Latest News
Why Dual 1 lb Propane Tanks Beat Big, Heavy Single Tanks for Overlanding
Aug
Convenience is King!
When you’re living out of a rig, fuel isn’t just “fuel” — it’s heat, hot meals, coffee, and light. For a lot of trips, dual 1 lb propane cylinders outperform a single big tank because they’re lighter, easier to stash, and give you redundancy instead of a single point of failure.
Here’s what the camping community says, how the numbers pencil out, and how a purpose-built mount turns 1 lb bottles into a clean, rattle-free system.
What Campers Actually Say about 1LB Bottles
Across camping forums and Reddit, people highlight three recurring benefits: grab-and-go convenience, easy storage, and broad compatibility with stoves, lanterns, heaters, and small grills.
- “I move the Q [grill] around, so I’m likely to stay with the small bottles… it’s convenient to keep a small inventory.”
- “Any hardware, sportswear… even Target probably sells them.”
- “Use mine for stoves and lanterns… portable grill…”
- Many van and RV users routinely carry several 1 lb cylinders without issue, noting DOT approval for transport when used as intended.
- On trip length, users report a single 1 lb can covering several meals on a weekend — enough that they bring a spare more for peace of mind than necessity.
The portability math: weight and bulk
Weight is where small cylinders shine.
- A typical 1 lb (16 oz) propane cylinder weighs ~2 lb total when full.
- A 5 lb tank is roughly 15 lb full (≈ 9–10 lb empty + 5 lb propane).
- A 20 lb tank is ~37–39 lb when full.
Redundancy beats single-point failure
Resupply anywhere
Sustainability is getting better for 1 lb use
How the AAL Dual 1 lb Propane Tank Mount makes small bottles “trail-ready”
Our mount addresses the two real annoyances of 1 lb bottles — securing them and managing them.
- Trail-ready redundancy – carry two, run one dry, swap, and keep moving.
- Selector arrow – mark the “active” bottle to prevent a pile of half-used cylinders.
- Left or right swing – reversible swing-arm to fit your layout.
- Universal fit – Coleman disposable and Flame King refillable 1 lb bottles.
- Mount anywhere – vertical panel, floor, platform systems, and pre-drilled for AAL Spare Tire Platforms and MOLLE bed panels.
- Rattle-free in drawers/totes – even unbolted, it locks bottles from rolling.
- Made in the USA – 5052 aluminum, laser-cut, corrosion-resistant, built in-house.
When does a larger tank still make sense?
Dual 1LB Propane Tanks and Mount
- Weekend trips
- Minimalist kitchens
- Bbackup fuel Dual 1 lb bottles
- Light, stashable, redundancy, easy resupply
5LB Propane Tank and Mount
- If you’re running a large griddle, patio heater, or campfire ring nightly, a 5 lb or 11 lb can simplify refills and cost per BTU. Many long-trip campers choose a 5 lb for economy but acknowledge the small 1 lb bottles are handier for day trips and portability.
- Week-long trips with heavy cooking 5 lb tank Lower cost per fill, still compact
- Group cooking, heaters, campfire rings 10–20 lb tank Long runtimes, fewer refills
Safety and handling reminders
Carry cylinders upright, secured, away from sharp objects and heat sources. Community guidance and propane safety pages echo this common-sense storage.
If you prefer refillable 1 lb bottles, choose DOT-certified cylinders and follow manufacturer guidance.
The bottom line
For many overlanders, dual 1 lb cylinders are the sweet spot — low weight, modular capacity, easy resupply, and no single point of failure. Pairing them with a purpose-built mount like the American Adventure Lab Dual 1LB Propane Tank Mount turns those “green bottles” from loose rattlers into a secure, professional system.
Shop all Propane Tanks and Mounts