Propane tub needs floor

dundons

I bought a sheet of black plastic at Home Depot (8$) to provide a floor in the propane tub so I could store a few things there. This comes after getting home to find the tongue wheel I had wedged in there missing in action and presumed lost on the highway!
Has anyone done some similar work? Pics will post when I complete the job.

TabberJohn

Are you using some type of plastic mesh sheet?
I believe the tub should not be enclosed at the bottom since propane is denser than air and sinks.
Notice when you buy/exchange a tank they are stored in a mesh cage for ventilation.

Verna

The upgraded diamond plate tub (stock on the Outback model) does have a solid aluminum floor. There is also an approximate 3" tall "wall" across the rear bottom of the diamond plate. As long as the rear wall is open there is enough ventilation for both the propane and any ventilation needed for wet cell batteries. 

Photomom

Verna said:

The upgraded diamond plate tub (stock on the Outback model) does have a solid aluminum floor. There is also an approximate 3" tall "wall" across the rear bottom of the diamond plate. As long as the rear wall is open there is enough ventilation for both the propane and any ventilation needed for wet cell batteries. 

I did drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of my aluminum tub since water collected there every time it rained. 

Cyclonic

Photomom said:

Verna said:

The upgraded diamond plate tub (stock on the Outback model) does have a solid aluminum floor. There is also an approximate 3" tall "wall" across the rear bottom of the diamond plate. As long as the rear wall is open there is enough ventilation for both the propane and any ventilation needed for wet cell batteries. 

I did drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of my aluminum tub since water collected there every time it rained. 

That is interesting, I have never had an issue with mine, I don't seem to get any water in the tub except when I am on the road in the rain.

Verna

I cleaned the pin oak leaves from my tree out of the tub and left the leaves in AZ!  I think I still have some sand in the tub from last winter's sand storm in Southern California....so I really don't think mine gets wet. 

TabberJohn

If there are no drain holes in the bottom of the Outback tub there must be a gap or slot by that 3" wall.
Otherwise the tub would retain water in a heavy storm and create a nice little pond for skeeters while you camp.

Photomom

Mine seems to be sealed up pretty well, then. After one rainstorm there was an inch of standing water in there.

TabberJohn

Photomom said:

Mine seems to be sealed up pretty well, then. After one rainstorm there was an inch of standing water in there.

Hmm... Houston we have a problem and I don't mean a holding pond for bugs.

dundons

Back to my post, I finished the job today with the help of my friendly assistant (Mrs Dundon), and it looks pretty good with plenty of ventilation around the sides and back.

Always good to have an assistant with a wrench in hand.

Nice enclosed tub=no more lost wheels 

jkjenn

That looks really nice. How did you secure the plastic?

TabberJohn

Photomom said:

Mine seems to be sealed up pretty well, then. After one rainstorm there was an inch of standing water in there.

What did you do to resolve this? Drill some drainage holes?

Verna said:

The upgraded diamond plate tub (stock on the Outback model) does have a solid aluminum floor. There is also an approximate 3" tall "wall" across the rear bottom of the diamond plate. As long as the rear wall is open there is enough ventilation for both the propane and any ventilation needed for wet cell batteries. 

I don't see how this could be OSHA compliant for propane storage without bottom ventilation under the tank.

Verna

Verna said:

The upgraded diamond plate tub (stock on the Outback model) does have a solid aluminum floor. There is also an approximate 3" tall "wall" across the rear bottom of the diamond plate. As long as the rear wall is open there is enough ventilation for both the propane and any ventilation needed for wet cell batteries. 

I don't see how this could be OSHA compliant for propane storage without bottom ventilation under the tank.

My suggestion, @TabberJohn, would be for you to call NuCampRV, contact Ed and tell him that NuCampRV's front diamond plate tub is not in compliance with OSHA. It would be helpful if you had the exact rule number and page number for the factory to refer to. Phone numbers are on the right side of this page. 

Michigan_Mike

The factory has an R&D department, I know they discuss these modifications prior to introducing them into the build and am betting that they are well within any federal or OSHA requirements/regulations and expectations spelled out for the industry.  And as noted there is more than adequate ventilation in the tub area for any propane to dissipate should there be a leak and if sinks low in that area.  

Photomom

Yes, I did drill some drainage holes for water. I am not concerned about propane since we rarely use it and then only turn it on while we are using it, and the whole back of the tub is open.

TabberJohn

This thread's title is "Propane tub needs a floor". That caught my eye.
In truth you never want to place your propane tank in an actual tub.

The T@B tub is really more of a cover than a tub and should remain so from a functional viewpoint.
If you are want a floor or back wall, adding mesh grill would be the safer way to go.
You can cage in a propane tank (outdoors). Just don't seal it in. That's basic OSHA compliance.
http://www.propane101.com/propanecylinderstorage.htm
https://www.oswaldcompanies.com/blog-feed/stay-osha-compliant-know-the-safety-regulations-of-propane/
You're not even supposed to store a propane tank (full or empty) in your garage. Certainly not in a cellar. Some people may do that but it isn't safe.

Let's forget OSHA for the moment and talk about common sense.
Natural gas = lighter than air, rises and quickly disperses.
Propane gas (LP) = denser than air, sinks and pools, does not disperse quickly.
Vented propane gas -- or a slow leak -- will seek the lowest level available. That is why the T@B propane alarm is near the floor.
Some T@B owners have substituted after-market utility boxes for their tongue storage needs. Holes drilled for battery wiring and stove connection aren't enough for proper ventilation or drainage.
Simple test -- If you can dump water over your propane tank and it pools underneath it, that is not a safe environment for propane storage.
Easy fix -- Drill drainage holes along the bottom perimeter so regardless what angle the floor leans, water (or leaking propane) will flow down and out.

The probability of an explosion may be small, but why risk it by providing the exact ingredients required?
1. leaking propane tank (bad connector, hose, whatever) 2. enclosed container or sealed tub underneath tank 3. electrical spark (battery connection)

ScottG

Good info, TabberJohn--thanks. I've dabbled with the idea of replacing the tub with a larger toolbox, but wondered about the propane venting implications based on comments made here in the past.

Ratkity

I had the entire back opened to the same size as the plastic bin with my diamond-plate box. Holes HAD to be drilled in bottom because of rain (in a nice neat pattern, btw). What was nice was I used some stainless steel mesh that some people use for radiator cover fronts that I got at a big box store (I'm not sure where else it's used). It comes in small sheets and was excellent for containing escaping wheels, bungie balls, slinky parts and the like.

dundons

@jkjenn, The sheet was slid under the tub and secured by the four existing bolts holding the tub down and a couple pop rivets. 
After reading the thoughtful concerns posted by @TabberJohn, I drilled several holes in the floor perimiter. Future mod builders may wish to do the entire job with the SS mesh mentioned above. Thanks all.

jkjenn

Future mod builders may wish to do the entire job with the SS mesh mentioned above. Thanks all.

Another option would be plastic poultry flooring from your local farm center.

Ratkity

jkjenn said:

Future mod builders may wish to do the entire job with the SS mesh mentioned above. Thanks all.

Another option would be plastic poultry flooring from your local farm center.

Oops, I thought you wrote local farmer and I was gonna say something about perhaps cleaning it well