32

DataSheet

Gas for caravans and motorhomes

Gas for caravans and motorhomes

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.

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.

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

The following information is a guide to 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 qualified personnel. In the Clubs opinion this
means properly trained and experienced gas experts.

Cylinders and regulators

Larger cylinders suitable for
A clip-on regulator
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 European countries used 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
Revised February 2011

30mbar, and this figure should be marked

in the gas locker near to the regulator.

A bulkhead-mounted
Clesse regulator

The chart on page 2 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 units 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.
1

 Table 1: Common gas cylinders and weights

Butane
Calor

Flogas

Flogas

Calor

4.5

4.5

7.0

7.0

Total cylinder weight

when full (kg)

10.2

10.7

15.3

16.0

Height (mm)

340

340

495

495

Diameter (mm)

240

240

256

256

Type
LPG weight (kg)

Propane
Type

Calor

Calor

Flogas

Calor Lite

BP Gas Lite

LPG weight (kg)

3.9

6.0

6.0

6.0

5.0

Total cylinder weight

when full (kg)

9.6

15.0

14.3

10.5

8.7

Height (mm)

340

495

495

495

393

Diameter (mm)

240

256

256

256

305

Weighty matters

How much gas do you need?

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.

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.

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 this type of cylinder in
the car. One alternative may be to use cylinders from the range
of lighter ones from BP and Calor (see the chart on page 2).
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?

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 Gaslows
low-level indicator that can provide an indication. You can also
weigh the cylinders on bathroom scales and use the total weight
figures in the table on page 2 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.

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 theres 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.

European travel
You cannot exchange Calor or most other UK cylinders in most of
Europe. If you are going in the summer and not using the
heating, a pair of 6kg Propane cylinders should last you at least
a couple of weeks or longer if you run the fridge from an
electric hook-up. If you are considering changing cylinders abroad
you will need a suitable pigtail or adapter to connect different
cylinders to the regulator.
However, you will still have to pay the cylinder deposit and such
cylinders cannot normally be exchanged once back in UK.
Another option is to take Campingaz cylinders, which are
available almost everywhere, with a conversion kit (caravan
dealers stock these) to use as a reserve.

A Truma regulator

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.
3

Ferries 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. Rules vary
in Europe and you are advised to contact the Clubs Carefree
travel service for specific advice before travel.
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 ships
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 cylinders both turned off and disconnected.

Refillable cylinders
Refilling an existing cylinder rather than replacing it seems a
good idea, but there are many practical and safety issues
involved. Only authorised LPG depots are allowed to do this and
you cannot do it yourself with conventional cylinders. There are
some cylinders that are designed to be refilled by the user. For
example, the Gaslow 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 other European countries. Availability of Autogas varies
considerably within Europe.
An inbuilt cut-off system ensures filling the Gaslow 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 contents gauge are also provided. It is
important to remember you are dealing with a fuel delivery system
under considerable pressure so some 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, but as
long as the cylinder remains fixed in position and is used with a
car-type filler point you should not meet any difficulty.
Note: 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 overfilling could occur,
which presents a significant risk to your safety.

Fixed on-board tanks

Some larger motorhomes 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.
4

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.

Hoses

A hose manufactured in September 2006 (09/06)

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
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 Clubs
opinion no barbecue, using the caravan supply or with its own
cylinder, should be used in an awning because of problems of
ventilation, smoke inhalation and fire safety.
Make sure the supply hose is located away from area where
people walk and only an approved length of hose is used.
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 Club
suitably qualified person in conjunction with the caravan or
motorhomes annual service, preferably at an Approved
Workshop.
Check the appliance manufacturers 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.
Regular maintenance of
gas systems is essential

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.

Calor Gas, Athena House, Athena Drive,

Tachbrook Park, Warwick CV34 6RL
0800 626626, calor.co.uk

Never smoke when changing cylinders.

Campingaz

Always change gas containers in the open air.

Coleman UK, Parish Wharf Estate, Harbour Road,

Portishead, Bristol BS20 9DA
01275 845024, coleman.eu

Make sure all equipment and flues are checked regularly and
keep ventilation spaces clear of obstructions.

Flogas

Make sure you can always reach appliance isolation valves

(see picture below).

Carry a suitable fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket, know how

to use them and make sure they are in date.

Useful contacts
BP
0845 300 0038, bp.com

Calor

Flogas UK, Rayns Way, Watermead Business Park,

Syston, Leicestershire LE7 1PF
0800 574 574, flogas.co.uk

Gaslow

Gas valve manifold

Castle Business Park, Pavilion Way,

Loughborough LE11 5GW
0845 400 0600, gaslow.co.uk

Truma
Truma UK, Park Lane, Dove Valley Park,
Derbyshire DE65 5BG
01283 586050, trumauk.com

Approved workshops
National Caravan Council, Catherine House,
Victoria Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1SS
01252 318251, approvedworkshops.co.uk
*Please note inclusion on these pages does not constitute endorsement
by The Camping and Caravanning Club.

The Camping and Caravanning Club

Greenfields House, Westwood Way
Coventry CV4 8JH
0845 130 7632 or 024 7647 5442
thefriendlyclubclub.co.uk
Carefree Travel Service
0845 130 7701 or 024 7642 2024