Propane tank compliance - RV update: places, products, clubs, & activities you can enjoy in your RV - Brief Article

Travel America, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Nancy Baren Miller

Effective this past April, national safety regulations mandate an upgrade or replacement of "pre-1998" propane tanks not equipped with an overfill protection device (OPD). The OPD valve serves as an automatic cutoff when the propane level reaches the tank's rated capacity. Propane providers won't fill tanks without the OPD.

It's identified by its triangular shape. The valve is permanently mounted and "OPD" is stamped on the handwheel and valve body. One place to find this device is Camping World, which has information displayed in all 30 stores alerting RVers of the changes. The 2002 Master Catalog contains instructions and guidelines. Camping World offers a full line of portable LP replacement cylinders that are OPD compliant, ranging from 5 to 40 pounds. For information, call (800) 838-1923 or go online at www.campingworld.com.