How high is this milk crate mounted?  Is it above the collision-height in
the event of a rear-end crash? Probably not.
  Are milk crates or roof rack hold-downs DOT-approved for safe
transporation of a pressurized vessel upon a highway?  NO.
  How is the milk crate secured to the bike rack/ vehicle?  How is the tank
secured to the milk crate or luggage rack, so it doesn't become a bomb when
you come to a sudden stop, like when you collide with something else?  NO.
  There are distinct Federal regulations regarding this subject, for the
safety of all of us travelling down the road.  A cop could pull you over for
such blatant disregard for these important laws.
  I'm aware of what you CANNOT legally do, regarding pressurized cylinders,
but I don't see any legally-feasible method of attaching them to a Vanagon
Westy.  BTW, the stock propane bottle on a Westy is classified as a mounted
storage tank, and not the same classification as an unmounted, refillable
cylinder.  Different laws apply to each type.
  So, I ask the list, does anyone know of any safe and legal way to carry a
cylinder, either in or on a Westy?

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jake de Villiers" <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:24 PM
Subject: Re: Extend-A-Stay Propane Kit

>"   I don't know what to do with the tanks"
>
> I carry my half size tanks in the luggage rack or in a milk crate on the
> bike rack.   Works dandy.
>
> On Sun, Apr 13, 2008 at 6:27 AM, Mike <mbucchino@charter.net> wrote:
>
>>  It sounds like you installed it after the 't'-fitting.  It would have to
>> be installed between the regulator and the 't'-fitting to be able to use
>> both appliances at the same time.  If this necessitates enlarging the
>> opening in stoneguard, then that's what needs to happen.
>>  Removal of the whole tank is easy, just those 2 lines that you've
>> already
>> removed, and 4 nuts under the chassis that hold the brackets to the body.
>> The bolts (studs?) seem to be captive and remained with the vehicle on my
>> '87 Westy, when I recently removed my rusted-through tank.
>>  I permanently installed a hose and fitting that allows me to temporarily
>> connect a 1 lb bottle or a 2 or 5 lb tank when needed at the campsite.
>>  Now,
>> how do I legally transport a tank while enroute?
>>  I always carry a few 1 lb bottles inside my cabinets, but I don't know
>> what to do with the tanks, so no tanks for now, I guess......
>>
>> Mike B.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "J Stewart" <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 8:02 AM
>> Subject: Extend-A-Stay Propane Kit
>>
>>
>>  Bought one of these a couple of weeks ago when Bus Depot  had them on
>> > sale. Installed it yesterday, feeling kinda like I've been chumped
>> > here.
>> > Unless I'm missing something, doesn't look like this thing works all
>> > that
>> > well with the Westy propane tank set up. First, significant bending of
>> > the
>> > lines from the regulator are required to get this "T" in place. Once it
>> > is
>> > place, the two connections could never be used at the same time ,unless
>> > you remove the guard from the bottom of the tank. My main interest in
>> > this
>> > thing was the ability to hook up a 1 lb bottle, which I did and it
>> > works-sort of. My tank is empty, but with a full 1lb bottle hooked up I
>> > was able to light the stove, so I know I'm getting propane. But when I
>> > disconnect the bottle, I got a huge discharge of propane from the
>> > direction of the tank (not the bottle). Read in the archive of folks
>> > being
>> > happy with this thing,  but right now I'm feeling like I threw about 60
>> > bucks away.   Jeff
>> >
>>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> Crescent Beach, BC
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>