Hi all. We recently purchased a Conway Crusader that came with 1 x 3.9kg butane gas bottle. And it's now running very low so time to change.
I know calor have been difficult in recent times, and 3.9kg seems a small amount of gas to me. So, what have other Crusader owners got and recommend?
Thanks in advance.
Never had more than a 3.9 butane in our Pathfinder.
No need for a propane cylinder as the camper was never used in cold temperatures.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
No idea what your gas locker size is, and obviously that dictates max size cylinder you can fit. And cylinder MUST be stored/transported and used upright.
Firstly your existing cylinder, if Calor cylinder, it'll be 4.5Kg Butane (Blue colour) OR a 3.9Kg Propane (Red colour), NOT a 3.9Kg Butane!
In general terms from Calor, your cylinder options are, 3.9g Propane/4.5Kg Butane, next one up is 6Kg Propane/7Kg Butane, (both types are the same physical cylinder, just different gas fill, paint colour and outlet fitting), although they do a 5Kg (Propane) 'Patio Gas' cylinder of a very different cylinder style, and I believe not so widely available! You'll get much the same usage out of either gas type per cylinder, so don't think the heavier Butane is a bonus!
Alternative to Calor, who to be honest seem to stumble from one cock up to the next over past few years, including dropping the 4.5/3.9Kg sized cylinders only to re-introduce them a year later under customer pressure, is Flowgas! Flowgas offer comparable sized cylinders to Calor, BUT often with different outlet fittings, so not always a straight swap (the appropriate fittings are widely available). Flogas cylinders can be different physical size to equivalent Calor weight, so need to check dimensions fit. What may interest you is Flogas's 5Kg Gaslight (Propane) cylinder, just that little bit more gas, but maybe low enough height to fit where a 6Kg won't, as around 100mm/4in shorter.
Worth mentioning, Propane is an all year round gas, Butane is a summer only gas as it stops releasing gas (from the stored liquid state) at just below 5C ambient temperature!
Rather than pay the rather hefty new cylinder rental charge if you wish to change cylinders (Calor-Flowgas refill exchanges are NOT interchangeable, very much brand specific!), look for S/H ones on Ebay, FB Marketplace etc., they'll be a fraction of cost, and perfectly exchangeable for a full refill.
Trying to remember the front locker in the Pathfinder, same as Crusader, and pretty sure you can only fit the smaller cylinders.
My whoopsie re cylinder size, of course it was 4.5 butane.
As I said never felt the need for propane as camper was never used in cold enough weather.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Thanks very much for the really detailed replies.
It's definitely blue so assume it's the 4.5 kg butane. Will look out the Flow gas 5kg propane, as that would give us more burn time. Just need to check it will fit. Not sure Mrs H would be too happy about being in the tent at only 5 degrees mind!
The reason I ask is, when we had the Pathfinder one 4.5 butane lasted for the length of time we owned it, approximately 3 years.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Good question from blueexpo97, I've got a caravan with 3 gas burner hob, grill and oven stove, option to run fridge on gas, and blown air heating and water heater that can also be run on gas.
The cooker has a single electric 'burner', I've got a microwave, and heating and water heater can also be electric. When on EHU I barely use any gas, a 6Kg Calor/5Kg Gaslight lasts me years as I use 'free' EHU electricity in preference to 'my' gas! I have been 'off grid' and all gas a few times for a few days, but still don't seem to use much gas.
I use the cooker (usually cook most meals in the van), fridge, heating and water heater (I use my onboard shower) a lot!
That may change of course, with metered EHU becoming more common, with some metered rate charges, gas is cheaper per kWh than electricity!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Gas bottle preference Conway Crusader
via mobile 21/4/2025 at 7:29pm
