Back to this old thread again... has anyone tried purchasing a tank recently. I still have my rented tank in the ground, but I don't want to continue with the company I have for another year. I finally found one company that has a tank to sell at about $5K installed. The current company would sell me their tank (15 years old) for about $2700.00. Used to be, not too long ago, that I heard of companies selling their rented tanks that old for under $1K. I'm thinking I'd rather buy a new one at extra cost that and old one for that price. Thoughts??
Propane Tank, rent or buy 500gal
- Thread starter gmason
- Start date
- Views: 72967
jyoutz
Super Star Member
That seems really expensive. I sold my 20+ year old 500 gallon tank to the propane company last year for $800. They were going to install a new valve and paint it, then resell and install it for $1500.
deserteagle71
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2017
- Messages
- 2,693
- Location
- northern Nevada
- Tractor
- John Deere 2020 diesel, Kubota M7060HDC12
???What size tank? New tanks around here sell for around $1500 for a 320 gallon. $5000, even installed, is ridiculous.
bumperm
Veteran Member
Hi coaster,
If that rental is and in-ground tank, as you wrote, they sure's heck don't want to come and pull it. I'd say you have them over a barrel of sorts and you're holding the cards. Around here, they won't put a rental in-ground, if you want one in the ground you have to buy it. (Mine is a 1,000 gal underground that cost me $5K installed about 8 years ago). So, I'd call their bluff. Tell them you'll give them $1000 for it or they can come take it out.
Having said that, you'd need to line-up at least a temporary tank first. Right now, at least in western Nevada, tanks are scare due to shipping and apparently most are being sourced in Mexico. I'd expect a a refurbished 1000 above ground to cost about $1,500, not sure of other size current pricing but tanks have been scarce.
If that rental is and in-ground tank, as you wrote, they sure's heck don't want to come and pull it. I'd say you have them over a barrel of sorts and you're holding the cards. Around here, they won't put a rental in-ground, if you want one in the ground you have to buy it. (Mine is a 1,000 gal underground that cost me $5K installed about 8 years ago). So, I'd call their bluff. Tell them you'll give them $1000 for it or they can come take it out.
Having said that, you'd need to line-up at least a temporary tank first. Right now, at least in western Nevada, tanks are scare due to shipping and apparently most are being sourced in Mexico. I'd expect a a refurbished 1000 above ground to cost about $1,500, not sure of other size current pricing but tanks have been scarce.
It's a 500 gallon tank. I'm in VA. Seems that places out west always report cheaper prices for tanks and installation. Here in VA, it's been hard to even track a 500 gallon tank down.
I don't think they REALLY want to come and dig up their tank, but with tanks being scarce (as you say), maybe that's changed in the last couple years. I think once when I was talking to them, they wanted to charge me a fee to come out and dig up THEIR tank and haul it off. How crazy is that?
bumperm
Veteran Member
Yeah, that's nuts. Like I said, try to line up a tank (even a rental), then call their bluff. Offer them $1K to buy it or tell them they can pull it and you expect the ground to look perfect when they're done (no holes).
Depending on how much gas you use, I suggest a big enough tank to take you through the year. That way you can buy once when it's cheapest (usually in late summer/early fall around here - though that was before all this government caused insanity, so I don't know what's going to happen going forward - November may help.
Last edited:
5030
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 28,967
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
Good luck with buying a new one. Only 2 tank (bottle) manufacturers in existence, Manchester and Chemtrol and neither will sell an individual a bottle that I know of.
I own both of mine (above ground) and both started life as nurse tanks for AN. I bought them both at public auction.
I own both of mine (above ground) and both started life as nurse tanks for AN. I bought them both at public auction.
So I do have the one tank lined up, but it is costly. I'll go that route though, before paying $2700 for the used tank. We use around 300 gallons a year - sometimes a bit more. As far as the possible damage to my yard (and anything else), I understand that companies want to include a "Removal Damage Waiver" that exempts them from any damage to your yard, the gas line, etc. Again, that doesn't make sense for a tank that they own and they paid to have put in. I wonder what would happen if I refused to sign something like that and just put a tank above ground and left theirs there - LOL. I supposed I'd just have their tank sitting there underground doing nothing.
ultrarunner
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 28,913
- Tractor
- Cat D3, Deere 110 TLB, Kubota BX23 and L3800 and RTV900 with restored 1948 Deere M, 1949 Farmall Cub, 1953 Ford Jubliee and 1957 Ford 740 Row Crop, Craftsman Mower, Deere 350C Dozer 50 assorted vehicles from 1905 to 2006
Paid $250 for the 500 gallon...
At the time contract signed in 1964 it had a purchase price.
30 years later and several gas owner changes they had to honor it after saying they don't sell tanks but we had it in writing...
At the time contract signed in 1964 it had a purchase price.
30 years later and several gas owner changes they had to honor it after saying they don't sell tanks but we had it in writing...
Most places do say that they have no tanks for sale. Some say they have them, but they are holding on to them for customers that want to rent. The one company I have found offers their tank for sale at about $3700 - $5100 installed. It just happens to be a tough time to be contemplating this whole ordeal.
gasman1075
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2021
- Messages
- 99
- Tractor
- JD 2032R
Steel is high right now and the tanks are more expensive currently that they have been in the last 6 - 8 years ( here in NE ) a used UG should be inspected visually before sale and it needs to have been cathodically protected while under ground. I wouldn't pay $2700 for a 15 year old UG tank unless it came with a 15 year warranty. Or unless it had been protected and I inspected it.
So in my situation, it's underground. I'd have to go with a 15 year warranty. I doubt they'd do that IF I wanted to buy their tank for that price. I do not, so it's moot. I foresee it coming down to going with another company to buy a tank and get their tank out. I might consider buying it for $1200 maybe with demand being what it is.
jyoutz
Super Star Member
I spent $8800 last year to run natural gas 1500’ to my house, convert the furnace, and install a new tankless water heater. I sold the propane tank for $800. My gas bills are now 1/3 what I used to pay for propane. I know the payback will take years, but I do enjoy the ability to heat cheaply and reduce my monthly cash flow. I even ran a NG line and converted my gas grill to NG.
bumperm
Veteran Member
Again, I think you have the ball on this one. IF they abandon the tank, it doesn't remain their property . . . it becomes yours. I wouldn't offer them a dime more than what you offered already. I'd play hardball and call their bluff. It doesn't seem it would make economic sense for them to pull the tank. That said, if you "buy it" I'm thinking they sure as heck are not going to offer you a 15 year warranty on a used underground tank!
Diggin It
Super Star Member
I paid around $700 for my 500G surface tank in '98. No idea what they would want for them now.
Neighbor was told last year their 500G buried tank was leaking and had to be replaced. They were told their were no 500's available and ended up with a 320G (or so) surface tank. Don't know what they paid for it. The old 500 was abandoned underground. I'm not sure it really was leaking or just some fitting somewhere and the company yanked their chain.
Neighbor was told last year their 500G buried tank was leaking and had to be replaced. They were told their were no 500's available and ended up with a 320G (or so) surface tank. Don't know what they paid for it. The old 500 was abandoned underground. I'm not sure it really was leaking or just some fitting somewhere and the company yanked their chain.
Loved it when I had NG in the past. Don't even have the option where I am now. 8K seems like quite a chunk to throw down in one shot, but if you're gonna be there a while I guess that works.
bumperm
Veteran Member
My, then two year old, 1000 gal underground tank had a leak. Company that installed it couldn't find the leak, so I purchased an electronic leak detector (not all that expensive). I found the leak was at the bottom of the combi-valve (the combination valve that comes up near the surface etc.). Company said I'd have to excavate around the tank valve at my expense. I figured that was BS, so plasma cut some steel plate and welded up a large crowfoot wrench with T-handle to fit the valve. They came out and two of us unscrewed the valve with my wrench - it was on very tight. All we had to do, besides dumping the small amount of propane in the tank, was re-thread the valve on there with more pipe dope and teflon tape. Problem solved.
seville009
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2007
- Messages
- 2,093
about 15 years ago I remodeled my basement and got rid of my hot water tank and put in a tankless water heater (both on propane). That tankless water heater cost about $2,000, and I think paid for itself within two years due to the savings. Plus nice long hot showers. I always advise people to switch when asked. They are great.
bumperm
Veteran Member
Not meaning to be argumentative, but that seems a very short payback time, even considering recent energy cost increases. A quick search . . . "According to a study by Consumer Reports, the payback period for tankless water heaters can range from 12 years to 27.5 years, with electric models on the lower end of the spectrum and gas models on the upper end.Feb 21, 2022"
Here are some similar links:
