problem is they are a completely different type of fitting.
 
In other words.... I can connect the Coleman Distribution Tree to the tank, I can hook one end of the extension hose to the Coleman Distribution Tree, I just can't hook the *other* end of the hose to my Camp Chef stove.

[topcat7736]

Dave, the Century and Coleman 8' hose connects to the tee and then to the fitting on a device which uses the 1# tanks. Is that what you need? Or, do you want a hose to connect to the tee which has an OPD or POL fitting on the other end?

The tee's have POL fittings on them. The Coleman adapter will screw into the POL fitting on the tee and provide you with an OPD fitting for  a new style grills' hose (if the hose is long enough to reach the tee). The tee have all high pressure outlets so there shouldn't be a problem running large devices.

[Ab Diver]

Dave, the Century and Coleman 8' hose connects to the tee and then to the fitting on a device which uses the 1# tanks. Is that what you need?

Nope. I got that covered. So if I wanted to use our old Colamn camping stove, I'd be all set up and happy as a clam.
 

Or, do you want a hose to connect to the tee which has an OPD or POL fitting on the other end?

Yup, that's the idea! The bulk propane adapter you gave me a link to (and thanks for those links) will not work either. I need-- basically-- a fitting for the other end of the extension hose that looks exactly like a new-style OPD tank valve fitting, so the hose on my stove will connect to it. The tight, MPT threads on the adapter you showed in your link will not mate to the fitting on my stove's hose (or any other large propane stove now sold at Home Depot, Lowes, or your local home center). I need the large, easy-on plastic threads in a male version, just like on (the outside of) the OPD tank valves.
 
Here we are, experienced campers who pretty much know what we are doing, and even *we* are having trouble communicating the specifics of the fitting I need. You can imagine the blank stares I was getting from the 18-year-old "experts" at our local stores.

[mike4947]

If you intend to use it only on the trailer I simpler solution would be to replace the hose and fitting on the stove with an old style one. It'll still mate up to any propane tank but you'll have to use a wrech on the connection.

[Nick]

Dave,

This is what I showed you at the rally to hook the camp chef to the tree.
 
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24028

[topcat7736]

It's bedtime so I'll leave you with this final link. Way down the page is the "second chance" adapter which will interface your new style Acme male with "maybe" the fitting on one of the hoses.

Second (and last) chance

[Ab Diver]

Dave,
 
This is what I showed you at the rally to hook the camp chef to the tree.
 
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24028

 
 
 
BINGO!!!!
 
 
 
Thanks, Mike!  Al, your second chance fitting looks like the same thing.  This is *EXACTLY* what I was looking for, and I *KNEW* it existed, but you think I could find it here at home?  Grrrrrr.....
 
Ok, I printed that page up so I'll won't have to explain what this fitting looks like for the umteenth time. We're leaving early Sat. morning for a week's dry camping in the Sierras.  I'll take the page with me and see if I can find a store along the way that has it in stock. If not, we'll survive. Heck, if we can survive a kareoke/ahhh-baloney/jellyfish/mega-rally like Pismo, we can survive anything.

[calstate360]

Ditto on the bingo. I was just at Camping World Wed. and was looking for the same thing and could not find what I needed in the propane aisle. Of course my store is always out of stuff and I wind up paying shipping to get it from their web page.:mad:

Guess I put in another order this week.:rolleyes:
Thanks Nick.
Sal

[Gone-Camping]

Wow, looking at that I guess I did miss something.... Ah well, I've learned something today too...and I live here in the east!

[6Quigs]

Thanks Dave for asking this question,
and thanks Nick for the answer,

and thanks to everyone else for their input.

I've seen those trees before, and thought they would be perfect, especially for winter camping, when we always seem to be cooking dinner in the dark. I have looked at the hoses, and could never figgure out a way to connect my 'camp chef' to it, but the fitting Nick suggested just might do trick.

But then again,
$32 for the tree
$23 for the hose
$20 for the special fitting
TOTAL of $75 just so that I can have a bit more light when cooking at night!!!
Seems a little expensive.

[Calstate361]

"We're leaving early Sat. morning for a week's dry camping in the Sierras. I'll take the page with me and see if I can find a store along the way that has it in stock."
 
 
Dave/AbDiver,
 
If you are coming through Sacramento via 80, there is a Camping World in Rocklin not too far off the freeway. We can give you directions if you want to stop there. Sal did say they didn't have them when he was there on Wed., but they might have gotten some in by the time you pass by on Saturday. Maybe we could even meet you somewhere and you can follow us there so we can visit a bit. Let us know.
 
Joan

[oldmoose]

I've used the trees for years with my converted (Gas to Propane) stoves and had the lantern on the top. When I got the big Cap Chef stove, I found I needed a separate tank because of the fitting. I got an adapter for my popup tank so I can hookup my Roadtrip Grill to the tank. I sometimes still take a separate tank when we cooking demo's. However, if there's one of these adapters that will allow me to use the Champ Chef fitting with the tee, I'm going for it. That way I can leave one tank at home.

Moose