How to Mount Propane Tank On Trailer Tongue (11 Bracket Options)
Not every trailer is equipped with propane tanks. That is why you need to find a good, well-ventilated spot to place your new tank. The tongue is well-ventilated and it keeps the tank out of your way while still being very secure.
If you are using the right equipment, it is not that difficult to attach a propane tank to your trailer’s tongue. You just need a good J bracket or something similar to make sure the tank remains secure and does not fall off during travel time.
To learn more about this project just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about so you or your handyman can do good work. It will take the right strength of bolts as well.
Propane Tank On Trailer Tongue 101
How Do You Secure a Propane Tank To a Trailer?
For DOT propane tanks, the tongue is one of 2 places where they are to be kept. They are also required to be placed in a proper propane tank holder or mount. That generality may leave you some room to choose your own type of secure mount.
Then the base plate is welded or bolted to the tongue or frame. These holders can hold 2 propane tanks and have a security rod coming up the center to hold both tanks in place. That is the standard way of holding propane tanks on the trailer tongue.
However, if you only need one tank placed there, you may need to get specialty mounts to do the same work. These mounts are to be bolted to your tongue and then secures safely to the tank.
Some options are Coleman’s J hooks which bolt to the tongue and then stretch up to hold the propane tank. Another option would be a simple hoop bracket. This option also bolts to the tongue of your trailer, then has another bolt or screw that tightens the hoop around the tank.
Once tightened, the hoop holds the tank very securely. there are many different versions of these hoop holders and one style comes with a rear fence with holes in it. others are single stands with a single bolt attaching it to the tongue.
If you have room, you can put an aluminum bottle/propane rack on the tongue of your trailer. It attaches to the trailer, not the tongue and the walls are high enough to hold the tank in place. It may be possible to put two tanks inside one of these racks if not, you will need something else on the other side of the rack to secure the tank.
Available Single Propane Tank Mount Options
There is the Vestil CB-W-S Wall-Mounted Bracket which is very simple in design. It is made to hold one 12-inch in diameter gas cylinder and it is made from steel. It attaches to the trailer though but can be used when you want to place the propane tank on your tongue.
The Power Tank Propane Tank Bracket is a hoop bracket that works for Worthington 10 pound tanks. It is a very solid option and has enough holes to bolt it to the tongue of your trailer.
Power Tank BKT-2285-SS Propane Power Bracket is made for smaller propane tanks as well. Its 8-inch diameter restriction does not stop it from holding a tank on your trailer’s tongue. Smaller holes on the back of the device have you attaching this bracket directly to your trailer.
Similar to the previous option, this Propane Tank Bracket holds a 9-inch diameter propane tank with ease. Its solid metal construction should handle the weight of the tank and it too is designed to attach to the trailer, not the tongue. However, it can sit on the tongue.
Finally, the Stromberg Carlson 2020-JR J Bottle Rack will hold a 20-pound propane tank. Its single leg design doesn't mean it is not strong enough to handle the workload. It will bolt directly to the tongue of your trailer as well as attach to the trailer walls.
There is a screw to adjust the hoop to make getting the tank out or putting it in easy work.
All of these options were found at Amazon. E trailer only had propane brackets for two propane tanks. There are innumerable designs and brand options available.
Propane Tank J Hooks
The Coleman J hook option is very simplistic in nature, yet it is a very secure option to use. The first step in the process is to place your propane tank where you want it. Then place the hooks through the holes in your propane tank and the bottom part of the hooks go through the holes in the trailer tongue.
Then place the washers and wing-nuts onto the threaded part of the J hooks and then tighten the two sets. That is how you attach this brand of J hooks. it is simple, fast and you should not need to drill extra holes.
Coleman is probably not the only brand that makes J Hooks. You should be able to find them just about anywhere hardware supplies or RV parts are sold. Another option would be to make your own.
You would just have to bend the rod a little bit but make sure you have good threads on the other side of the hooks. Some owners have done this with S hooks and it seems to work out fine for them
Either way, you go you need to make sure the rods are rated to hold the weight of a filled propane tank. Also, make sure the washers and wing-nuts are up to the task and do not have any flaws or weaknesses.
20 Lb Propane Tank Bracket For RV
Power Tank’s Propane Tank Bracket will hold up to a 20-pound propane tank. It comes with a strong frame and 2 hoops. Plus, you have a choice in how you want to mount it. You can use the holes on the bottom to attach it to the tongue or the holes in the back to attach it to your trailer. or you can do both.
The bracket comes with rubber trim plus it only weighs about 4 1/2 pounds. That is not too much weight to add to your trailer. The marine-grade construction helps it endure what the weather throws its way.
Or you can make your own using some angle iron, some partially threaded rods, and some wing-nuts and washers. All you have to do is bend the rod on the non-threaded side to fit through the holes on the angle iron. The angle iron is placed through the gaps on the top of the propane tank.
Then place the threaded ends of the rod through the hols on your trailer tongue and use the washers and wing-nuts to tighten the assembly down. Or try to combine some other ideas you have heard about and see what you can come up with.
Mounting Propane Tank On The Trailer Tongue
One of the difficulties in mounting the propane tank to your trailer tongue is that the battery box might be in your way. The battery box would have to be re-positioned to make sure you have room for the propane tank.
The way to do this is to buy some thick plywood, cut it to a size that will hold both objects, and then paint the wood. Then attach the plywood to the trailer tongue and you should use lag bolts for this and washers. You want a stronghold as the battery box will add some weight to the assembly.
if you have a steel pan with rods sticking up, that would go underneath the plywood. Just drill through the plywood and plate to attach the battery box. Then use the rods and weld a hoop into place. Make sure the hoop has an easy open style to it but is not weak enough to let go of the propane tank.
Once you have done that place the propane tank inside the hoop and lock it shut. Make sure the hoop is made from metal as soft straps do not survive towing accidents and can create a bigger problem.
How Do You Hang a Propane Tank?
We did not find any suitable instructions for this method. In fact, no one talks about hanging a propane tank as that would be a very dangerous project to do. The regulations state that all propane tanks must be vertical and fully supported.
They cannot move while in transit and need to be fully secured. Soft straps are not recommended to use for securing propane tanks. The reason for this is that any trailer or towing crash can sever those straps quite easily.
Once the straps are severed the tanks can go anywhere and possibly explode on you making a bad situation worse. Metal straps are the only device you can use to prevent such mishaps from taking place.
While some very good mounts come with one metal hoop or strap, it is always better to use a mount with 2 straps. Double the strength gives you double the protection. There is a plastic propane tank stabilizer on the market. it is supposed to attach to your tank and keep it stable at all times.
It may or may not work. Judging from the comments it is too lightweight and flimsy to really do any good.
Can Propane Tanks Be Mounted Sideways?
Do not take that heavy construction equipment as your example. Those vehicles do have their propane tanks on their side but they also have special equipment to handle the issues that come with using that position.
When it comes to small 20 and 30 pound tanks, they should always be placed upright in their stands. The reason for this is that you are burning the gas not the liquid. The liquid needs to remain near the bottom of the tank.
Also, do not put a propane tank upside down. If you do, there is a very good possibility that the liquid propane will leak out and get all over the place. If there is an open flame nearby then you stand the risk of igniting the liquid propane and causing a big fire.
Also, the newly designed tanks may shut off on you if you turn them on their side. This is a safety precaution to prevent hazardous situations. Of course, there will be those people who say it is okay to lay propane tanks on their side but they are a bit confused or they were extremely lucky.
Propane Tank Regulations
If you travel all over the country you will have found or will find out, that different states have different regulations. While you cannot be responsible to know all of the regulations for each state, it is a wise move to check on those states you are going to travel to.
Then on top of the different states’ regulations, there are also federal regulations you need to be aware of. Keep in mind that it is illegal to travel with your propane tanks open. That law includes traveling through tunnels with them open as well.
Make sure to have a leak detector in your RV. If it goes off or you smell propane inside your RV, do not light anything. Instead, get out of the RV and go to a safe distance and call a propane expert to find and contain the leak.
Some Final Words
Mounting your propane tank properly will save you from harm. If there was a time where less is more doesn’t work, this is it. You will want to mount those tanks securely and properly.
This is not a situation where it is okay to cut corners. Be safe, not sorry.
