Cold Weather Dispersed Camping

[CRM]

On 1/28/2025 at 2:08 PM, ScubaRx said:

Everybody with a hull number less than 200 should be aware that their propane tanks are nearing their 10 year fill by expiration date. 

It's 12 years in my neck of the woods with a 5 year extension after recertification. 

[topgun2]

The quote below was prepared by the Franger Gas Company.

Bill

 

How often does a Propane Tank need to be recertified?

Propane tanks are good for 12 years from the date of manufacture. After that, tanks typically need inspecting and recertification every five years. To check your tank’s status, look at the collar at the top of the tank. You’ll find the date of manufacture stamped into the collar using the typical month and year code. A tank stamped 08 18, for example, was manufactured in August 2018.

When the tank is recertified, the company certifying it will either add a sticker to the tank with the inspection date on it or stamp its own mark into the top of the cylinder. A recertified date code consists of the letter A, B, C, or D as well as a two-digit number. The letter in the code indicates the quarter, and the number signals the year that the tank was recertified. A stamp that reads B 20 indicates certification during the second quarter (April, May, or June) of the year 2020.

There are a few more things to note about the dates/tags listed on your propane tank, and how it indicates the propane inspection type performed on your tank:

Date Only

If your propane tank shows only a date, with no letter following it – this is typically the manufacturing date and indicates you will need to have your propane tank recertified within 12 years of the date on the tank.

Date followed by a Letter

An “S” on the tank after the date indicates an internal hydrostatic method was used for inspection. This means you have 7 years before needing your DOT propane tank checked again.

An “E” following the date listed on your tank means the tank was inspected only visually and externally. This means you will need your propane tank inspected within five years of that date.

The codes are meant to let you and any future technicians who examine the tank know when it was last checked and in which way.

How to Recertify a Propane Tank

Now that you understand the reason and timing behind recertification – we will explain the simple process of having your propane tank recertified. You can follow these quick and easy steps and you will be back to grilling or RVing in no time!

1. Visit frangergas.com to find the nearest Franger Gas location.
2. No appointment is necessary!
3. Bring your tank to one of our refilling locations for recertification. We will inscribe your tank with the inspection date and recertification date.  Note: There is a nominal fee for recertification.
4. Once your tank has been recertified, it’s time to get grilling!

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, CRM said:

It's 12 years in my neck of the woods with a 5 year extension after recertification. 

I like how this is worded. After talking to @ScubaRx about this last night. He mentioned that across the country many locations have a 10 year policy. You may have to shop around for a location that will honor 12 years. I've heard 10 from our local Ford dealer who provides the wholesale price of $2.50/gal to their customers. We always leave home with two full 30# tanks. I may have to find the 12-year rule in legal writing from the AZ DOT after my tanks go over 10 years.

[CRM]

45 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

 You may have to shop around for a location that will honor 12 years. 

Just called a propane dealer in my area and they told me that there's a lot of confusion to the Federal law. It was originally 12 years, then changed to 10 a few years back at which point the propane industry made noise and DOT sent out an order to not enforce the new 10 year ruling. But 10 is what the Federal law actually says so better to get it done at ten, IMHO. 

[Patriot]

30 minutes ago, CRM said:

Just called a propane dealer in my area and they told me that there's a lot of confusion to the Federal law. It was originally 12 years, then changed to 10 a few years back at which point the propane industry made noise and DOT sent out an order to not enforce the new 10 year ruling. But 10 is what the Federal law actually says so better to get it done at ten, IMHO. 

I agree with new tanks at the 10 year mark. What could possibly go wrong? 😄

Edited 2 hours ago by Patriot

[CRM]

I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I decided to go down the rabbit hole of looking up the actual law in the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) based on the DOT 4BA  type tanks I have and found these recertification guidelines. Adds even more confusion, but I'm still having it done at 10 years anyway!