Propane tank cover

[bobwirtz]

Hey guys,
The propane tank cover for our 2021 19 is just a bit too deep; it rubs against the storage compartment. I used heat to modify the cover and now it is still too deep and also sports a lot of white duct tape that covers the holes I created.
We are headed out this spring on an extended trip and I would like to find a replacement tank cover. Most of the hard shell ones I see are at least as deep as mine, and the one I see that is shallower does not have a lid giving access to the valves.
The soft tank covers are shallower, but I see some online discussion discouraging soft covers on the grounds that they don't provide the same protection from road debris as the hard shells.
Has anybody found a shallower hard shell that still provides easy access to the valves? Failing that, what do people think about the soft covers?
Thanks in advance.

 

[SRS]

I moved the tank mount toward the coupler an inch or two. That does require removing the tanks and drilling new holes for the 4 screws that fasten the tank mount to the frame, but it was pretty simple. I put some silicone in the old holes to seal them. I have an electric tongue jack as well and no issues getting the extra room.
Food for thought

 

[Ron in BC]

Hey guys,
The propane tank cover for our 2021 19 is just a bit too deep; it rubs against the storage compartment.

Do you have an ETI front storage box? If so, does it appear to tilt forward?

I never liked the tilt forward look and mounted my own. A couple of wedges and it stands up straighter and gives more room. In my case, enough room to put an extra storage tube behind it.

Ron

 

[7Gentex]

I had the same issue as the OP which was made even worse when I spun the electric jack 90 degrees for pickup tailgate clearance as it then interfered with the jack head as well. Went to a soft cover and no problems so far (2 years). I don't expect it will last more than around 3 or 4 years though...........but "cheap".

 

[7Gentex]

Well, cursed by my answer above...........

Went out yesterday and unzipped the cover - it tore along the zipper.

But, for $7.................and 2 years in the sun, not bad. So I bought 2 more.

Amazon.com

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

our tent trailer 20 or so years ago had dual 30lb propane tanks with a soft cover, i didn't like that cover much at all. considering that a tent trailer has effectively ZERO insulation, dual 30lb propane tanks was useful for keeping it warm in cold weather on extended camp trips.

 

[hugh]

Out of curiosity, is a cover just for aesthetics? Can you get by without one?

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

propane tank covers keep the tanks from rusting when exposued to wet weather, and keep the hoses from rotting when exposed to sunshine

 

[Ron in BC]

That plus who wants to leave the regulator exposed to rain and road grit.

Depends on your usage, I wouldn't go without one but I do see some folks without them.

Ron

 

[hugh]

Ok, so no "road debris will hit your tank and cause it to explode!" concerns. That's good.

In that case, it does seem like a cover may be more trouble than it's worth. I could cover the regulators separately, and am not worried about UV / rust. My uncovered BBQ grill tanks haven't rusted any more/less than the covered ones on my Escape, and steel braided hoses don't care about UV exposure.

Hugh

 

[Donna D.]

In that case, it does seem like a cover may be more trouble than it's worth.

Hugh

Keep an eye on the tank tray and the fasteners. They have a serious tendency to rust and quickly.

 

[hugh]

Keep an eye on the tank tray and the fasteners. They have a serious tendency to rust and quickly.

That sounds like good advice. Mine's only 2-1/2 years old, and is quite rusty already.

 

[lostskier]

I destroyed my white solid cover trying to make it fit after changing to a bulldog hitch that ended up moving everything back and then the cover wouldn't fit. I'd previously heated to make it fit so out came the saw and I cut a few areas away. Still didn't like how it fit and it looked Hillbillyish, lol. So I bought a soft cover and so far so good. Pretty easy to take off and put on compared to the hard sided.

 

[huskersteffy]

I had some clear plastic office chair mat laying around and cut two round pieces to fit under the propane tanks. It keeps the bottom of the tanks from coming into direct contact with the metal tray and rusting or wearing off the paint. I also use the chair mat material under the sink and in the other lower storage compartments for spills, stains and general wear/tear. Kinda like shelf paper but more durable.

Attached bungee cord through a hole at the bottom of the propane tank cover to keep it from flying off while heading down the road. Also added two zip ties "hinges" to the tank cover top access port as extra insurance to keep it from flying off.

The propane regulator is hanging in there but had to replace the hoses about 3 years ago.