TheSamba.com :: View topic - replacement westie propane tank, where from

Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:00 pm

i'm now about to {i hope} to buy a vanagon westie, the propane cylinder has rusted out, i've looked through the classifieds and cannot see one forsale
where might i be able to find one
thanks

Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:03 pm

Both GoWesty and BusDepot sell them. I'm sure Van-cafe does too.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2447&category_id=&category_parent_id=

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1235_208/new_propane_tank.html

http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253070601D

Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:05 pm

thanks, i've not heard of either vendor before

Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:15 pm

People have restored them with good success, but I can't find the posts right now. The power of the search is not strong with me today...

Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:05 am

Frank Condelli (?spelling) is importing bigger ones. He's in the Ottawa, Ontario area.

Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:11 am

rubbachicken wrote: thanks, i've not heard of either vendor before

You'll have them on speed dial once you get your Westy home.

FWIW, I replaced my propane tank with a unit from GoWesty. The install went pretty smoothly although I had a bit of a struggle re-flaring one of the propane lines. It had previously been spliced and that caused a clearance issue with the flaring tool. All told it took a couple hours to get it hooked up.

However, for some reason I can no longer go to my local U-haul propane dispensary. The nozzle they use (which works on my Weber grill and the old propane tank) doesn't fit the new tank.

Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:22 am

SCM wrote: You'll have them on speed dial once you get your Westy home.

Yes, they will figure prominently in your monthly VISA statement.

Quote: FWIW, I replaced my propane tank with a unit from GoWesty.

Me too. There are some who restore these which may save some bucks but I saw the chance for a new tank as a life-of-the-van purchase.

Quote: ...However, for some reason I can no longer go to my local U-haul propane dispensary. The nozzle they use (which works on my Weber grill and the old propane tank) doesn't fit the new tank.

That is odd. The fitting on my GoWesty tank is the same as the original fitting. I have had attendants search for the correct adaptor among their collection of brass and declare they didn't have one -- until I point out that they needed no adaptor at all, the hose with no adaptor fitted is correct for the tank.

I get at least 14 days of camping on a full tank with the refrigerator running exclusively on propane. A bigger tank will get you more but you will probably sacrifice some ground clearance to have it.

Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:43 am

Ahwahnee wrote: That is odd. The fitting on my GoWesty tank is the same as the original fitting.

Hmm, maybe the attendant didn't know what he was doing that day. I'll have to give it another try when the time comes to refill.

Good to know about how long your tank lasts. I suspect we'll be surprised with no stove action one of these days although we've just about given up on the 'fridge. Between food and beer we end up bringing a cooler anyway and it just got to be easier to use the fridge for non-perishables.

Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:00 pm

PDXWesty wrote: People have restored them with good success, but I can't find the posts right now. The power of the search is not strong with me today...
See the FAQ!

I have done it a couple of times. It is and is not worth it.

The OP states his tank is rusted out. There fore it is done.

Time to find another.

Just type "propane" in to the classifieds search.

The tanks do come for time to time.

It costs me $75 to have one cleaned and powder coated with lots of zinc under it. It is better protected than the factory thin coat of paint.

So add up the costs and it may be just less issue to buy a new one for around $350.

For me, I now have a couple to work with for my install into my Multivan. Makes sense for me to have fun, but if the core tank from the OP is really that bad, he should consider another one.

Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:05 pm

SCM wrote: FWIW, I replaced my propane tank with a unit from GoWesty.

{snip]

However, for some reason I can no longer go to my local U-haul propane dispensary. The nozzle they use (which works on my Weber grill and the old propane tank) doesn't fit the new tank.
It has something to do with the ACME / something else I forget combination fitting.

You can buy a new fill cheap. Look in the FAQ under propane and look where I have bought them from.

Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:07 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: A bigger tank will get you more but you will probably sacrifice some ground clearance to have it.
See:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479091

Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:53 pm

There are 2 common types of fitting on various age Westy tanks as well as other tanks. My local propane vendor has the other adapter stored right at the pump and simply looks at the tank to make sure the pump hose has the right end for a given tank. I have Westy tanks of both fitting type, mixed on the same van even. It causes no big issues, even when he has to switch hose ends when he moves from one side of that van to the other. Find a smarter filling station.

Mark

SCM wrote:
FWIW, I replaced my propane tank with a unit from GoWesty. .....
However, for some reason I can no longer go to my local U-haul propane dispensary. The nozzle they use (which works on my Weber grill and the old propane tank) doesn't fit the new tank.