Location Transport

How do I transport a 100 lb propane tank to be refilled?

I have two empty 100 lb propane bottles for a gas fireplace. I need to get them refilled, but none of the local gas companies will come to my house for such small tanks. So what's the best way to transport them to the gas company to get them refilled? Can I just lay them down in the back of a trailer, secured?

Public Comments

1. that should work fine
2. Secure them in the back of a trailer or pick-up truck. ,,Avoid any bridges or tunnels that prohibit LP gas.....This sounds like a pain in the neck.....Talk to the gas company about getting a tank they will come and fill for you.
3. I've done this plenty of times. They can be laid flat, but as they are dam heavy, make certain to secure them and have the valve dome on. Secure means so they can't start rolling, cause once they do, they tend to mash everything. Wooden wedges on both sides of the tanks works if you have them. Strapping the two together, with web 'come alongs' (the 1-2" variety) and a heavy fabric between the tanks, goes a long way to prevent banging (annoying) and rolling. When in transport and depending on the orientation of the tanks, don't make fast acceleration/de-accelerations, or wide, fast turns; those maneuvers tend to add to the tanks momentum, adding stress to your anchoring method and may cause problems. Slow and easy all the way.
4. No... Propane cylinders should never be transported like that! They must be secured upright so that the pressure relief valve is in communication with the vapour space of the cylinder. This is because propane expands 277 times when it changes state from a liquid to a vapour. If the relief valve vents with the cylinder upright you will have a bit of vapour released. If it is lying down and vents you will have a liquid release. Now you have 277 times the amount of vapour! If it gets a source of ignition things will get very interesting very fast! Also...liquid propane will cause severe freeze burns if it happened to spray on anyone if it vented. Cylinders are to be transported secured upright in a ventillated space regardless of whether they are full or empty. Besides being the only safe way, that is the only legal way!
5. Instead of laying them flat, I would stand them up. No rolling around that way. Since they are so heavy, I would use a dolly to carry them to the car. Instead of a gas company coming to fill them I would look for a service company to come out to fill them. My family owns a cabin on the top of a dirt hill and we get serviced there.
6. most 100 pound cylinders are owned by gas providing companies and only they are permitted to put gas in them. look on the cylinder for a company name. if you find a name call them for details on refilling.