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Hi all,

I used up one of my gas bottles last week in the van and went to get another today.

My van was supplied with 2 x 6kg Calor (propane) bottles, so I checked with my local supplier who quoted £14.99 for a 6 kg replacement.

When I removed the empty bottle I noticed that the pre-formed base in which the bottle sits, has two distinct preformed circles which stop the bottles sliding (as well as the straps of course). My 6kg bottle fitted nicely in the inner circle.

I had a half full "Shell Gas" propane11kg bottle in my old gas BBQ in the garden. I tried it for size and it fitted pefectly into the outer circle. The Shell bottle was only about 3 inches taller than the 6kg Calor one and could be coonected just as easily. The security straps also fitted without problem.

I phoned my local Builders Merchants and the 11kg Shell Gas (propane) now costs £14.76, just 77 pence more than the 6kg Calor for almost twice the amount!

I have checked my noseweight again and I am well within the limit at 62 kilos.

I know the arguement about Calor being available at all campsites, but how many Builders Merchants are out there where gas bottles can be purchased?

(I'm sure someone will come up with a good reason not to do this - in which case I'll go straight out in the garden and take it out again !!)

Happy Vanning

Whoops,

Just noticed my mistake.

The Calor dealer quoted £13.99 for 6kg bottle (not £14.99) Sorry!

Hi

I use Calor 6kg propane because they're big enough for me and anything bigger would adversely affect the noseweight. We go abroad for 6 weeks at a time and don't worry about running out, just refill any empties when we get home.

I'd say, in your situation that all you need to consider is your gas usage (you've covered the noseweight issue - I assume your car & towbar will take the extra kgs) - As you say it can't be that difficult to get in the UK but if you use it for heating during the winter period it might involve a bit of running around. Don't forget builders merchants generally close Sat afternoons and Sundays

Tyreman

Richard i have a Shell bottle and it has worked out well for a few years being much cheaper.Unfortunately my local stations appear to have stopped supplying the shell bottles but they apologised and swopped mine for  a Calor bottle no extra charge.

Terry

Hi all,

I agree with the points made that Calor is always readily available.

It was mainly the gas prices that got me thinking. I'm not an authority on the subject and I may be wrong, but I would have thought that Propane LPG would be basically the same as all other brands. 

I dont recall exactly what the noseweight on the Bailey Pageant Burgundy was when we first took delivery, but I do recall that it felt uncomfortably light. On my old van (Fleetwood Garland) I was always afraid to put anything forward of the axle as it had a heavy noseweight with the spare wheel in the gas locker and the battery sited close to the front also. The Burgundy is the opposite with both of these behind the axle. I remember when I first 'lifted' the van by the towhitch, thinking what could I put in the locker to increase the weight a bit..........Now I know.... two bigger cheap gas bottles.

With the capacity of 2 x 11kg bottles, that should give me quite a few winter weekends, once one runs out,  to find a builders merchants. As for finding a compatible bottle, I think most, if not all,  have exactly the same threaded connection.

Obviously, if noseweight (or payload weight) were a factor then the smaller bottles would have to be used.

Richard.

Happy Vanning

Hi Twyfordbridge

Reading some past posts about gas consumption in the winter I'm not sure if one bottle would last a few winter weekends if you're using it for heating day & night. But if you're on mains hook up and using electric then it'll last several weeks.

Tyreman