R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Refilling Propane on the road?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedRefilling Propane on the road?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Retroactive View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 15 Mar 2016
Location: Bolton, MA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Refilling Propane on the road?
    Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 3:55pm
What are your opinions on refilling propane on the road?

If you go to get your own tanks refilled, how do you quickly locate somewhere to get it refilled?

Do any of you use those tank swap services like Blue Rhino?

I don't particularly like the tank swap idea, although they seem to be everywhere. I prefer to have my own personal tanks, but it seems like it could be a hassle to find a refill station.  Setting up a double tank is on my mod list, but If we burn through both of them then I have no idea what to do out on the road. Maybe ahead of time I will have to map out refill locations along the way, and save the stress of searching when we run out.
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 4:27pm
Wait to see at what rate YOU use propane.. The pod is pretty miserly.. The fridge will run for about 6 weeks nonstop on one 20 pounder..
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4517 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 4:31pm
We get ours refilled at a local hardware store, at campground we are at, Flying J truck stores. There are also lots of mini marts along the way that we see have the exchange tanks.
I agree with Furpod, the pods dont go through a lot of propane.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
Retroactive View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 15 Mar 2016
Location: Bolton, MA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 270 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 4:34pm
The fridge runs on propane? MIND BLOWN... as an engineer now I am compelled to go look at how that works...  I just assumed the fridge worked on TEC unit like a lot of the wine chillers people have now.
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 5:03pm
Personally, I like to have MY tanks refilled. Once I did a "swap" and got a tank that was about to "expire". (They must be re-certified very 10 years - I think)

I have a Love's truck stop in the town just West of me and they are quite reasonable. In addition to the places mentioned, in a pinch, most of the campgrounds - like KOA, Yogi's Jellystone, and many independents can refill. They are not cheap, but happy to take your money - even if you are not staying there.

A 20lbs. tank lasts me most of the season - with a mix of primitive and electric hook up sites, throughout the year.
Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3257 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 5:11pm
Remember, you may think you are getting a good deal with Blue Rhino BUT when you get one of their tanks it is only 75% full, not like going to the hardware store and getting it FILLED.  Also, Furpod and Leo mentioned above, the pod is miserly on propane.  The most we have gone through was when we were in Glacier back in September, 2012.  Temps dipped to the upper 30's - lo 40's every night so the furnace got used mucho for 7 nights, also ran our fridge on the whole trip and hot water.  For that 2 week trip, I didn't have to change propane tanks, I do carry 2 tanks in the front of our 177.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6327 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 5:26pm
The fridge uses an absorption system. It requires a source of heat. In the R-Pod, that can be provided by 110 Volt, 12 Volt, or by propane.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 5:31pm
Originally posted by StephenH

The fridge uses an absorption system. It requires a source of heat. In the R-Pod, that can be provided by 110 Volt, 12 Volt, or by propane.



Yes.. but only use 12v if you are under tow (if you know for sure you are getting charge to the pod), or for very short periods, it WILL drain a single Group 24 in a couple of hours. I have not done any testing yet on the new batteries, but I doubt they will go a day.
Back to Top
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 5:58pm
Most Uhaul locations around here also refill tanks at a pretty good price
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
osage View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 13 Mar 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 146 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2016 at 6:46pm
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz