How to: Adding a Vanagon propane tank to a Bus (with pics). FAQ

[hurst_dave]

After using an Atwood Hydroflame furnace for the last few years in my Westy I finally got around to adding a second propane tank to my Bus to allow for longer camping sessions without having to leave for propane (or running out of gas in the middle of the night). I installed the Vanagon tank under the sliding door where my original tank was and I then moved my smaller tank over to the driver's side. I had to move the smaller tank to the driver's side so that I could clear the sink drain.

I found a used Vanagon propane tank in the classifieds for $135 shipped. Here it is compared to the stock Bus-era Westfalia tank:

I cleaned and painted both tanks since they were looking a little beat, though all the rust was superficial. Also in this pic is the extra large Bus Depot propane tank that my brother installed on his Vanagon Westy. I thought about using the extra larger tank as well but on a Bus the ground clearance would have been reduced to ~6 1/2" compared to a little over 8" for the stock tanks:

I removed the stock propane tank brackets from the crossmember under the floor and replaced them with 13" long 2" angle iron brackets (the vertical side of the angle iron has to be shaved to ~1 3/4" in order for it to fit snugly against the floor/crossmember). I used the existing holes to secure the new brackets:

Using 1 1/2", 5/16" thick angle iron I made a frame to mount the tank under the bus, the brackets on top are the 2" angle iron pieces from the above pic. I used only high-grade bolts throughout:

Once I had this constructed I just jacked the new tank into place and bolted it all together. I didn't take a pic as it looks just like the stock tank but a little longer. I tried to keep the tank as far front as possible to keep better ground clearance and weight distribution.

Now on to moving the stock tank to the driver's side...

I used a 1 1/2" x 3/4" galvanized elbow to divert the sink drain away from the tank. I then used a brass garden hose adapter and cap so that I can hook up a garden hose to run the waste water away from camp/into a bucket/etc. I wish I had done this modification earlier and it looks sharp too! Also, I installed the stock tank brackets on the crossmembers here. I enlarged one of the existing holes (look closely and you'll see them) and then drilled another hole nearer to the frame of the Bus. This allowed me to keep the tank from hitting the sink drain.

Then I just bolted the original tank in its new home:

Now for the propane connections...

Here's my original hose (about 5' long), notice the large crack in the nut!

I used new rubber lines from Camping World (~$30 total). The 6' line works perfectly bringing the propane over from the Vanagon tank to the Bus tank. The 3' line takes the propane from the brass tee to the inlet on the bottom of the Bus.

All lines use 3/8" flare fittings, but the old rubber line has a larger diameter (top) than the new line. This does not matter as I can still run both burners on high with the furnace blasting.

Here are the lines installed. The 6' lines comes from the bottom of the tee on the driver's side tank and runs inside a crossmember to the Vanagon tank on the passenger side. The 3' hose runs behind then over the tank and into the fitting in the floor of the Bus.

Here's a better pic. You can follow the 3' line's path here. You can also see the Vanagon propane tank under the passenger side in the background.

I now have a nice aux propane tank. I can either leave both tanks turned on while camping or just one at a time. I'll likely just open one at a time so I know when one tank is empty and I can just refill that one next time I'm passing through a town. Then I can alternate tanks without running out.

I hope this helps somebody thinking of doing this install. It took a few hours to do and a good bit of hardware from the local store. A nice grinder and drill help a good bit with the thick angle iron but otherwise I have no expertise in metal or gas work so anyone could do this.

~d
_________________
1978 Deluxe Campmobile Westy, 2.0L w/ FI.
Don't believe everything you think.

[timo78]

That's good work, and inspiring.
I want to re-work the propane lines in the bus and add hook ups to fuel an internal Mr Heather, and run an external BBQ.
_________________
> 78Grµn Westfalia `Donkey`
.
It may be bigger than you and it may be bigger than me, but it’s not bigger than you AND me; can you dig it?

[bugger101]

sticky worthy
_________________
75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

[outrun1984]

ditto on the sticky worthy...thats a sweet install...
_________________
1979 Westy, Mexico Beige, 2.0 FI, Petronix, KYLE Fuel Injection Harness upgrade.
Going Furthur...in search of the sound.......

[EZ Gruv]

[bugger101]

[sneakyjack]

nice work - good documentation
sticky it
_________________
Nothin left to do....
www.idolmakerfilms.com

[Lionhart94010]

Thanks for the info :0)
_________________
Current VWs 71 T2 Westy SO-72/6(Miami), 71 Crew Cab, 2015 GSW TDI
Other owned VW’s 59, 68 1500s, 69 & 71 Bug’s; 72 & 73 S-Bug’s; 67 Westy, 67 Deluxe, Other 71 DC, 72 KG GT that now lives in Australia, 12 JSW TDI, 2015 GSW TDI, 2023 Tiguan
VW technical information sights
thesamba - www.ratwell.com - www.shoptalkforums.com/ - www.vw-resource.com - http://www.type2.com/
http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/ - www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles.htm

[guanella74]

Quality work - I like it! Good job man. I'll add this upgrade to the list...
_________________
- Travis

1974 Westy CampMobile - the OG!
1979 Transporter
1979 Transporter
1977 Transporter
1974 Transporter
1973 Transporter
1971 Westy

[bugger101]

by the way what kind of paint did you use?
_________________
75 west deluxe http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5270450#5270450

2010 ford focus

[hurst_dave]

I power washed and scrubbed the tanks, then 1 coat of Rustoleum heavy rust primer then 2 coats of Rustoleum gloss black. All primer and paint was brushed on, no spray paint.

Thanks for the kind words all.

~d
_________________
1978 Deluxe Campmobile Westy, 2.0L w/ FI.
Don't believe everything you think.

[1979westie]

Awesome, awesome work and a great idea! What a clean installation...
_________________
Your car may do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but can it sleep 4 and cook a meal?

1979 Deluxe Campmobile (quickly rusting away)
33K miles when bought, now at 61K
Proud Member #2 SBS (Stock Bus Society)

[Hoody]

Thanks for sharing!

[1975 Kombi]

Do these tanks follow the 10 recertification deal. I think in Canada that every 10 years the BBQ tanks have to be recertified and stamped with a date.
_________________
Brett

“He’s decieving you boy! Reach into his pocket and take what he’s got.” Mr. Crabbs.

75 Westy auto
03 Jetta TDI
71 SB
74 Westy
Licensed pilot (single engine land VFR)
--
Rust In Pieces: 72 Bug, 73 Bug, 81 Rabbit LS D 2D, 83 Rabbit D 2D, 84 Jetta TD GL, 85 Jetta D, 68 Z28 RS 302, 91 Passat 16v

[danfromsyr]

in the USA these tanks do NOT require recertification.
at best it's a visual from the propane filling technician.

they should be personally inspected and cleaned and rust proofed
_________________

[dwheil]

Great installation instructions. Here's some info about propane tank finishes I came across when I was refinishing mine. Interesting info.
http://www.propane101.com/propanetankcolor.htm

[BillWYellowstone]

Couple things, one, consider an auto shift over valve, not sure how it would mount, but when one tank is empty, it will shift to second, there is a sight window that goes green to red, indicating the arrowed (manual lever), tank emptied. You switch to full tank, sight indie goes to green. These are ususally used on the 2 20# bottles.

Next, I was told tonight that next year it is illegal to refill a tank with no gauge. Anyone else hear this?

Also, the guy had trouble connecting up to tank, but then could not fill, he hit the lever, but nothing happened. I just filled fine a month ago??? It ran empty last weekend.

Lastly, great job!

[Tcash]

First I would like to thank hurst_dave for the post.

Hi, I had this happen to on a 20 gal tank to. Took it to one place would not fill, the guy filling it had no answers. So I took it to another place, it filled ok. I mentioned this to someone later and they told me sometimes the float for the OPD overfill gets stuck or takes some time to settle if you turn the tank on its side. He said to hit the base on the ground with the tank in an upright position and it will fill. I did some research before posting and there seems to be a consensus on this.

The other problem a lot of people were experiencing with OPD valves is they have a safety check valve in the event a line breaks the rush of propane shuts the safety valve. If you open the valve up to fast and have no propane in the lines the safety valve closes and you get no flow. The remedy is to close the valve all the way and then just crack it open and give it some time to fill the lines. Then open it slowly.

One other thing is the valve handles get stuck. They recommended putting a few drops of oil on the threads of the valve to prevent this.

Some Refill places charge a tank charge what a rip. Ask if they charge by the tank or by the gallon before refilling.

I learned and confirmed on Blue Rhino's web site that since 2008. Exchange tanks are only being filled to 15lbs not 17lbs. Blue Rhino stated that they started doing this because of high fuel cost and it is the industries standard. So be aware you may not be getting a full tank with an exchange tank.

Hope this helps

[danfromsyr]

the VW Vehicle mounted tanks do not have an internal float (ala 20# and up OPD valves)
_________________

[VWDreamer]

great info, my original AW propane tank the back 2 brackets shoved between the frame and floor and the front 2 were bolted through the floor (on the passenger side).

It looks like with this mod it more secure, but less ground clearance.

I dont go off roading, at least not in my current camper but something i have been conscious about, especially as i am currently looking for an under-body water tank as well as buying a new propane tank (as both of mine are apparently not useable )

Is there any advantage to having it as hurst_dave installed it, I will look at mine and see if i can bring it close to the floor for more ground clearance....

Thanks for the detailed info and photos!
_________________
Heather Winfrey (Woltz)
'71 Adventurewagen: Rosie
'67 Bug - the daily
BusZilla II - articulated vw bus (yes she has 6 wheels) http://mutantbus.com
http://vwdreamer.com