Gas Cylinders

[JohnnyV]

Hi,

I am only just in the process of buying a New Caravan and I will need to fully kit it out - there now seems to be a large choice of different gas cylinders on the market - am attracted by the new lightweight ones (for obvious reasons) however only concern is availability for exchange - how readily available are they on sites ?

As a 'newbie' I would value any advice !

Thanks in anticipation

Jon

 

[David_374242465]

I have been considering switching to these "lightweight" containers myself. (I use two 6Kg Propane) However,I have found exchange availability very sposmatic in Scotland, where I spend most of my touring. I have yet to find a site who do these, although I am sure there must be some, as others may be able to inform you.

If you tour mainly down South, you will probably find things are better, but for me, touring in North of Scotland, it is definately not an option, at this time.

Regards

DaveMac

 

[David_374242465]

Forgot to mention. You can do a search for "Calor Lite" stockists on the internet. (Google it!)Postcode or town will come up with map locations etc. A few of these in Scotland are caravan sites, but the majority are garages. So really depends where you are touring, in regards to convenience of exchange.

Hope this helps in making your choice!

DaveMac

 

[Rioja]

Don't all CC sites stock them now ? I thought that was the intention but I haven't been to one for some time.

I usually carry two 6kg propane cylinders but it's an habit from the days when I was self sufficient.Nowadays we tend to go for electric hook up and the only gas we use is for cooking. 2 x 6kg is wasted weight allowance. If I was starting from new I would definitely go for the lightweight cylinders and after using one for some time keep it as an half full permaenent back up for the short period of time when the main cylinder is being changed.

I was also under the impression that you can exchange steel cannisters for lightweight and vice versa depending on availability at the particular outlet. The only difference is selling price.

 

[JohnnyV]

Thank you all for the advice - sounds as though the lightweight would be the way to go (unless I am in Scotland). I too would probably only use the Gas for cooking so maybe two small ones would suffice and if you can exchange different types that solves the problem anyway.

Regards

Jon

 

[Rick_5041348]

I have been considering switching to these "lightweight" containers myself. (I use two 6Kg Propane) However,I have found exchange availability very sposmatic in Scotland, where I spend most of my touring. I have yet to find a site who do these, although I am sure there must be some, as others may be able to inform you.

If you tour mainly down South, you will probably find things are better, but for me, touring in North of Scotland, it is definately not an option, at this time.

Regards

DaveMac

The BP gas lite is available from Homebase stores I dont know if they are around in Scotland, they were when they were known as Texas Homebase

 

[Guest]

A lot depends on whether your are a summer camper or an all year rounder. If the former then butane is probably the best, if the latter then propane is the choice. Yes, you cannot get butane in Litweight cylinders, but the actual weight saving for 1 cylinder is only about 6 kg, not that much. Butane also allows you to use Camping Gaz as a back up and that product is very easily available in Europe. As you also mention, we have found that by using EHU on most sites we can easily only use one 7kg butane cylinder in a long season.

The BP cylinder is an option but he deposit is high.

 

[JohnnyV]

A lot depends on whether your are a summer camper or an all year rounder. If the former then butane is probably the best, if the latter then propane is the choice. Yes, you cannot get butane in Litweight cylinders, but the actual weight saving for 1 cylinder is only about 6 kg, not that much. Butane also allows you to use Camping Gaz as a back up and that product is very easily available in Europe. As you also mention, we have found that by using EHU on most sites we can easily only use one 7kg butane cylinder in a long season.

The BP cylinder is an option but he deposit is high.

H'mm another complication !

Probably April to October - as we will be walking with our two dogs and I don't particularly enjoy 4/5 hr walks when it is freezing cold and pouring with rain.

Again thanks for the advice this option hadn't even crossed my mind.

Jon

 

[Guest]

Don't forget you can always try one gas type and swop later. You may also be able to pick up a cylinder secondhand as people often have spares. You can then save on the initial deposit, although you cannot get a refund without the initial Contract.

When my father died I inherited his cylinders but as he had obtained the first one so long ago, the paperwork was long gone. I eventually just returned them to Calor.

 

[CaravanCook]

Hi Jon,

I converted to BP Gaslight last year, I dont have an issue with exchanging cylinders, i can even get them from a local garden centre, and changing the cylinders in the cramped locker space is a dream (no more bashed knuckles!)

 

[JohnnyV]

Well I did ask ! I must admit I do like the look of the New Lightweight bottles -but as to the Propane / Butane question - ouch!

Are the fittings different on the BP cylinders ?

Jon

 

[CaravanCook]

Well I did ask ! I must admit I do like the look of the New Lightweight bottles -but as to the Propane / Butane question - ouch!

Are the fittings different on the BP cylinders ?

Jon

The fittings are different on BP, they use the "patio gas" size (mm) clip-on style (you can get them with or without a regulator - without if your van has a bulkhead fitted reg), Calor propane needs a spanner and has an anti-clockwise screw in thread fitting. It didnt matter how many times I changed a cylinder, I'd always forget, and end up tightening it up instead of releasing it!

A small note on fitting, the BP tanks are shorter but slightly wider than Calor, on my van, the base of the gas locker is in wood and has 4 stays screwed into the floor (each tank), I had to move 2 of these out. Not a problem, just remove the front two, put your tank in place, draw round the base and you have the template for fitting the two stays you removed.

As the tanks are shorter than Calor, they are even easier to change and remove.

 

[Rodone]

I changed to Calorlite when noseweight was critical with one of my tow vehicles. However, beware some of the prices that some outlets try to charge for Calorlite. I found cases where they were asking