Gas for Caravans and Motorhomes

From February 1st Calor have amended their bottled gas line-up and withdrawing some product, please visit their website for more details.

Using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a caravan or motorhome is a flexible and convenient way to provide heating, cooking and refrigeration facilities, while remaining independent of site supplies.

LPG is normally supplied in a pressurised cylinder, where the fuel inside is stored under pressure as a liquid and only becomes gaseous when released and fed to the appliance. This has to be done at a suitable pressure for the appliances to use and is normally achieved by the use of a pressure-reducing regulator that supplies gas at a standard pressure to the system. Two different gases are used, propane and butane. Both are LPG products but they have slightly different characteristics.

This guide will help you make the best of your LPG installation in a caravan or motorhome, but please remember that any work on LPG equipment needs to be done by suitably trained qualified personnel.

Cylinders and regulators

Larger cylinders suitable for motorhome and caravan use can come in a range of sizes and colours according to their source, but the two Calor types still predominate - red cylinders containing propane and blue cylinders filled with butane. Until September 2003, caravans and motorhomes used a different regulator depending on which gas was being used to provide the appropriate operating pressures, 28mbar (millibar) for butane and 37mbar for propane. Some units from continental Europe use different pressures, up to 50mbar.

Since September 2003 a European standard (EN 1949) has made the supply pressure the same for both gases throughout the EU at 30mbar. While pre-2003 units still require different regulators depending on the gas used, all current UK-built caravans run at 30mbar, and this figure should be marked in the gas locker near to the regulator.

The table shows the types of cylinders most commonly found in the UK and their weights and dimensions. Other makes may be found in different regions of the UK, but you will not always be able to exchange them outside the region. Larger sizes are available, but only for domestic use.

The Club does not permit the use of any cylinder stored outside a gas locker over 15kg capacity on Club Sites or at Club events because of safety concerns. Ideally, cylinders should be stored in the unit's gas locker. Gas cylinders must always be transported and secured in a vertical position, as lying them down may cause liquid LPG to escape through the valve and become a large volume of combustible gas.

 

Weighty matters

As can be seen in the chart, many cylinders have a significant weight and this must be considered when loading a caravan or motorhome. Most gas lockers are in the front of a caravan and will affect the noseweight of the unit. So gas cylinders and anything else you add comes out of the user payload.

In general a high noseweight brings improved stability, but there are limits fixed by both towcar and caravan manufacturers that must not be exceeded. For example, carrying two full 6kg Calor cylinders (a common fitting) add almost 28kg to the noseweight. If this proves to be a problem and you need to transport the cylinders elsewhere, they must be properly secured.
The Club does not recommend carrying gas cylinders in the car, but if this must be done they should always be kept upright and secured in place. One alternative may be to use Gaslight composite cylinders supplied by Flogas (formerly BP Gaslight).

When the new regulators were introduced in 2003, the UK opted to use bulkhead-mounted regulators rather than the previous cylinder-mounted versions. These can be used in Europe where a local cylinder can be connected to the exiting regulator using a suitable flexible high-pressure pipe, or - pigtail - with an appropriate adaptor.

Which gas?

Which gas best suits you will depend on how many appliances you have, their gas requirements and the temperature. Propane gas is better at supplying a larger number of appliances at the same time due to its greater off-take rate (see right), and it can be used in sub-zero temperatures, whereas butane begins to produce less gas below about 4C.

Now that the price of the two gases is very similar there's little advantage to buying butane, though you do get marginally more energy from a butane cylinder than a propane one of the same volume and if you are a warm-weather caravanner butane will be fine.

Locating LPG cylinders

 In recent years it has been difficult to locate suitable cylinders, normally camping and caravan accessory shops, motorhome dealers and sometimes fuel stations may have suitable stock. Most of the brands have major depots that may hold a stock of cylinders so check their website listing in the contacts area of this guide for the latest information as they may even deliver to your door.  The Camping-Gas website has an up to date directory of retailers for cylinders, we recommend using the location, supplier or size to filter the database. Remember to call first to ensure the retailer still provides the required service and avoid a wasted journey.

Gas Overseas

Calor and Flogas are the UK's primary bottled gas providers, however neither are available on mainland Europe, so there are four possible options:

1. Carry sufficient gas to last your whole stay, for a two to three week stay in the summer on a site with electric hook-up two 6kg propane cylinders will be sufficient for most. Crossing providers do have limits on LPG, check their website for current limits.

2. Supplement your supply with Campingaz, which is widely available on the European mainland. Visit their website and use the store locator tool.

3. Go native, purchase a bottle and regulator or adaptor as necessary in the country you’re staying in. In Spain you must provide a local certificate of gas safety when buying a cylinder for the first time, there after it is simply an exchange process as in the UK. Local campsite staff should be able to tell you where to find a local workshop for this. There's a huge choice of bottles in France.

4. Have a refillable system installed or have a self-refillable cylinder. Most countries in mainland Europe have an extensive network of LPG or Autogas filling points at fuel forecourts. It is worth noting there’s four common types of connector and not many countries use the bayonet type we have in the UK, check with your supplier what adaptor(s) you may need. The gas supplied is predominantly propane.

A good resource for finding outlets while abroad is MyLPG.EU ,do remember to call first to ensure the retailer still provides the required service.

Ferry crossings and tunnels

UK tunnels can be used by vehicles carrying removable cylinders provided the gas is turned off at the cylinder valve, though there may be a limit on the total amount of gas carried, normally well in excess of the amount on a caravan or motorhome. It is worth noting vehicles propelled by LPG or other compressed gas are not permitted on Eurotunnel trains.

Roll-on roll-off ferries have similar rules, though there are some variations both in the UK and continental Europe so check with your ferry operator. Generally, the number of cylinders you are carrying must be declared to the ferry company and to ship's officers, and there must be no more than three (two in the case of some operators). All must be secured against movement and shut off at the cylinder valve during the voyage. Eurotunnel currently permits a maximum of 50kg of gas to be carried with the portable cylinders and 47Kg for a fixed installation both turned off and isolated.

If you have a motorhome with a fixed LPG tank be aware that some tunnels and ferries may limit the amount of gas that can be carried, so check with the operator first. 

How much gas do you need

The amount of gas you need depends on the ambient temperature, the number of gas appliances in use, the power they are using and how long they are in use at that rate. However, few of us ever bother to work all this out, as we simply use the gas until it runs out and then change the cylinder. As a rough guide, many users find they consume between 0.8 and 1.5kg of gas per day, or say an average of 1.2kg per day. Obviously when the weather is warmer you will use less gas for heating and if you are using an electric hook-up and can use electricity for some heating, cooking and refrigeration, you can make the gas supply last longer.

Cylinders have a habit of running out at inconvenient times, such as in the middle of the night or when it is raining, so it is often wise to know when your gas is running low. Some cylinders have a contents gauge or are translucent, so the contents can be seen. The majority of steel cylinders have no means of revealing the contents, but there are after-market devices such as Truma's Gas LevelCheck that can provide an indication.

You can also weigh the cylinders on bathroom scales and use the total weight figures in the table to see how full they are. Alternatively you can buy changeover valves as made by Gaslow or Truma that will automatically change cylinders if you are carrying two - but remember they still need monitoring or you will just end up with two empty cylinders.

Perhaps more important though is to be sure the gas you have will supply all the appliances you want to have on at the same time.

A single 6kg propane cylinder will have an available maximum off-take (supply) rate of up to about 0.8kg per hour. This will be sufficient for a cooker, space heater, fridge and water heater, but if you use all these and the grill and four gas rings at the same time you might find the cylinder cannot cope with the demand.

When this happens the appliances may not work efficiently and some may go out. A flame failure device should always be fitted, to prevent any unburnt gas getting into the living area. In practise, this problem rarely happens unless you have chosen a smaller size of cylinder (such as a 3.9kg propane cylinder with a maximum off-take of just 0.5kg/hr) or are using butane gas in near-freezing conditions.

Refillable cylinders 

Refilling an existing cylinder rather than replacing it seems a good idea, but there are many practical, safety and legal issues involved. Only authorised LPG depots are allowed to do this and you cannot do it yourself with a conventional cylinder. There are some cylinders that are designed to be refilled by the user. Gaslow, Safefill and Gas It system allows refilling from the Autogas pump at fuel stations.

In this system you purchase a special cylinder, which has a steel hose connected to an automotive type filler. This is fitted into the bodywork of your unit and accepts the LPG delivery nozzle at fuel stations. As with LPG-powered cars, adapters are needed for filling in continental Europe. Availability of Autogas varies considerably within the continent. Safefill provide a freestanding system which can be filled at many Autogas retailers. 

All systems should have an inbuilt cut-off system ensures filling the cylinder cannot exceed the important limit of no more than 80 per cent full (to allow sufficient space for the LPG to expand) and an overpressure release valve and a form of contents gauge are also provided. It is important to remember you are dealing with a fuel delivery system under considerable pressure so care is needed for safe operation. Follow the instructions carefully. Users report that some fuel stations refuse to allow caravanners to refill in this way.

For those requiring refill of Autogas in fixed tanks or specifically designed portable cylinders there is a page on the Camping-Gas website that allows filtering for the location and brand of cylinder.

Caution: Some caravanners have been offered a refilling service for conventional UK-based cylinders when travelling in Europe. The Club does not recommend this practice as over filling could occur, which presents a significant risk to your safety.

Fixed on-board tanks

It is more common for larger motorhomes to have fixed tanks that can also be filled at LPG fuel stations. They usually contain considerably more gas than can be carried in removable cylinders and are ideal for continental touring . There is, however, a weight and cost penalty and the extra weight will reduce your available vehicle payload. Do beware of under slung tanks and always ensure they have been fitted to a good standard and provide adequate road clearance. The NCC has a code of practise for fixed installations which any good installer should be adhering to.

Hoses

Gas supply hoses deteriorate over time and in use, so they should be replaced at least every five years and more frequently in intensive use conditions. UK hoses will be marked with their date of manufacture and should be inspected frequently for damage and wear.

Make sure all hose clamps are sound and the hoses are positioned so they will not become damaged by other items or loose equipment.

Barbecues

Some caravans have an external gas port for using a barbecue. While this is convenient, it is important to observe some extra precautions when using such a device. Using an external gas cylinder to supply gas to the caravan through this port is not recommended or permitted on Club Sites or at Club events for safety reasons.

All cooking that uses a naked flame must be done in an area with adequate protection from flammable material. In the Club's opinion no barbecue, using the caravan supply or with its own cylinder, should be used in an awning because of problems of ventilation, carbon monoxide build up, smoke inhalation and fire safety.

Make sure the supply hose is located away from area where people walk and use and keep it no longer than is necessary for it to safely supply the appliance. Remember that a gas barbecue can use a lot of gas and it may be advisable not to use other gas appliances at the same time. Your caravan handbook should give advice on this point.

Maintenance

All LPG appliances and fittings need regular checking and maintenance if they are to remain safe and reliable. 

The gas system should be checked annually as part of the habitation service by a suitably qualified person. An Approved Workshop can offer such service which involves a leak test (gas tight), a let-by test of the main valve and a test the regulator locks-out at the correct prerssure. Appliance function is also checked.

Check the appliance manufacturer's literature for specific service, maintenance and care requirements for their equipment.

Safety

LPG properly handled should be safe. It is non-toxic and only burns when sufficient air is present, but then it is highly flammable.

• Always turn off the gas at the cylinder before you travel.
• Never use a naked flame to look for a leak. A pungent smell is added to the gas, which makes it easy to detect any leaks. Check all pipe joints using a washing up liquid solution - the gas will bubble past the leak. Isolate the supply, preferably at the cylinder, and seek professional help. If the leak was internal, open all windows and keep everyone outside. The gas is heavier than air and will pool on the floor, which is why you should ensure floor vents remain unobstructed.
• Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning - see www.myccc.co.uk/cosafety.
• Fit a CO alarm.
• Always turn off the gas on a conventional cylinder before disconnecting for travel.
• Never smoke when changing cylinders or cartridges.
• Make sure all ventilation spaces are clear of obstructions.
• Site gas appliances away from flammable materials before lighting and never move them when lit.
• Carry a suitable fire blanket and/or fire extinguisher, know how to use it and make sure it hasn't passed its expiry date.
• Fit a Fire Alarm