Gas Gas Gas

[djduracell]

Hi people, ok just been away my 2nd time in my very first van and I come up with a problem, sunday morning 830am we run out of gas on a haven site, ok lets get gas on site, no can do, guy tells me try morrisons (nearest petrol station) dont do red bottles, then try tesco, asda, dobbies garden centre, b &q nope.... found a Shell garage but the bottles 19kg the one in van was 9, had to get big bottle and sat it outside the van, ofcouse i'am thinking what about all thet weight in front of the van and as I thought on leaving site this morning caravan wasnt evenly loaded, moved a few things about to make it better but just wasnt correct, thought I may be able to transfer gas from cylinder to cylinder but thats a no no. how to I rectify this problem? cant really put the gas elswhere as it would fall over in transit, dont fancey putting brackets inside the van as it would spoil the look. I am happy the bottle outside the van when on site its really the weight/storage during transit I have the problem with. has anyone else had this problem? regards Jim

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hell Jim,

Something of a dilemma!

Lets start with a few dont's for your safety.

(Vapour take off) Gas bottles such as those used on caravans and BBQ's must be stored and transported upright. They must also be secured so they cant move around in a space with good ventilation. So carrying a gas bottle inside the caravan or the car is a definite no no.

That poses a problem for you. Propane gas is usually available from main Calor Gas dealers, and from many builders merchants.

I suggest you find a local merchant and check if they do the 6 or 3.9Kg bottles, and then arrange to change you larger bottle for a smaller one.

 

[woodsieboy]

Am I right in thinking you are using just 1 gas bottle,if so why not consider using 2x6k propane and fit switch over valve between them,so when one runs out you switch over,and replace the empty one at your leisure,in my experience the gas always runs out at the worst possible time,so being able to switch over gives peace of mind.Most caravans will accept 2 bottles in the front locker and even when full should weigh less than the 19kg bottle.

 

[Mel]

Get rid of the 19kg bottle. Go around the local suppliers and see who will give you the best exchange deal for one or two smaller bottles. Otherwise you will have the same transport problem evey time you want to hitch up. I have seen folks transport a large gas bottle in their cars. They clearly have more faith than me!
mel

 

[otherclive]

The smaller propane or butane bottles weigh almost 10 kg when full. So front locker weight will be better if you only take one for shorter trips as after a while you get a feel for how much gas you use. On sites with hook ups we use virtually no gas except in the colder months when we use the heater for quick heating before switching to electric. As one bottle gets to about a third full I then put the second one in the locker. Two smaller ones allows one to be taken out and used with the BBQ whilst the other still supplies the cooker etc.

 

[Gafferbill]

....... I have never seen a touring caravan using a 19kg gas bottle only a 'traveler' or a static!
I would be interested to see how it would fit in a front locker as they should be transported in the upright position.

Your gas bottle must have been near empty before your trip.
You could have found a list of suppliers near your destination from your gas manufacturers website (or even download them all direct to your satnav if using Calor).
I always do this if taking only one bottle and it is near empty.
Others carry a second bottle as has been said.

I agree with Mel and the Prof........exchange it for what you had before and put the loss down to experience!

 

[Martin24]

Many sites will not allow you to use a gas bottle stood outside the van. we always take two bottles with us just incase but as we rarely have a hook up we rely on gas for fridge, hot water and heat.

 

[JohnM20]

Martin24 makes the comment about rarely using electric hook-ups, using gas for fridge, hot water and heating. Just out of interest has anyone done the maths and calculated which is, on average, the cheaper fuel. I know it is difficult to determine the cost of the electricity within the overall pitch fee but it must be between £2.00 and £3.00 per day. 7kg butane is now over £20 but how many days would it last if used for everything ? We use electric where we can, in most cases we've paid for it whether we want it or not, so during spring to autumn, a bottle of gas used primarily just for cooking on most days plus the very occasional heater boost lasts about 40 days so we are paying, at the most, about £3.50 per day for fuel - but would it cost less if it was all gas that was used ?
JohnM

 

[allan873]

I just had to reply to this story about Gas, I have been caravanning since 1964 and I started out with 2 Wee blue bottles which fitted onto a bracket on the A frame of the van, as the years went on we had many vans and the bottlels were inside the locker at the front of the van,and as we were caravanning all year round we had changed to Propane then in the 80s we started to go to rallies and were using more gas bought bigger bottles which we carried inside the car on there side and I have to say I have never heard of anyone having a problem with this, and about the bottle being kept outside as long as it is secured to the van it should be ok
allan

 

[Tukums]

Another option to consider, a Safefill refillable cylinder which automatically cuts off when at 80% full to allow for the expansion of gas and safety, using an Overfilling Protection Device, a bit like a ballcock, which closes the valve. 15lts/8.6kg of propane (auto gas) for £13.04. Away for six nights in April (no EHU) cold, wet and windy and the gas cost was £10.00 or a 6kg propane at £20.00! On the Safefill website is a list of garages which fill them, it can be just topped up and you can always go off with a full cylinder of gas and you can see how much gas is left.

The 6kg Calor light is for the BBQ and just in case.
http://www.safefill.co.uk/about-us.html

 

[Martin24]

Martin24 makes the comment about rarely using electric hook-ups, using gas for fridge, hot water and heating. Just out of interest has anyone done the maths and calculated which is, on average, the cheaper fuel. I know it is difficult to determine the cost of the electricity within the overall pitch fee but it must be between £2.00 and £3.00 per day. 7kg butane is now over £20 but how many days would it last if used for everything ? We use electric where we can, in most cases we've paid for it whether we want it or not, so during spring to autumn, a bottle of gas used primarily just for cooking on most days plus the very occasional heater boost lasts about 40 days so we are paying, at the most, about £3.50 per day for fuel - but would it cost less if it was all gas that was used ?
JohnM

Average CL costs with electric 10-12 pounds per night, without we usually pay 5-6 pounds! Certainly don't use more than a full calor lite over 10 days winter. Lasts longer summer so one big saving. We reckoned five years ago when we changed over to LED lighting and the solar panal it had all paid for itself in less than a year. That's with 2 adults, 3 children, so a couple on their own would make even bigger savings.
Not scientific costings but I know we're in 'profit'

 

[djduracell]

Hi guys, Thanks for all the information, think my only solution will be to get a replacement 6kg bottle, I still have the empty one so shouldnt cost too much, I think in time I will get a second bottle for back up, not sure if the gas suppliers will do a deal with the 19kg bottle due to it still being 95% full, I like everything just to be right so trying to transport this huge bottle would just be silly, thanks again for all the information. regards Jim.

 

[Sproket]

Just a bit of info on bottle weights:

CALOR GAS STANDARD CYLINDER WEIGHTS ARE:

NOMINAL CYLINDER SIZE TARE WEIGHT GROSS WEIGHT
(Empty Cylinder Weight) (Total Weight Cylinder and Gas)

3.9 / 4.5 Kg 5 kg - 6 kg 8.9 kg - 10.5 kg

5 / 6 / 7 Kg 6 kg - 10 kg 11 kg - 17 kg

12 / 13 / 15 Kg 13 kg - 20 kg 25 kg - 35 kg

18 / 19 Kg 18 kg - 20 kg (+ 5kg*) 36 kg – 39 kg (+ 5 kg*)

47 Kg 38.6 kg - 50 kg (+ 10kg*) 85.6 kg – 97 kg (+ 10 kg*)

*Some older types of cylinder are heavier

 

[ProfJohnL]

not sure if the gas suppliers will do a deal with the 19kg bottle due to it still being 95% full,

Hello Jim,
Unfortunately, Its very unlikley a dealer will offer a rebate on a part used bottle, but who knows, nothing gained if you don't ask.

 

[woodsieboy]

We have just bought 2x6k calor propane via ebay,first one was full,second about3/4 full, the previous person had given up caravanning,and just wanted to get rid of them,worth looking on ebay.

 

[djduracell]

A wee update guys, phoned local marina they have the gas, going to replace my 6kg bottle £20 they will also take my near empty barbecue blue calor gas bottle (6kg) and replace it with propane £20, will buy a propane regulator for the 19kg bottle and use it on the barbecue, job done. thanks again for all the advice..... regards Jim