How to loosen propane tank bolt?

jkjenn

It all came flooding back to me...the pain and suffering of unbolting the propane tank from the camper for the first time...

I remember being at the Tall Texan Campground, in Gunnizon, CO. The guy at the propane exchange needed me to hold a wrench on one side while he unbolted on the other side.

Is there an easy way to get this bolt loose with one person?

Tampakayaker

Mine just loosens by hand.

If it's got a regular nut, replace it with a wing nut and put some silicon or teflon spray on the bolt threads?

jkjenn

Tampakayaker said:

Mine just loosens by hand.

If it's got a regular nut, replace it with a wing nut and put some silicon or teflon spray on the bolt threads?

I never replaced the bolt or wing nut on my last T@b and it never moved.

Marceline

jkjenn said:

Tampakayaker said:

Mine just loosens by hand.

If it's got a regular nut, replace it with a wing nut and put some silicon or teflon spray on the bolt threads?

I never replaced the bolt or wing nut on my last T@b and it never moved.

I agree with @Tampakayaker. It should have a wingnut and that wingnut doesn't need to be monstrously tight- just snug enough that the propane cylinder doesn't jiggle in transit. 

jkjenn

I am really asking about the initial time you loosen it, not an ongoing basis. That first time is a killer and both occasions it was a two person job. 

Marceline

jkjenn said:

I am really asking about the initial time you loosen it, not an ongoing basis. That first time is a killer and both occasions it was a two person job. 

Don't know what to tell you. It sounds like your dealership is tightening the bolt excessively hard. It's silly. You should be able to remove the tank without needing a tool box. I guess that you're going to need the help of another person yet again. You might want to let the dealership know that this isn't the right place for some wrench monkey to be proving his strength. 

Verna

@jkjenn, bring it to Columbus, Indiana and we’ll figure it out. I have the tools needed, plus a campsite😁.

jkjenn

Verna said:

@jkjenn, bring it to Columbus, Indiana and we’ll figure it out. I have the tools needed, plus a campsite😁.

I like your solution. 😁

I am getting ready to be away for 5-7 nights and need to refill before I go so a friend helped me out tonight.

tabiphile

Spray it with PB Blaster the day before you attempt to remove it. Give it another squirt right before you remove it. That should do the trick. Keep in mind that PB Blaster is a bit messy so put a rag or some paper towels down where the overflow will drip. You don't want to get it on your driveway. 

Marceline

tabiphile said:

Spray it with PB Blaster the day before you attempt to remove it. Give it another squirt right before you remove it. That should do the trick. Keep in mind that PB Blaster is a bit messy so put a rag or some paper towels down where the overflow will drip. You don't want to get it on your driveway. 

It's a brand new T@B so I doubt that it was a rust or corrosion problem. Sounds like someone with a wrench just got a little carried away. 

Denny16

But a squirt of oil.silicone spray or WD40 will even make unscrewing a new bolt easier. 
cheers

falcon1970

Although the need to pull the propane tank out of the tub is rather infrequent, I didn't want to have to dig out two wrenches to loosen the clamp.  Not to mention that there is not a lot of room to manipulate the wrenches.  So I changed the clamping system.

 



The nut to the left holds the bolt snug so I can remove the hand nut on the right without a wrench.

Verna

@falcon1970, that is the idea I was thinking of a while ago. Great idea for our aging hands, too. 

Bayliss

Great idea, @falcon1970.  What is the name of the knob and size, and where did you purchase it?  I suppose it can be found at a local hardware store, but I looked on Amazon and found a "Clamping Handle Screw Knob," but I am not sure if it is the same as depicted in your photo.

Also, did you us the original propane bracket bolt, or did you purchase that as well?  Thanks!

tabiphile

Marceline said:

tabiphile said:

Spray it with PB Blaster the day before you attempt to remove it. Give it another squirt right before you remove it. That should do the trick. Keep in mind that PB Blaster is a bit messy so put a rag or some paper towels down where the overflow will drip. You don't want to get it on your driveway. 

It's a brand new T@B so I doubt that it was a rust or corrosion problem. Sounds like someone with a wrench just got a little carried away. 

Soooo.....a galled nut doesn't know if it's new or not and there was no mention of rust or corrosion, only an discussion about the hardware being too tight. The PB Blaster is anaerobic and will find itself into the threads and make them easier to turn....so if as you suggest, "someone got a little carried away", it will make getting the issue sorted easier to do. Once the bugger is off, the shared ideas about changing the hardware are very sensible. 
PB Blaster is not a lubricant but a bit of anti-seize on the threads before reinstalling the nut would prevent it from binding up again. 

falcon1970

I've been trying to think of the proper nomenclature for that knurled knob but haven't come up with it yet.  You can find them at Lowe's.  Look in the drawers of unusual hardware.  You will want one with female threads rather than male threads (well, duh).   I replaced the bolt with a stainless steel bolt and used stainless washers and nut.  Just size it to fit whatever knob you find.  I think I used 1/4-20 bolt and matching hardware but it might be a 5/16" bolt.  Just match the bolt, nut, washers, and knob.  As someone mentioned it doesn't need to be gorilla tight when you put it on.  Just hand snug it so it doesn't rattle loose over the road.  Get a long enough bolt so you won't have to completely remove the knob to loosed the clamp but not so long that it interferes with anything else you carry in the tub.

Marceline

falcon1970 said:

I've been trying to think of the proper nomenclature for that knurled knob but haven't come up with it yet.  

“Thru knob”

Denny16

Grand idea, and A locking washer on a hand tight nut/knob will keep it from vibrating loose... 

Tabaz

I put some JB Weld on the bolt head to hold it to the metal bracket.  Now the bolt doesn't move when I turn the wing nut by hand.

JabGopher

Verna said:

@jkjenn, bring it to Columbus, Indiana and we’ll figure it out. I have the tools needed, plus a campsite😁.

The other midwest Columbus! I spent a summer interning for Cummins way back when. Us interns had a good time, but even more fun in nearby Bloomington 

@jkjenn Mine came with wingnuts and it came loose without much effort.

Bayliss

Yep, using @Marceline's "through knob" and @falcon1970's description, I found it on Amazon described as a “Through-Hole Knob Female Thread Clamping Knob Grip” or “Star Knob,” but Lowe's, Home Depot, etc., is easier for such a small purchase.  Thanks for the info.

TomCanada

I find squeezing the bracket ends together by hand before unscrewing the wing nut makes it much looser and easier to undo.  Ditto with putting it back on - it releases the tension somewhat off the bolt/nut.

stepheng

Has anyone replaced the bolt/wingnut with a toggle clamp latch.  I was thinking about cutting off the "wings" and replacing with an adjustable toggle clamp latch:

Sure would make it a lot easier to remove.

elbolillo

The original wing nut fell off of mine and disappeared. The bolt was on the bottom of the storage compartment. I have never bothered to replace it as the tank sits snug enough in it's spot.

DukeHewett

After trying PB Blaster, WD-40, various wrenches and specialty nuts to no avail, I finally went to my "Go-To" for this kinda problem:   An Oxy-Acetlyene cutting torch.   I got the tank loose in no time, but now I have to go find it somewhere in a 5 mile radius.

Tabaz

OMG!!! LOL!!!! That was funny!

YanniLazarus

@falcon1970 suggested this- and I just made the change. I bought a new fully threaded 3/8x16   2-1/2" long bolt and the specialized "star shaped 3/8 inch clamping nut knob" to do it... and I now have 3 extras which I would happily mail to the first 3 T@Bers that figure out how to get me their mailing addresses.  MUCH easier than the wing nut. Better on your T@B than leaving them in my basement. 

Marceline

YanniLazarus said:

@falcon1970 suggested this- and I just made the change. I bought a new fully threaded 3/8x16   2-1/2" long bolt and the specialized "star shaped 3/8 inch clamping nut knob" to do it... and I now have 3 extras which I would happily mail to the first 3 T@Bers that figure out how to get me their mailing addresses.  MUCH easier than the wing nut. Better on your T@B than leaving them in my basement. 

I'll take one. Will send you my address by DM.

YanniLazarus

... one still left!