Date:         Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:19:22 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Re: 87 syncro westfakia conversion PROPANE questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Hi,

This will probably draw all kinds of alarmist replies..
I don't "suggest" you do this, but what I've done with my 84 conversion is
to put a regular small tank right inside the van in the cabinet under the
sink.  I put a couple of vent holes through the floor in case it should leak
and I turn it off when not in use.
  Now everyone can chime in and tell you what a dangerous bomb I am driving
around in, and how it's totally against the safety regulations, and all
kinds of bad stuff can happen...and they may be right, but I don't really
give a crap.
 I've traveled for years in Mexico and lived around propane appliances all
my life and I have yet to see someone's vehicle blow up from a leaking tank
If mine should be the first, I probably won't see that, either...I have seen
the under vehicle tanks ripped right off.  I have seen people go without
propane for weeks because they don't want to take the trouble to move their
rig to the propane filling station for a re-fill and lose their nice
campsite or whatever.
  I find it convenient to have a spare full tank and just change out before
I head out on a trip.  Mine lasts about 3 weeks cooking coffee and dinner
and running the fridge on propane.  When traveling, if I need a refill, I
can remove the tank and take it to town, or send it out with friends for a
fill..
  So now everyone, chime in and tell us how you 'could' blow up and die with
propane inside a vehicle..right...but a defunct Sputnik could fall out of
the sky and squash your Van, too.
"I refuse to tiptoe carefully  through life, only to arrive safely at
death".....anon.
  Don Hanson

I am just finishing up my Westphalia conversion on my
 87 syncro pass van. I do not have the under van
original propane tank. I do take this van off road a
bit and am thinking that I might want to explore other
options for the tank besides under the van. I doubt I
would ever use the fridge for more than a few hours on
propane - I will use the stove a bit more.

I would like to use portable/disposable cylinders for
short trips and a bbq tank that I could hook up and
use for the longer  times. For the longer trips I put
the bbq tank in small trailer (being built with a
fiberglass top from a 70's westy.

Anyone done something like this ?

Thanks
Bob