AutoSleeper fit re-fillable tank?

by Bollard Sun May 03, 2020 3:55 pm

It seems both in magazines (MMM) and on this forum LPG seems on the decline. Having bought an AutoSleeper Symbol Plus last year with re-fillable UNDERSLUNG gas tank I wonder why AutoSleeper continue to produce vehicles with the underslung tank? I must admit it is great not having to carry heavy gas bottles around but a bit of a worry if LPG underslung tanks can’t be filled! Secondly what are my options as space is obviously limited to try and accommodate gas bottles should the decline in outlets continue? Comments please.

by Paulmold Sun May 03, 2020 4:16 pm

Hopefully we are a long way from LPG being unobtainable. There are still in excess of 1000 filling stations with LPG. If you don't already , use filllpg app or website for locations. Another app is mylpg . Don't bother with autogas website as that has far fewer locations listed.

by Molly3 Sun May 03, 2020 5:18 pm

Have to agree with bollard ,LPG is for engines and is disappearing from garage forecourts ,i know of people that have sold LPG vehicle's because they have to travel too far for a fill up . auto sleeper will have to address the situation some time .

by Peter Brown Sun May 03, 2020 5:39 pm

I guess that AS are under the impression that Gas manufacturer depots and rural suppliers will be able to meet the demand - but of course you will have to travel a lot further to get the gas. It will need dealers to say that people won't by motorhomes with refillable tanks for AS to change design as omitting the gas locker leaves a lot more useable space for the owner.

by Paulmold Sun May 03, 2020 5:47 pm

It does seem to vary a lot by location. Looking at the Filllpg app, I have 25 filling locations within 25 miles (11 within 15 miles) , looking at Brighton (where Bollard is located) there are only 4 within 25 miles. Planning journey routes is required and filling whenever you see lpg.

by Dbvwt Sun May 03, 2020 6:18 pm

It will be interesting to see the situation after all this has eventually sorted itself out.
I get my gas from 2 local independent suppliers, whether they will actually still be here I’ve no idea.

by Eltel Mon May 04, 2020 11:54 am

We tend to use the Calor Gas local depot for refills and as others have said if we see a LPG outlet we tend to do a top up.

Terry

by modelman Mon May 04, 2020 12:14 pm

I fitted a complete Gasit system to my last Autosleeper, & it was great, worked a treat, unlike some others, my gauge was accurate!!
Then all the fill-stations near me stopped selling it, so although i'm doing many 'mods' to my latest van, I'm sticking to a couple of Calor lites in the locker!!

by Guest Mon May 04, 2020 7:01 pm

if youve got room for two bottles why not have the best of both worlds..
my locker is probably bigger than yours butnthe principle is the same.....i have a Gaslow 11kg refillable and space for another large bottle...which could be another Gaslow but ive chosen to carry a large Repsol for our long Spanish winter trips...but, again, this could be Calor if i toured the UK (not sure i could stomach the Calor prices though.
Gaslow do a small refillable (3.9 kg?) so could fit a small locker and if you can carry two then a small Calor would be a good mix and match.

by inspiredron Mon May 04, 2020 8:00 pm

bolero boy wrote:if youve got room for two bottles why not have the best of both worlds..
my locker is probably bigger than yours butnthe principle is the same.....i have a Gaslow 11kg refillable and space for another large bottle...which could be another Gaslow but ive chosen to carry a large Repsol for our long Spanish winter trips...but, again, this could be Calor if i toured the UK (not sure i could stomach the Calor prices though.
Gaslow do a small refillable (3.9 kg?) so could fit a small locker and if you can carry two then a small Calor would be a good mix and match.

The OP told us he has a 2019 van that has an underslung tank. Where can be safely put bottles without radical redesign?
I was on the brink of buying a refillable cylinder when the Shell garages opted out if gas.

by Gromit Mon May 04, 2020 10:10 pm

inspiredron wrote:
bolero boy wrote:if youve got room for two bottles why not have the best of both worlds..
my locker is probably bigger than yours butnthe principle is the same.....i have a Gaslow 11kg refillable and space for another large bottle...which could be another Gaslow but ive chosen to carry a large Repsol for our long Spanish winter trips...but, again, this could be Calor if i toured the UK (not sure i could stomach the Calor prices though.
Gaslow do a small refillable (3.9 kg?) so could fit a small locker and if you can carry two then a small Calor would be a good mix and match.
The OP told us he has a 2019 van that has an underslung tank. Where can be safely put bottles without radical redesign?
I was on the brink of buying a refillable cylinder when the Shell garages opted out if gas.

Spot on Ron.

That's what will make it so difficult for anyone to convert back to bottles.

Making a gas drop-out hole would be easy enough, as would constructing a gas tight enclosure. Biggest problem would be installing an external access door.

by Bollard Mon May 04, 2020 10:33 pm

Just not viable I am afraid. Cupboard space is already at a premium! Maybe have to think about looking at the Adria Twin!!

by Guest Tue May 05, 2020 9:08 am

inspiredron wrote:
bolero boy wrote:if youve got room for two bottles why not have the best of both worlds..
my locker is probably bigger than yours butnthe principle is the same.....i have a Gaslow 11kg refillable and space for another large bottle...which could be another Gaslow but ive chosen to carry a large Repsol for our long Spanish winter trips...but, again, this could be Calor if i toured the UK (not sure i could stomach the Calor prices though.
Gaslow do a small refillable (3.9 kg?) so could fit a small locker and if you can carry two then a small Calor would be a good mix and match.
The OP told us he has a 2019 van that has an underslung tank. Where can be safely put bottles without radical redesign?
I was on the brink of buying a refillable cylinder when the Shell garages opted out if gas.

Ron, i was actually replying to modelman, immediately above my post....who has two calors.
sorry, i should have quoted his post. sorry formthe confusion.
re: the OP, yes it is a pain....owners can install underslung tanks and do away with a locker but moving back the other way and creating a locker from nothing is difficult.
im lucky in that we have a couple of lpg stations on my route east/south (towards ferries) a d im a member of Countrywide which still have quite a few stations around, also we tour extensively abroad where LPG access isnt currently an issue.

by Guest Tue May 05, 2020 9:15 am

Bollard wrote:Just not viable I am afraid. Cupboard space is already at a premium! Maybe have to think about looking at the Adria Twin!!

would certainly be nr the top of my list of PVCs...a different layout to the Symbol Plus, for sure, but offers different benefits, too....incl a large gas locker!

by Toffee Tue May 05, 2020 3:19 pm

Wouldn’t it have been great if all Motorhome and caravan manufacturers had opted for the underslung tank on their products and campsites had invested in the filling equipment.

by Gromit Tue May 05, 2020 3:21 pm

Well, they all have huge LPG tanks on the premises, so the installation costs would be much reduced - one presumes!

by Paulmold Tue May 05, 2020 4:00 pm

Toffee wrote:Wouldn’t it have been great if all Motorhome and caravan manufacturers had opted for the underslung tank on their products and campsites had invested in the filling equipment.

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t31544-campsite-installs-lpg-pump#263472

by Bollard Tue May 05, 2020 5:08 pm

That would be great Paul,old. Thank you for your reply!

by Richard G Fri May 08, 2020 12:17 am

When I bought my 2015 Nuevo I thought that the onboard gas tank a big benefit over my 2009 Nuevo with cylinders but not finding it so, inaccurate guage and not many gas on pumps, and actually don't think I have gained any storage space.
At least with cylinders one can carry a spare, I don't know when mine will run out.
Probably middle of a shower!

by Bollard Fri May 08, 2020 9:41 am

Hindsight Richard if only. At least you have your van Richard, mine is in for its ninth time for water leaks AND LOCKED IN AT MARQUIS for the last 6 weeks and the foreseeable future!

by Jamie D Sat May 09, 2020 9:45 am

Can you still buy bottled gas readily? It used to be sold on the garage forecourt but can’t say I’ve noticed them for a while. Is bottled gas on the demise too?

by Bollard Sat May 09, 2020 12:11 pm

Bottled gas seems ok but extremely expensive!

by Guest Sat May 09, 2020 12:44 pm

I agree with Bollard as I recently had a published letter in MMM (April 2020 - 'Demise of LPG?') and notice there is also another letter in the June edition from Ian Ruck on the same subject. I live in West Sussex and the number of garages around the county stocking LPG has declined dramatically in the past year or two. I am concerned about this situation and wonder about the solution should this decline continue.

I wonder that manufacturers, of motor-caravans, under-slung tanks and refillable bottle options, have their heads in the sand on this issue and should they should be more proactive in alleviating this downward pattern and help find solutions to ensure the continuation of a widespread refillable LPG supply.

However, thankfully, others are out there trying to help and I praise and recommend the efforts of those who produce and maintain the apps - myLPG.eu and FillLPG who I have experienced to be of great help.

Terry

by IanH Tue May 19, 2020 4:43 pm

If you think Calor gas is expensive..................
My Harmony arrived with Campingaz cylinder fitted, not such a bad idea as its readily available on the continent.
There is also room for 2 bottles.
The bottle is a 907 size holding 2.72Kg of gas. Went to have it refilled, empty of course, was quoted £37, and have seen none below £30!! Lets be kind and say £30 for 2.72Kg that's £11.03 per Kg, so if the same a 6Kg normal propane cylinder would be £66 to fill! I actually asked them if they filled it with liquid gold!!
Needless to say it has a 6Kg propane in it now. The big advantage of a refillable tank is you don't have to wait until its empty to top it up.

by Guest Tue May 19, 2020 5:08 pm

"The big advantage of a refillable tank is you don't have to wait until its empty to top it up."

....and another might be that )last time i looked) it was less than 60p a litre round here...with the drop in petrol/gas prices it could be 50 a litre now...roughly £1 per kg, so a tenth of the cost of Campingaz!!

AND....you can fill up when its convenient.

PS...i mentioned upthread that i am a member of Countrywide (Farmers) and they have a small network of LPG pumps....i know they dont operate everywhere but it might help some members out

AutoSleeper fit re-fillable tank?

AutoSleeper fit re-fillable tank?

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