Assessing RV Propane Tanks: ASME Tank Rundown
Dave SolbergDescription
On most motor homes or RVs, the ASME tank or, in layman’s terms, the RV propane tank, is responsible for fueling a number of your vehicle’s most important appliances, including the oven, stovetop burners, water heater, furnace and refrigerator. Because propane gas is required to power so many of the components you use on a daily basis when you’re touring the country in your RV, it’s important to know at least a little bit about the makeup of and proper maintenance procedures required for a standard RV propane tank in an ASME system.
To help you get to know your RV propane tank, Dave Solberg pulls back the cover on his demo vehicle’s ASME tank and discusses some expert tips for maintenance and filling that will apply to any model. He highlights a few of the important aspects of the typical RV propane tank that you should consider when taking it to your nearest certified fill station for safe filling and when monitoring it while out on the road.
What to consider when filling your RV propane tank
Dave begins the fill and maintenance process by walking you through the components on the outside of the tank, which can usually be found permanently mounted on the passenger side of your vehicle. Follow each step of the process and you’ll ensure your tank lasts forever!
One thing you should pay attention to on your RV propane tank is the proper fill level. Due to the fact that propane expands at hotter temperatures once inside the tank, OPD valves on ASME tanks only allow you to fill up to 80 percent of the total provided capacity. Tanks should only be filled by professional technicians at certified stations, where they are filled by the gallon since the tank cannot be removed to weigh it.
It’s important to note that while they are filled by the gallon, propane tanks are designated by pounds. However, trailer-mounted propane tanks are typically removed and filled by pounds as they are weighed on a scale. Propane weighs 4.2 lbs per gallon, thus an 80lb ASME tank on a motorhome could hold up to 19 gallons, however the OPD valve limits it to 80 percent, which would be approximately 15 gallons.
Additionally, users should make a note of the fact that RV propane tank covers and doors do not have locks in the event of an emergency. Located on the passenger side of the vehicle and permanently mounted to the frame of the RV, you don’t want to have to fiddle around with keys in response to a time-sensitive issue. If you have any questions about your particular model, be sure to refer to the user manual or an expert at your fill station.
Other things to keep in mind
In addition to fill limits, Dave introduces a few other aspects of ASME tank maintenance that you should consider. He teaches you the proper way to utilize the propane tank monitor on the inside of your vehicle, which allows you to keep an eye on your fill level.
Furthermore, he explains why it’s so important to turn off all pilot lights for appliances such as refrigerators, furnaces and water heaters when taking your vehicle to a certified fill station. A certified technician will almost certainly check to see you’ve done so prior to filling your tank, but it’s always recommended that you take care of this step prior to heading for the station.
And that should just about do it! Remember Dave’s expert advice for maintaining your RV’s ASME tank, and you’ll guarantee that your propane is in proper working order and you won’t run into any issues when you least expect it!
Propane is stored in a container on your motor home in what's called an ASME tank, usually on the passenger side of the vehicle permanently mounted to the frame here. And you notice there is no locks on this storage door here so if you have to have an emergency access, we don't have the compartment lock. So I'm just going to open this up here, a little bit of tape, since we don't have a chicken beak to hold it up. Now these typically are going to be filled by the gallon but they're going to be designated by pounds in your RV so you're going to have a 40 pound 60 pound 80 pound in the larger units like this. Propane is 4.2 pounds per gallon, so you can do the math on that. Right here we have the fill site. This is designed for when a person outsides filling it, they know it's getting close to the 80% in here. We do have back behind here, and this this fill Area here, an LPD valve which is an 80% valve so it's going to shut off at approximately 80%, so we don't get too full. It does need to expand when the temperature rises. Now this also has a wire, you'll notice hooked here on the site glass that goes inside so our monitor panel we can check the level of propane in here. You have two stage regulator here that will supply it to the inside for our water heater, refrigerator, stove, oven, furnace, the instant appliances in the inside of it. And typically, when you're going to fill this, you're going to go into a certified fill station. Make sure all your pilot lights are turned off inside, no open flames and allow a certified technician to fill your ASME tank.
I just bought a 2007 aljo limited and I was wondering how to light the pilot for the hot water heater??
We smell propane, furnace won’t light, alarm sounds when try to start generator? RV service not available until July 2, any ideas? Thank you, Karen
Does anyone know if replacement propane tanks are available for 1996 Roadtrek Popular, and if so where? Ours is leaking. Thank you.
My sister and husband were traveling yesterday when the pressure relief valve started leaking on the propane tank in their 1997 class c motorhome. The service center they went to for help insisted that the tank is too old to be fixed. They told them that ALL RV tanks are REQUIRED to be changed every 10 years. Their motorhome is a 1997, always stored inside, and there is surface rust on the tank. But it is the relief valve leaking. They service center is replacing the tank and all the gas lines and fittings because it has to be done every 10 years and they insist it is illegal for the just the valve to be replaced. My sister asked them just to remove the tank then and cap the lines. They refused to do so also saying it would be illegal to do also. If the tank is removed, it must be replaced with a new one. Thoughts?
Your video was OK, I would change it to show the FILLER Valve, Fixed liquid level gauge, relief valve, and then the site gauge. Explain that The Fixed liquid level gauge is required to be open while filling to prevent overfilling the tank. Relying on the site gauge or the filler valve IS NOT CORRECT. A few of the filler valves have failed in the past. Another comment is that Motor fuel tanks (Motorhome tanks) are not required to be inspected prior to filling. A good thing to know is the letters W.C. which stands for WATER CAPACITY, which is the capacity of the tank IN GALLONS. The maximum the tank should be filled is to 80% of the W.C. (I.E. 100 Gal. Tank @80% = 80 gallons propane. One last comment, some older tanks might not have the 80% shut feature, That is why you use the fixed liquid level gauge.
Are motor homes allowed in tunnels that have a 20# tank at the entrance in with the restrictions?
We always level our motor home when using it but are you saying that we also need to be sure it is level when we store our motor home until the next time we use use it?