Propane

merlynr · Mar 28, 2016

I'm wanting to sell a 1000 gal propane tank with the gauge showing 35% and a propane dealer offered me $400 for it. He said they can't recover the gas and will have to "burn it off" before refurbishing the tank. Is there no way to get the gas out of the tank? He said it's because of the type valve that's on it. This tank is in working condition and was in use until last week.

D beatty · Mar 28, 2016

He's not a good dealer and he is not telling you the truth. I had to have a leaking tank replaced and they came in and pumped it empty and replaced it with a different tank.

Russ from MN · Mar 28, 2016

That sounds like way too cheap, the empty tank should be worth that much! I would try to sell it on craigslist or something like that.

Jim in New Mexico · Mar 28, 2016

Some of the older tanks didn't have a place where you could suck the propane out. I think the
newer ones did. Around here a used tank goes for about a Dollar a gal,not counting for any gas
that's inside......just my .02 cents......Jim in N.M.

Determined · Mar 28, 2016

Changed propane suppliers last fall.
They came out with a picker truck and a new 1000 gal tank.
He lifted the old tank up on the side of his deck, hooked up a hose to the bottom of the tank and used an onboard pump to transfer the contents to the new tank.
The old tank was probably 25 years old.
It can be done, might depend on the equipment available or the style of tank you have.

Ron-MO · Mar 28, 2016

Agree with others, sell it to someone else. A few years ago Amerigas bought out a local business, and I had to quickly find a way out. I purchased a tank, sat it along side theres, had another smaller
dealer put a couple hundred gallons in it, then burned theirs empty and set it by the road for them to pick up. They told me they would charge me to pick up their tank, but I wished them luck getting any
more out of me, and told them it was their tank and I would certainly drag it off in their driveway if they wished I doubt they wanted that as it would likely be on a Sunday and it would be right in the middle
of their driveway on Monday morning. In a month or so it disappeared, and I did not get charged, so they were bluffing. I did found out the hard way, to never buy a tank that does not have the plate with
numbers on it. I finally found a dealer that would fill, but most will not. I am still in search of a tag to put on this one.

rrc300 u · Mar 28, 2016

I'm not sure where you are at but I
would give the 400$ for it in a
heartbeat. That said Im not sure that
all tanks can be pumped empty and
transferred to another but I would try
a new supplier. There isn't a more
crooked business than propane it does
not seem to matter who the company is
sooner or later they are gonna stick it
in your shorts.

da.bees · Mar 28, 2016

They are lying. Another example of what to expect when all the small dealers have been bought out by coroprate companies. A few months ago I posted about how big dealers treat consumers and was phoo phooed by the few here that specialize in doing such. Buying propane and welding gas is changing,and it's not for the good. I predict they will soon agree on assighned service territories. No more owned tanks and competive shopping,you will pay what local supplier say's or do without. You have lawyers to thank for the most part. If an owned tank causes injury or property loss,whoever filled it last will get the blame. Dealers will gouge prices and collect rent on tanks to help offset liability insurance costs?

JayinNY · Mar 28, 2016

Over the years iv seen alot of guys post about
problems with propane tanks and propane dealers, I
don't use propane, but wood and oil back up, never
had a problem with a oil delivery, why so many
problems with propane companies? Just wondering.
Glad I don't have to deal with that.

Ron-MO · Mar 28, 2016

For the most part, it is the larger companies doing the gouging. I have had very good luck with the small family type dealers, and for the most part, they are reasonable and fair as most are locally owned and know their customers. But it is best to shop and talk to others, as I have seen huge differences in pricing between dealers (even the smaller ones). When Amerigas bought out several smaller dealers in this area they immediately began gouging and I only purchased one tank from them before buying my own tank. I actually burn very little propane now since I installed an outdoor wood boiler, but like the propane as a backup, and have propane hot water heater, and gas cooktop (propane is far superior to heat hot water and cooktop in my opinion). With that said, I really do not need a 500 gallon propane tank any longer, but there may come a day when I can no longer cut wood and might have to revert back to gas for heat.

Mark-Ia · Mar 28, 2016

Most tanks are worth $1.00 a gallon. He's not being fair with you.

Mike M · Mar 28, 2016

Put an ad on craigslist. should sell pretty quick ?
What state are you in ?

JohnDeereJimOhio · Mar 28, 2016

Where r u located I'll buy it if u are close

jm. · Mar 28, 2016

Dealing with a dealer is your first mistake. Put it on CL ask $800.00 and it will be gone quick. Have whoever buys it cover it with a tarp , the dealer here will turn one in for moving it with fuel in it. As for the 35 % of 1000 gall not worth the effort of recovery. Bes they would probably be able to get 150 gl or so.

merlynr · Mar 28, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:15:14 03/28/16) Where r u located I'll buy it if u are close

Mo.

D beatty · Mar 28, 2016

That wouldn't be to brilliant to cover it and haul it. If it was purged and clean with placard you could haul it. If its not purged you will need proper hazmat papers and placard. If you got caught or where in an accident your fines would come to more than several new tanks.

unclemerle · Mar 28, 2016

You have 350 gl of propane in the tank and the tank is worth $1000 (buck a gallon).

MT RON · Mar 28, 2016

I paid 535.00 for a new 120 gallon tank last fall.

Frank A · Mar 28, 2016

There are ways to recover propane from almost all tanks. The hardest I believe would be an old end fill tank.

JMS/.MN · Mar 28, 2016

BS!!~! I bought my own tank 2 years ago, had a couple hundred gallons in the leased tank. Lease company came out to switch tanks...pumped out the old tank, transferred it into another tank I owned, and set and tested the (USED) tank I bought.

Mark - IN. · Mar 28, 2016

OUCH!!! Tanks go for about $1.00 per gallon. I see new portable tanks at Menards going for about $1.20 per gallon and that's high, but they're convenient and if they can get it, good for them. You paid $4.46 per gallon. OUCH!!!

Mark

andy r · Mar 29, 2016

They might have a problem getting it out. If the tank has a "dip tube" then the liquid lp can be taken out. If it doesn't have a dip tube the only way that gas is coming out is by vapor. I don't think they want to empty with vapor only into their tank truck. That would be my take.

merlynr · Mar 29, 2016

(quoted from post at 13:47:50 03/28/16)

(quoted from post at 13:15:14 03/28/16) Where r u located I'll buy it if u are close

Click to expand...

Mo.

It's on cl now

da.bees · Mar 29, 2016

Your take is wrong. Propane boils at -43c or -45f,R22 boils at -41c or -42f. Hvac people transfer R22 from container to container every day and twice on Sunday. Honest propane dealers were doing it before most of us were born.

Propane

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads