Off-roading with low slung LPG tanks.

[eric]

Dear all off-road enthusiasts,
In my recent thread about my first experience of a BOAT trail, I mentioned my concern regarding stones and stuff, hidden by muddy water, hitting the tanks. I have two cylindrical 45 lt tanks fitted...... one either side.

There is a 9inch clearance from the bottom of the tanks to the ground and I was wondering if I got a fabricator to weld in a couple of steel straps of say ... 4in wide by perhaps a 1/4in thick welded lengthways to the chassis both ends. The clearance would then be 8 and 3/4in. This would give me peace of mind as they would be protected from puncture and resulting incineration of yours truly?

Good idea or should I be `sectioned?`

Eric.

[peasant]

just don't smoke

[eric]

Hehehe Peasant. You're a Cad .......

Anyone else? Seems a quite brilliant idea to me ........ but no doubt someone, somewhere, will blow it out of the water, so to speak.

Eric.

[Mudlark]

Recall jake popped his westy LPG tank on his first proper outing in his Joker; think he removed it and put a gaz canister in his cupboard.

They are vulnerable tanks (presume you have cooking and engine LPG ?) for off-roading; its one of the principle reasons i stay off the rough stuff in mine. The previous owner had a shield made that fixes from the bar beside the prop and onto the underside of a step that mounts into the jacking points; covers the westy tank and the air-con charge cooler i have underneath but i have not used it as yet !

Whatever you did i think you would want it removable and strong enough to take some weight; as you could very easily end up with your wheel(s) off the ground and the tank protectors sitting on the ground.

[syncroand101]

Recall jake popped his westy LPG tank on his first proper outing in his Joker; think he removed it and put a gaz canister in his cupboard.

Well remembered - within a week of getting it... was always my plan to move the gas bottle inside - kinda brought things forward. Was the supply line I be sheared from the tank to the inside, lovely hissing noise.. Never seen a group of people put fags out so fast..

[..lee..]

i`ve not fitted the westy under tanks, gas nor waste water on the 16 for fear of damaging them. saying that with 4 of us staying in the van i could use the space taken up buy the bottle.

really torn on this one and cant decide what to do myself.

[eric]

I should have explained earlier

I have a 1987 VW Caravelle GL- Syncro (duel-fuel) with 2.1 DJ engine. This is the one with the sliding huge sunroof.

I guess most folk are off with their families this Bank Holiday weekend.

Thanks all for your imput.

Eric.

[toomanytoys]

Underslung LPG tanks and off roading are not a good mix really... not if you do more than a muddy campsite etc etc... And you want to do more than that dont you Eric??

Best place for a tank is under the back seat as this space in a caravelle is not really used..

But yes.. A couple of well placed "bash/skid plates" to prevent ripping them off would a very good idea.. but NOT welded.. as this would not allow for any maint on the tanks in the future..

Unlikely you would "puncture" an LPG tank... rip it off yes.. easily...

[poshbuggers]

Some one has replaced the tank in our Westy with a propane bottle, but the cooker burns hot one side and the other doesn't work unless you hold the button in all the time.

Is this a propane/regulator/thermocouple issue? I don't wan to to go back to an underslung tank but if thats the problem I suppose I shall have to.

Paul

Recall jake popped his westy LPG tank on his first proper outing in his Joker; think he removed it and put a gaz canister in his cupboard.

Well remembered - within a week of getting it... was always my plan to move the gas bottle inside - kinda brought things forward. Was the supply line I be sheared from the tank to the inside, lovely hissing noise.. Never seen a group of people put fags out so fast..

[eric]

Underslung LPG tanks and off roading are not a good mix really... not if you do more than a muddy campsite etc etc... And you want to do more than that dont you Eric??

Best place for a tank is under the back seat as this space in a caravelle is not really used..

But yes.. A couple of well placed "bash/skid plates" to prevent ripping them off would a very good idea.. but NOT welded.. as this would not allow for any maint on the tanks in the future..

Unlikely you would "puncture" an LPG tank... rip it off yes.. easily...

Simon,
No way mate that I would consider a BOAT trail trip like The Steps on the Brecons `Gap` route. I've seen all the vids and even sat in front of the 'puter, it frightens the life out of me! So, therefore, I simply don't have the guts (wimp?) to attempt what I would call extreme off-roading, thus maintaining the integrity of the tanks. The `bash/skid plates` as you correctly called them idea, is purely for peace of mind really.

I shall be seeing my LPG installer/supplier in Ystrad Mynach this week to discuss the feasibilty issues in this regard.

Today, I'm off to Aberdulais, nr Neath, to investigate the Sarn Helen BOAT trail. Just for a nose around, you understand. Hehehe.

Have a good day all.

Eric.

[toomanytoys]

Doesnt have to be extreme to catch a low slung tank...

Neath... I'll be passing there at 08:00 Tues morn.... after geting up at "stupid o' clock" to drive down..

Have fun...

Skid plates are a MUST.. the frame/straps that hold the tanks on are not designed to resist being wrenched off.. the skid plate should do the work there....