Autosleeper Topaz - fixed gas tank

[clarkpeacock]

Hello all.

Picked up my new (very old!) VW Autosleeper Topaz yesterday, and all seems fine so far. Loving the old school non turbo 2.4 litre 5 cylinder diesel engine. Big and lazy, like me, and happily purs along at on the motorway 60mph no stress

I have a list of planned jobs over the coming weeks, but the first is to address the 3.9kg gas bottles that are no longer available.

I have seen elsewhere on the internet ideas about modifying the locker (but I think on the Autosleeper Trooper/Trident) to accept 6kg bottles (and I have couple of 6kg Gaslow refillables already), but I am reluctant to mutilate the wardrobe which sits above the gas locker, partly because my other half has plans to fill it with lots of important 'stuff' already, but I also want to keep the basic structure pretty standard if possible.

An option is to buy 2 x 2.7kg gaslow bottles (aren't they expensive!!), but I wondered if it might be possible to source a fixed tank that fits into the existing lined and vented gas locker in place of the two 3.9kg bottles without further modification.

Has anyone tried this? Any recommendations of suppliers if so?

Thanks

Picture of the 'fleet' at home. The Topaz is not much bigger than my Mitsubishi!

 

[wildebus]

Hello all.

Picked up my new (very old!) VW Autosleeper Topaz yesterday, and all seems fine so far. Loving the old school non turbo 2.4 litre 5 cylinder diesel engine. Big and lazy, like me, and happily purs along at on the motorway 60mph no stress

I have a list of planned jobs over the coming weeks, but the first is to address the 3.9kg gas bottles that are no longer available.

I have seen elsewhere on the internet ideas about modifying the locker (but I think on the Autosleeper Trooper/Trident) to accept 6kg bottles (and I have couple of 6kg Gaslow refillables already), but I am reluctant to mutilate the wardrobe which sits above the gas locker, partly because my other half has plans to fill it with lots of important 'stuff' already, but I also want to keep the basic structure pretty standard if possible.

An option is to buy 2 x 2.7kg gaslow bottles (aren't they expensive!!), but I wondered if it might be possible to source a fixed tank that fits into the existing lined and vented gas locker in place of the two 3.9kg bottles without further modification.

Has anyone tried this? Any recommendations of suppliers if so?

Thanks

Picture of the 'fleet' at home. The Topaz is not much bigger than my Mitsubishi!

Nice Camper.

Well, my first comment would be why are you worrying? Calor maybe dropping the 3.9Kg Bottle Size, but Flogas still do them and they are a direct swap in terms of connections. (I can swap my 6Kg flogas with my 6Kg calor and vice-versa no probs).

 

[clarkpeacock]

Nice Camper.

Well, my first comment would be why are you worrying? Calor maybe dropping the 3.9Kg Bottle Size, but Flogas still do them and they are a direct swap in terms of connections. (I can swap my 6Kg flogas with my 6Kg calor and vice-versa no probs).

Thanks Wildebus. That's reassuring.

I did call the local Flogas dealer, but they told me they would only swap existing Flogas cylinders, and not exchange Calor, and are not taking new contracts for this size due to demand. I guess I need to shop around and find a less 'jobsworth' dealer

 

[wildebus]

Thanks Wildebus. That's reassuring.

I did call the local Flogas dealer, but they told me they would only swap existing Flogas cylinders, and not exchange Calor, and are not taking new contracts for this size due to demand. I guess I need to shop around and find a less 'jobsworth' dealer

I would hope you would be able to at least buy a flogas off someone to get the ball rolling?
Some sellers are more accomodating than others for sure. I was looking for a replacement 6Kg Calor in the autumn of 2020, at the height of the pandemic demand therefore I think? Couldn't find a calor supply, but the local Flogas dealer to me sold me a 6Kg Flogas 'refill' despite me not even having a flogas to exchange (and he didn't want the calor bottle either). He just said bring back the bottle when finished with it!

 

[QFour]

Have a look at the LPG Shop Leicester

 

[clarkpeacock]

Have a look at the LPG Shop Leicester

Thanks. Not seen the 5kg bottle before. That might just fit...

 

[QFour]

Thanks. Not seen the 5kg bottle before. That might just fit...

Nice people to deal with. I live in Nottingham so had a drive down and sorted what I needed. Couldn't have been more helpful. If you go plastic you have to let the air out before you fill it with LPG. They ship them full of air.

 

[mistericeman]

Thanks Wildebus. That's reassuring.

I did call the local Flogas dealer, but they told me they would only swap existing Flogas cylinders, and not exchange Calor, and are not taking new contracts for this size due to demand. I guess I need to shop around and find a less 'jobsworth' dealer

Worth the Odd mooch to your local recycling center ....
Ours will let you have a gas bottle that is in for recycling for a £5 donation ....

Biscuits etc always go down well too .

 

[Nabsim]

If you are meaning the underslung gas tanks then you outdent fit one in a gas locker, they have to be mounted at the correct angle. A car gas tank may fit but you would need to speak with an expert as cars use liquid log where you only want gas.

In any event ring Autogas 2000 in Thirsk and speak to Charlie, he has all sorts of refillable bottles and tanks and knows what is safe and what isn't. Also has the 2.7Kg bottles

 

[r4dent]

Have you considered an underslung tank ?

 

[clarkpeacock]

Have you considered an underslung tank ?

Thanks. Not sure there's room underneath as both water tanks are underslung. My thoughts were to use the gas locker, but it seems from advice above that small bottles may not be quite the issue I thought they were.

Appreciate everyone's thoughts and help