Filler Extension for Propane Tank?

[MarkWard]

[scotty timmerman]

obviously steel pipe would be used not pvc and the fill valve reinstalled on the end.
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[MarkWard]

The extension could be left in place, but I remove it after each fill. Asking for trouble having it hanging out. If you were the one filling, you wouldn’t need the extender. It’s more to ensure the attendant doesn’t cross thread the filler. I’ve come across all skill levels. Something hokey made out of PVC might get you a refusal.

[bobbyblack]

[scotty timmerman]

Are the people who use the extension leave them on or remove once filled? Cant the fill valve be removed and simply add a schedule 40 pipe and female to female adapter or even a 45 degree adapter? This would cost less then $20 at a hardware store and be essentially the same thing. The only thing is you would have to use all your propane first.
_________________
71 ghia coupe: Build thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511738&highlight=
71 type 3 fastback auto
71 type 3 fastback manual
73 super beetle
57 oval: build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8616563#8616563
63 beetle reassembly: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7458619#7458619
2332cc engine build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8608429&highlight=#8608429
84 vanagon westfalia wolfsburg edition

[MarkWard]

I purchased this one a while back on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/181829663964

I did not use all the pieces, but it works fine. There is a slight issue after filling. If the attendant does not have a bleed on their filler, its a little difficult to remove from the tank. I was considering adding a bleed to the extension, but I'm only filling maybe twice a year at this point.

[kamzcab86]

[bobbyblack]

Holy shocking zoinks! Way up.. how can it possibly be up THAT much..

Anyone have a decent alternate option to the $300+ priced unit with the bleeder valve?

Maybe someone has bought one without the bleeder and drilled/tapped it and added a bleeder?

I've been looking at these so long that I am kicking myself over how much they have gone up...

Thanks
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[kamzcab86]

[danfromsyr]

a quick search on propane fill extension

there's this Marshall unit for ~$120
https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Excelsior-Propane-Extension-Motorhome/dp/B00EP1SR8W
_________________

[Irishcalifornian]

[slipast]

After following a few threads on this topic (and other Propane topics) I found this item. I haven't used it or purchased it, I'm not affiliated with the site. But I wanted some feedback as to why this solution might be better or worse than the other two listed in this thread.

http://nashfuel.ecrater.com/p/22177645/fill-valve-extension-propane-transfer?keywords=vanagon

I've had trouble getting propane in the past. It's unusual, and it's often because someone who doesn't unscrew the bleeder valve ALL the way. But when I pull in and the guy spends 15 minutes under my van swearing and then only ends up adding one gallon...yeah. I'd like to make their lives easier.

Anyway, input appreciated.

[kamzcab86]

[newfisher]

Or support one of our members ( as Salty as he can be at times)

http://vanagonwestfaliaaccessories.com/

[kamzcab86]

Back from the dead.

Before getting in line at Buses By The Bridge January 14th, I visited a nearby fuel station to fill a 20# tank and have the van's tank topped off. It was early morning and rather frigid, by desert dweller standards. The poor attendant struggled to get the filler onto to the tank and kept apologizing for taking so long... I kept apologizing on behalf of Manchester and Westfalia. She finally got the filler screwed on and put in 1.5 gallons.

Given the amount of

in the last couple of years when it comes to the filling the tank, I just bought this off eBay for $60:

Marshall Excelsior Filler Valve Extension (#ME574EXT-7547B)

Yes, one more thing to carry in the van (I already have caps/plugs for it to keep it clean inside), but it'll save time and much frustration in the years to come.
_________________
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[Terry Kay]

It doesn't ake any sense to carry two 4.4's.

I was offering this retort to the guy that mentioned it would be a pain to carry the piece of pipe around inside the van--

Ok--you don't want the pipe rolling around--carry the 4.4's
_________________
T.K.

[danfromsyr]

I'm thinking that the easier part would be that I can most likely screw the extension on myself but in no way be allowed to hook the fill hose up,
so that means that I get the part that I am familiar with (my tank fittings) and that they are not.
and the attendant gets to screw the hose to the extension, a part they are familiar with, and I am not allowed by liability.

and where the heck did not carrying a ~12" pipe in lieu of 2 2ft 4x4's ever make sense?
_________________

[j8]

Thanks for posting your experiences.

If I make one, I'll post the how-to link for people interested in tinkering on it.
_________________
Julia
'89 2WD Westy (No end to names...)

[Terry Kay]

This was a hot item maybe 10-12 years ago over at the Vanagon.com con-flab forum.

Your 100% correct in thinking that however you look at it your going to have to do the exact same bending , squating, crawling down along side of the van to get the extension screwed into the fill valve anyway prior to screwing the fill hose on.

What's the benifit?

Not sure.

Your going to have to do the propane fill hose extension mambo anyway--why not just eliminate one more move--???
Plug the fill hose up and forget about the extension--you'll be down there anyhow.

I saved that thinking it might be something else to manufacture for a Westy---

I figured out it was just another worthless operation, and wasn't worth the effort.

And I for sure wouldn't consider leaving it on the side of the tank full time--
One bonk--and it'll be all over---
_________________
T.K.

[noganav]

The solution is to have a little patience and thread the propane filler on to the tank fitting.

If someone wants to pay for an expensive fitting to thread on first that's great, but its no easier than the filler to get on there, so what is the point? You've still got to thread something on to that fitting, no way around that.

I guess the person selling them makes a few bucks for 2x4s.

There is enough room for the filler even the big fillers. I filled hundreds of them working my way through college. Not one problem.