Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:58:18 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Martin <campahvan@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Any interest in a larger Westy LP Gas tank, Cheap?
In-Reply-To: <03b001c8a4f3$8f652d80$0b0ba8c0@RON>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
My 2WD '85 Westy with stock tires/wheels has more than enough ground
clearance for type of camping I do in the Northwest so loosing 2-1/2 inches
on one side wouldn't be an huge issue for me. I do drive off the pavement
occasionally but I intentional try to avoid any real off-roading. I'd
rather park the camper, light the fridge and go hiking into the rough
terrain.
Having a larger capacity propane tank would make me consider adding a quiet
and more efficient propane heater even though I have the BA6 gasoline heater
(great heat but a bit noisy, drains battery with extended engine off use and
no thermostat).
Are these tanks ASME certified? If these tanks are the thick walled ASME
certified type (like the stock Westy propane tank) they are built strong
enough to take some minor "abuse" like a few rocks thrown up from a gravel
road (or accidently over driving the ramp of firewood I built to try to
level the van, Doh!). Of course the guard plate would take the brunt of an
impact from below.
If shipping to the west coast was reasonable, I'd sure consider buying one.
I've been watching CL and The Samba for a used 2nd tank but at that price
and the added volume....no brainer.
Andrew
Suquamish WA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
The Bus Depot
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 8:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Any interest in a larger Westy LP Gas tank, Cheap?
I'm on the fence on whether to carry this or not, so I thought I'd throw it
out to the list and let your collective wisdom guide me.
I've been offered a one-time closeout deal on a propane tank from the OEM
supplier to Westfalia, which holds 2-1/2 times as much propane as the stock
Westy tank. This same tank was actually used by Westfalia on a non-VW
camper that they sell in Europe.
The price would be around $160, with the valve. To put this in perspective,
we sell the stock Westy replacement tank for $300 - almost twice that price.
This larger tank retails for close to $500 (and wholesales for close to
$300). So it's clearly a good deal.
However, it's only useful to you if you can fit it on a Westy, and that's
where I need your feedback. Today I held it up against my '87 and came away
with these thoughts...
First of all, it is larger in diameter so it would reduce ground clearance
by about 2-1/2 inches. That's not an insignificant amount, and you sure
don't want your propane tank bottoming out. Frankly, that is the potential
deal breaker in my opinion. On the other hand, Eurovan Campers have less
ground clearance than Vanagons and people use them all the time, so perhaps
some people wouldn't view this as a major drawback.
Secondly, due to it's longer length, it would be a tight squeeze to put it
where the stock tank is. The sink and water tank drains are there, and while
it looks like it could be done it would be inconvenient. Especially because
you'd have to drill new holes to mount it, and the sink/stove cabinet is in
the way. The more logical location would be on the opposite side, under the
sliding door, where there is plenty of room. There, it could either replace
the stock tank, or with our Extend-A-Stay kit (on closeout for $39) both
tanks could be used. The latter seems like the best solution to me, as by
buying the kit you'd also get the extra hoses and fittings you needed.
The tank attaches via two removable brackets (one on each end), each of
which bolts to the floor with 2 bolts. You install the brackets first, then
slide the tank between them and bolt it in place. It seems to me that in the
interest of spreading weight distribution, the best mounting method would be
to fabricate a small steel plate and place it on the floor under the carpet,
then drill the holes through that plate and the floor. The plate would
distribute the weight more evenly across the floor area, rather than all of
the weight being at the 4 bolt points. Also the tank mounting brackets
would need to be drilled for an additional hole on each side for the most
flush possible mounting. (Using the existing holes it would hang down more
like 3" extra, rather than 2-1/2".)
So... The question is, is this tank useful for a Vanagon Westy, in your
opinion, or is it just too big? Would you buy one for $160? Comments?
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
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Toll-Free for Orders by PART # : 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
