transporting 100lb LP tank

[Ryan_V]

can i transport a full 100 pound lp tank on it's side? were moving our perm this year, and want to put our own tanks on it when we bleed the ones out that the resort owns, but don't want to blow me or my truck up!!

[Jeremy airjer W]

"When transporting, keep cylinder secured in an upright position with cylinder valve turned off"

It's the same for all cylinder sizes.

[Ryan_V]

where is that "quote" from airjer?

[boatfixer]

Both NFPA and NPGA regulations

[Ryan_V]

what happens if I'd transport it laying down for a couple hours? that's the way they ride on trucks on the lake. I have a topper on my truck that I don't want to have to take off to try and stand up a tank.

[Capt. Don*]

I know there are standards or codes from the aforementioned organizations, and are there for the purpose of safety. However, the fuel is still contained in the cylinder whether its on it side or upright, I don't profess to know any more than I and many others I know have regularly transported 100# cylinders in boats and trucks on there sides for many hours, even days, with no issues at all. Some have made cradles, other have not. While there are specific regs pertaining to commercial vessels and vehicles, I don't think the propane cops are going to be on the lookout for you. Make a resonable effort to keep the cylinder stationary and by all means have the cover screwed over the valve, and lastly, drive safely.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Its also on the sticker that may or may not be attached to the tank.

I have a topper on my truck that I don't want to have to take off to try and stand up a tank.

Since you have a topper you can no longer transport any tank larger than #45 pounds or a combination of tanks not to exceed #90. The topper makes your vehicle a "closed" vehicle.

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Just take the topper off.

[Scupper]

what happens if I'd transport it laying down for a couple hours? that's the way they ride on trucks on the lake.

And that is one heck of a bumpy ride. I have always been amazed at how the Ice Men handle them vessels. I think the engineers who designed the LP vessels had these fellah's in mind when designing these cylinders.

This past fall when we were putting the boat away at our rented storage unit on highway 47 just south of Malmo we heard a horrible noise coming our way. We are approximately 100 yards off the highway and the noise was getting closer and closer and then there it was. A pick up truck was towing a camper that was about 18 to 20 feet in length. The 30lb propane tank for the camper had worked it's way loose from it's bracket and was banging up and down and back and fourth off of the pavement only to be held by it's supply line.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing as it would bounce off the roadway and into the frame of the trailer. Sparks were flying and the noise was tremendous. We started to yell and wave at the guy. He did look our way but continued on northward as if nothing was wrong. My son wanted to run him down and let him know but I quickly accessed that this guy lay somewhere between stupid people and apes (no offense to apes)and this thing could go up at anytime, which as far as we know, it didn't.

I am not encouraging you to haul your bottle in the back of your rig, just sharing this story...

Good Luck...

[boatfixer]

The reason for transporting upright has little to do with the ability to secure the tank, a good arguement can be made that one could secure it adequetly in a horizontal position. The main reason is if there happens to be an accidental release of gas, whether from the relief valve or the main valve itself, in the upright postion, it will be VAPOR only. If it is layed down, LIQUID propane could be released. Quite literally, a release of liquid versus vapor would be 270 times the danger, as that is the expansion ratio of liquid propane when it is exposed to normal atmospheric pressure.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Also with the tank on its side it leaves the valve vulnerable. People get rear ended and side swiped why have the tank laying down on its side waiting for an impact? Accidents happen and god forbid it should happen to anyone but why not transport the tank the way it supposed to be and then you at least know you are doing everything possible to ensure a safe transport of the tank?