Refillable gas systems - for beginner (back to the dumb questions)

[ronboyracer]

Gas

After spending silly money on exchanging gas bottles, & them not lasting long we have decided we definately want to go for one of these systems

Can someone explain to me Flogas, Gaslow etc (don't even know if I am spelling correctly)
Which system to use
Where to refill etc.
Also we travel a lot abroad so do they still need different fittings etc
Is cost roughly £400 ish

& any other tips/advise re above welcome

It,s like everything else, thats supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, just fitted one myself after downsizing to Autocruise Accent, no can use big bottles anymore, combi boilers eat the bloody stuff.I only have 2 6kg bottles, better off with 11 kg cant always fit them in, you need a decent up to date guide to the lpg stations every where expect to be dissapointed when you find it (still got to try abroad out) and I,m still taking my old Spanish tank with me, it will have to go in the toilet area, full of confidence, all in all didnt have a choice, the beauty off down sizing, if thinking about it ,look at Dethleffs Globe bus Fiat Ducato panel van , I wish i had seen one before the Swift Autocruise, conversion is crap.

 

[Bigpeetee]

The Gas-it 11Kg bottle are slightly shorter than the equivalent Calor, enables me to fit one in my gas cupboard in place of the 6kg.

 

[Deleted member 26362]

There are no 'dumb questions' only 'dumb answers'
One point to think about is I don't think you can go on Eurotunnel with a tank of over a certain size (47 kgs I think)

Hi Kontiki

You are right 47kilos is the max on Eurotunnel, this includes all fixed and removable gas tanks. When you consider that your normal Calor Gas bottles are either 6kg or the larger 11kg then this is a fair amount of gas.

I'm about to have a 40L under slung Gas-it system fitted to my Transit based MH, I will still keep a 6kg Calor lite bottle in the system for emergencies. Gas-it are still giving a discount (or a full set of adaptors) to full members of this site. See the other thread mentioned earlier in this stream for more info. The company are very helpful and will recommend fitters in your area if you do not want to do the conversion yourself.

Daiboy

 

[jennyp19]

We ended up getting Alugas - 2 x 11 kg bottles fitted - gave up the idea of having underslung tank (too expensive to gain 1 small cupboard space). We already had access to the bottles from outside the van without having to open the door, so when we filled up, to all intents & purpose we could have been filling a tank to run on gas. Incidently there is no problem getting gas on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe (used to be Shell but is no longer)
We had them fitted by EventHomes who we found out were about 4 miles from us. Superb service & I can thoroughly recommend them. They actually build motorhomes from chassis up.
2 old school gentlemen using old methods of construction.
At present, & for the next 3 or 4 months, they are fitting out a barge for the disabled - its huge. When we went down to see them they had just finished building a massive motorhome for the disabled, completed with rising bed with lift, & wheelchair access showers. A beautiful bit of kit. I was fascinated by how they did what they do. They lenthened the chasis of the disabled mh by about 1.5 m.
If you are thinking of getting anywork done on a mh they are well worth a look. We were looking at pics of mhs they have built - had to be seen to be believed.

 

[Laurieash]

Old Boys

Hi i live near Scunthorpe too, just about to buy a motor home. house nearly sold. to fund it. been caravanning for 30 years so time for a change.
were are the two old boys in Scunthorpe? Laurie.

 

[james1508]

It,s like everything else, thats supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, just fitted one myself after downsizing to Autocruise Accent, no can use big bottles anymore, combi boilers eat the bloody stuff.I only have 2 6kg bottles, better off with 11 kg cant always fit them in, you need a decent up to date guide to the lpg stations every where expect to be dissapointed when you find it (still got to try abroad out) and I,m still taking my old Spanish tank with me, it will have to go in the toilet area, full of confidence, all in all didnt have a choice, the beauty off down sizing, if thinking about it ,look at Dethleffs Globe bus Fiat Ducato panel van , I wish i had seen one before the Swift Autocruise, conversion is crap.

Hello Ronboyracer,

What option did you go for ? I also have an accent and have been trying to find the best option . Did you price up a under slung one ?

Cheers

James

 

[jennyp19]

Hi Laura, they are down at Flixborough - just look up EventHomes.co.uk. They don't sell spares or 2nd Hand , but they do conversions, with your own vehicle, or from new. Very professional bespoke service, & proud of the work they do. If you give them a call, just let them know I told you about them.
Are you going full time Laura?

 

[Deleted member 21295]

The only place where there can be a problem getting gas is Spain but I reckon that the 11 kgs + 6 kgs (34 litres) should just about last a month if we were desperate.

We have a underslung tank which holds 11kg about 22 litres and at a push can get 3 weeks but that was with 3 days EHU which ran the fridge freezer which is big and uses the most. So your sums tally with ours, looked at second tank but just not worth the money for maybe use once in a year.

 

[oldpolicehouse]

Hello

I have 2 x 11Kg Gaslow bottles and 3 adapters. Had them 3 years and traveled as far north as Nordkapp and south as far as the Peloponnese and as far east as the Ukraine. Always wildcamp. Don't have a database and never had a problem finding gas. Never got close to running out. Never been refused. Don't look at the price, don't care (within reason). Just love the convenience.
The system is in the garage at moment (empty) awaiting installation into my new Rapido arriving next week (you can't do this with an underslung fixed tank).
If you leave it in when you trade in the dealer won't give you any more money but he will rub his hands.

Blue Skies

 

[cooljules]

Thanks, told you it was a dumb question but someone has to ask them

would have been dumb not to ask

 

[Deleted member 11999]

I've had a 6kg Gaslow fitted to Autocruise Stargazer for nearly two years and been completely satisfied. Been as far South as Greece and as far North as Norway with no filling problems. Originally kept a second 6kg propane but this is to be replaced with a second Gaslow next week. Filling point was originally in the locker but moved it to the skirt to avoid any potential problems.

 

[dysdera]

gaslow

I have just fitted a gaslow system to my Autoquest 100. The locker used to contain 2 bottles (6kg) and cost about £50 to fill both bottles, not inc deposit on bottles. I decided to buy the larger bottle to save cash (£145 against £129 each for the smaller bottles).
I had to modify the bottle locker to raise the roof about 2 inches and lined the extension with aluminium like the remainder of the locker. The aluminium I used was much thicker than the tin foil they had used!!
The whole job took me about three hours and was really easy to do (if I can anyone can).
I took it to the local LPG station and it cost me £16.55 to fill the one larger bottle which is the equivalent of the two it replaced. The whole kit cost me about £275 from Southdowns in Portsmouth which was my local gaslow dealer.
So far very pleased and I even allow my wife and children to heat the van now.

 

[james1508]

Hi James, I was contemplating the underslung tank for my pace but it's dearish. Then I heard about a fitting on eBay that fits on your existing bottles . I bought one (about £38) I think . The gas is then only £9 for a 6kg( 12lt) on draught at some fuel stations. The slight problem is it's illegalish !! I pm'd a big cheese poster on hear for the info ( won't name him here in case it's not eticate ! Pm me if you've got the bottle (pardon the pun)

Cheers Chris, i have returned ya PM. Something needs sorting, getting sick of being ripped off by Calor with their overpriced 6kg !

 

[plumbomb]

refillable gas bottles

Went to Autogas 2000 ltd Thirsk yesterday and bought one 11kg aluminium gas bottle plus all the bits and bobs to fit it including external fill point all for £259.36 inc VAT, they were very helpfull.

 

[Taipan]

Interesting thread for me! My father-in-law bought one of the yellow LPG bottles (gaslow?) but was told you cant refill loose bottles (no idea by who?) and he needs to have a filling kit fitted to his caravan. He didn't want to have a hole drilled in his caravan so has pretty much given up on the idea. He'll be well chuffed when I tell him he can just take the bottle to a garage and fill it!

 

[jb0371]

Ordered the gas it system 1 x 11kg bottle with external filler point with forum discount £162.70. Be here tomorrow. I actually ordered it Thursday for a delivery today butr due to a pc issue they couldnt put the order through, quite lucky as I forgot to mention the forum discount. So they were quite happy to put the order through with the duscount. Got tomorrow off as well so no problems.

Cant say fairer than that.

 

[Deleted member 20892]

We have 2 x 6kg bottles in our tribby van, and only use the gas for cooking and the fridge when we go away for the odd weekend, and main holidays, day's away etc.

Because the heating of the van is by a Webasto heater, would it really be cost effective to change over to a gas flow type system for us.?
Our main usage is in summer, but we do go away in winter as well, and it's our only vehcle, apart from a little 125 scoot.!!!!

jt