Propane in the truck

[Big Iron]

Is there any reg. that says you cant have propane tanks in the truck? Could it be a customs nightmare? I am talking about the 16oz tanks used for camping. 4 for about $3. at wallyworld.
For the guy who doesnt need a lot of luxury, a portable heater could keep you warm for about 75cents/8hours.

http://tinyurl.com/s4bmq

No a/c or electric but in the cooler months I could get by with this if legal. Opinions?

Put in tinyurl so the post is only screen wide. LDB

 

[LDB]

Since it wouldn't be a reportable quantity I don't see why anyone would need to know about it. I don't know about border crossing or if someone did an inspection of the truck to the point of finding it. I suppose in that case you might have to abandon the cylinders to the inspector but don't know.

It says "up to 6 hours" which I presume is at the 4k btu setting. I'd certainly rather wake up to that than nothing but wonder what the inside temp would be when it's -9 outside in Rockford. There's also the problem of the 6 hour limit during those wonderful 8-9 hour all night sleeps. I think an ESPAR unit would be a much better option even though more expensive.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[RichM]

For many years I have used in the winter the propane powered catalytic
heaters that are sold in Walmarts,K Marts in the camping equipment sections. They are approved for indoor use as there is no flame involved. A typical 16oz botele of propabe would last about 12 hours. During DOT inspections nothing was said to me about the propane. But with the way the world is going Customs and border security agents may have a problem. But RV's carry gallons of the stuff so I think a small amount is ok. You could always discard it when you are coming to a border crossing and when you clear just buy another one.

 

[greg334]

No problems with Customs but in NYC going through the tunnels if you get inspected they do not like any propane in the vehicle.

 

[RonnieJ]

It sounds like a good option. Would it be good to have one of those carbon dioxide detecters or smoke alarm?

 

[terryandrene]

If you ever park and sleep in an area with other vehicles around you, you should get a Carbon Monoxide detector even if you don't have an internal heater system. Mine has alerted me to high levels of CO on one occasion where I was downwind of several other idleing vans at a struck stop. $40 well spent.

 

[Big Iron]

There are 3000btu heaters that are suppose to last 8 hours on one 16oz tank. I really wouldnt mind waking up after 6 hours to save thousands of dollars. After 6 hours on a zero degree night I would want to start the truck and run it for 5 minutes anyway.
Does anyone know how many btu would be required on a zero degree night? I realize you could never maintain a constant temp with this.

LDB, thanks for fixing the link and I will look into this tinyurl.

 

[ATeam]

The propane tank for personal use question was asked at our FedEx orientation. I don't recall the details but the instructor essentially said propane tanks for personal use are not prohibited.

 

[tec1959]

All I know about propane In the trucks Is that no propane In any amount Is allowed In vehilces In all the tunnels on the east coast.So may cause a problem....

 

[greg334]

> Does anyone know how many btu would be required on a zero
>degree night? I realize you could never maintain a constant
>temp with this.

It depends on a few things; insulation, space, etc.... If you have an open space like a van with no insulation, 3000 BTU will not really keep you warm.

I have a small heater (1100 BTUs) with a small space (60 cubic feet), I go through one bottle every two days when it is cold running it every two hours during the day. At night I idle for a while and bundle up for the night but I also have high altitude suit that also keeps me very warm when it is zero out there.

 

[rfrogger120]

How many gallons of gas does GM or FORD van waste idleing for about 10 hours? Its also good to know that those propane heaters are safe to use in an enclosed area, I always heard they were unsafe, but if you guys are using them in your vans/trucks that means that they are safe to use, thanks to terry mentioning the CO detecter, I will definetly be buying one.

 

[greg334]

It don't matter what people say, anything that burns propane in an enclosed space will kill - CO2 detector or not.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I used one. Thing is to have a window cracked about three inches. Now, on a cold, windy night, that's more likely to make the truck colder. And honestly, the heater makes some difference, but not much.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

 

[RichM]

I didn't sleep with mine on,I generally just used it to keep the cab/sleeper warm while I was awake. I have a Artic designed sleeping bag which always kept you comfortable. When I would wake up I would get the heater going and after about 15 minutes everything would be nice and toasty.I came out of a motel room one morning in Mass and it was 4 below, got the heater going, went back into the room and 20 minutes later it was 60 degrees in the cab.

 

[dhalltoyo]

I have a Coleman heater.

I also have a CO detector.

The alarm has never activated when using the heater.

The door seals in general and the loose fit of doors in particular on any GM, Ford or Chrysler van provide ample air exchange. I can see daylight along the bottom edges of my rear cargo doors.

So much for, "Quality Is Job One," or any other of the Big Three's marketing slogans.

 

[rfrogger120]

form what i read i assume you dont leave your windows open a bit.

 

[rfrogger120]

Greg, I know what your saying however there is no flame if i'm correct

 

[greg334]

>The door seals in general and the loose fit of doors in
>particular on any GM, Ford or Chrysler van provide ample air
>exchange. I can see daylight along the bottom edges of my
>rear cargo doors.

David,

you need to understand that CO2 displaces the air from top down - not the other way around and saying this will give the impression that it is safe seeing light on the bottom of your doors. I would say that the doors are out of adjustment - not the quality of the workmanship unless you accepted the van that way.

I also want to point out that all CO2 detectors are not 100% failsafe, especially in a harsh enviorment with wide tempeture changes. The sensor has a limited lifetime under these conditions.

 

[Big Iron]

Looks like I was wrong about the price of propane. I was just up to Walmart and a 2pack was $4.47. I dont remember it being that high but I guess its to be expected nowadays.

 

[Fr8 Shaker]

I was told that catalytic heaters don't put out Co2 but what they do is rob the oxygen from the space where it is being used so, 1) a co2 detector wouldn't help for that purpose, and thats why the instructions say to have an opening of 3 SQUARE INCHES for fresh air to get in. You don't need to open your window 3 inches about a 1/4 inch will do. I have used one last winter which was the small one which with the bottle holder from the larger one which I also purchased fits right in the cup holder in the van and 1 bottle will last about 16 hours and keep the cab about 30 degrees warmer the the outside temp. Also if you run single, I picked up a zero degree sleeping bag from Gander Mountain for 30 bucks and it works great. But if it's 40 degrees outside you'll be sweating in that thing. But it is still a good idea to get a co2 detector. I remember a while back Terry wrote a post titled (I almost woke up dead) after reading that I had a co2 detector in my van before I went to sleep in the van again. If anything it gives you a little peace of mind. especially when you start smelling fumes. And if you do smell fumes you might want to think about moving.

Be Safe and Keep Warm,
Fr8 Shaker