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We are slowly getting our new (to us) caravan sorted out for it's first jaunt out. Yesterday I was at my inlaws and she asked me what gas we were going to use. I said, "Ooh, I don't know, probably campingaz" as we will mostly be using our van in France and campingaz seems to be what you can buy out there.

MIL was horrified and said that you can't use campingaz in a caravan as its the wrong sort of gas and will blow us up and you have to use propane (?)

Had a look when I got home and the van has a blue bottle in the gas bit of the van, but couldn't get it out to see what it was at the time as it was dark-ish.

So, idiots guide to different gases and which ones I can use. And which ones I can get in FRance if I'm likely to need a replacement on a 2 week holiday.

Thanks.

Hi. 

Have a look at the website Calor . They have all the essential information . In essence you do need to use the butane (the blue gas) this is due to the amount of pressure and the temperatures that it produce and what is safe to use (without it freezing for instance .  They do have stockist guide as well)

https://secure.calor.co.uk/OrderCalorCylinders/

I'm pretty sure you can use a Campingaz 907 cylinder in a caravan , you'll need to make sure you have a pigtail with the right connection for the bottle .
Personally i would buy a 6kg propane bottle i think that should last you 2 weeks as long as you don't run the heating full blast , run the fridge on electric and heat the water with electric . If you get propane it can be used throughout the year , where as if you use butane it will freeze when the tempertures drop .

http://thefamilycampingshop.com/PRD_ProductDetail.aspx?cid=130&prodid=552&Product=Pigtail-Campingaz-Adaptor

http://www.twenga.co.uk/prices-camping-gaz-adaptor.html

atb

Wizard 

Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 03/4/2011

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Agree with Wizard, but just out of interest you might find this link to a previous thread helpful as it details all you need to know regarding use of van in France.
Bit on gas about a third down but it might just cover something else you've not considered too.

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Thanks. That thread is out of date regarding gas as we've taken gas on the Eurotunnel umpteen times, you just have to disconnect it. We've camping in France lots, just never with a caravan.

Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 03/4/2011

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We are slowly getting our new (to us) caravan sorted out for it's first jaunt out. Yesterday I was at my inlaws and she asked me what gas we were going to use. I said, "Ooh, I don't know, probably campingaz" as we will mostly be using our van in France and campingaz seems to be what you can buy out there.

MIL was horrified and said that you can't use campingaz in a caravan as its the wrong sort of gas and will blow us up and you have to use propane (?)

Had a look when I got home and the van has a blue bottle in the gas bit of the van, but couldn't get it out to see what it was at the time as it was dark-ish.

So, idiots guide to different gases and which ones I can use. And which ones I can get in FRance if I'm likely to need a replacement on a 2 week holiday.

Thanks.

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if you can work out roughly (by experience) how much gas you will need for two weeks then you can work out whether you will need to buy any gas via replacement cylinders when in france. if you will need to buy replacement cylinders then you will need the same 'brand' of cylinder to replave like for like (similar to the UK where calor/flogas etc wont exchange each others bottles!)

the alternative is to make sure you take enough gas with you if neccesary (and you have room) by taking two full cylinders (or very close to being full)

if you have the blue cylinder, the you have butane, best for caravans (camping gaz is butane under their brand name so no need for your MIL to panic) - not sure how easy it is to get camping gaz in france, best to try to check first.

an alternative is to buy a cylinder of gas in france - you pay a deposit for the bottle (as you wouldin the UK), but that way you will never run out, cos you simply replace the cylinder at garages etc (VERY readily available). you may need to take an adapter with you, best check at your local caravan centre to make sure, but once you have it sorted its probably simple just to get gas on holiday rather than take it with you and worry in case you dont have enough!.

 

But in addition to above,a  full 7.5kg butane gas bottle will be more than ample if you are on electric hook up. we only use 3/4 of a bottle on a 6 week jaunt,using gas for cooking . not sure whether your pearl,s fridge & hot water systems has the ability to use electric.If its gas only you may use more gas.

does you caravan have a regulator that fitts on the gas bottle? If so you will be able to buy a gas bottle complete with a regulator at any supermarch such as LeClerc or SuperU .& most fuel stations. gas bottles such as Twiny, elfi, Le Cube ect usualy are quite cheap around 20-25€ with a regulator (french bottles have different sized regulators to uk.) it does not matter whether you use propane or butane gas as long as you get the regulator with the bottle & swap it for the one on the van

You would still have to buy a new regulator if you were to use camping gas & camping gas is very expensive in france & the bottles hold a lot less gas & as I say I do not think you will need to buy gas in a 2 week holiday as you will not need heating( hopefully

If you do have to buy a gas bottle in france simply take back the bottle to where you got it togeter with the paper work & get the deposit back

Hi

We always struggle with our noseweight so usually carry 1 x 6kg propane bottle and a half full campingaz 907 with the regulators to suit both. If we run out in france we can just buy another 907 from the supermarket.  We have a gas kettle and we're cooking for 4, everything else is powered by hook-up so we have more than enough gas for 2 -3 weeks holiday.

Quote: Originally posted by Mrs Anorak on 03/4/2011

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Hi

We always struggle with our noseweight so usually carry 1 x 6kg propane bottle and a half full campingaz 907 with the regulators to suit both. If we run out in france we can just buy another 907 from the supermarket.  We have a gas kettle and we're cooking for 4, everything else is powered by hook-up so we have more than enough gas for 2 -3 weeks holiday.

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We used to do exactly the same thing at one time, but I don't think we ever changed a gas bottle in France.  Now we just take a couple of calor-lite bottles - 1 for the van, 1 for the cadac (only had cadac and second cylinder for about 6th months anyway and haven't used it too much).  We have had our original calor-lite for 20 months and it seems to have life left in it.  I reckon it will have gone before our 5 week summer jaunt to France though.  We only use gas for the cooker - everything else is electric.  We don't use the van as often as some - about 10 times a year - but the gas seems to last for ages.  It depends on use though.

Quote: Originally posted by pjh10 on 03/4/2011

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Hi. I know it sounds a bit daft, but I would use the Campingaz first then, if needed, the Calor. You could then replace the Gaz one and always have a spare. If, by any chance, you have used the calor, you can guarantee the Gaz will run out at the worst possible moment.

Pete

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Ah yes, but we'll be using it in france, where you can't buy calor but can buy campingaz. There is a method in my madness, see......? ;-)

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 03/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Mrs Anorak on 03/4/2011

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Hi

We always struggle with our noseweight so usually carry 1 x 6kg propane bottle and a half full campingaz 907 with the regulators to suit both. If we run out in france we can just buy another 907 from the supermarket.  We have a gas kettle and we're cooking for 4, everything else is powered by hook-up so we have more than enough gas for 2 -3 weeks holiday.

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We used to do exactly the same thing at one time, but I don't think we ever changed a gas bottle in France.  Now we just take a couple of calor-lite bottles - 1 for the van, 1 for the cadac (only had cadac and second cylinder for about 6th months anyway and haven't used it too much).  We have had our original calor-lite for 20 months and it seems to have life left in it.  I reckon it will have gone before our 5 week summer jaunt to France though.  We only use gas for the cooker - everything else is electric.  We don't use the van as often as some - about 10 times a year - but the gas seems to last for ages.  It depends on use though.

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Hi David

I've had a look at the Lite bottles, the exchange price seems similar but how do they compare with the standard ones for availability?

Quote: Originally posted by Mrs Anorak on 03/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 03/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by Mrs Anorak on 03/4/2011

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Hi

We always struggle with our noseweight so usually carry 1 x 6kg propane bottle and a half full campingaz 907 with the regulators to suit both. If we run out in france we can just buy another 907 from the supermarket.  We have a gas kettle and we're cooking for 4, everything else is powered by hook-up so we have more than enough gas for 2 -3 weeks holiday.

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We used to do exactly the same thing at one time, but I don't think we ever changed a gas bottle in France.  Now we just take a couple of calor-lite bottles - 1 for the van, 1 for the cadac (only had cadac and second cylinder for about 6th months anyway and haven't used it too much).  We have had our original calor-lite for 20 months and it seems to have life left in it.  I reckon it will have gone before our 5 week summer jaunt to France though.  We only use gas for the cooker - everything else is electric.  We don't use the van as often as some - about 10 times a year - but the gas seems to last for ages.  It depends on use though.

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Hi David

I've had a look at the Lite bottles, the exchange price seems similar but how do they compare with the standard ones for availability?

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Hi Mrs A.  Apparently, of late Calor are having some problems, because of supply and demand, but they seem to be addressing this.  As a long term solution, I would see this as the way to go.  Bottles are lighter - they seem 'nicer bottles to handle too' - less 'rough'.  They are 49.7% lighter than the 6kg standard bottle

Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 03/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by pjh10 on 03/4/2011

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Hi. I know it sounds a bit daft, but I would use the Campingaz first then, if needed, the Calor. You could then replace the Gaz one and always have a spare. If, by any chance, you have used the calor, you can guarantee the Gaz will run out at the worst possible moment.

Pete

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Ah yes, but we'll be using it in france, where you can't buy calor but can buy campingaz. There is a method in my madness, see......? ;-)

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