I think I've nearly decided. Although it's a new van I do have two 6kg propane bottles from my previous caravan.
I was looking at refillable cylinders but as we don't use much gas in France, as long as we take enough, there will be no problem with exchange cylinders.
In the UK we don't always have ehu so we need larger bottles than 6kg. Since 11kg are not available at present, neither Flogas nor Calor, I'm thinking of Butane.
Although it is 15% more expensive than the equivalent size propane, it is 35% cheaper than using the 6kg size. (My calculation based on cost per MJ).
So 2 x 13kg butane, or 1 x 13kg butane + 1 x 6kg propane could be the solution.
Is this a stupid idea? Am I missing something important? What are other people's thoughts?
Using butane is no problem whatsoever unless you intend to use it in very cold conditions. There is no difference in use at temperatures above about 5 degrees centigrade, but below that temperature you need propane as butane tends to stay as a liquid and is therefore unusable. No problem for us because if it's too cold for butane it's far too cold for us, so we stay at home. If you want to go camping in mid-winter, don't use butane.
Can't comment on cylinder size or the practicality of having a mixture of two types of gasses, however, butane is no good at sub-zero temperatures.
Therefore, if you intend to go out and about in the colder months, then stick with propane.
I learnt the hard way during my first cold weather trip over a New Year weekend back in 2009/10.
The suitcase stove that used butane cannisters was no good at all, and even the butane and propane gas canisters for my Cadac Safari Chef HP struggled!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I would check the effect that carrying two bottles containing 13kg of gas in each would have on the nose weight of the caravan. It might be more prudent to look at using the 10kg plastic Flogas bottles if you really need to carry a lot of gas, otherwise take a look at the Flogas 5kg plastic bottles if you want to save weight. Flogas have a good delivery network and do not charge extra for delivery. I leave my empty bottles behind my bins and they driver swaps them for full ones when requested - no having to go out to buy gas, the last time I went to a caravan dealer for gas I ended up buying a new caravan, so very expensive gas!
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
Slightly confused dot com. This is posted in the motorhome and campervan section. Have you swapped your caravan for a motorhome?. The same questions arise no matter what. You would presumably need different regulators for propane and butane, or have some sort of crossover arrangement. Unless you were going to use a lot of gas, I'd stick to propane.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Quote: Originally posted by birder99 on 02/5/2021
I would check the effect that carrying two bottles containing 13kg of gas in each would have on the nose weight of the caravan. It might be more prudent to look at using the 10kg plastic Flogas bottles if you really need to carry a lot of gas, otherwise take a look at the Flogas 5kg plastic bottles if you want to save weight. Flogas have a good delivery network and do not charge extra for delivery. I leave my empty bottles behind my bins and they driver swaps them for full ones when requested - no having to go out to buy gas, the last time I went to a caravan dealer for gas I ended up buying a new caravan, so very expensive gas!
I totally agree. Just moved from caravan to motorhome. That's what we did with the caravan. Also, it doesn't look as if Flogas is charging a deposit. I don't think I've ever paid one to them.
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 02/5/2021
Slightly confused dot com. This is posted in the motorhome and campervan section. Have you swapped your caravan for a motorhome?. The same questions arise no matter what. You would presumably need different regulators for propane and butane, or have some sort of crossover arrangement. Unless you were going to use a lot of gas, I'd stick to propane.
Sorry, my fault. I don't know if it is a motorhome or Campervan. Must decide what I'm going to call it. Any ideas? Panel van conversion with shower, oven, fixed bed etc.
Pilote Foxy V600G
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by mfdaustrey on 02/5/2021
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 02/5/2021
Slightly confused dot com. This is posted in the motorhome and campervan section. Have you swapped your caravan for a motorhome?. The same questions arise no matter what. You would presumably need different regulators for propane and butane, or have some sort of crossover arrangement. Unless you were going to use a lot of gas, I'd stick to propane.
Sorry, my fault. I don't know if it is a motorhome or Campervan. Must decide what I'm going to call it. Any ideas? Panel van conversion with shower, oven, fixed bed etc.
Pilote Foxy V600G
Mine is a panel van conversions with onboard facilities (toilet, shower, kitchen, hot and cold water).
As the base van is only a MWB VW Crafter and under 6m in length, I personally consider her as a campervan.
However, others may disagree.
She is registered as a motorhome with CAMC when I asked them to help me register my outfit when I found I could not do it myself.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by mfdaustrey on 02/5/2021
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 02/5/2021
Slightly confused dot com. This is posted in the motorhome and campervan section. Have you swapped your caravan for a motorhome?. The same questions arise no matter what. You would presumably need different regulators for propane and butane, or have some sort of crossover arrangement. Unless you were going to use a lot of gas, I'd stick to propane.
Sorry, my fault. I don't know if it is a motorhome or Campervan. Must decide what I'm going to call it. Any ideas? Panel van conversion with shower, oven, fixed bed etc.
Pilote Foxy V600G
Mine is a panel van conversions with onboard facilities (toilet, shower, kitchen, hot and cold water).
As the base van is only a MWB VW Crafter and under 6m in length, I personally consider her as a campervan.
However, others may disagree.
She is registered as a motorhome with CAMC when I asked them to help me register my outfit when I found I could not do it myself.
DK
Mine wasn't on their list either.
I feel I have a fully featured Campervan. It has s sliding side door and double rear doors.
They’re both “Motor Caravans” as far as DVLA is concerned. I used to think of camper vans as not having toilets, as in the old ‘splittie’ VWs. But the distinction is blurred now, PVCs usually seem to be campervans these days. But it doesn’t really matter, does it? Our MH is shorter than a LWB PVC, so size doesn’t matter either.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 03/5/2021
They’re both “Motor Caravans” as far as DVLA is concerned. I used to think of camper vans as not having toilets, as in the old ‘splittie’ VWs. But the distinction is blurred now, PVCs usually seem to be campervans these days. But it doesn’t really matter, does it? Our MH is shorter than a LWB PVC, so size doesn’t matter either.
Size always matters - just look at those vans featured in the recent Million Pounds MH show!
About a year ago when I searched for sites using UKCS's search function, I was alarmed not to find "campervan" as an option for units, then I realised campervans would come under the category of "Motorhomes" as they are both considered as "motor caravan" in the eyes of DVLA.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
DVLA categories do not necessarily equate with site definitions outside of UKCS search. A lot of campervans do not meet DVLA's Motor Caravan definition but are still campervans & recognised by sites & many insurers as such.
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: What gas to install in a new van
via mobile 02/5/2021 at 10:38am
