How to Transport Your Propane Cylinder the Safe Way

Propane cylinder exchanges make buying and refilling your cylinders simple and easy. But every customer needs to know how to transport those cylinders safely to their home and back to the exchange.  Read on for our most important propane cylinder transportation tips!

Know Before You Go

Before placing a propane cylinder in any vehicle, here are several important safety guidelines to follow for a safe ride:

• Always transport a propane cylinder in an upright position
• Make sure the valve on the cylinder is closed
• Only place the cylinder in a well-ventilated area
• Do not leave propane cylinders in vehicles longer than the drive to and from your propane tank exchange location
• Do not leave propane cylinders in hot vehicles

Where to Stow a Propane Cylinder?

Propane cylinders are safe to transport in a vehicle as long as you practice safety measures. The safest location to stow your propane cylinder depends on what kind of vehicle you are driving.  If you drive a pickup truck or a vehicle with an attached trailer, the safest location to stow your cylinder is in the truck bed or trailer.  The cylinder should be secured in an upright position with a rope or bungee cord to prevent it from tipping over or rolling around during your drive.

If you are driving a car, you may transport your cylinder in the backseat. Keep a window partially open for ventilation.  Again, the cylinder should be secured in an upright position so that it cannot move around during the drive. In the backseat, you can achieve this by placing the cylinder upright on the backseat and using the rear side of the front seat to wedge the cylinder in place tightly. Bungee cords, ropes, and even seatbelts can help secure the tank in the backseat. 

If you are driving an SUV, you may stow the cylinder in the trunk. In the trunk, you can secure your propane cylinder in the safe, upright position by placing it in a box or a milk crate or using bungee cords or ropes to tie it down.