Where to store propane

BE4Runner

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As we are preparing our 2000 4Runner for a few months of travelling around the country, I've not been able to come up with a decent place to carry propane with me. We are planning to use a Coleman propane stove - so 1lb disposable or even bigger tanks are both a possibility.

The thought process I've already gone through:
My wife and I will be sleeping inside the truck, so inside the cab is out of the question for safety reasons, I think. I don't have a roof rack, and would rather not get one since it will hurt gas mileage, especially if I stick a propane cylinder up there too. My 4Runner actually came without the factory rack, just the flat 'inserts' in it's place. A roof rack + propane cylinder would also make the 4Runner too tall for lots of parking garages. I've seen guys mount propane on the swing-out rear bumper, but that's $1500 from CBI, and it will put more stress on the stock springs in the back, which will be loaded down from gear anyways.

I've had a couple ideas:
1. A folding hitch receiver. This might be good, but would put a pressurized tank of propane in a terrible place if I was rear-ended. It will also get in the way of tailgate access, and at the very least make it more inconvenient.
2. Gobi ladder - looks like I could probably mount a 5lb or 10/11lb canister on this easy enough, and it could be up higher, in a hopefully safer position.

Does anyone have any experience carrying propane on longer 'expeditions'? Seems like we could get a tank to a campsite easy enough, but coming up with a good everyday solution is proving a bit more difficult for me.
 
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Why are you not wanting to carry it inside? I have been doing it for years, it is probably the safest place. If your worried about it being a projectile you could tie it down, and when your at the camping spot leave it outside.
 
Im completely lost on how much you are thinking about this. Store in vehicle especially if its the 1lb disposables. If you are worried store on roof when sleeping?
 
[MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION] I do tend to overthink everything! :ohwell:

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I'm worrying too much, and should just carry the disposables in the car with me.
 
[MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION] I do tend to overthink everything! :ohwell:

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I'm worrying too much, and should just carry the disposables in the car with me.

Ive been doing this since my dad has taken me camping as a baby. Never once thought about being dangerous, now you got me worried!!!
 
Ive been doing this since my dad has taken me camping as a baby. Never once thought about being dangerous, now you got me worried!!!

Look at that, it only took me two minutes to cast doubt on a lifetime of camping habits! :bat:

I'm not so much worried about driving down the road with the canisters, more about leaving them in the truck interior that will likely hit 120+ degrees in Texas summer heat, and then sleeping in the same space.
 
I have stored those small bottles in the vehicle FOREVER. Maybe not in 120 degree heat. If I were worried, just sit them outside.
 
I've shot those out in the desert before. They don't do anything. You wouldn't want it to explode in your car, obviously, but they're not going to murder you.
 
I just carry my tank in the 4Runner (strapped down) and then put it outside when I get where I am going.

I've shot those out in the desert before. They don't do anything. You wouldn't want it to explode in your car, obviously, but they're not going to murder you.

Ha, they survived hits from 9mm and .40...

then .223 and .308 shredded them

The key is to have a flare going next to the tank...

Stand back.
 
I keep mini propane tanks in my rig 24/7 in case I have to go out on a strike team. I use them for a Jet Boil so I can make coffee out in the field and eat dehydrated meals. I have never once thought it was unsafe to carry them inside the passenger compartment.

On the other hand, carrying fuel mix cans, gas for a motorcycle and chainsaws inside the passenger compartment when I'm headed out to do some trail work, that's a different story. As you head up to higher elevations, sometimes the pressure can cause those to off-gas a little and you end up breathing in some fumes. Probably killed a few brain cells over the years but I'm still functional.
 
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As we are preparing our 2000 4Runner for a few months of travelling around the country..

I highly suggest buying a 5, 8, or 10 pound propane tank if you're gone that long . Those 1lb green cans get expensive pretty quick. I only bring 1 green can with me in case my 5lb'er runs out. But its nice to pay for propane by the pound. Plus, it takes up a lot less space than 5/8/10 cans!
 
I store them in the same Pelican case that I store the Coleman stove, pots and utensils in.
Are you going to have room to sleep in the 4Runner with other stuff like stoves and camping equipment still in the car?
If I'm sleeping in the car, the equipment cases stay outside.
 
Are you going to have room to sleep in the 4Runner with other stuff like stoves and camping equipment still in the car?

We are building a platform or bridge setup so that we can sleep in the car with all gear still inside. That will give us more options than just campsites to crash for the night.
 

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