So far as attaching an external tank, like a barbecue tank, Van Cafe I think sells an attachment for that purpose.  I haven't looked closely at it, though I might.

With respect to getting a fillup at an RV shop:  The only problem I've had with that is the places that have a minimum charge, which often exceeds the capacity of the camper tank.  The "Extend a Stay" attachment looks attractive in that regard.

mcneely

---- Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I have 2 goals in mind with this modification.  One is to have a more
> common fitting on the tank so that I can get it filled more
> easily.  I've run out of propane on the road and had to visit more
> than one place to find one that had the adapter that fit the fitting
> on the van.  I think any place that can fill a BBQ tank or an RV
> should be good to fill this 1 3/4" ACME fitting.  The other is that
> I'd like to be able to temporarily hook a disposable tank to the fill
> valve when the big tank runs out.  Again, for the time that I run out
> of propane and can't get to a fill place right away.  If I'm at a
> remote camp place I would like to avoid having to leave to find a
> propane filling station.  Hook up little tank and have enough gas to
> run the fridge and stove for at least a couple days?  This would only
> be used while stationary of course.
>
> I already have the fill valve and separate bleeder at the 80%
> level.  This fitting I linked to replaces the one already on the
> tank, so it wouldn't stick out any further.
>
> The first time I got my tank filled I went to a gas station and a
> "grizzled" old mechanic guy came out to fill the tank.  This was
> before I understood about the bleed valve and 80% fill limit.  He
> slapped the filler on there and opened it up then started talking to
> me.  He asked me something about how much mileage I get on it.  I
> realized later that he thought he was filling a propane tank that
> powered the van, not the tiny tank for my westy kitchen.  So yeah, it
> was really, really, really full.  I figured this out and cracked open
> the bleeder valve and liquid propane came out for a long time.
>
> Edward
>
> At 05:52 PM 1/9/2012, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> >Somehow with the very small tank in the Vanagon I would be hesitant to not
> >have the overfill protection device on the fill valve. Even with the vent
> >bleeder open you can still overfill a tank without much effort. Be sure to
> >have a 2 stage regulator so an overfill does not cause liquid to get to the
> >fridge or stove.
> >
> >Dennis
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> >Edward Maglott
> >Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 1:02 PM
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: New Propane tank fill valve/fitting
> >
> >I'm thinking about getting one of these for my tank.  The 1 and 3/4" ACME
> >threads are the same as what is on a typical BBQ tank.
> >http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300647482652
> >
> >Edward

--
David McNeely