Big Momma Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am considering converting to the gaslow refillable system. Although I believe it may be initially expensive the long term costs and benefits seem to make it worth it. Has anyone already done this and if so, any disadvantages I should take into consideration first. Thanks for any advice or experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry1956 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 hi, fitted twin cylinder system myselve a few years ago, great and apart from holding its resale value, saves on the price of gas, easy to use in europe etc etc. michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We had refillable cylinders fitted by the dealer (in Belgium) on our new van they are not Gaslow. Best accessory ever you may never cover the cost unless full timing but the sheer convenience it's well worth it. Try to avoid filling up in France the autogas their will soot up the fridge burners in a couple of weeks, we always try to fill up in the UK as the autogas in UK is 100% propane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 656 Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I had 2 x 11kg bottles fitted by CMR at the Peterborough show in 06. As I full timed then, they paid for themselves with 12 months. I will definatley get it fitted again when I change the 'van Dave 656 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 many thanks to all of you for responding. It seems to me that this will be a worthwhile investment. Thanks for the tip on refilling in France, any experience of similar problems anywhere else in europe e.g. Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Germany .......... Is it known as Autogas generally or is it called something different in each country ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 In main land Europe usually LPG or LGP, difficult to get in Spain not available at gas stations others can probably advise on availability in Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Regarding filling up Gaslow in France, i have done this many times without it blocking the fridge jets ect. The only thing i have notice is that the contents gauge does not always read full , when it should. After contacting Gaslow about this , there opinion is that the LPG in France is a mix of Propane and Butane and this affects the gauge. However on returning home this goes back to normal after a couple of refills. Re filling up in Spain see the Vicarius book on aires and lpg places Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 Thanks Mickt - The information I have been reading said something about them only refilling to 80% for safety. have I misunderstood something ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We had L.P.G bottle fitted year before last, we travelled for six weeks last year over in France and Germany we used it the summer before and we still havent filled it again yet! we intend filling up here before we go away again, much better than having to heave heavy bottles about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Collings Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Fitted a 6 kg bottle last spring and after about four refills and a couple of trips to France its almost half paid for in cheaper gas and reduced nights on sites or not hooking up if we did. No problems otherwise just fill the bottle when we see LPG for sale at filling stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjmike Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I noticed that Big Momma resides in Swindon, I won't go into the disadvantages (I live there too) but a big advantage is that there is an outlet for Countrywide Autogas, if you join up to their scheme, tell them its for cooking and heating and you will be billed at the lower VAT rate (5% I think) https://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/Content.ice?page=EnergyAutoGasRefuellingOutlets&pgForward=businesscontentbasic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 That,s correct the bottles have a valve which only allow,s them to fill up to 80% for safety reasons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panagah Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Just to add really, I fitted one myself. Don't do it to save money as it will probably take forever. But in terms of convinience it is well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champstar Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 panagah - 2009-03-11 12:22 PM Just to add really, I fitted one myself. Don't do it to save money as it will probably take forever. But in terms of convinience it is well worth it. I have to agree...I fitted an 11kg about a month ago..now it gives me the freedom to go wild camping for nights on end without worrying about running out of gas...so easy just to top up when gauge starts dropping. If you use hookup and sites a lot it may not be for you but when DA rallying and wild camping it really comes to the fore!! :-D :-D :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 fjmike, Thanks for the info and the link, very useful. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I think that it is no longer a matter of 'if' but 'when' i do the conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Just a slight aside here, not sure if it is the Pound v Euro exchange rate is to blame, but couldn't help but be surprised by the price hike on Gaslow cylinders. Even Waudbys, who have been consistantly keen with their prices, are quoting £135 per cylinder! Before Christmas the latest cylinder with contents guage was selling for £90 or less, a relatively small increase over the still available old cylinder that was selling for £75 to £80. Glad I got ours early at around £70 per cylinder. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wills Wagon Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 For what its worth, how many bottles? If you are a heavy user of gas say for winter heating you may need two bottles. We have one 11kg Gaslow bottle and travel about 120 days year, limited in winter but make full use of the gas cooker and barbecue and tend to stay on site with hook-up which means we only use it occasionally for fridge use or to boost heating. One refill a year is sufficient for us which means we are not carrying excess weight. The new cylinders have a gauge to indicate low level so if you anywhere reasonably civilised it is easy to top up the cylinder on your travels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 We have 2 x 11kg cylinders last summer on a 3 week holiday we used one cylinder, weather wasn't too warm last summer & we had the heating on for a bit in the morning & some evenings & that was down in Slovenia. 21 nights away we only used sites for 6 nights so using gas for a lot of hot water for showers etc. Also as we damaged our gas locker we were trying to use gas to get the weight down. I also think because of the convenience of re-fillables we don't worry about our gas consumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 How do Gaslow compare with a fixed installation.? We have a Small Rapido 709F and it would be great if we could turn the gas locker into some other form of storage space. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Because still not at the age where I can enjoy the good life at every opportunity tend to travel mainly during good weather so use of gas is limited to cooking (when not using the Barbie). Occasionally away late October and Early February when most gas use is for the blown air heating. However, the convenience of filling up with gas and then not having to worry for many, many weeks (months) will be a real bonus. Having to swap over bottles and lift in and out can be a real pain so not having to do this would be a real advantage. I will certainly need to consider the weight and that was a good point, sometimes easy to forget ? I am not very good at DIY, if I find a fault and manage to repair it (something simple like a blown fuse) then I am ecstatic !! So will need to find somwhere that will supply and fit. Brownhills is closest but they are not my favourite dealer after some disappointments so may need to look further afield unless there are some wise owls out there who can recommend ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Pop across the channel have a few days break with the couple of hundred quid you will save on Brownhills price by getting them fitted in Belgium or Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 just looked at pricing for Gaslow and they have gone expensive. Really want this system but can't justify cost at moment Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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