From the Driver's Seat: The 411 on Propane
The Supertramp camper (STC) comes standard with two propane tanks. Each tank holds 11 lbs, which translates to 2.4 - 2.8 gallons when refilling, depending on your elevation and outside temperature. When purchasing propane for the tanks we have found it costs from $9 to $15 to fill one tank, depending on the cost per gallon. We have found that Tractor Supply Company (TSC) have been the most consistent regarding prices. Be warned: some refill stations charge a flat fee for different size tanks - - small, medium, large. In these instances, they charge $25 for a small tank that can be up to 20 lbs. This would not make economical sense for our 11 lb tank, as that would translate to $10 per gallon. My advice is to call ahead for pricing. Another footnote: A majority of TSCs refill propane, but we have found two that only exchange tanks.
Why we consistently refill our tanks at TSC is due to their availability across the country. You may have to travel to a larger town or city, but one is usually close by. A representative usually comes out within minutes after alerting them of your need for propane. They make it a quick and easy process, taking roughly ten minutes.
One of the features I have always liked on the Supertramp camper is the two propane tank system. When one runs out, you just change to the other tank, and refill the empty the next time you are out. This way, you are never totally out of propane. In the summer when we are using propane for cooking, we have found that one tank can last 3-4 weeks. In the winter when we are relying on propane for cooking and for heat, it will last 5-7 days. When we were in an extremely cold (minus 15 degrees at night and 5 during day), we only lasted 3 days. In its defense, I don't think the heat ever shut down! I was truly impressed with the system. We were never cold inside our camper.
Breaking our costs down further and using the $15 per tank cost:
Average Summer Usage 14 Days
Refill Cost $15 x 2 Refills (28 Days) = $30 per month +/-
Average Winter Usage 5 Days
Refill Cost $15 x 6 Refills (30 days) = $90 per month +/-
These costs are approximate depending on temperature and cooking. For example, we had a tank last over 4 weeks last fall! I kept thinking it was going to run out, but it kept on going!
If we stay at a campground, we use their shore power. This allows us to use the Supertramp's secondary electric heater, which saves us a little on propane.
In summary, I am very impressed with the STC's propane system and numbers usage. You cannot beat $90 per month for a heating bill in the middle of winter. We would be hard pressed to match that bill in any home we have lived! The system is both efficient and economical.
Next Week: Storage Solutions
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