refillable gas recommendations

[caplee]

Hi everyone,

Very new to the forums. Plodding my way through the threads and already learnt lots of new things. All good stuff as we have never wild camped before.

Mike and I have previously talked about changing to a refillable gas system rather than relying on gas bottles and was wondering what recommendations you have. I will also keep searching through the threads for advice as I expect the same question has been asked umpteen times.

Thank you

Leanne

 

[molly 2]

Gas it is the cheapest, allso members discount , I use 6 kg bottle, usually about £6 to fill ,Calor £20--22 about £150 for 6 kg in locker fill kit .very easy fit .make's our blown air heating cheap to run .you can download an app called fillpg that shows lpg stations ,also downloads to sat nav poi giving directions.

 

[Deleted member 33289]

refillables

Hi caplee,
I had a Gaslow system fitted to my van as my last 2 vans had refillable systems, this time I had a 11Kg refill and had an adaptor so I can use a standard bottle for my portable bbq, also if I did not notice my fixed bottle had run out I can just couple up the spare.
Having an underslung tank does give you more storage as you free up your gas locker, iv'e had both systems would not be without refillable, also cheaper. :cheers:

 

[Roger Haworth]

I have used a Gaslow 2 cylinder system for over 7 years and it has worked very well: http: http://www.gaslowdirect.com/

It was very easy to install in the existing gas locker - I did it myself and I am far from handy!

The only drawback is that the filler is inside the gas locker so in the case of my van I have to open the back doors and then the gas locker door to access the filler point. It would be much better to have the filler point mounted on the outside of the vehicle which might not be a do it yourself job and would probably involve drilling a large hole in the side of the vehicle.

Pumps dispensing LPG are generally quite easy to find all over Europe try: myLPG.eu - LPG in Europe The standard Gaslow filler fits pumps in UK, Belgium and Netherlands. Gaslow supply separate screw on adapters for 1. France/Italy 2. Germany and 3. Spain. One of the four fittings has always worked where ever I have been in Europe.

If I was buying a new van now I would go for a factory fitted underslung LPG tank which would of course have a filler on the exterior of the vehicle.

Best of luck with your wild camping plans - you'll enjoy it!

 

[Bazbro]

Ask away, Leanne - it's only by asking that you'll gain the understanding of all the little tricks. Everyone here will help all they can.

I have always wanted a built-in gas tank - a large 'drum', fitted underneath the vehicle that is refillable with gas from a pump (at a filling station/garage, for instance, though the pumps are available elsewhere - some councils have them, plus factory estates, etc). Maps are available to show you where these filling stations are, plus 'phone apps too. I've never got round to stumping up the money (£500 or so) to have one fitted but they really are the answer, carrying much more gas and in a better position, lower down under the vehicle. These two companies specialise in fitting them so if you're interested, maybe contact them first?
Autogas Leisure 2000 Limited - Refillable Gas Solutions for Motorhomes
or
GAS IT Refillable gas bottles, refillable gas tank, vapour tanks and gas bottles, for caravans, by GAS IT, Alugas - GAS IT Leisure Gas - Catering, Motorhome, Caravan, Farrier and Road Repair Refillable Gas Solutions

The second route is cheaper and has some other advantages/disadvantages, and that's the 'refillable gas bottle'. They are most often supplied by people like The Gaslow Centre Home Page and from many camping/caravanning outlets. The whole system is set up to be an easy DIY job but many dealers will do the job for you.

Advantages and disadvantages? Under slung tanks carry the weight low down (good) and they are out of the way. They free up the gas locker so it can be used to store other essential 'stuff' - the smaller the 'van, the more important that could be. These tanks can also carry a lot more gas than you could otherwise, so giving you a longer time between fill-ups. The disadvantages are that the whole vehicle has to go to where the gas is dispensed (inconvenient if you're esconced on a great spot and really don't want to move - you have to). You could carry a small gas bottle to link into the gas line if this was a problem but it all starts to become a hassle then. Also, when you sell the vehicle the tank would normally go with it. You might get a slightly better price for the 'van but nowhere near what the tank cost to be fitted (unless you're lucky!).

The reverse is true with the refillable bottles - they occupy a gas locker, but could be taken away to be filled if really needed and they can stay with you when you sell the 'van.

Good luck!

Barry

 

[vindiboy]

GAS by vindiboy1 | Photobucket I fitted my own refillable system using GASIT Cylinders and fittings, very easy to do if you have good DIY skills .GASIT are a great company to deal with and most helpfull. I have 2 X 11KG Cylinders in my van and only run off of one of them, manually changing to the second bottle when the first empties, I also can still use bottle top regulators on my system to run the Barbie and Patio heater or any thing else I choose to use. Filling with gas is as simple as topping up your van with petrol or Diesel, I just top my bottles up when I get Diesel or when I see gas on sale, you do not need to wait till a bottle is empty as you can top up a few litres of gas [ sold in litres] as and when or wait for a full fill, Gas is currently on sale here in Southampton at 57 pence a litre.You soon recoup the installation costs in gas price saving. The gauges that come with the bottles are useless though.mine read empty when the bottles are full but the gauges are only pennies so who cares hee hee.

 

[Tezza33]

All good advice so far, I have an underslung bulk tank, it frees up my gas locker so I can carry my generator and bbq in there and the original pipe with the regulator on was changed to a bbq point,
Bazbro is correct that the whole vehicle has to go if you run out of gas but depending on the distance to the gas station you might have to drive there with refillables and unless you are on a site for a long time the situation doesn't come up because if I am travelling and see a gas station I top up even if I am over half full, that is the advantage of refillables either tanks or bottles you can top up when you see a station.

If you are likely to change vehicles in the next few years go for bottles from gas it, if you are keeping it for a lot longer think about an underslung tank, I fitted mine myself so if I change vehicles I will remove the tank and fit it on the next one

 

[Teutone]

Another vote for Gas-it. Nick is one of the most helpful people I have ever dealt with.

 

[caplee]

Thanks everyone. Hubby quite keen on the underslung but I am being realistic and know this isn't our forever van (fixes bed next time) so prefer the bottles. That said we need to keep Denise van Outing for at least five or six years yet due to work commitments and not being able to spend enough time in the van to warrant the cost of an upgrade.


All food for thought.

Leanne

 

[Teutone]

Thanks everyone. Hubby quite keen on the underslung but I am being realistic and know this isn't our forever van (fixes bed next time) so prefer the bottles. That said we need to keep Denise van Outing for at least five or six years yet due to work commitments and not being able to spend enough time in the van to warrant the cost of an upgrade.


All food for thought.

Leanne

look here for some information about the install please http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums...4-teutones-second-gas-install.html?highlight=

if you use the search function you will find other peoples postings with pictures

 

[Sharon the Cat]

One more thing to remember when choosing between bottles & a tank is that it can affect use of the channel tunnel.
See this link for more info.

 

[caplee]

One more thing to remember when choosing between bottles & a tank is that it can affect use of the channel tunnel.
See this link for more info.

I read that as vehicles powered by.... and that for cooking /heating equivalent to 99 litres can be carried? Only scanned the document so will look in closer detail before making a decision. Either way seems more cost effective than the exchangeable bottles we currently use x

 

[Teutone]

I read that as vehicles powered by.... and that for cooking /heating equivalent to 99 litres can be carried? Only scanned the document so will look in closer detail before making a decision. Either way seems more cost effective than the exchangeable bottles we currently use x

Eurotunnel is not a problem with gas bottles for cooking and heating. They will stop you and make sure they are turned off before boarding.

 

[vindiboy]

Thanks everyone. Hubby quite keen on the underslung but I am being realistic and know this isn't our forever van (fixes bed next time) so prefer the bottles. That said we need to keep Denise van Outing for at least five or six years yet due to work commitments and not being able to spend enough time in the van to warrant the cost of an upgrade.


All food for thought.

Leanne

The good thing with refillable bottles is that if you change your van you can remove the refill system and bottles easily and refit them in your next vehicle, a blank is also available to cover the refill connection hole too.

 

[campertwo]

Agree. I have 2 gazlow refillable bottles fitted into the gas locker which I installed myself. Best thing I did on our motorhome. Not cheap to install, but cheap to run & the convenience of getting gas while on the move at petrol stations here & abroad outweighs the cost in my opinion. I would advise an external filling point as some garages are a bit funny about direct fills into the locker?

 

[angelaa]

We use safefill bottles. You can see the level of gas in them, so when it gets low we fill it up. Easy to transfer to another van as just like a normal bottle. Brilliant.

 

[Sharon the Cat]

Only if the vehicle is lpg powered they will take vehicles with fixed tanks used for domestic purposes.

That's why I posted the link. Size matters...........................

 

[BeyondTheVan]

I have fitted an underslung tank from GAS-IT.

I found GAS-IT very pleasant to deal with and very helpful. Their You-Tube Tech section is full of good information regarding how to fit their tanks, etc. After I placed my order, taking advantage of the forum members' discount, it arrived next day.

It took me a good day to fit the system as I had to make mountings under the Luton for the tank. But if you fit your own, you can easily remove it and fit it to your next motorhome. Fitting isn't hard and you only need basic tools such as spanners, sockets and a drill.

I have the fill point on the side of the van and it's so easy to roll up at the petrol station and fill up the LPG. I am also told that some places sell "leisure gas" which is LPG without road duty. I'll be on the lookout for one of those places soon!

Rich.

 

[Teutone]

If I would have to do it again, I would fit a underslung tank. Yes a lot more work and more money but you free up the gas locker and use some unused space under the vehicle. Everytime I lie under the vehicle I get carried away with ideas of what to do with the empty space :wacko:

 

[oldish hippy]

If I would have to do it again, I would fit a underslung tank. Yes a lot more work and more money but you free up the gas locker and use some unused space under the vehicle. Everytime I lie under the vehicle I get carried away with ideas of what to do with the empty space :wacko:

could you turn into a hearse if theres that much space