How Much Does Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) Weigh?
Standard 20-lb propane cylinder (the common BBQ/grill tank). Full gross weight ~37 lbs (17 lb empty tank + 20 lb propane). Liquid propane itself weighs 4.2 lbs/gallon.
A standard 20-pound propane cylinder, the kind used on most backyard grills, weighs about 37 pounds full: roughly 17 pounds for the empty steel tank plus 20 pounds of liquid propane inside. Liquid propane itself weighs about 4.2 pounds per gallon, so that 20 pounds of product works out to a little under 5 gallons of liquid packed into a pressurized cylinder.
Individually, a 20-pound cylinder is a non-issue for any truck's payload — it's the kind of weight you barely notice. The real consideration with propane isn't crushing your payload with one tank, it's handling pressurized gas safely and knowing the limits if you're hauling several at once for a job or event.
What Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) Is Used For
- Grilling and backyard cookouts
- Camping stoves, lanterns, and portable heaters
- Patio and outdoor heaters for cool-weather gatherings
- Tailgating and outdoor event catering setups
- Powering portable propane generators
- Running forklifts or other small propane-fueled equipment
Weight Facts
- Weight per piece
- 37 lbs
- Category
- Liquid & Tanks
How Much Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (pieces) |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 40 |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 40 |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 37 |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 40 |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 37 |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 39 |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 42 |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 31 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 29 |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 32 |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 41 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 43 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 40 |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 33 |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 40 |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 39 |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 81 |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 108 |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 148 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 86 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 86 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 154 |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 154 |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 52 |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 169 |
Hauling Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ): What to Know
Propane cylinders should always ride upright with the valve closed and a protective cap on, secured so they can't tip, roll, or slide during braking and turns. Even though a 20-pound tank isn't heavy, an unsecured cylinder rolling around a truck bed is a real safety hazard if the valve gets damaged or knocked open.
Transport cylinders in an open truck bed or a well-ventilated area rather than a closed cab, since propane is heavier than air and can pool if it leaks. If you're hauling multiple cylinders for a catering job, a construction crew, or a big event, check local fire code limits on the total number or aggregate weight of filled cylinders you can transport in a personal vehicle without extra precautions.
Buying & Ordering Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ)
Twenty-pound cylinders are sold and exchanged everywhere from grocery stores and gas stations to hardware stores and propane retailers, either as a swap-for-full exchange or a refill of your own tank at a dedicated station. Exchange tanks are convenient but are often only filled to about 15-17 pounds by weight for safety margin, while a refill at a propane dealer will typically top off closer to the full 20-pound rating.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
✓ Within Capacity — 1,463 lbs remaining
This load is within the published payload rating. Always account for passengers, fuel, and bed accessories in your total.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) — Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a full 20-pound propane cylinder weigh?
- About 37 pounds total — roughly 17 pounds for the empty steel cylinder (its tare weight, usually stamped on the collar) plus 20 pounds of propane.
- Can you lay a propane cylinder on its side in a truck bed?
- It's not recommended. Cylinders are designed to vent through the valve in an upright position, so laying one on its side risks liquid propane reaching the valve and venting improperly if pressure builds.
- How many 20-pound propane cylinders can you legally haul at once?
- Rules vary by state and use case, but many jurisdictions allow a modest number of filled cylinders for personal use before triggering placarding or commercial transport requirements — check local fire code before hauling a large stack.
- How much does Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) weigh per piece?
- Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) weighs approximately 37 lbs per piece. Standard 20-lb propane cylinder (the common BBQ/grill tank). Full gross weight ~37 lbs (17 lb empty tank + 20 lb propane). Liquid propane itself weighs 4.2 lbs/gallon.
- How much Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ) can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 40 pieces of Propane, 20-lb cylinder (BBQ).
Related Material Weights
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