Frame Welding

[Kenn]

I welded the frame rails and will start on the lpg tank mounts.

[mmmc101]

Kenn,
I think them "Okie" airbags are going to make it ride a little rough.....lol. Frame extension looks really good. Looks like a good location for the LP tank. MMM

[Kenn]

It took a few days and two trips to the steel store, but the LPG tank is now mounted. I will add a 1/4" x 3" rubber strip between the top of the tank and the cross members. I ended up with 17" of ground clearance. I will add a third cross member at the back and it will have the same 9" radius cut out to make room to fill the tank. Next up will be to make mounts for the leveling jacks. It feels good to be doing metal work and not truck repairs.

[hyderbound]

I just joined. Your thread was the first to be seen and that is a very smart and secure placement of the propane tank. Is there a limit to the size of tank and must placards be displayed? I have a 9200 Int big pro sleeper that's in the process down in Idaho, (Im in Alaska) I hope to bring it up if not in Sept then in May next year. I was considering putting a (170 gal I think) on it. the tank was approx 28 x 94 in. Any comments, advice, or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bob86ZZ4]

The only thing I've heard about the propane tank is you can't lock it. Most rv's don't have locking doors over the propane tank because of that rule. And I think you might have to put some label on the outside of the cover saying that's where the propane is. At least my two rv's had that door labeled as such.

Looks cool. Glad you're getting to work on it.

[Kenn]

The tag on my tank shows it holds 49.8 gallons and it is 18"x54". My tank came from an auction at Country Coach, they made large diesel pushers in Oregon until they went out of business last year. I don't know how large the tanks are on trucks (pick ups)that are powered by propane. My old moterhome has a door that does not lock and it has a small propane warning label. My sisters moterhome has no lock or warning label. I plan to have a no lock door with a warning label. I also have been working on a trailer hitch that will add more protection for the tank if hit from the rear. My generator will run on propane along with the refrigerator, water heater, furnace and stove top. 170 gallons is a lot of propane. I will try to post pictures of the leveling jacks and the trailer hitch.

[GENECARP]

Looks great, keep them photos coming, thanks, G

[mmmc101]

Kenn,
I was wondering how you were going to work the hitch around the tank. Pictures are worth a thousand words! Looks great. I would never have thought to use trailer landing gears for leveling jacks ! Great idea. Those things are simple and bullet proof. Really looks good. MMM

[Bob86ZZ4]

Looks cool the way you've built the hitch structure to protect the tank. Hay, blizzardND used something kind of similar to that for his jacks. He built 2" receiver hitch tubing into the four corners of his truck. Then he made up some tongue jacks to insert into each one. Then he cranks away. I like the landing gear for your truck since I'm guessing it's a bit heavier than his. Did you look into getting some hydraulic rams and building your own system on the cheap? I know a automatic self leveling type system would be expensive. But, I'd think a guy could rig up something with parts from Northern Hydraulics or Tractor Supply and do it cheaper. It sure is nice to be able to just push buttons and let the rams go down.

[hot rod]

Hyderbound- The only propane tank size limit I am aware of is for DOT cylinders (BBQ tanks) and on an RV you can have a max of 3 cylinders with a max of 35# capacity each. That would be for the removable cylinders. A permanently mounted ASME tank like you have there, which is used for engine fuel or for the coach has no size limit that I am aware of. As long as it is permanently attached to the chassis it is exempt from any HazMat placarding. The only thing you need is for the compartment door to be labeled. I am not sure if it is a law or not, but you certainly do not want the compartment to be locked. In case of a crash, emergency personnel need to be able to access the tank to shut it off, and also if you had a gas leak in the campground you would want anyone to be able to shut off the valve. Also, if you are using propane for engine fuel, there is a black reflective diamond decal that has to go on the rear of the vehicle. Just be sure the tank you are going to use is designed for use on a vehicle, and is not a stationary tank. They do make vehicle tanks that large, but they are not common. A vehicle tank has internal automatic shutoff valves inside every tank opening. For example if you are in crash and a valve is damaged or sheared off the internal shutoff keeps the propane in the tank. Stationary tanks do not have those. Also, vehicle tanks may have both vapor and liquid withdrawal valves, or plugged openings for both. Engine fuel would use the liquid valve, coach uses like the furnace would use vapor, and most generators would also use vapor although some larger units may use liquid, refer to your generator instructions for that. The opening would be labeled liquid or vapor, and stamped into the tank below the opening. Do not mix those up, sending liquid to a vapor appliance in dangerous.

Good luck with the project.

Dave