Gas bottles in Europe

[carolynS]

Your advice would be appreciated. Off to Europe in May for 6months, newbies to caravanning, going to France,Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy(hopefully!)Would it be sensible not to take our British Gas bottle and to buy maybe 2 in France and if so where do you get the required connection as I believe they are different on the continent?

many thanks

Carolyn

 

[laurieW]

Hi Carolyn. The problem with buying your gas bottle(s) in France is that you may not be able to get refills in Italy(say).

What we do is to take two full bottles of Calor propane (standard fit on caravan). We also take two Gaz bottles. The refills for these are available throughout Europe( very cheap in Spain.._8 last year).I bought these bottles from a boot sale here in UK and a new regulator from camping shop.We use electric for cooking where poss and the Gaz for the barby. We usually come home with at least one full Calor cylinder.It will be the Heater that consumes the most gas.

 

[emmitdb]

Greetings,

I 'discovered' a couple of years ago that the British male left handed threaded connection that is used on a British Butane small bottle exactly fits a French Propane bottle.

If your van has a built in Reg. (post 2005?)then the pigtail that is supplied for Butane bottles minus the 'Clip On' extension for 6kgs bottles will fit.

It may also be wise to purchase a connector to fit onto that pigtail in order that you can take a Campingaz 907 bottle. These bottles are available throughout Europe and can be used as a backup if your other only source is unavailable ie when you are not in France.

If the above does not quite make sense can I give permission to Mods for my Email address to be given and I will send photos.

You know what they say about a picture being worth etc. My 1000 words are nearly used up!!!

 

[Guest]

We have also done long trips in Europe and to begin with took 2 calor 7 kg butane cylinders and a Camping Gaz 907 cylinder for the BBQ. Always came back with 1 butane cylnder untouched and theother quarter full. So have ditched one and will just use 1 butane and the Camping Gaz. Virtually all EU sites have electric even of low amperage so the requirement for gas is usually very low. As it is hot???? you do not need heating and the hot water is electric also. You can get Camping Gaz everywhere in Europe and every country's cylinders are swoppable and although it is more expensive the flexibility is worth it, plus you are unlikely to have to buy more than once. If you plan to visit France regularly then by all means get French cylinders, but if not, then I would suggest it is not worth the hassle.

 

[carolynS]

Thanks Laurie, Del and Scotch Lad, Camping Gaz it is then. So just a little more advice please, do we buy the bottles here or France (1st 6 weeks will be spent there), can you get camping gaz in the supermarkets and finally will the 1 regulator fit all bottles when we swap in Europe?

we are real newbies and are trying to get as much advice from all you experienced caravanners as we can!

thanks again

 

[laurieW]

hi Carolyn. It depends if your caravan has the modern "bulkhead mount" regulator already fitted. If so, then you will need a butane pigtail along with a screw-in tap for the Gaz bottle. You then just connect the Gaz to your van using the fitted regulator.If your van hasn't got the bulkhead reg. then you will need a screw-on dedicated Gaz regulator(with tap)to connect to the rubber pipe in the gas locker.Remember that will own the Gaz bottles outright(not "hired" like Calor).I would look at boot sales/free-ads etc. and buy an old empty/part filled Gaz cyl (907 size). Then swap that for a full one either "here" or "there". Yes: refills/new cyls are available at French supermarkets, camping shops, some garages etc.

 

[laurieW]

hi Carolyn. It depends if your caravan has the modern "bulkhead mount" regulator already fitted. If so, then you will need a butane pigtail along with a screw-in tap for the Gaz bottle. You then just connect the Gaz to your van using the fitted regulator.If your van hasn't got the bulkhead reg. then you will need a screw-on dedicated Gaz regulator(with tap)to connect to the rubber pipe in the gas locker.Remember that will own the Gaz bottles outright(not "hired" like Calor).I would look at boot sales/free-ads etc. and buy an old empty/part filled Gaz cyl (907 size). Then swap that for a full one either "here" or "there". Yes: refills/new cyls are available at French supermarkets, camping shops, some garages etc.

Should have said "You will own Gaz bottle outright"

 

[laurieW]

hi Carolyn. It depends if your caravan has the modern "bulkhead mount" regulator already fitted. If so, then you will need a butane pigtail along with a screw-in tap for the Gaz bottle. You then just connect the Gaz to your van using the fitted regulator.If your van hasn't got the bulkhead reg. then you will need a screw-on dedicated Gaz regulator(with tap)to connect to the rubber pipe in the gas locker.Remember that will own the Gaz bottles outright(not "hired" like Calor).I would look at boot sales/free-ads etc. and buy an old empty/part filled Gaz cyl (907 size). Then swap that for a full one either "here" or "there". Yes: refills/new cyls are available at French supermarkets, camping shops, some garages etc.

Carolyn. If you type "907 Gaz" into ebay search, there is loads for sale with/without regulators.

 

[smiley]

Hi Carolyn

Buy a little cheap floor heater, you won't need to use gas then.

We always take one with us, brill little things, might as well if your on hook ups.

 

[John_miller]

Sorry to come late to this topic, but it might be worth investigating the BP Gas Light bottles. They are still building a supply network, but I know they are available in some other countries and their website should give the latest position. These bottles are significantly better value than Camping Gaz, which are very expensive in some places. You can get 10Kg BP bottles which should last for ages when you are abroad (We usually have gas to spare after a month abroad with two 3.9Kg Propane bottles (just changed to BP for this season)You could also perhaps take one camping gaz 907 as an emergency spare?

 

[carolynS]

Thanks Smiley but as our van heater is duel and will run off electric maybe not worth getting another?

 

[carolynS]

Thanks John, will look at site and check coverage, Did you buy new cylinders and do you need pigtail if swapping abroad? being thick but all so new to us!

 

[carolynS]

hi Carolyn. It depends if your caravan has the modern "bulkhead mount" regulator already fitted. If so, then you will need a butane pigtail along with a screw-in tap for the Gaz bottle. You then just connect the Gaz to your van using the fitted regulator.If your van hasn't got the bulkhead reg. then you will need a screw-on dedicated Gaz regulator(with tap)to connect to the rubber pipe in the gas locker.Remember that will own the Gaz bottles outright(not "hired" like Calor).I would look at boot sales/free-ads etc. and buy an old empty/part filled Gaz cyl (907 size). Then swap that for a full one either "here" or "there". Yes: refills/new cyls are available at French supermarkets, camping shops, some garages etc.

Thanks,have started to look on E-Bay and yes its a new van. Does the condition of the bottle matter when swapping as some look very battered?

 

[laurieW]

Thanks,have started to look on E-Bay and yes its a new van. Does the condition of the bottle matter when swapping as some look very battered?

Hi Carolyn. No..any condition will do. Make sure that your "old" bottle has the screw-in cap...otherwise they may not accept for exchange OR charge you about

 

[alunhve]

I am thinking of going back to the occasional foray into Europe after a few years gap. I still have a "cube" cylinder that I purchased when I had a touring caravan in storage in France but am unsure what would be involved in connecting it to my Series 5 Senator with the central bulkhead regulator.

Alun

 

[John_miller]

Carolyn - Yes, I bought new cylinders. You need a pigtail hose for all gas bottles to connect the fixed regulator to the bottle. For the BP Gas Light, you simply need an ordinary Butane hose PLUS a screw-in adapter for the clip-on head on the bottle. There is also an adapter available for propane bottles which can be attached to the Butane hose. I assume other adapters (Camping Gaz?) may also be available, but couldn't say for certain. I actually bought the Gaslow Stainless Steel pigtail hose - expensive, but they last almost forever and won't give any trouble with the regulator as has happened on certain caravans in the past.

John

 

[DianneT]

In Germany and Austria they will not exchange your UK BP light for one of their bottles and there are no adapters as yet. BP were going to make up a set for us to bring for trial but did not get them done in time as we are in Germany now. Nearly every country has a different adapter and if you buy an Austrian one you can have it refilled but they cannot refill UK Bottles. Bit of a mess up we had it last year.

 

[Nigel tindale]

hi Carolyn. It depends if your caravan has the modern "bulkhead mount" regulator already fitted. If so, then you will need a butane pigtail along with a screw-in tap for the Gaz bottle. You then just connect the Gaz to your van using the fitted regulator.If your van hasn't got the bulkhead reg. then you will need a screw-on dedicated Gaz regulator(with tap)to connect to the rubber pipe in the gas locker.Remember that will own the Gaz bottles outright(not "hired" like Calor).I would look at boot sales/free-ads etc. and buy an old empty/part filled Gaz cyl (907 size). Then swap that for a full one either "here" or "there". Yes: refills/new cyls are available at French supermarkets, camping shops, some garages etc.

You mention camping gaz 907 bottles. Is that because they are the largest or because they are the only size available? I have a 904. Nigel

 

[carolynS]

We have also done long trips in Europe and to begin with took 2 calor 7 kg butane cylinders and a Camping Gaz 907 cylinder for the BBQ. Always came back with 1 butane cylnder untouched and theother quarter full. So have ditched one and will just use 1 butane and the Camping Gaz. Virtually all EU sites have electric even of low amperage so the requirement for gas is usually very low. As it is hot???? you do not need heating and the hot water is electric also. You can get Camping Gaz everywhere in Europe and every country's cylinders are swoppable and although it is more expensive the flexibility is worth it, plus you are unlikely to have to buy more than once. If you plan to visit France regularly then by all means get French cylinders, but if not, then I would suggest it is not worth the hassle.

Have decided camping gaz is the best option because of availability. If we have problems can you buy pigtail connections abroad? We will take 1 with us but unsure how fragile they are and if it get damaged are we stuck without connection?

thanks

 

[carolynS]

Going to go with camping gaz because of its availablity. Will take a pigtail connection but if it broke can you get replacements in Europe or should we do belts and braces and take 2!?

thanks

 

[laurieW]

Going to go with camping gaz because of its availablity. Will take a pigtail connection but if it broke can you get replacements in Europe or should we do belts and braces and take 2!?

thanks

Hi Carolyn. You will need a 907 Gaz bottle, a screw-in "on-off Gaz tap and a butane "pigtail" pipe. The screw-in tap fixes to the bottle: the pigtail connects this to the caravan bulhead regulator. All of these components are available at most camping/caravan shops here in UK. The pig-tail pipe is quite substantial and should not fail.You may already have this on your van(unless yours is a Propane pigtail!!)

 

[Guest]

As mentioned you need a tap for the top of the 907 cylinder, available in any camping shop. It is highly probable your existing high pressure butane hose will fit the cylinder. The only issue that sometimes occurs is that as the 907 is shorter than the Calor cylinder, the hose may not be long enough to reach, if the regulator is fitted high. In this case a longer hose is available, again at camping shops. You may also have to raise the 907 cylinder in the gas locker in order to get the securing strap to fit correctly. I used a small block of wood under neath. I now have a twin set up with 1 Calor and 1 Camping Gaz connected through a gauge. Therefore if by any chance a hose did fail, I have a back up until I get a replacement.

The other good thing is it is easy to unscrew the 907 to use with the BBQ, but of course you need a normal 28 mb regulator and hose to fit to the BBQ. I appeciate as newbies this may seem complicated but most of us have 'inherited' various regulators over the years and can fit virtually everything nowadays.

You can get your 1st cylinder anywhere in UK/Europe and exchange it anywhere, that is the beauty of them. It is slightly more expensive, but negligible for the convenience.

Others have mentioned the BP cylinder. Yes, it is a lightweight cylinder but has nowhere near the availability of Camping Gaz, especially if you are in a quiet area. It is also propane which is better if you are planning winter caravanning. If only summer, then butane is probably better but again people have different opinions.

 

[emmitdb]

I am thinking of going back to the occasional foray into Europe after a few years gap. I still have a "cube" cylinder that I purchased when I had a touring caravan in storage in France but am unsure what would be involved in connecting it to my Series 5 Senator with the central bulkhead regulator.

Alun

Greetings Alun,

I don't have the exact info you need but, if your 'le cube' has an gas outlet that looks like it should use a 'clip on' connector, (similar to our 6kgs butane bottles) then it may be that it uses a 27mm clip on that can be purchased at a camping/caravnning outlet in France. Take the bottle into the store and ask. That 'clip on' can be connected to the butane pigtail that goes on your van.

At least that is one advantage of all the 'van manufacturers in Europe fitting the same bulkhead regs.

Regards

 

[carolynS]

Thanks for that, slowly getting to grips with it all, but just keen to make sure we arent stranded without that essential bit!