Propane bottle mounts?

[Rezarf <><]

I have an 11# propane bottle that I am trying to figure out how to secure, searches left me looking for more.

I want to hard mount this tank externally. I have looked at several RV mounts but none look that solid.

What have you guys done/seen?

Thanks for your time.

Drew

[Steve Curren]

Ditto.. Adventure Trailers had one at the Phoenix show this year but nothing in production as of yet.

[Tucson T4R]

Here are a couple pics of how my propane bottle is mounted on the front of my King Kamper trailer. Let me know if you are interested in different angles.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/bgarland40/DSC02925_edited-1.jpg

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m125/bgarland40/DSC02926_edited-1.jpg

[Nuclear Redneck]

This is the Navy spec for compressed gas bottles and I think it might be a good standard for off road mounting as well. The purpose is to prevent the bottle from being ejected as a result of shock. I'll try to get a picture of one at work tomorrow if you want.

All compressed gas bottles require mounting which prevents vertical and horizontal movement. This means a belly band around the bottle and a collar at the top of the bottle (also known as grade B shock mounting).

Cheers,
Tate

[BigAl]

I've found that an old steel milk crate holds a propane tank perfectly. A heavy duty plastic crate may work too. I have the crate bolted down to the front of my trailor and a ratchet strap to hold the bottle down.

[lowenbrau]

I've found that an old steel milk crate holds a propane tank perfectly. A heavy duty plastic crate may work too. I have the crate bolted down to the front of my trailor and a ratchet strap to hold the bottle down.

x2

It might look a bit cheap but its easy to bolt a plastic milk crate down and then bungy or strap the bottle in.

Come to think of it, its the 20 lb ones that fit well. I don't know what you'd do with an 11 pounder.

[DaktariEd]

My AT has a small propane cylinder like that...and an excellent bracket.
Not sure if it's a commercial bracket or not. Send a PM to Martyn or Mario...

HTH...
:sombrero:
PS...photo swiped from AT website...don't think they'll mind...

[Rezarf <><]

Thanks guys, mine is tall and skinny. Maybe 9ish inches in diameter. I like the band clamp that should work well. I like how it sits above the weld seam to keep it in there.

Anyone else?

Thanks!

Drew

[Steve Curren]

I too would like to find a band clamp that would fit the tank, after that making a platform for the tank would be easy enough. Does anyone know where a band clamp like Ed has shown can be had?

[Rezarf <><]

Looks like a piece of scrap and this clamp from Mcmaster...

part #13435A61

Shouldn't be too hard.

Drew

[Gear]

Or possible one of these ---

http://www.toolfetch.com/Category/Material_Lifts_Handling/Industrial_Carts/

[Steve Curren]

It seems like you have once again solved a problem, I will contact them tomorrow and make sure that the size I need is one they have.


Thanks,
Steve

[ntsqd]

Dual tank mount, they sit in rings both top & bottom:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/ntsqd/TB-Spare-batts-propane.jpg

[Green Ganesha]

I have an 11# propane bottle that I am trying to figure out how to secure, searches left me looking for more.

11# is a less-common size, but CampaUSA (http://www.campausa.com) manufactures these brackets for their trailers:

Contact Chris Cole at Campa, and I'm sure he could set you up.

8221

8222

[Steve Curren]

E-mailed Chris at CampaUSA and he is going to get me info on their mount. Was a very nice man and was a pleasure to talk with.

[Green Ganesha]

E-mailed Chris at CampaUSA and he is going to get me info on their mount. Was a very nice man and was a pleasure to talk with.

I have one of Chris' trailers, and can't say enough good things about his product, and above all, his exceptional customer service.

[Steve Curren]

If you know Chris you must know that he and his partner have been out of country for a period of time. He told me that she contacted some disease and is real sick, I thought that you might want to know.

[Green Ganesha]

Steve, thanks for the news. I didn't realize Anne was sick. She and Chris were in Guatemala for a U.S. Army/Guatemalan military disaster-response exercise. I believe Campa has a contract with FEMA, and is looking at other government branches like the military. That's really too bad about Anne. I'll call with condolences.

[Steve Curren]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I thought that you might know them and would like to know. I know I am a stranger but please give them my best.

[Rezarf <><]

Thanks for the info, that is what I was looking for. My prayers are with the ill woman.

I appreciate your time.

Drew

[Big_Geek]

Putting together a little info that's already mentioned in different areas here, but it looks like the 5# Manchester tank (http://www.mantank.com/products/steel_propane/5-10.htm) would work with the 8" mount (http://www.toolfetch.com/Category/Material_Lifts_Handling/Industrial_Carts/TH-108.htm) on Toolfetch.

It's amazing to me how expensive this stuff is. You can buy a 20# propane tank at Home Depot for $25, but the smaller 5# tank has to be ordered and runs about $50 with shipping. Then another $40 for a mount. That's looking like $90 to carry 5# of propane.

I completely understand that there is little demand for 5# tanks and they are therefore considered "specialized", but it still stinks.

[Rezarf <><]

My local HD sells the 5# bottles off the shelf for 35ish bucks. Then hit up the local welding shop in your area and you can get the cylinder clamp that fits for about 25 bucks.

FWIW, I am going with as many propane accessories as i can use on my trailer, and I bought two 11# bottles and clamps for a total off 22# but I plan on running a few gas hog accessories like a water heater and tent heater.

[slosurfer]

I used a XL Quick Fist clamp and a rifle cable lock on my trailer.

(excuse the rusty tank)
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e113/slosurfer27/IMG_5847.jpg

My spare gets strapped right over the top of it, you can kind of see where the spare sits in this pic
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z288/jnjhargrove/Pismo%204RJ%202007/DSC01095.jpg

[Rezarf <><]

Here it is what ended up happening for me! :D

I worked on my propane tank mounts today and got them up and running. I had purchased a set from my local welding shop that open with a hinge then tighten with a wing nut (like the ones linked in post #21 by Big Geek). Once I had them in hand they didn't fit the tanks :( and they made the tank stick out nearly 2" from the sides of the trailer... not good... not only that but they were 60 bucks and not close enough to what I wanted to justify the cost, SO...

... I made my own!

I started with about 5 bucks in scrap material from my local steel yard. I cut two channels 8" in length. I drilled three holes to make my mounts foundation.

Next, I welded 2x.125" strap to the sides of the channel and hoisted the tank into place. I used the tank as a mold and started to bend the strap around the tank... I used a few ratchet strap to hold the tank in place and I screwed the foundation to the saw horse, this all worked really well.

Then, I tacked in the short side. I bent the tab over and then got the rough shape by bending the steel in my vice with a 3lb sledge. If you try this, just bend it a little at a time and after a few minutes a nice smooth curve starts to form.

Once the short side was in place I could trim the long side to the right length. Then it was time to burn in the welds, the first one I made the spot welds failed once I really started getting after the bending.

[Rezarf <><]

After that, I just had to bend the last tab over on the long side and drill a hole for the bolt to go through. Then I used an adjustable cresent wrench to man handle the bolt holes into place and I can bring the two parts together tightly by tightening the bolt.

You can see how the tank mount will "bolt" up to the frame of the trailer.

Woa-lah!

I have two custom propane mounts now. I will secure the bottom of the tank with a bolt to the deck of the trailer, but other than that I may create a way to lock them up when the trailer is parked in town.

I ordered 2" wide rubber strips to insulate the tank from vibration and keep it from getting banged up by the mount itself. It is good stuff and has a nice adhesive back on it. After paint I will put them on.

Whatta' ya think?

[p1michaud]

Whatta' ya think?

Very well done, I like it! :clapsmile

This would have been another nice project for the
New Forum Section - Fabrication? (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9205)

Cheers :beer:,
P

[Willman]

Very well done, I like it! :clapsmile

This would have been another nice project for the
New Forum Section - Fabrication? (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9205)

Cheers :beer:,
P

Your funny P!

Yes....It would be nice to have a Fab section!




Getting back on topic.......Love the mount!.......Have you thought of adding a bottom piece to take the stress off the clamp???...And is it lockable???

Just an idea???

:)

[vplronj]

You could try a fire extinguisher mount (http://www.hallmann-sales.com/heavy-duty-fire-extinguisher-vehicle-bracket.htm), or a commercial vehicle type mount (http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_large.cfm?FamilyID=68). Either one would probably have to be adapted for what you want.

[Steve Curren]

I went to a fabricator and had a "shelf" made that would hold a #5 propane bottle. I mounted it to the frame and then put the Quick Fist Clamps on to hold the bottle to the side. No locks but it held to the North Rim and into the Blythe desert with not so much as a wiggle.

[BigAl]

Your funny P!

Yes....It would be nice to have a Fab section!



I'm starting to loose hope, we've had (2) 3 page threads recently requesting a fab section. At least 90% were infavor but we didn't get a response from Scott yet. I respect that it is his decision and maybe silence speaks volumes, but with the # of people requesting this, I'd like to hear the final word.

BTW, nice job on the mounts:)

[Rezarf <><]

You could try a fire extinguisher mount (http://www.hallmann-sales.com/heavy-duty-fire-extinguisher-vehicle-bracket.htm), or a commercial vehicle type mount (http://www.americanvan.com/catalog/standard_large.cfm?FamilyID=68). Either one would probably have to be adapted for what you want.

Perhaps, but the fire extinguishers won't fit, I checked there, and the other ones are really cool and could be made to work without much work. The idea is to get a rattle free mount that is secure in all directions. Plus they are 50 bones for two, my mounts cost me a bit more than 5 bucks for both, plus an afternoon in the garage. Cool links though!

Rezarf <><

[Rezarf <><]

Getting back on topic.......Love the mount!.......Have you thought of adding a bottom piece to take the stress off the clamp???...And is it lockable???

Just an idea???

:)

Yeah, I plan for both. I am going to bolt the lower edge of the bottle to a shelf, and I can use a padlock on the mount itself. I will post pics once they are entirely final.

Thanks!

[Willman]

Yeah, I plan for both. I am going to bolt the lower edge of the bottle to a shelf, and I can use a padlock on the mount itself. I will post pics once they are entirely final.

Thanks!


Right on!

Can't wait to see the final product!!!

:)

[Kilroy]

I think the $45 you traded for an afternoon of work was not worth as much as the satisfaction you got from creating these mounts yourself. It also prepares you for bigger projects where there are significant savings. Money wise, if we add up the time to design, pick up materials, and do a small project like this, we would be money ahead working the hours at McD and buying the part. Nice job!


Perhaps, but the fire extinguishers won't fit, I checked there, and the other ones are really cool and could be made to work without much work. The idea is to get a rattle free mount that is secure in all directions. Plus they are 50 bones for two, my mounts cost me a bit more than 5 bucks for both, plus an afternoon in the garage. Cool links though!

Rezarf <><

[Gear]

Here is what I ended up doing. I have 5# tank that I want to mount on my Chaser #15. I called PowerTank and order up one of there brackets. I had to do a little bit of modification to the bracket but when all was said and done it works great.




http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d738b3127ccebc481ab3451a00000026108EatWzFu0cO
Final product

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d738b3127ccebc481afd455400000026108EatWzFu0cO
The bands were designed to go on the 2 top square holes. Unfortunately the 5# tank is smaller in height. I ended up enlarging the lower mounting holes. On the right you can see the one that I have cut already. I did the same on the left.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d738b3127ccebc481ad0c44900000025108EatWzFu0cO
In order to allow the tank to snug up against the back of the bracket I need to make a few relief cuts on the side of the bracket. This photograph shows those cuts. Look closely.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d738b3127ccebc481acd456400000026108EatWzFu0cO
I then drilled 2 more mounting wholes below the bottom of the square ones that I cut out.

[Curtis in Texas]

Here's one I saw behind a friends house a couple of years back.
The Owner used this rig in Africa for several years for wildlife photo shoots, then shipped it to Atlanta for safe keeping while he planned his next trip back to that side of the world. I understand the Political Climate there some years back made leaving imperative at the time. I've been trying to buy both the Sammy and the trailer for years. Guy won't budge. They are just setting there rusting away.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/SafariTrailerSamuri3.jpg

The Samuri has a 2.3 Isuzu carb motor and tranny under the hood. I drove the Sammy once for grins. It flys. Oh and the 3 spares fit both the traler and truck.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/SafariTrailerSamuri1.jpg

Not sure how the Propane Tanks work in that configuration. BUt the brackets are welded on and bolted to the fenders so it's not like he removes them to use.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c369/Curtis-J/SafariTrailerSamuri2.jpg

Since you were talking mounting options I thought I'd throw this one out.
Been thinking of building one like it since I saw it.
I'll see if I can find some more pictures of it.

Curtis