Don’t Let an Empty Propane Tank Ruin Your Camping Trip
Few things are more frustrating than getting ready to cook dinner, take a hot shower, or warm up the RV on a chilly evening only to discover you’ve run out of propane. Fortunately, checking your RV propane level is easier than many people realize, and you don’t need expensive equipment to do it.
Most modern RVs come equipped with a convenient command center that displays fresh water, gray and black tank levels, battery charge, and propane. These monitoring systems are certainly handy, but many older campers, travel trailers, pop-up campers, and even some newer entry-level RVs don’t include propane monitoring. In those cases, you’ll need to check the tanks yourself.
Unlike fresh water tanks, propane cylinders aren’t transparent, so you can’t simply look inside to see what’s left. Picking up and shaking a full propane tank isn’t much fun either, especially larger cylinders found on many fifth wheels.
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to check your propane level. Whether you’re looking for a free solution or prefer the convenience of modern technology, one of these methods is sure to fit your camping style.
The Free Method: Warm Water
Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways to check your propane level doesn’t cost a penny.
Liquid propane absorbs heat. That simple fact makes it easy to determine approximately where the propane level sits inside the tank.
Heat a pot of water until it’s very warm—near boiling is fine—but it doesn’t have to be boiling. Slowly pour the warm water down one side of the propane cylinder.
After waiting just a few seconds, place the palm of your hand near the top of the tank and slowly slide it downward.
The portion of the tank above the propane will feel warm. As soon as your hand reaches the liquid propane inside, the tank will suddenly feel noticeably cooler.
That temperature change marks the approximate propane level.
This method works best when your propane tanks are easy to reach and you’re somewhere that a little spilled water isn’t an issue.
Simple. Free. Surprisingly accurate.
The Weight Method
If your propane cylinders are removable, weighing them provides one of the most accurate estimates of how much propane remains.
Every propane tank has its Tare Weight (TW) stamped into the collar. This number represents how much the empty cylinder weighs, which is usually between 17 and 19 pounds for a standard 20-pound tank.
When full, the cylinder contains approximately 20 pounds of propane.
Here’s an example:
If your tank has a tare weight of 17 pounds and weighs 26 pounds on the scale:
26 pounds – 17 pounds = 9 pounds of propane remaining.
Since a full tank holds approximately 20 pounds of propane, you’d have just under half a tank left.
A regular bathroom scale works perfectly fine, although digital propane scales like the Flame King made specifically for RV use are also available if you’d like a little more convenience.
An Inexpensive Upgrade: Propane Tank Gauges
For around $15 to $20 each, inline propane gauges provide a quick visual indication of your propane supply.
These gauges install between the propane tank valve and the regulator. Most have an easy-to-read dial with green, yellow, and red zones.
Green indicates plenty of propane.
Yellow suggests it’s time to begin thinking about a refill.
Red means you should refill the tank before your next camping trip.
These gauges measure pressure rather than the actual liquid propane level, so temperature changes can affect their accuracy. They also require the propane valve to be turned on before they’ll provide a reading.
Even with those limitations, they’re an inexpensive way to monitor your propane supply and have served many RV owners well for years.
Our Favorite: Mopeka Tank Check
If you’ve followed Cooper Shortcut for any length of time, you probably know we enjoy technology that actually makes camping easier.
One product we’ve trusted for more years than I can count is the Mopeka Tank Check.
Rather than estimating pressure, the Mopeka sensor magnetically attaches to the bottom of each propane cylinder and uses ultrasonic technology to measure the actual propane level.
The sensor connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth and displays exactly how much propane remains. Depending on the settings, you can view percentages, liquid levels, and multiple tanks at once.
The Bluetooth range extends to roughly 150 feet under ideal conditions, meaning I can check our propane level without ever opening the front compartment of our fifth wheel.
We’ve used the Mopeka system on our RV for years, and we liked it so much that we also installed it on the propane tanks for our grill at home.
While the inexpensive inline gauges worked just fine, I simply enjoy opening the app and knowing exactly how much propane we have left without walking outside.
If you travel often or have larger propane cylinders that aren’t fun to remove, it’s money well spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my RV propane level?
I recommend checking it before every trip and every few days during extended camping. It only takes a minute and can save a great deal of frustration.
How long will a 20-pound propane tank last?
That depends entirely on how you’re using it. If you’re running the furnace continuously during cold weather, a tank may only last a few days. During mild summer camping, it can last several weeks while supplying only your stove, refrigerator, and water heater.
Is the warm water method really accurate?
Yes. While it won’t tell you the exact percentage remaining, it provides a surprisingly good estimate and has been used by RVers for decades.
Are propane gauges accurate?
Pressure gauges offer a helpful estimate, but outside temperatures can affect the readings. Weighing the tank or using an ultrasonic sensor like the Mopeka provides greater accuracy.
Should I refill before the tank is empty?
Absolutely. I prefer refilling once the tanks reach roughly one-quarter full. That leaves plenty of cushion and avoids those inconvenient emergency refill trips.
Final Thoughts
One thing we’ve learned after more than 40 years of camping is that small maintenance habits prevent big headaches.
Checking your propane level takes less than a minute, yet it can prevent cold nights, spoiled food, interrupted vacations, and unnecessary stress.
Whether you use the warm water trick, weigh your tanks, install an inexpensive pressure gauge, or invest in a Bluetooth monitoring system like the Mopeka Tank Check, the important thing is simply making propane checks part of your regular camping routine.
Personally, we’ll continue using our Mopeka sensors because they’ve proven themselves year after year. Being able to check propane levels from inside the RV—or while relaxing around the campfire—is one of those little conveniences that makes camping even more enjoyable.
As Grandma Cooper would probably remind us, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keeping an eye on your propane supply is one of the easiest ways to ensure your next camping adventure goes exactly as planned.
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