Filling the propane tank(s)

[Dray]

Just wondering how and where you all fill your propane tanks?  

Gas stations?  Special propane fill up stations?  Exchange it at a hardware store?  Is it possible to do yourself?

And how much is it costing ya?  

Thanks

[AZsix]

Just wondering how and where you all fill your propane tanks?  

Gas stations?  Special propane fill up stations?  Exchange it at a hardware store?  Is it possible to do yourself?

And how much is it costing ya?  

Thanks

You can bring them to any place that fills propane bottles for you grill such as gas stations, Uhaul and you can get the exchange bottles too. I have an equipment rental place near me that does it for $14 flat rate. Uhaul cost me just a little more than that last time I went there. Some truck stops such as Flying J fills propane.

[tlhdoc]

I fill at a local hardware store.  It is $11 for a full tank and you pay by the pound if it is less than that.

[maromeo]

Back in 2002 when we purchased our unit we were told our propane tanks are especially made for RV's for safety reasons if we are ever in an accident. He warned us not to use the exchange tank places.

We just get our filled at one of our local gas stations. Just be careful if you do, that they don't express the remaining gas in your tank before they fill it. One of our stations does that, so we just go across the street where they don't. It cost us about $11 to fill both tanks the last time.

Mary Romeo

[6fordaroad]

I use Ferrell Gas.  I've been using them for my propane needs for years, so I stick with them.  Last fill up was $29. for both tanks, which were completely used up.  HTH

[sacrawf]

I have my good tank refilled at a local propane distributor or the local farm store.  I have a second tank that I use as a spare which is an exchange tank, so it is just exchanged at a Wal-Mart or gas station.  Haven't checked on the refill price lately, but home heating propane was about $2.25 a gallon last week.

[6fordaroad]

I have my good tank refilled at a local propane distributor or the local farm store.  I have a second tank that I use as a spare which is an exchange tank, so it is just exchanged at a Wal-Mart or gas station.  Haven't checked on the refill price lately, but home heating propane was about $2.25 a gallon last week.

Fill up at Ferrell last week was $3.059 a gallon.  Each Tank holds 4.5 gallons.  But that's here in Phoenix, AZ. as we all know, the price differs from place to place.  

Paid $3.159 a gallon for my truck today.. yikes!!

[flyfisherman]

I use propane for my heating/hot water here at the house (use to be the country but the city is moving closer and closer!) ~ On Wednesdays our local supplier will fill the RV and BBQ grill tanks (20 pounders only) for $10.25, with $14.00 being the regular price; of course, you have to take the tanks to the dealer to be filled.

As gasoline prices rise, so does propane.




Fly

[PattieAM]

Many of my area gas stations also perform propane refill (at rather inflated prices), and charge by the gallon rather than a flat rate.

I am a member of Thousand Trails, and all of the campground of theirs I've visited have had propane refill by the gallon, and the rates were not excessive.

Last refills I had were for almost empty 20lb.  tanks - $11.59 and 13.63, but that was last August.

[bountyhunter]

I use propane for my house and shop and when the propane company set my 500 gallon tank I had a "wet leg" put on it and I can fill my BBQ and the PUP's tanks myself.  Takes about 3-4 minutes per tank. Makes it nice since I am 30 miles from the closest town with propane exchange, or fill up stations.  Really nice for the BBQ, since it never fails to run out when I have company over for dinner.  Plus, I don't have to pay as much in taxes on the residential propane.

[ScouterMom]

I bought two new, filled 20lb tanks to replace the old ones on my vintage PUP.  the old ones were 1) rusty and 2) had the older style valves. However, they were the same kind of tanks used on propane grills - not 'special' tanks.  I haven't used up the propane in them yet - they have lots to go.  But they each cost me about $14 each to fill, I think, and they  even took one of the old-style tanks in exchange for recycling. and properly disposed of the one with the old style valve for free.

This time around I purchased 'new' tanks and had them filled, instead of getting exchange tank at Menards or somewhere, because I want to refill them on the camper like I did before, and sometimes, when you swap out tanks - you don't always get great tanks or valves, and you may not have a fully 'empty' tank to return.  

I had a similar, single tank on my previous vintage PUP.  That one I had filled at a local propane company - Hicks Gas.  I used to take the tank for my propane grill there, too.  They would fill it up right on the camper, and charge me only for the gas they topped off.  If I only had a partial tank, and wanted a full tank for a trip, I didn't have to waste or lose the partial tank.  I seem to remember that I once had a problem with the valve, and they fixed that for me, too - for free. They often helped me with questions about the propane system and stove, helped me find parts for my natural gas grill in the backyard, and when I bought my current vintage camper, they've given me advice on the old tanks, getting replacement hoses & fittings and getting the stove and furnace working again (though I haven't had a chance to try the furnace yet!

I found alot of help from my local propane place over the years, so it's well worth it to me to take the camper down there to have the tanks refilled or topped off.

Laura

[GeneF]

To fill my 30 lb tank at the cg, it is $26.00.

There is a Flying J in the area that does it for about $19.

BUT by the time I factor in the cost of gas to drive there, there isn't much difference in price.

Somebody said they filled up their truck for $3.15, that is a bargain.  Gas is running $3.26 to $3.29 in St. Augustine.  In our travels in Florida, we have seen it as high as $3.39 but that was last week.

[PM3579]

I fill my own.Since I work for a roofing company,and I'm  also the guy who works on the equipment and makes sure our 1000 gal tank is never empty.I always ask the owner and he always says just filler up, propane is just one of the perks of the job.

[Dray]

I just took mine to have filled this weekend.  The gauge on my tank was showing less than 1/4 full.  When I lifted it I knew there was more than that in there.  The guy filled it and put 2.7 gallons in.  So my gauge is about 1/4 off!  Well at least now I know.  Good news is that it only cost 2.99/gallon.  Total cost was less $8 and change.  Good thing I didn't do the exchange thing where there is just a flat rate.  I'll be going back to that place from now on.  

One thing that wasn't clear to me is whether or not people are taking the tanks off of their campers to fill them.  I'm guessing the people with big tanks don't have a choice and need to tow the whole camper/travel trailer to get the tank(s) filled.

[McCampers]

It's amazing how little propane the new pups use, but when you have to fill them.  I always go to a propane and propane accessory store.  I'm still looking for Hank Hill, but I always use the guys that talk about the benefits and dangers of using propane.  I worked at a truck stop about 20 years ago and I filled propane then, but I had no business doing it.  We had no idea what we were doing and we just put the gas in until it stopped and we charged them what the tank weighed when done.  Those were very loose times.    I'm a litlle uncomfortable going to anyplace other than professionals.  Stay away from the trade in bottles.