Propane duration - Event Date: 15 Nov 2013 - 30 Nov 2013

Elkmont is great this time of year.  We tend to prefer Smokemont for easy camping most of the year just because Elkmont can get a bit rowdy at times.  Think a solo camper playing Jimmy Buffett badly on his guitar and throwing glass beer bottles in the fire pit until after midnight.

Did you winterize or did you use any of your plumbing?

TT 

Being the cheapskate that I am, I usually try to save $$ whenever possible.  I travel with 2 tanks on my 177 so if one does go empty the back-up second tank will be more than enough to see me through the duration of the trip.  I can't go on long trips like some of you (yep, still working full-time) not old enough, wise enough to retire . . . yet, . . . . .  . . .  so the longest my wife and I go are 2 week stints at a time.  I am amazed how long 1 tank lasts.  With all the cooking, heating (furnace) and hot water usage a tank will see us through the better part of a whole year.

An interesting fact about propane tanks:  IF you can fill up at a hardware store or other where they fill you by weight you will get a much better deal, paying for your propane by the gallon.  IF you decide to exchange your tank at a gas station or similar you will pay a much higher price, even if they only charge 20 -25 dollars to exchange your tank you are not getting a full tank.  After getting an exchange (in this case Blue Rhino) I got the tank weighed at the hardware store where I normally purchase propane by the gallon.  Come to find out the tank is only 75% filled.  Went back to the gas station and let them know, they just smiled and said, "Yep, we know, that is the way it is."  

Just back this evening from 4+ days in the Smokies.  First night was down to 21.  Nothing new to add about propane or batteries -- the advice so far is very good. 

Regarding winterizing or freezing water lines, I filled up the fresh water tank when we pulled into the campground (no hookups) and I took the kick-board cover off in front of the water pump and turned the water heater on.  I got up several times during the night to check the temp and make sure the water wasn't getting hard.  It made it through absolutely fine.  Inside temp was maybe 60.  The prediction, which turned put to be true, was for warmer nights ahead.  I might not have taken a chance that first night if it was predicted to stay cold or get colder.

Oh yeah.  One thing about propane is that in TN and NC places that will swap out 20 pound tanks are almost ubiquitous. The price is around $15 right now.  If you do run out, you trade in your old tank for new one and just keep going.

TT

I had forgotten about that thread.  That was probably the best one on the subject of charging via the TV.  I'm sure you noticed the two supposed "experts" on that thread completely contradicted themselves several times...  

Lefty, the problem is the furnace is the single largest user of amps from the battery and propane from the LPG tank.  Yes, the propane should last you three nights.  That might be true at 30-40 degrees, but you may go through most of your propane if it is 10 F outside.  Then your battery is likely not going to last you 3 nights at those temps...