Anyone know a source for the large LP Gas tank

david j. forjan

New member
Aug 14, 2016
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Hi Jon, sorry about missing your note. My email address has changed and I didn't see your note until now. Golly I'm sorry.

The new tank came in last week and my RV dealer will be installing this new tank this week. They ordered a new tank from Manchester (thru their
supplier), Manchester part number 6819. That tank, 6819, is the exact same size and dimensions as the original tank. Manchester doesn't make the
original GMC motorhome tank anymore. But this new one is exactly the same except for the way it mounts. The mounts are on top. We won't be using
those mounts, the RV dealer guys will fabricate a different way to mount it in, ultimately using straps to hold it in place. I will be reviewing
their design on Wednesday.

Manchester needed 6 weeks to manufacture that tank, but, now I have a full-size LP gas tank, 19.3 gallons minus 20% for fill maximum which equals
15.44 gallons of LP gas on board. The price is cost effective even though it's custom built. I was quoted $750 as my dealer cost. That equals
$48.57 per gallon of LP on board. Compared to Applied GMC's offering, which is 11.2 gallons minus 20% which equals 8.96 gallons on board, at a price
of $500, which equates to $55.80 per gallon on board. I will pay for installation, how much I don't know yet, but other GMC owners might be able to
do the installation themselves. I don't have the tools nor do I want to buy another set of tools (all of mine are at my home back east).

It's VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that if anyone orders this tank, 6819, you must specify if you want the sending unit included (for connecting to the gauge
inside the RV to show current amount of LP on board). The 6819 does not come with the sending unit included. I will have a price breakdown late this
week.

Sorry for the delay in updating this topic, but I wasn't gonna believe that I'm getting that tank until it actually arrived (not to mention that my RV
dealer never calls me. With them, if I'm not in their face, they forget about me. Out of sight, out of mind. And I'm not an in-your-face person
anymore)

Will provide all the pricing details and installation details late this week.

Hope all of you who read this are well.
david Forjan

--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
> Hi Jon, sorry about missing your note. My email address has changed and I didn't see your note until now. Golly I'm sorry.
>
> The new tank came in last week and my RV dealer will be installing this new tank this week. They ordered a new tank from Manchester (thru their
> supplier), Manchester part number 6819. That tank, 6819, is the exact same size and dimensions as the original tank. Manchester doesn't make the
> original GMC motorhome tank anymore. But this new one is exactly the same except for the way it mounts. The mounts are on top. We won't be using
> those mounts, the RV dealer guys will fabricate a different way to mount it in, ultimately using straps to hold it in place. I will be reviewing
> their design on Wednesday.
>
> Manchester needed 6 weeks to manufacture that tank, but, now I have a full-size LP gas tank, 19.3 gallons minus 20% for fill maximum which equals
> 15.44 gallons of LP gas on board. The price is cost effective even though it's custom built. I was quoted $750 as my dealer cost. That equals
> $48.57 per gallon of LP on board. Compared to Applied GMC's offering, which is 11.2 gallons minus 20% which equals 8.96 gallons on board, at a
> price of $500, which equates to $55.80 per gallon on board. I will pay for installation, how much I don't know yet, but other GMC owners might be
> able to do the installation themselves. I don't have the tools nor do I want to buy another set of tools (all of mine are at my home back east).
>
> It's VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that if anyone orders this tank, 6819, you must specify if you want the sending unit included (for connecting to the
> gauge inside the RV to show current amount of LP on board). The 6819 does not come with the sending unit included. I will have a price breakdown
> late this week.
>
> Sorry for the delay in updating this topic, but I wasn't gonna believe that I'm getting that tank until it actually arrived (not to mention that
> my RV dealer never calls me. With them, if I'm not in their face, they forget about me. Out of sight, out of mind. And I'm not an in-your-face
> person anymore)
>
> Will provide all the pricing details and installation details late this week.
>
> Hope all of you who read this are well.
> david Forjan
Clearly they gen up a tank when they get an order. There really is no good excuse why they can't weld the brackets to the bottom instead of the top if
they only make them when they get an order. Sad that you have to jump through hoops to bastardize the installation because of their inept business
model.
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
You are absolutely correct. I'll bet they even still have the blueprints for the GMC motorhome version. Their business model also ignores the
thousands of OLD GMC motorhome tanks still in use, yet to be replaced. Very sad, like you said.
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
Just a note to anyone listening that I did not see the design yet that the RV service center has for installing my new LP gas tank. I have been
delayed again. Amazing how many times I get bumped, at all sorts of service centers, by walk-ins, when I'm the one who has an appointment.

Will post an update when the service center gets around to doing their job.

Be well.
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
I look forward to seeing the results, inevitably these tanks will fail as they get older, I want to replace mine with a tank as close to the original
as possible. Please post some pictures of the tank and installation when they get finished. For all of the supposed business focus on the customer it
is very hard to get good customer service these days. I make it a point to provide excellent response to my customer's needs and to refrain from
patronizing businesses that don't do the same. I wonder how many tanks would have to be purchased at one time to get them to build them with the
mounts on the bottom and if a group buy could make that happen? I am a firm believer in preventative not reactive maintenance.
--
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
Electromotive Tec2 FI & ignition

Navarre, FL
 
Will do JD
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
I suspect what they're making for you is the same as was on my Itasca SOB. Identical to the GMC tank, except it had top mounts and was suspended from
some frame pieces under the chassis. Likely a much more produced version, there are a LOT of RVs out there on P-30 and Ford chassis. Should I get
caught up in the same hassle, I think I'll ship them the bad tank with a a note, "Duplicate this for me please."

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
So is Manchester the only RV propane tank manufacturer for these United States and Canada?
--
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
 
Surely there's more. For me, I only pursued them because they made the original (on many GMCs), and they have the blueprints somewhere surely, and
the tank part of the 6819 tank is identical to ours. Coincidentally, my RV guy called and they've completed installation. I'll be picking it up
later. I'm psyched. But of primary importance, someone should be offering us GMC Motorhome enthusiasts a new 19 gallon replacement. Could be that
the quickest solution would be to convince Manchester to offer us the custom order of their almost identical 6819. Actually, the assembly starts out
the same. First the tubular body is welded. They start out identical. Then the tapped holes and brackets are done. Seems someone could give the
builder our design blueprints, instead of the 6819 prints, and he'd be doing the same work, just to our blueprints. They build to order.

I'm pondering how to convince Manchester to do so.
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
There is such a limited demand for the GMC tanks that it is unlikely that any manufacturer will make them as a stocked item.
I think it is very rare for a tank to go bad. How did yours fail? Did it rust through?
Maintenance such as wire brushing or sanding, priming and painting ones tank would prevent rusting.

I had an extra for sale and listed it on the GMCnet a couple of times but no one seemed to need one. I sold it on Craigs List a couple of years back for $100.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Surely there's more. For me, I only pursued them because they made the original (on many GMCs), and they have the blueprints somewhere surely, and
> the tank part of the 6819 tank is identical to ours. Coincidentally, my RV guy called and they've completed installation. I'll be picking it up
> later. I'm psyched. But of primary importance, someone should be offering us GMC Motorhome enthusiasts a new 19 gallon replacement. Could be that
> the quickest solution would be to convince Manchester to offer us the custom order of their almost identical 6819. Actually, the assembly starts out
> the same. First the tubular body is welded. They start out identical. Then the tapped holes and brackets are done. Seems someone could give the
> builder our design blueprints, instead of the 6819 prints, and he'd be doing the same work, just to our blueprints. They build to order.
>
> I'm pondering how to convince Manchester to do so.
> david
> --
> David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Hey Emory. No it did not rust, here was a leak on the welded seam on the tank, where the rounded-end tank pieces are welded to the cylindrical tube
of the main body of the tank. Has leaked since I got it. Took a while to find it, meaning other possibilities were trouble-shooted. We figured the
least probable cause would be the welds, and even then, it took a while to isolate it; mirror and flashlight in just the right positions and we saw a
mist coming out of that spot (on the backside right side of the tank). I also reached the life expectancy of these model tanks and it's 40 years,
and this year is my old tank's 40th anniversary.
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
Where did you get the information on the life expectancy at 40 years?

If they all fail at 40 year that means that most of the GMC motorhomes will need new tanks NOW!

Emery Stora

>
> Hey Emory. No it did not rust, here was a leak on the welded seam on the tank, where the rounded-end tank pieces are welded to the cylindrical tube
> of the main body of the tank. Has leaked since I got it. Took a while to find it, meaning other possibilities were trouble-shooted. We figured the
> least probable cause would be the welds, and even then, it took a while to isolate it; mirror and flashlight in just the right positions and we saw a
> mist coming out of that spot (on the backside right side of the tank). I also reached the life expectancy of these model tanks and it's 40 years,
> and this year is my old tank's 40th anniversary.
> david
> --
> David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I'll have to check my browser history, I don't remember. But - I saw that 40yr. life expectancy, and right then and there I decided on a new tank.
I'll check my browser history, it will take a while, cuz I'll have to peruse many "hits".
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
OK Everybody,
Relax....

What David found was a discussion of the DESIGN life expectancy of pressure vessels subject to heat and corrosion. This would be applicable to power
plants and things in a marine application.

As far as I know, nobody's propane tank is in that position. David's tank was probably defective at manufacture, it just took this look to show up.
When I was having trouble with my propane tank (a 73) a few years back, I took it to a tank man I have known for years to have him replace the service
valve. things in the shop got confused and the hydo-tested it. It came back fine (actually a ++ rating), but with the bad valve reinstalled.....

We laughed about it and I changed out the valve myself.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Matt,

I'll second your conclusion re David's LPG tank.

I've been "playing with" pressure vessels of all types from liquid oxygen
convertors in the USAF to the ~ 1/8" walled inconel steel Oxygen Purge
System filled with 6000 psi O2 that sat on top of the Project Apollo
Portable Life Support System.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Colie
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2017 10:56 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Anyone know a source for the large LP Gas tank

OK Everybody,
Relax....

What David found was a discussion of the DESIGN life expectancy of pressure
vessels subject to heat and corrosion. This would be applicable to power
plants and things in a marine application.

As far as I know, nobody's propane tank is in that position. David's tank
was probably defective at manufacture, it just took this look to show up.
When I was having trouble with my propane tank (a 73) a few years back, I
took it to a tank man I have known for years to have him replace the service
valve. things in the shop got confused and the hydo-tested it. It came
back fine (actually a ++ rating), but with the bad valve reinstalled.....

We laughed about it and I changed out the valve myself.

Matt
 
There is no legal retirement age for an ASME tank. I did some Internet searching and found sites where they said they had tanks from the 40s and 50s still in service.

I suppose it is determined by the maintenance of the tank. Periodic re painting and visual inspection should be a good practice. Unless a propane tank becomes corroded the steel and welds should last indefinitely.

A pressure vessel such as a boiler which is subject to higher temperatures and also expansion and contraction cycles encounter stress cracking which one would not expect with a propane storage tank. Those should likely be retired at 40 years.

In your case it wasn't the life of the tank causing failure. You said it was a bad weld from the manufacture of the tank.

I don't plan to replace my tank just because it's now 41 years old but I will examine it periodically.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> At this link is one reference I just found, still have not found my original link. But they seem like smart "Engineer's Place for News and
> Discussion":
> http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/40263/Calculating-the-Design-Life-Cycle-of-Pressure-Vessels
>
> I'll keep looking.
> david
> --
> David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Hi you guys. Thanks for all the comments. First let me say that I'll have photos and a price breakdown for my new 19.3 gallon LP gas tank posted
tonight at the latest.

Second, I did not say that the welds were bad from manufacture or defective at manufacture. Actually I would advise against assuming the problem was
a defect. Especially with the need to err on the side of caution if only cuz we're talking about highly combustible stuff, not to mention 40 years is
a lot of contracting/expanding and bouncing. Moreover, putting another 40 year-old LP gas 60lb. bomb-equivalent to replace mine seemed illogical to
me. Additionally, I want the motorhome to be the best condition I can, not just for my time using it, but also for whoever else drives this in the
next 40 years.

Third, it would behoove someone smarter than me to conclude what really is the expected life expectancy of these tanks, cuz 40 years is a long time.
That's a lot of contracting and expanding cuz there's lots of temperature changes in that time, and harsh climates - and alot alot alot of bouncing.
Lots of tanks don't bounce in their lifetime, meaning our tanks have that ADDED stress.. We should also keep in mind that all these pressure vessels
are built only for their purpose - meaning a 60lb. tank is not built as tough as a boiler. Just built to hold 60lb. of LP gas for however many
years.

But for me, I didn't need to fully understand the issue of life expectancy. I had to replace mine now and so that forced me to decide on used vs. new
right away. And like I said, given that choice, it's obvious to me to buy new. But - my desire was for the original 19.3 gallon size tank, not the
11.2 gallon tank that AppliedGMC sells. That's been my quest. And toward that end, I look forward to sharing the price breakdown and installation
photos tonight.
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
 
It is not a bomb, or anywhere near the equal of one. Millions upon millions
of propane tanks are in reliable service daily with no problems. The
regulators and hoses and brass and copper fittings, along with poor
installation procedures are responsible for most of the issues we see or
hear of when it comes to compressed flammable gasses. Regular maintenance
is the key, along with a good nose.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> Hi you guys. Thanks for all the comments. First let me say that I'll
> have photos and a price breakdown for my new 19.3 gallon LP gas tank posted
> tonight at the latest.
>
> Second, I did not say that the welds were bad from manufacture or
> defective at manufacture. Actually I would advise against assuming the
> problem was
> a defect. Especially with the need to err on the side of caution if only
> cuz we're talking about highly combustible stuff, not to mention 40 years is
> a lot of contracting/expanding and bouncing. Moreover, putting another 40
> year-old LP gas 60lb. bomb-equivalent to replace mine seemed illogical to
> me. Additionally, I want the motorhome to be the best condition I can,
> not just for my time using it, but also for whoever else drives this in the
> next 40 years.
>
> Third, it would behoove someone smarter than me to conclude what really is
> the expected life expectancy of these tanks, cuz 40 years is a long time.
> That's a lot of contracting and expanding cuz there's lots of temperature
> changes in that time, and harsh climates - and alot alot alot of bouncing.
> Lots of tanks don't bounce in their lifetime, meaning our tanks have that
> ADDED stress.. We should also keep in mind that all these pressure vessels
> are built only for their purpose - meaning a 60lb. tank is not built as
> tough as a boiler. Just built to hold 60lb. of LP gas for however many
> years.
>
> But for me, I didn't need to fully understand the issue of life
> expectancy. I had to replace mine now and so that forced me to decide on
> used vs. new
> right away. And like I said, given that choice, it's obvious to me to buy
> new. But - my desire was for the original 19.3 gallon size tank, not the
> 11.2 gallon tank that AppliedGMC sells. That's been my quest. And toward
> that end, I look forward to sharing the price breakdown and installation
> photos tonight.
> david
> --
> David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final
> Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Sorry - I should have said it's a bomb if it's leaking
david
--
David J. Forjan, 1977 403 26' Palm Beach, glad to have the 3.70 Final Drive and pork chop for level front end, Tularosa New Mexico