I have found it easiest to wait til it is completely out before filling.
You might try that for the first couple fills.  The back pressure in the
valve can cause an air lock and the attendant will give up.  I also agree
that the bleeder valve needs to be open all the way or at least a
lot--despite many attendants saying otherwise.  Now I just kind of push my
way in there and help get the job done. Before I had filled it several
times, I had attendants swearing up and down there was something wrong.
Took it to a suburban propane place and the guy explained it all and I have
not had problems since.  Waiting til it's empty is the lesser of 2 evils,
but I always have my backpacking stove with me if I get stuck w/o fuel.

>From: Aaron Pearson <aarondpearson@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Aaron Pearson <aarondpearson@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: propane filling
>Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 09:09:00 -0600
>
>i've never filled a propane tank.  i have no idea how much is in my tank.
>since i bought it, i used the stove for a total of ~20 minutes.  when i
>went
>to fill it last night, the guy said a tiny bit went in at first, but none
>after that.  he was puzzled, since he "didn't see and fluid coming out the
>bleeder valve, so it must have an auto-stop".  so now we're heading out for
>an overnight... am i going to be able to cook a dinner and breakfast?  does
>it sound like it's full?
>
>thanks.
>
>aaron
>'87 syncro westy ej22
>
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