Caravan gas consumption advice please

Caravan gas consumption advice please

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PH5121

Original Poster:

1,963 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
In a couple of weeks we are going on holiday in our caravan for a period of two weeks. I am looking for some advice about if I need to take one or two 6kg gas bottles. How much gas are we likely to get through in two weeks?

A bit of background, the caravan came supplied with a gas bottle, but it only had enough gas to use the oven once before it ran out (I didn't check how much was in it, I naively assumed it would be supplied full but was wrong).

Now that summer is here and I have bought a Cadac gas bbq we will be doing some alfresco dining, and I don't fancy spending the thick end of £750 eating in pubs every night.

Other than for cooking we won't use gas as we will be using electric for the fridge and water heater. Do you think one 6kg bottle will be enough? I know that the site we are going to stocks gas, but this morning I have tried two local stockists who said that Calor hadn't sent them any bottles in that size. Luckily the third one I tried had a couple in stock. If there is a supply problem I would rather get a second one to take with me.

Thanks

Paul

Edited by PH5121 on Wednesday 20th July 11:34

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
I always carry 2 personally - one connected to the caravan, and the other I use for my Cadac.

Although we are normally on electric hook up, it's quite handy having the gas connected to the caravan as water will heat quicker if you use both the gas and electric water heaters at the same time (should you use the shower, etc).

Also, sometimes it's handy to use the grill in the caravan. Would be hassle if you only have 1 bottle to have to connect/disconnect.#

And if you can, get the Calor Lite bottles designed for caravans - same 6kg gas but a lot lighter. Ideal for going in front lockers.

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
You should be fine with a 6kg provided it is full. Cooking doesn't use a lot of gas it's running the fridge that does.

I carry a spare. Mainly because it will run out one day when I am cooking!

Have a look on gumtree and eBay for local people selling cylinders. They don't have to be red as they will exchange red for blue and visa versa. Try to stick to a similar size though.
It will save a lot on the deposit that calor charge!

Just remember to watch your noseweight if adding a second bottle. They don't actually weigh 6kg!

PH5121

Original Poster:

1,963 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice, I have a 7kg blue bottle kicking around in the shed, if I do get a second bottle it would be good if I could swap it.

Regarding nose weights, I haven't a clue as we have never taken the awning, table, chairs, bbq etc with us, as on our previous couple of short trips the weather was snowing or raining so we didn't bother.

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
Thanks for the advice, I have a 7kg blue bottle kicking around in the shed, if I do get a second bottle it would be good if I could swap it.

Regarding nose weights, I haven't a clue as we have never taken the awning, table, chairs, bbq etc with us, as on our previous couple of short trips the weather was snowing or raining so we didn't bother.
You don't need a gauge you can use the bathroom scales and a peice of wood or a bar to the tow hitch socket.

Noseweight is very important when towing. Ensure you check it before you next tow as too much weight in the back of the caravan could cause the rear of the car to lift causing a massive accident!

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
Thanks for the advice, I have a 7kg blue bottle kicking around in the shed, if I do get a second bottle it would be good if I could swap it.

Regarding nose weights, I haven't a clue as we have never taken the awning, table, chairs, bbq etc with us, as on our previous couple of short trips the weather was snowing or raining so we didn't bother.
Stick your heavy items (awning, etc.) in the boot of the car.

PH5121

Original Poster:

1,963 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
I do have a nose weight gauge, I used it when I last towed the caravan.

The 'van was empty as I was taking it back to the supplying dealer for a warranty issue. It was below 70kg.

What is an ideal nose weight to aim for?

chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
PH5121 said:
I do have a nose weight gauge, I used it when I last towed the caravan.

The 'van was empty as I was taking it back to the supplying dealer for a warranty issue. It was below 70kg.

What is an ideal nose weight to aim for?
The caravan will have a maximum and minimum weight and the tow hitch on the car will have too. What car and caravan do you have? A few websites will give approx figures but the tow hitch will have a limit too.

PH5121

Original Poster:

1,963 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
The car is a Land Rover Freelander 2 GS and the caravan is a 2006 Swift Challenger 530. The tow bar is a detachable swan neck Witter if that makes a difference.

(I must admit that I didn't realise there were variable factors involved, I assumed there was an ideal figure which had to be met if possible. Thanks for the help with this).

CoolCurly

210 posts

210 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
Ive got a red Calorlite 6.5KG bottle which has just replaced the old Blue (because we van all year) and that new one actually has a fill dial at the top - handy.
I also have a small 4.5KG Butane for the Cadac and I use my cadac alot.

Im 99% of the time wired in for electrics so dont really use the gas for cooking unless I put something in the oven for the kids (Chips/Nuggets etc) but the last blue bottle I had lasted me over a year of solid vanning.

Even the cooker rings, I try and use the electricity first as I feel like im paying for when I decide to have hook up.

My Truma setting is always electricity too so water and heating (when needed) will run from that rather than the gas and again I'll usually use the shower block if I want a longer shower.

Get one big bottle for the van, one small bottle for the BBQ, relax and enjoy the trip!! :-)


chasingracecars

1,696 posts

96 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
You should be fine for the car noseweight however there should be a label on the tow bar under the car. Hands and knees job it starts with and S I would suspect it is S150 on the freelander.

Not sure on the year but most caravans have a noseweight of between 75kg and 100kgs but this is based on the hitch installed and will be stated on the paperwork.

The caravan club will also show the calculations for working this out.

PH5121

Original Poster:

1,963 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
I went to get a new bottle at lunch time to be told by the man in the shop that my old bottle wasn't empty. He gave me an empty one to compare the weight, and mine was heavier. This might mean that my cooker has a fault which is just what I need so close to going away.

The last time we went away we couldn't get it to work, but it worked fine the time before, the bottle felt light to me so I thought it was just empty.

If it doesn't work tonight with a full bottle it looks like we will be using the Cadac for everything, so I better go get a pizza stone and a few extra bits as burgers and sausages for a fortnight might get monotonous!

CoolCurly

210 posts

210 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
quotequote all
could just be air in the system that needs a good blast out - I guess its not igniting, silly question but have you tried it with a match rather than with the electric spark lighter.......silly I know but my old van's built in lighter NEVER worked.

If you get one hob sparked, turn all of them on for a quick blast.......will pull the air out and least you can be happy.

If there is no gas smell when your hobs are on, have you checked that the main valve in the locker hasnt been turned to the OFF position and that the gas bottle is actually unscrewed/open???


GlenMH

5,204 posts

242 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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And have you got an inertial valve on the gas that is designed to shut off in case of accident? Look for a green button in the gas locker.

Huffy

346 posts

219 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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In terms of quantity, one 6kg bottle comfortably did me 3 weeks last year and would probably have done 4. Only used for cooking but we used oven and hob pretty much every night, some lunches and the odd breakfast. We do use an electric camping kettle though. The first holiday I had carried around a spare bottle but this was tiresome as putting it in the van took the noseweight too high and I was never entirely happy with it in the boot of the car.

As far as noseweight goes general advice is that this shouldn't be less than 75kgs unless dictated by car or van. My car can take 90kgs and I generally aim for between 80-85 as this seems to provide the best balance.

In terms of your cooker, as others have said make sure you allow time for the air to draw through to get to the gas. I regularly have to light the hob before I can get the oven to work too, and on my particular model you have to ensure the class lid is properly lifted before anything will light. Hope that helps and good luck.