We are the fairly new owners of a '94 Fleetwood crystal which is great.
However, in the front locker, where the gas bottles sit they're just supported by very thin fibreglass. In our old Sprite, they used to sit on a metal cross bar which was very secure.
Someone told me that its fine to carry the gas bottles (7Kg) in the front locker but common sense says if we hit a bump, they're just going to punch straight through the fibre glass with horrendous consequences.
We've been carrying them in the bottom of the cupboard so far which is fine but its obviously not that convenient as we can't stop for a brew easily on a long journey.
Does anyone else carry them in the front on these vans? (it is very flimsy fibreglass)
Cheers
Chris :)
Post last edited on 16/07/2008 09:58:13
The important points, in my opinion, are those I've highlighted in RED.
As you describe your locker floor as "very thin fibreglass", then, unless there is clearly some extra strengthening within the floor, I would beware of putting them in the locker for the very reason you have stated. Most vans Do carry their gas bottles in the front locker (ours included), but the floor is substantial plywood.
Examine the floor carefully and, if possible, get some qualified advice from someone such as a dealership or reputable caravan service engineer. For your own safety, and that of others, don't take a chance on the consequences about which you are obviously already concerned.
I was just getting others opinions as it seems crazy to not be able to carry them in the front. You can clearly see its unsafe though, I'll carry them in the cupboard as I always have done untill I can get the van modified.
I'm sure that the smallest size bottles would be fine in the front but as we don't generally do EHU sites, we need the larger size bottles.
I was just getting others opinions as it seems crazy to not be able to carry them in the front. You can clearly see its unsafe though, I'll carry them in the cupboard as I always have done untill I can get the van modified.
I'm sure that the smallest size bottles would be fine in the front but as we don't generally do EHU sites, we need the larger size bottles.
Cheers
Chris :)
Just an afterthought. If you do strengthen the locker to support gas bottles, please ensure that you add satisfactory gas drops (preferably at both sides) and that there are no pockets for gas to collect.
Also, if you are currently using the bottles "in a cupboard", I assume this is purely for transportation, and they are sited outdoors, or definitely isolated from the habitation area, when in use.
The locker is designed to carry the gas bottles, also it isolates them from the interior of the van when in use.
Perhaps you could contact the manufacturer for advice.
If the fibreglass is thin it might be possible to reinforce it by laying up extra layers underneath.
Our Bailey has a plastic tray, moulded to fit wth reinforcing underneath, not sure if it is meatal or wood, have'nt looked! Its strong.
For most caravans, the plastic tray is formed so as to prevent the gas bottle(s) trying to slide about, and the locker floor is simply a continuation of the caravan floor.
The only trouble with the bailey floorpan for the front locker is that there are two wells dedicated for the gas bottles in the moulded plastic tray ...that moulding splits on the top edging not the bottom of the tray on both the wells ..left unseen and unchecked it will get worse until the split gets around 6" in length which can go un-noticed...as it splits as it goes down into the well on the inside of the side... feeling along the well is the only way to discover the split ...so get your fingers out bailey owners ....all i needed for the repair was a 78" x 24" of quality 9mm ply,cut/jigged to shape ...2 x 300mm lengths of 2x2 P.A.R. timber...,some no nails adhesive to fix the timber to the A frame and a few flush fitting screws ... after i put the new plywood floorpan in, i purchased 2 extra gas bottle holders complete with straps on-line and fitted those 6"above the old ones so each gas bottle has 2 holders ...the only difference is the rise in height of the gas bottles of 3" ..furthermore the aqua rolls and handles, buckets and wheels blocks all still go in there ..everything except the windbreak ..so i was pretty proud of the job as it looks "neat" and professional ..and i did it ..not some stealership!! total cost ..£20-£25
I have recently changed to BP Gaslight for our 2006 Coachman. This meant removal of the twin-recessed plastic moulding for conventional Calor bottles, for fitting the BP bottle base-supports.
The removed mouldings are in excellent condition; too good to throw away, so stored. So, for anyone with problems similar to those of clanjones, get replacement mouldings from a Coachman dealership.
yes.. bertie for about 70 quid, and 4 years later you will have to do it again !! i had 2 trays in 7 years ..used caravan very little i may add 7 trips a year..
Quote: Originally posted by clanjones on 05/8/2008
yes.. bertie for about 70 quid, and 4 years later you will have to do it again !! i had 2 trays in 7 years ..used caravan very little i may add 7 trips a year..
After more than a year, our plastic (well, more like a fibreglass texture) mouldings to support the gas botles have shown no signs of wear. If the retaining straps are tightened correctly I cannot see why they should suffer any significant wear. The gas bottles have no sharp edges; the base rings of the Calor ones are rounded inwards, so I cannot follow why the moulding should fail.
The idea of carrying the gas bottles in the van would bother me.
The front 'A' frame would offer good support for a thinish piece of ply reinforcement. Maybe you should consider a slight re design if you are worried about the fibreglass.
Good Luck!
Hi
Our first van was a Fleetwood Colchester 1993 it also had a very flimsy locker floor the previous owner had put ply wood disks under the gas bottles, we never had any problems or worries carrying the gas, if fact I had not thought about it until I read this post. Other than the spare wheel and waste hoses we didn't carry much in the front locker ours was not watertight.
In the front locker of our Abbey Piper there are two receptacles especially for holding gas bottles which are then anchored in via straps. So obviously that is where we carry them.!!
------------- Don't know where I'm going but will be happy when I get there.
I'm sure the gas is supposed to be carried in the front, but only the smallest bottles.
I will get the front modified at a dealer at some point but its just common sense that for whatever reason the front is not designed to carry heavier bottles in our van.
I'm going back to carrying it in the cupboard, then when on site it sits in the front locker, I just can't see it surviving a hefty thump in the front when on the move. The consequences are just too dire too chance it anyway.
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Topic: carrying gas in front locker ?
