Safe propane tank storage

[allyncooper]

Hi. New to the forums and grateful for the wealth of information here.

Have a 60" x 80" enclosed trailer originally bought primarily for tool transport, but slowly converting it to an offroad camping trailer. I have a Weatherguard steel tool box mounted on the tongue in front. I would like to put a couple propane tanks as well as a small gas generator (storage only) in this box, but there is a warning inside the lid not to store propane tanks or gas equipment or gas cans. I assume this is because any gas/fume leakage could build up and potentially ignite ( I plan on nothing electrical in the box). The box is quite airtight when its gasketed lid is closed.

My question is if I provided adequate ventilation like vents installed on the sides of the box and perhaps even rain protected vents in the lid, would it be safe to store the otherwise prohibited materials? As a novice here I have a lot to learn but above all safety comes first. TIA.

 

[RoadForce]

Gas is heavier than air, so it will flow to the bottom. To get rid of it, you need sufficient ventilation in the floor. Also, keep the gas bottles upright all the time,so in case of a leak in the connection or in case the pressure inside the bottle rises to the point the safety valve trips, only propane gas is released, not the liquid gas which would be far more dangerous.

 

[allyncooper]

Gas bottles will be secured upright. So no problem if I put a couple of vents at floor level? Good idea to put a couple up high as well to displace anything dispelled from the bottom?

 

[bstory]

Actually, the holes need to actually be in the floor as the gas will sink to the lowest level. You also need to line the inside of the container (or at least the seams of whatever you use to build it )with something that gas won't permeate - epoxy or metal, for example. Finally, you need to put gaskets around the inside of the opening panel/door and use the draw-tight clamping/locking latches to make sure you get a good seal that doesn't loosen as the trailer hits bumps. MANY, many boats have been blown up by gas settling at the lowest point in the boat, despite good ventilation overall.

 

[allyncooper]

I'll have no problem putting holes in the bottom of the box. As mentioned in the OP, this is a Weatherguard box. It's heavy steel (prolly 16 ga.) with a positive locking latch and gasketed lid. It's not an over bed box but an in bed box, much bigger capacity (it will hold 3 #20 lb. tanks with room to spare). This box lists for $600 and sells on Amazon for about $450. I do plan on installing additional lockable latches. Thanks for your input.