Where to fill up propane tanks when picking up new Escape?

[gbaglo]

With the dual tanks and automatic switch-over, you have a gauge already.
When a tank is empty, the gauge shows red and the feed comes from the full tank. You then turn the lever to the full tank and you can remove the empty one and take to be filled.
In first pic, the gauge is at the top and has a clear plastic cap. This one is green all the way. When it is half red, half green you have an empty tank.
In the second pic is a gauge that my buddy picked up at Costco and gave me one. We both felt that it obstructed the flow of gas to our BBQs and we both discarded them.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I think Escape's base pricing includes the propane tanks, but not the propane.

On our build sheet: 2 filled propane tanks, 60 bucks (Canadian)

So, yeah, it might cost more to get them to do it, but it's done and one less thing for us to worry about when we want to start using it. (Or remember to fill!)

They're included in the Starter Kit, which we did not opt for as we didn't need everything in the Kit.

[ReagentGrade]

Glen, The first method tells you when you've emptied the tank. It's accurate, but too late in my view. The second method is actually a pressure gauge. Since propane is stored as a liquid, the pressure remains pretty much the same until it's almost gone. I have one the the latter on each of my tanks. I hate them!

Then I got tanks with built in float gauges. Now I know how much propane really I have.

[gbaglo]

My point is that if you have one empty tank and one full, you get the empty one filled. Why would you need to watch the gauge on the empty tank as it empties? You don't need to do anything, until it is empty. Then, you fill it.
You still have 20 lbs. of propane in reserve.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

With the dual tanks and automatic switch-over, you have a gauge already.
When a tank is empty, the gauge shows red and the feed comes from the full tank. You then turn the lever to the full tank and you can remove the empty one and take to be filled.

Originally Posted by ReagentGrade

Glen, The first method tells you when you've emptied the tank. It's accurate, but too late in my view.

I agree - an indication that you ran out is not a level gauge, it's an empty alarm. That's good enough for many people, but it's not a level gauge. It's also not accurate at very low temperature, because the pressure in both tanks (full and near-empty) can drop to the point that this mechanism - which is driven by pressure difference - can't switch.

At least three of us agree that the inline pressure gauge is worthless as a level indicator.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

With the dual tanks and automatic switch-over, you have a gauge already.
When a tank is empty, the gauge shows red and the feed comes from the full tank. You then turn the lever to the full tank and you can remove the empty one and take to be filled.
In first pic, the gauge is at the top and has a clear plastic cap. This one is green all the way. When it is half red, half green you have an empty tank.
In the second pic is a gauge that my buddy picked up at Costco and gave me one. We both felt that it obstructed the flow of gas to our BBQs and we both discarded them.

Glenn, You and cpaharley should both be hand models. Magnificent hands!

[gbaglo]

I once managed to empty both tanks. No matter what gauge you use, you have to check it from time to time.

[float5]

We had Escape fill one tank. We were told that the other tank had also been purged even though we did not have them fill it.

We checked our tongue weight with the one tank filled to see whether we wanted the other one filled. By the tongue weight, we knew we could fill the other tank with no problem and then had it filled elsewhere. (We have a Sherline.) In fact, we could use more tongue weight. Some owners may have a tongue weight problem with both tanks filled.

[ReagentGrade]

I've been in several situations where I was camping in very cold weather. I was concerned about the tank switchover. I was even newer than I'm now and want sure it would switch over. This could have been the conditions Brian says might prevent switchover. In any case, I switched over manually. I then had two partial tanks in cold weather and no real idea of how much was in each. I was not a happy camper!

Then I found out about the tanks with float gauges and the auto switchover, now I'm much more confident. I willing to let one tank run out because I KNOW the other is full.

Yes, I'm using a technology solution where a procedural solution would do, but the cost of the technology (float gauge tanks) is small. The benefit is large (not worrying about running out of propane).

[gbaglo]

If you do run out of propane on both tanks, I can almost guarantee that it will happen in the chill of the evening, after you've spent a sunny afternoon drinking a few wobbly pops. Even if you were willing to drive, it'll be 45 minutes to town.

[AK snowbiker]

How about one of these? Fill level indicator Truma LevelCheck

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

[C&G in FL]

I recently purchased tow tanks with float gauges, but only because the two tanks I alternate with the "home" grill had been recertified 4 or 5 years ago and were only getting older. So the gauged tanks went into the Escape, and the tanks which came with the Escape were relegated to fueling the grill on the back deck.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Old Skool

How about one of these? Fill level indicator Truma LevelCheck

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

That looks good. There is also a Dometic version that is only $32.

[Brian B-P]

And here's another: MOSCAP GasCheck

[Donna D.]

This kind of thread makes my hair start on fire. Ten Forward is now a Toddler... almost 26 months old. I still have both ETI propane tanks with enough propane to cook a steak dinner (inside!)

Stop worrying about the "stuff." If after your orientation and initial campout to check the systems.... GO, just go. Propane is available lots of places. You just spent $$$ on your custom ETI build. At this point saving (x) on propane because you buy from one place vs another going to change your pleasure? REALLY?


Propane usage isn't a big deal for ME. I'm a typical NW camper. Always hooked up and I KNOW where I can get propane if needed. $40 to fill a tank or $10 to fill the same tank is minor compared to sitting at home on the couch. Make MEMORIES!


YMMV

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by float5

There is also a Dometic version that is only $32.

... on Amazon.com, from a vendor who doesn't ship to Canada.

[Old Fulica]

Originally Posted by Bobbito

I totally agree with getting ETI to fill your tanks on pickup. If, however, you are passing through the Sumas area at a later date and need a refill or to top up the tanks, the Costco just before the Sumas border crossing offers an unbelievable deal on propane. The 20 lb tanks cost $10 to fill, vs $25-27 elsewhere in the Fraser Valley. They also charge only for the amount added, not a full tank price regardless. (Petro-Canada bills for a full tank). The propane filling station is at the large red awning near the auto service centre. This Costco is the only one in the Vancouver area offering propane.

Bob K


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ohh!! Good to know that. Thanks.

[Brian B-P]

Then there's Jim's (cpaharley2008) solution: replace the trailer before the propane runs out!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

This kind of thread makes my hair start on fire. Ten Forward is now a Toddler... almost 26 months old. I still have both ETI propane tanks with enough propane to cook a steak dinner (inside!)

Stop worrying about the "stuff." If after your orientation and initial campout to check the systems.... GO, just go. Propane is available lots of places. You just spent $$$ on your custom ETI build. At this point saving (x) on propane because you buy from one place vs another going to change your pleasure? REALLY?

Hi: Donna D... My thoughts exactly. "Don't sweat the small stuff" and it's all small stuff. If you really want to know the propane levels buy the see through fiberglass tanks. http://www.summitoutdoorsgear.com They are really spendy though!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[gbaglo]

If it relieves stress and you can afford more stuff, go for it.
Of course, that hand held device would only increase my stress as I search the trailer, trying to figure out where I put it. Probably with the remote control.