9kg v 4.5kg gas bottles

[brianvicki]

No different to most vans, our Windsor seka poptop has two 9kg gas bottles on the drawbar.

We do a mix of off grid camping and caravan parks, it seems to take ages to use a 9kg bottle

What are the advantages and dis advantages of swapping to 2 x 4.5kg bottles

[manchu]

One universal disadvantage is that 4.5kg are relatively expensive to fill/swap.    approx  $5/kg v's $3/kg.     

The other differences such as being half the weight, half the capacity etc are pretty obvious.    Whether those aspects are an advantage or disadvantage depends on the individual. 

[glenm64]

If your fridge is a 3 way your gas consumption is a lot higher and may come into play with your decision.

Cheers Glen

[NZMarkb]

The main advantage I see for 9kg's is the ease of swap a bottle's
The main trade off is weight if you still want to run 2 (so you have backup )

[whocares55]

Hedge your bets?  1 x 9kg and 1 x 4.5kg is what I carry (and the most that will fit in my gas compartment).  I have a 3 way fridge so the 4.5 is there 'just in case'.

[Fizzie]

Our van was built set up for 2 x 4.5, but if we need to, can carry 3.

In the past we've gone away with 4 people for 4-5 nights, running gas stove, HWS & fridge, & have usually swapped to a 2nd bottle on about the last day.

[JimS]

Our camper has a 9kg gas bottle, and we also carry a 4.5kg for "insurance". Also use the 4.5kg to fire up our outside camp stove.
Cheers
Jim

[austastar]

Hi,
   We have a 4.5kg fitted and carry a 2kg as spare. A smaller one would be more convenient as it is only used for a few days between swapping or refilling the 4.5kg.
We can, if needed, refill the 2kg from a swap 4.5kg and return it after topping off the fitted 4.5kg but have never needed to do that.
Yes, I know it is not strictly kosher, but precautions would be taken if it was ever needed.
Cheers


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[DandyD]

The decision has been made for us. We use two 4.5s because that is the size that fits in the gas locker.

Unfortunately, from February, the UK’s main supplier of bottled gas has announced that they will no longer be supplying 4.5s and that customers will have to swap to the larger size. The size that won’t fit in most people’s gas lockers.

Presumably, they are trying to cut handling costs.

[Fizzie]

Unfortunately, from February, the UK’s main supplier of bottled gas has announced that they will no longer be supplying 4.5s and that customers will have to swap to the larger size. The size that won’t fit in most people’s gas lockers.

What, then, does that do to your van insurance, if you're carrying gas bottles that the van isn't designed for

[austastar]

What, then, does that do to your van insurance, if you're carrying gas bottles that the van isn't designed for

Hi,
  As above, decant off to the two smaller bottles and give the (now) empty back.

https://youtu.be/rc__XJ1XkM0

Cheers

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[DandyD]

What, then, does that do to your van insurance, if you're carrying gas bottles that the van isn't designed for

Heaven knows. Ours isn’t insured so not an issue for us. It will be for many others though.

I’m thinking of getting one of those link hoses and refilling the small bottles from a bigger one. I’m not really sure of the legal situation there either. Most people will not want to do it anyway.