Need ideas on moving a 250 gallon propane tank.

[Farmagain]

I grew up in the propane business. I have no idea what the laws are now but when I was young our first tank hauling truck was a 3/4 ton Chevy pickup. We moved to a 1 ton truck. We would deliver a new 250 tank with 200 gallons in it, install it and heaters from that 3500 truck. Most companies I see today use a specially designed trailer to haul tanks. If you decide to handle the tank yourself be sure to secure the lid with a lock or pin in case you drop it the lid will protect the valve. The tanks are amazingly strong. Also keep it at least close to the upright position in case the relief valve needed to open (it opens at 250 psi). It would relieve vapor and close again but if it is upside down it would relieve liquid which would be dangerous in several ways. Consider this. In most states a gas company will not come out to deliver gas to that tank after it is moved until they have checked out the system it is hooked up to, due to liability issues. So if you have to pay someone to pressure test your plumbing, you might hire them to move it. They would charge less if they are getting a new customer than if they were just doing the moving. Good luck.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Aww ,just bungie cord it down in the truck it will be fine the last one we moved that way did have a little problem !

 

[sixdogs]

Probably the wrong time to post this clip of a propane "event" in a truck at McDonalds. Maybe if you go just don't stop at any McDonalds on the way?


Propane tank leak causes car explosion in McDonald's drive-thru (VIDEO) - YouTube

Propane tank leak causes car explosion in McDonald's drive-thru (VIDEO) - NY Daily News


Seriously, have the company empty it and I think you're OK. Then it's an empty tank?

 

[kristinalva]

The best way precaution wise is to take the services of the propane company. They have the vehicle facility to help in this regard. This will be safest for you, as propane tanks are unsafe to carry on the independent basis unless you have the proper facility as it is prone to catch fire.

 

[Deere Dude]

Thats what I did --but I didn't move it 3 hours away either....just chained it down to the trailer and took it. Not sure about the legalities.

I bought a near empty 500 gallon tank 2 hours away. I trailered my JD 3720 with forks to the location, scooped it up and put on the trailer. Strapped it down good, drove the tractor back on and off I went. They are slippery little rascals to lift so they need to be strapped to the tractor unless you can lift them by the handles.

Then like another commenter said, throw a tarp over it and stay away from other traffic if possible. I didn't, but that may be a good idea.

 

[4570Man]

Do you think the Kubota can lift 900 pounds?

I'd guess it will. It's rated to lift 1,100 to full height at the pin or 850 to full height at 24". How it's hooked will make a big difference.

 

[sixdogs]

I started reading this thread thinking that it would be OK to move the tank with propane in it. After reading the comments and asking around, I would have the tank emptied. From a liability perspective, lots could go wrong that an average person would have no experience or knowledge dealing with. A good risk to take is one where you put up a little bit of money in hopes of a large payout. A bad risk is one where you save a little bit but assume the risk of a large loss. I would hire it out.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Is a tank that has been emptied safe? I kind of doubt it. If some event could cause the partially full tank to explode, I'm guessing the empty one would explode nicely as well, just not a big fireball. That would just be my guess.

I transported 1200 liters of fuel oil in my truck last year. I just tarped it and used plywood to disguise the shape of the tank. Out of sight, out of mind.

I have a young friend that had a filled forklift tank in the back of his truck. He took off from a light, it rolled out the back, down a hill and into the lot of a (Very Small) Ford Dealership, lodging under the rear of a brand new truck.

He exchanged salutations with the young guys there, that he knew, grabbed the tank and drove away. Evidently, they are made for stuff like that.

One important thing worth noting. By posting the question in a public forum, you would likely not be able to pretend total ignorance if something terrible did happen.

 

[hslogger]

Some of the posts are amusing. To drive a propane truck, one needs a CDL with hazmat and tanker endorsements. If you choose to do this move as an outlaw move, it really isn't good idea from all of the prospectives you can think of. Please do contact your local providers and discuss your legal, safety,and liability concerns.Hopefully there will be a solution you can live with and minimizes all risk.

 

[joefromga]

Is it legal to bring propane from the home Depot refill to my Bbq grill? What about 5 of them for a cookout fundraiser? What about ten? Why is the limit more dangerous than just under the limit? What if I get in a wreck and some babies are blown up?

What about the liquid fuel in my gas tank? What if that blows up? If I have 2 gas tanks do the lawyers sue me twice?

What if the lighter fluid butane refill falls on the floor and then I get in a wreck because my trailer wasn't dot approved and that all blows up?


What if I have a heart attack on the way home and drive through a house killing only the innocent children inside and then it blows up?

What if some kids put a bunch of rubber bands on a watermelon and that blows up? Can I sue the watermelon farmer? How about the rubber band farmer?

How many lawyers win suits by reading literally tens of thousands of of posts on TBN?

If his lithium battery catches on fire reading posts can he sue me for that too?